The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-09-07
M D N, w o N EN
 A ND THIN G s


 day. One was the one given at North Birmingham park by the ladies of the Twenty first avenue Methodist church and the other one was in connection with the Labor Day cele- bration at East Lake park.
 do not mean that I ate at both places, for attending the one at North Birmingham park where Cap tain Jack Phillips was master Of ceremonies, Ed Haley chief carver, and Albert the cook, while Aunt Molly" kept the Brunswick stew pot boiling, made me feel like famous book, "To Have and to Hold"
 
 It doesn't take much persuasion to get me out to cue when the meats are furnished by the Birmingham Packing company and watched over until ready to serve by Papa" Jack Phillips and his famous crew of barbecue artists. He just naturally likes to see people eat and whenever he has anything to do with dinner on the ground" you may be sure there will be enough to go round.
 And then the ladies of the Twenty first avenue Methodist church are no novices when it comes to sery- ing dinners at the North Birmingham park, for they have had more than 20 years experience in learning how to do 1t successfully, not merely In raising funds for any special work they have in hand, but in giving value received for all who patronize them. This is why there Is always a serving dinner for the public.
 Judge Smith made an ideal water boy, Sam Blake gave evidence of be- ing first-class ticket taker, while Judge Abernethy showed class in getting-away with a basket of meat and a gallon jar of Brunswick stew. Pastor M L. Newton was on hand to lend encouragement to the brothers and theN sisters who were as busy as bees from after. breakfast until near supper time getting things ready, serving and cleaning up. Everybody had a good time and plenty to eat, and the big spring being near. plenty to drink.
 After dinner at North Birmingham park I went out to East Lake to en- joy watching the crowds gathered under the auspices of the Birming- ham Trades Council, for I was anxi- ous to catch the spirit of the occa- sion, and to see just how the vast throng was being fed and entertain ed. J. H. Smith. chairman, and all of his committees deserve great credit for the way they met the sit uation.
 It was no little task to furnish barbecue for the thousands In at tendance and yet it was done with no delays or confusion. The mere handling of 10000 pounds of meat is no easy task, for was out at the Birmingham Packing company's plant on Saturday, and Ed. Haley was back in the cooler where he had been from before the break of day and expected to be long after the going down of the sun getting ready the meats ordered from the plant.
 { Long before dawn things were happening onS Monday at the park where the great pits had been dug for it meant tremendous job to get all of the carcasses roasted In tlme for serving. Few people realize just what a task 1t Is to barbecue meats. The guests come and see them ready for the table, and watch with in- terest the carvers. and the busy walt CTS carrying dishes of them down the line. or pouring out the Braunswlck stew into cups or platters. but few vision the weary hours spent over the slow cooking fires getting them ready.
 never saw better behaved crowd in all my life. In spite Of the thousands, I heard not single oath. I witnessed no unpleasant wrangling,, I never caught the faint est odor of corn" It was just good natured American crowd out for a holiday. I did see tired moth CTS. fretful children. but the great were enjoying themselves to the majority of mothers and children fullest spread out on the grass snla shing. in the lake, padding ln the pool. or frolicking on the whip the merry go-round or the Ferris wheel.
 came away with the prayer that avery man out of work might soon find profitable employment and that every mothers life might be bright ened and that all of the little ones might have plenty to eat and wear. eAostuaMAansiI