Putnam patriot., 1917-02-23
Good Music, Pretty Decorations, Large Crowd, and Gayety We're Attri.
 buisS of the l7th Annual Event
Mayor and Mrs. John J. McGarry Lead 100 Couples Through a Maze of
 Figures in the Grand March
largest and Finest Appearing Crowd in Years Unanimous That The I7ih
 Annual Beat Them All
Large Number Remsin Until 2 a. m. for
 Goodnight WaItz

While "Good night, Ladies' and "Home, Sweet Home" hoaled from the stage of old Union hall at 3 o'clock Tuesday morning there were seventy in rhythm 10 the music. Tired, yes, but loath to have the Seventeenth An nual Ball Of the Putnam fire depart ment come to an end. This large num- Der stayed until the very end and was conclusive evidence in itself that the affair was big success.
 While in no way rejecting on the previous sixteen annual events staged by the members of the department IL was generally admitted that the seventeenth annual concert and bal Monday night was up 10 previous high standards and then n little bit more. It was the largest and most brilliant gathering that has been assembled tor a similar event in years. This in It. self tells the story of the success of the ball.
 Not in several years at least has the annual ball attracted such a crowd. It was estimated that between five and six hundred people were assem bled as guests of the tiremen. Over 100 couples participated in the grand march. It WAS n large number to handle success fully as it taxed the floor space. Mayor and Mrs. John J. McGafry assisted by John B. Daigle, superintendent, of fire alarm, and Mrs. Daigle, were equal to the occasion and led the line through maze of figures that at times led those seated to believe that the march would end In confusion. That there was nothing Of the kind, but well planned and well executed rumber of figures, brought forth many compli. ments for the leaders.
 The Csrgill orchestra of nine pieces furnished excellent music. Al 8 o'clock they began fine concert program and no sooner had they started the first bar than the guests began to arrive.
 As the couples entered the hall they took in at glance the decorations. Simons X Fox of Hartford had trans- formed the bare old hall into a pretty bail room. There was not the usual number of fire scene pictures but in keeping with the times the decorations might be called patriotic in aspect. Red, white and blue predominsted and from the ceiling these colors were festooned and gathered in the center under a tasteful arrangement of Amer ican flags. Tbe side walls were also covered with the national colors set off by an interspersion of shields. The stage was covered with solid color of purple, except for line of white. Over the center of the stage was the motto, "Welcome Bremen" and the foot lights were banked with potted ferns and palms, color being given by the letters P. F. D. outlined in varied colored electric light bulbs. It was a pretty setting and when the pleasure seekers crowded Lthe floor it was hap pily enlivened. The women were prettily gowned, and, in passing, 1t may not be out of place to say that Putnam hss reason to feel proud of It's representation of women. Many com pliments were heard for the appear anee they made, and, together with the blue uniforms of the firemen, both from Putnam and many surrounding cities, towns and villages, all added color to the scene.
 It was but a few minutes past 8 o'clock when the grand march wss formed. This is always feature of the firemen's ball. At its conclusion Prompter Frank k. Murray took charge and called for the formation Of the circle and the Portland fancy ushered in a program of eighteen dances.
 At the conclusion of the ninth dance an intermission was declared. Many left the hall and several supper parties were served at hotels and restaurants. Soda and fruit punch were served in the hall.
 When the first dance on the last half of the program started It was no- ticeable that more than the usual number had remained for this final half of the program. Encore after en- core followed each dance and the or. chestra was generous in its response fo the demands of the enthusiastic danc- CTS.
 Occasionally one or two would leave the hall but even those not dancing stayed in good numbers until the lsst note hnd died away. It was . success. A big success. The success of several years. The arrangements, the decors- tions and the music left nothing to be desired and but one opinion was ad- vanced by those who stayed 1t out the seventeenth annual was the best yet, and credit to ,the department which does all things-woTk or play