The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1918-12-05
Thanksgiving Day Celebrations
Include Patriotic School Programs, Many
Private Parties, A Victory Sing, Church
Meetings and a Military Ball.

votion as that of November 28, 1918. 1t
was in direct contrast with Thanksgiving
of 1917 with the world war depressing all
and casting gloom over everything
Belfast's varied program began with
union service of song at the Colonial
Theatre on Sunday evening preceding
the regular Thanksgiving day, when ten
minute speeches by representative clti-
zens were short sermons of praise and
prayer.
Wednesday afternoon the teachers of
the Grade schools read articles appropriate
to the day and the High school afternoon
session was devoted exclusively to VIC
tory Thanksgiving program with num-
Der of guests present Principal John A.
David's brief and patriotic address made
a lasting impression upon his audience.
He recounted this reasons for genuine
thanks at this trying time in our coun-
try's life, particularly in its deliverance
from the horror of the world war. His
remarks rang true to American manhood.
j. R. Dunton read Pres. Wilson's Thanks
giving proclamation and made brief but
patriotic remarks. Chas. S. Bickford,
chairman of the school committee, follow
ed his appropriate speech with the official
announcement of brief school recess
until the following Monday. Mrs Glenn
ent w. Wescott delighted al with that
beautiful contralto solo, 'The Story of
Old Glory and responded to an urgent
encore with that popular parody, "When
Pershing Comes Marching Home Again"
The program closed with ''The Anvil
Chorus"
Thursday there were many private
parties, large and small. bit in all there
was a very noticeable lack of the usual
merry making on account &C absent rela-
tives and friends and sym oathy for the
many bereaved homes.
At the suggestion of the I ational Presi-
dent of the Federated WoI EMS Clubs a
victory sing was held at be w. c. C.
Service Club room at p. m, under the
direction of Mrs. E. S. Pitc ler, chairman
of the Maine Federation Committee, as
sisted by Mrs Charles Br ,dbury of the
clubs hospitality committee. There was
large attendance includi lg the city's
leading soloists. The pre- gram opened
with the Star Spangled Banner, Mrs
Bessie Keyes of Camden pianist. This
was followed by the readinl of President
Wilson's Thanksgiving proclamation by
Miss Anne NJ Kittredge. rhe vocal Sc
lections included ali the popular songs
on the War Camp Comm.rity Service
song sheet, the songs which the soldiers
and sailors of America are singing on
both sides of the water, including Over
There; Joan of Arc; Goodbye, Broadway,
Hello France; Keep the Home Fires Burn
ing; Good Morning, Mr.. Zip-Zip-Zip; It's
a Long Way to Berlin; LII Liza Jane;
There's a Long, Long Trail; Keep Your
Head Down, Fritzie Boy; Pm Sorry
Made You Cry; If He Can Fight He Can
Love, Then Good Night Germany; Katy,
Indianola, etc. Interspersed were solos
by Mrs C. W. Wescott and Miss Kath-
crime E. Brier, the former singing per-
tinent parody on, When Johnny Comes
Marching Home Again, the words being
When Pershing Comes Marching Home
Again. Miss Brier rendered The Ameri-
cans Come, and with Charles F. Ham
mons sang the verses of several of the
popular war songs in which the audience
Joined the chorus. Mrs. Pitcher sang, by
request, A Perfect Day. A number of
amusing Grounds" and parodies were led
by Mr.. Pitcher and the program closed
with the singing of The Marseillaise and
America.
Company F, of the Third Infantry of
the National Guards, gave delightful
ball at their Armory in the Opera House
Thanksgiving evening. There was a
large attendance of men in uniform, in
cluding guests from the Rockland Naval
Reserves Training Station, from Co. A,
9th Bn. U. S. Guards at Standpoint
shipyards, from the coast patrol and U.
S, colliers in the dock at Searsport.
There were many in citizens clothes and
ladies in pretty evening gowns. The hall
was gay in flags of the Allied Nations,
ennants and Stars and Stripes galore.
Deans orchestra of Camden, with Mrs.
Bessie Keyes pianist, played delightful
program of concert numbers and also
furnished music for the dance. Capt.
Orrin j. Dickey, with Mrs. Charles F..
Hammons, Lieuts Ross l. Hammons and
Basil R. Allen and their wives led the
grand march. The floor was crowded
with dancers until the close at H. 30,
while every available seat in the balcony
and on the floor were taken by spectators.
Ross Arey catered at intermission.
The announcement was made that Co. F
will give another military ball Christmas
with Deans orchestra in attendance. 1t
is hoped that many of the city's young
men at Camp and overseas will be at
homie on that holiday.
Through the kinoness of friends
THANKSGIVING was made a merry time
for the children of our Girls Home.
AZ, Iro M Cohe has reneatedlv remem-