The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1921-12-29
HENRI THIELE /
ENTERTAlNS SOC
THE GORGE HOTEL GAY RENDEZVOYS
Big HOSteIry Was Like Fairyland When
Santa Claus Fredricy Began Dis
tributing Christmas Gifts


member. will probably recall, after
they have reached the eveningtime OF
life, the Christmas party at the Co
lumbia Gorge hotel Friday night, when
Henri Thiele was host to an estimated
5OO children ranging in ages from
three to II years.
Mr.. Thiele has prepared banauets
for notables of international fame, but
never did he serve more appreciative
lot of guests than those youngsters of
the Apple City, each of whom received
a cup of hot chocolate a dish of ice
cream and abundant cakes after old
Santa Claus, impersonated with a zest
Of truly st. Nicholas style by jovial j.
II. Fredricy, child loving old bache-
lor.
The Columbia Gorge Hotel, in its
brief life of only six months has al
ready been the meeting place of some
enthusiastic assemblages, and in the
future other appreciative guests will
| gather there for Ioasts and feasts. but
a climax in Christmas mirth and the
faith of childhood was reached Friday
night. MIR. Thiele had devoted several
days toward preparing his hostelry for
the event. and no Christmas tree ever
shone with a more brilliant array of
c1lored lights and shimmering tinsel
than the fir erected in the center of
the big dining room, its top against
the ceiling. The children were given
full run of the big hostelry's main
floor. Little bcys and girls ebbed and
flowed in corridors, sitting rooms and
the dining room itself. Big eyes, blue
and brown were wide with wonder,
and 10 the exuberance of their faith
many little girls embraced old Santa
Claus when they passed him in line
for the dining room. Outside tae
rugged Columbia gorge lay inspiringly
still in a blanket of deep snow. In
deed, the Columbia River Highway
was paved with winter whteness, and
drivers of automobiles. guarding their
precious loads, guided their cars with
care so that not a single skidding ac-
cident occurred.
All in all. the event was like page
from the book of good fairies. and
the dreams of hundreds Of little boys
and girls FRIDAY night were builded
around the goodness of Santa Claus
and the JOY of Christmastime.
The community Christmas tree idea
originated several weeks ago with
John Baker, who suggested that good
fellows of the city should formulate
some plan for giving the poor of the
town some real Yuletide cheer. Mr..
Thiele had already announced that his
Christmas tree would be available to
the general public. And thus it was
suggested that the event be made a
general community affair with the CO.
lumbia Gorge hotel for the rendezvous.
The enthusiasm of parents was more
pronounced than had been anticipated.
1t was not expected at first that more
than 200 would brave the wlntry
weather and motor the two miles out
of the city for the festive gathering.
All children whose families did not own
automobiles were carried to and from
the hotel by volunteer motorists. some
Of whose cars made double trips. Il.
II. Goodrich donated the services of his
huge school bus and twice did this
great vehicle ply the now-encrusted
gian sardine can.
The children were instructed to as
semble at the county library building
at 4.30 sharp. But by two O'Clock be-
cloaked girls and little boys in ear
muffs and big overcoats were on the
steps of the building shouting for
transportation. Many children were
accompanied by their parents and at
least $50 adults were as enthusiastical-
ly JOYFUL as were any of the younger
children. SO packed was the hotel
that many children were lost from
their parties, and the hnal sorting out
of youngsters was rendered somewhat
complicated. Owners of automobiles
conveyed not only their own children,
but as many of their neighbOrs', who
had no machines of their own as they
could conveniently pack aboard. AL
Reed pursued this course. His car, on
the homewaTd journey, was filled rap
idly at the door of the hotel. and he did
not discover until he had reached home
that his own small son was not aboard.
But Reed, junior, was not worried.
He was discovered, when the alarmed
ather had hastened to the telephone,
still care-free and happy guest at the
big hostelry.
One of the most active members Of
the committee in charge of arranging
for the visit of the children was Mrs.
Glendora Blakley. Other members Of
the committee were District Attorney
Baker, C.. A. Bell. A. M. Cannon, q.
II. Vaughan. X. B. PergO. Hugh q.
Ball and Joe ID. Thomson.
When the feast was closing f. c.
Smith mounted a table and announced
that Mr.. and Mrs. A. $. kolstad. acting
for their two small daughters, extend
ed an invitation 90 all children Of the
valley 10 be guests. without admission,
at the Rialto theatre at a special movy
program Christmas day.
The members Of the committee and
Mr.. Thiele. as well as the children
themselves wish TO express hearty
thanks 60 motorists for the part they
played iu making the big party so sue
cessful. After all is said and done the
car owners. who brlved the slippery
roads and carried the children safely
To and from the hotel, deserve a lion 5
share Of the credit. Those who regis
tered and furnished a1tOmo oiles Wege:
Leslie Butler. Truman Butler. Dr.
C. n. jenkins. s. f. Bartmess. n. NJ.
Hill. a. X. Stranatan. l.. ;. Aims
worth. John Baker. +. C.. Wright, r.
r. Goodrich. a. So. Cannon T. l..
Nan-er. Ur. T.. J.. Scoaee Kent Shoe
maker. X. ~. Sinclair. j. W. Critics, G.
W. NcCullagh. j. r. Hcaton. Hood
River Garage. ". IT, McClain. b. II.
Snow. Mrs. Dixon. Or. Pineo. Dr.
Murphy. s. J. Moore. A. T. Moe. l.
B. Gibson. frank Morse. p. L. Tomp-
kus. L. %. Meachsm. +. $. Davidson.
r. 81. Holman. F. l.. Alden. Floyd
Arnold. Clarence Gee. G. II. Castner,
Dr. n. B. Abraham. e. q. Anderson,
Ur. f. %. KanaEa, j. b. Nolstorh,
q ~ ------- III. H N--L--.