The Cordova daily times., 1921-01-10
ELKS BALI, AT ANCHORAGE IS
 HUGE; SUCCESS

Anchorage Elks may have pulled off other social events worthy of the name; they may have observed, in fitting manner, patriotic days; they may have been the moving spirits in affairs of the state, the nation and the town, but it is generally admitted that Friday nights affair eclipsed all other commendable efforts. The Elks Third Annual New Years Ball was success-a huge success. In fact a will go down in local history, deserv- ing of reference, says the Anchorage Times.
 Of the six hundred invitations ex- tended, 1t is reliably estimated that at least five hundred accepted And moreover the five hundred came pre- pared to be entertained, and they were. It was an occasion of the year when riotous revelry was rampant: when merrymakers were out to dance and sing to the two-fold accompani- ment of the soul and orchestra.
 Early the throng of gladsome peo- pie gathered at the hall; it was also early when they left, but the dawn of new day-a New Year which they had welcomed to Anchorage in a joy ous spirit befitting the occasion.
 Nor was the affair entirely devoted to galety and revG:4y. As the hands of time pointed to the hour of eleven the members of the order gathered in front of the beautifully decorated or chestra pit and led by Exalted Ruler Thomas Price, responded to the sol emn toast of The absent brother"
 It is admitted that the Elks are gloom-dispellers; it was no place for the pesSimist and oiG man gloom and the grouch played lone hand. The clown and jester, bedecked with cap and bells and smiles and cheers, reigned supreme and in the wake of the lawmakers ran and danced beauti- fully gowned, joyous women and we'll groomed, happy men who, at the stroke of twelve, ushered in and wei comed the year 1921, as evidenced by purple lights placed over the center of the ballroom. To make the welcome certain and leave no doubt as to the joyous feeling of good will which pre- dominated, the merrymakers blew long and loud on whistles and horns: beat vociferously on drums. and eyerv- thing responded in kind until the noise was deafening, but pleasant, for it unquestionably expressed the pre- Vall1ng sentiment. And too, the New Year was wrapped and re-wrapped in vari-colored serpentine until he ad- mitted Anchorage as his home for twelve months and the members of the Elks lodge the guardian of that part of his characteristics which dis pelled Faith, Hope and Charity" with Charity as the outstanding vir- tue.
 Immediately following the transfer from the old to the new and while waiting for the cheers to subside and the dust to settle the first consign- ment left the dance hall for the lodge rooms to enjoy coffee, sandwiches. ice creom and cake. Due to the small ness of the lodge rooms and the largeness of the crowd it was neces- sary to divide the guests into corps. The refreshments were delightful: in fact they were so appetizing that there were no twelve basket-fuIls" lett over; not even a core. This speaks well both for the cuisine and the reply to the invitations and the lodge members are to De congratulat- ed upon the happy result.
 Compliments were many on the ar tistic decoration of both the hall and lodge room. The decorations were harmonious, with purple, the lodges color, ever in evidence. Everything bespoke the work of artists and decor ators who necessarily spent many hours in producing the beautiful eff feet. The dancers danced and the merrymakers made merry until 'wav long in the morning, and even then were loath to leave the joyful scene where they literally danced the old year out and the new year in" as