The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-07-09
GRAND RAPIDS
WHOLESALERS KNOW
HOW TO ENTERTAIN
INCIDENTS OF DAYS VISIT IN
THE FURNITURE CITY WILL
LONG BE REMEMBERED


A.~ oeiuins people VINO took ad-
vantage OF the trip to Grand Rapids
Thursday, where the Grand Rapids
wholesalers were to entertain them
with their "Belding Day" program
certainly had good time and the
way that the Grand Rapids people
Went after things to make the dav
one long to be remembered could not
De excelied in any detail and we have
yet to hear single word of criticism
over any detail connected with
the event. The weather was lust
ideal and the business session. get
together meeting or whatever ven
might want to call it which followed
the splendid luncheon at the associa-
ton OF commerce rooms was lust
right. 80
About 140 local people left here
about ten o'clock and made the jou--
ney to Grand Rapids by autos. No
blow outs, punctures or other auto
troubles took place on the way over
and the only incident which could
have been placed in the accident class
was when the brakes refused to work
on the p. III. Maloney auto and he
drove into the rear of Wess Porter's
car. Neither Of the machines were
damaged.
The delegation Of wholesalers sent
out to meet the Belding pilgrims met
them at the end of the Plainfield
avenue car line and escorted them
into the city. Al the heart of the city
was entered the automobiles were
forced to proceed on low speed prac-
tically all of the way and the stops
WA L.
parked in convenient place near the
association of commerce and everv-
body being hungry, went over to the
association rooms where a splendid
hot weather feed was ready.
Immediately after the luncheon the
Grand Rapids News Jackie band gave
sonte very fine numbers including
specialties by two of the members
of the band and a small child of per-
haps three years old was introduced
and he sang a number of popular
chorouses, for which he received a lot
of applause. Hale's Orchestra, which
went along furnished spelndid music
Mr.. Tony Johnson was also along with
them and he captivated the audience
as did also the entire orchestra. The
boys made a special good hit with
their Grand Rapids hearers. Follow
ing this Sec. Byron F. Brown, of our
local commercial organization had
some fine views of this city passed
out to the Grand Rapids people. The
views were pasted on a fine folder
and contained the names of the in
dustrial institutions and various en-
enterprises and firms in this city and
containing the information that the
folder with its views was "Frtm
the best small town to the best big
town in the state". The silk mills
were we'll advertised by passing ont
samples of R. M. G.. cotton silk
thread and other novelties while the
basket company was in evidence with
a lot of sample baskets. one of which
was given to each Grand Rapids per-
son.
Following this chairman Of the
wholesalers Piowaty turned the meet
ing over to Lee H. Bierce, secretary
of the Grand Rapids Association of
Commerce and he called on Mr.. R.
J. Prendergast, Of the Worden Grocer
Co., who gave a good talk. Other
speakers were Lee M. Hutchins, of the
Hazeltine Perkins Drug Co., r. How
ard Hall, Byron F. Brown and F. f
Chapple. The Grand Rapids speakers
extolled the ,-irtues of their city and
spoke of the high appreciation which
they felt toward Belding. They told
Of some bio institutions which their
citv is blessed with and when the
Belding fellows got up and talked of
the great things here in our little
city. Hotel Belding and everv Rel
ding institution was well advertised
and the meeing was great success
as far as hearing of good po'nts IF
each IF the two towns broncht ont
and also in the spi~it of ocodfelln-v-
shin which all in the audience we've
possessed If
Mr.. Bierce then called for a real
honest man and E E. Chapple of this
city was recommended. Mr.. Bierce
then explained that the small white
delegation had received was for the
purpose of declaring who was to be
the winner Of the various things which
the Grand Rapids fellows were to
rattle off. The idea of Mr.. Chapple
a staid member of the local Baptist
church conducting a rattle caused
some laughter Dut In tnaJ lI was
mild form Of gambling, assuredly SO
by Mr.. Bierce, Mr.. Chapple was soon
drawing the numbers cut of the box
with the result as fellows:
A big box of candy went to Merton
Smith, ano ther box from the same
firm went to Mrs. Fred l.. Warner.
A large Icy-Hot bottle from the
Hazeltine Perkins Drug Co. went to
Mrs. L. f. Trimble and F. f. Leonard
of II. Leonard & Sons gave another
one to Mrs. B. F. Brown. the holder Of
the next number out Handkerchiets
from p. Stecketee e. Sons were given
to James Dennis. L. E. Trimble and
Mrs. Merton Smith. A gift from the
Brown & Sehler Co.. went to someone
in the orchestra. A sack If rnv
White Flour from the Vallav C;+v
Milling Co. went to Mrs A. NJ H.''.
box of canteloupes from NJ. Piowatv
3 Sons went to p. M. Dvkena srd
Ellis a. Bashara gave another hov ~
Mrs. Henry Freddy who hold tpe
next number. "Jim dandv" ele~t~'~