Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-02-27
WASHINGTON CLUB
ANNUAL BANQUET IS
BEST IN HISTORY
OVER 100 MEMBERS ATTENDED
MEETING AT HOTEL PHELPS
IN GREENVILLE

The Washington clubs annual meet
ing has always been since its organi-
aztion the event of the year to its
members. Over 100 were present
at Hotel Phelps, Greenville, Friday to
celebrate Washington's birthday and
the fifty-second anniversary of the
organization OF the club.
The reception committee in their
best bib and tucker were on hand at
$3.50 in the morning to welcome the
Belding contingent of the club and
the man of the hour, Rev. A. w. Wis
hart of Grand Rapids, the guest of
the club for the day, and made all
feel in the language of Longfellow:
"Ah! how good 1t feels,
The hand of an old friend"
Shortly after eleven o'clock Presi.
dent George c.. Bower, brought down
the gavel made in the shape of
hatchet, from the immortal tree that
George Washington cut down, and
called the meeting to order, and call
ed upon Miss Meroe Coats to play a
piano solo. 1t was done by the young
lady of musical proficiency in such a
manner that an encore was vigorous
ly and gracefully complied with by
Then came prayer by Rev. w. b.
Jarman( address of welcome by E. j.
Bowman of Greenville and response
by H. j. Leonard of Belding; all good.
crossing.
The reading of last years min
utes by Secretary j. c. Smith, fol-
lowed by the presidents annual re-
port, and regrets from absent men,
bers and they were so satisfactory to
the members that they were ordered
filed in the archives of the club.
Miss Esbaugh, the teacher of mu-
sic in the Greenville schools was next
called upon for vocal solo, and more
was enthusiastically called for by the
members present. Needless hardly
to say that two more were given and
the pleasure was increased.
Memorials of the deceased men,
bers was the next on the program and
+. f. Fales spoke on the the virtues
of w. A. Wilder, Mrs. Earle's eulogy
on Mrs. R. II. Hall was a gem and w.
the life Of c. C. Wilson.
When this was over a violin duet
which was charming in every respect
was given by Kenneth Thoms and
Rufus van Deinse. 1t was greatly en-
joyed.
Mrs. r. C. Ecker. the goatkeeper.
told of the trials and tribulations she
underwent in taking care of the pesky
animal of the club. 1t was harrow
ing in the extreme but the brave little
lady was equal to the emergency and
came out ahead.
The next in order was the election
of officers and the following was the
result: President, w. p. Hethering-
ton, Belding; vice president, z. j.
Bowman, Greenville; secretary and
treasurer. J. c.. Smith; goatkeeper,
Earle Wilson.
Then the welcome cry of dinner and
all marched down to the dining room
to the strains of music played on the
violin by Kenneth Thoms, and on the
piano by Miss Mildred Sagendorf, and
they continued playing during the
feast.
After prayer by Rev. j. B. Pine
kard, the guests were seated and then
they began to look and be astonished
with the elegance of the patriotic ap-
pearance Of the room.
The banquet served under the guild
ance of Mr.. and Mrs. j. l.. Stafford
with a competent corps of walters,
was all that could be desired. After
the serving of the fourth course,
Misses Mary Emily Ranney and Vir-
ginia Browne, to the music by Mrs.
Marjorie Beardslee and Miss Louise
Hillman, stepped into the room and
danced gracefully, artistically and
stylishly each was beautifully cos
TUNED.
Miss Brownies dances during the
afternoon were "Lo Tzigame," and
military ''Hussar" dance. Miss Ran
ney's dances were a "Muzurka" and
an Irish Lilt, all in appropriate cos
tune. This innovation was much en-
>joyed by all present. sa so
written by Mrs NJ A. Berridge and
Mrs. f. L. Macomber was read by
c. l.. Winter
When the banquet was over which
was without any gainsay the best
ever. and the labors of Mr.. and Mrs.
Stafford all day to make things plea
SAINT were much appreciated by the
members. The landlord and landlady
could not have improved it if they
would. Then rose and sang the "Star
Spangled Banner" and went to the
Central school building to hear an adj
dress bv Rev. A. w. Wishart on
-Four Months with the American
Soldiers in France" 1t was not
hearsay but personal report OF
things he had seen and how the boys
were living and the work of the Y.
M. c. A. in their midst. He told
many facts which sunk deep into the
minds Of the hearers and changed
their opinion of how things were pro-
crossing
Miss Virginia Browne then repeat
ed the military "Hussar" dance for
the benefit Of the guests assembled
and after the singing of America"
by the school children, the meeting
dispersed. owes
Was the day done2 Not by long
shot, for the Belding members were
told to return to the hotel where they
were served by their sisters in Green
vile with coffee, sandwiches, oatmeal
cookies and pickles.
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