Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-01
AmOO CrOttO
Nev Years Ball
BigSOcialE Event

The year 1918 was fittingly ushered
in last evening with events of various
natures, the New Years eve ball given |
by Amoo Grotto In the Masonic temple !
being easily one OF the largest events |
of the occasion and probably the |
most elaborate attempted by the |
Grotto. The number OF tickets for the
event was limited and they were early !
sold out, scores of late corners be-
ing disappointed at the last moment. !
Entertainment was continuous from 9
o'clock until with something doing i,
every minute !
The ball room of the temple was
deliberately decorated for the occas
ion, the committee in charge spending
thought and labor in making beau
,iful setting for the affair. There was
the suggestion of wartime in the
midst OF the holiday decorations, the
national colOrs used in 10 immense
bells each of red. white and blue,
which were suspended from the
beams. giving the correct touch to the
scene which was further enhanced
with the presence of number OF
Young men in military dress. An i'm
mense Christmas tree in the south end
of the hall, lighted, sent forth its
cheerful message throughout the even
ing. 4 canopy of red and green was
formed in the southwest corner of the
ballroom and here the orchestra,
Whites jazz band, gave forth an eX-
cellent program of music for the dane
ing. A bell trimmed in greenery was
found in the balcony in the west end
Of ba oni at n,iIpi pbf fnI1pl the
old year our and the new year in.
Elaborate gowns of the ladies added
color and beauty to the already per-
feet setting.
The early part of the evening was
given over to dancing, the program
calling for dancing from until 10:45.
The last number concluded with
march which took the guests to Co.
r;nthian hail. and here entertainment
was given until 1870.
Miss Dorothy Sala in her interpre-
tation of Victor Herbert's "Badinage,'
and other Grecian dances won rounds
of applause Miss Sala is a young
miss of II and formerly lived in this
city. Her home now is in Kansas
City She has at once the grace and
suppleness necessary to make her a
perfect dancer and her work last
evening was equal to that Of many a
one with more years Of training and
experience.
Another number that made great
hit was the reading given by Earl
Sirupp who, dressed as an aged man.
told how much better conditions were
in the age of candlelights, etc. The
Ukelele quintet Of East Moline
composed of the Misses Verna Long,
Ieota Aldrich, Mildred Cartwright,
Dollie Arenschild and Bernice Mason.
gave several popular selections that
took well. They were dressed in true
Hawaiian style with reed skirts,
brown bouses and flowing hair.
On the return TO the ball room. the
guests found the committee had been
busy. for long tables filling the room.
had been placed and were laden with
delicious food. After the guests were
seated 1918 made its appearance and
Father Time with his immortal scythe,
impersonated by Ralph Dobbs. tolled
the bell This was the signal for
pandemonium to be loosed and the
noise, devices for which guests had
found at each place, was deafening.
Father Time suddenly disappeared
and the new year in the form Of lit
tie Virginia Stafford, appeared on the
scene and amidst the rejoicing scat
tered roses upon the happy throng.
Confetti had its place in the merri-
ment and the room was soon a scene
OF confusion, wires having been
stretched to catch the streamers as
they were thrown. The dinner was
resumed and incidentally the noise
which continued until dancing was
resumed again.
While the ball room was cleared for
more dancing. the guests were enter
tanned with reels of comic pictures in
Corinthian hall Dancing was then
resumed and was continued with
vigor until 3. the crowd Of pleasure
seekers remaining until the last num-
Der.
The comm tee members in charge
Of the affair deserve all credit that
can be given them. They have worked
for weeks in preparation for the
elaborate event and their labors were
indeed crowned with success. The
committee was composed Of Otto
Priester, +. II, Fletcher. F. L. Patter-
son, Otto +. Hildebrandt Afford O.
Hattrem. Wayne A. Lloyd, Arthur
Nogel and Leroy Mace