The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-02-21
MINSTREL SHOW NEXT
TUESDAY NIGHT
Everything Is Working Strong for the
American Legion Benefit
(By Roy L. Marston)

In the good old days when sport
was king in Skowhegan, and Ed King
was the debonair and handsome
pitcher of our champion team, the
young men of our town had wonder
full gymnasium. 1t boasted the usual
athletic equipment with parallel and
horizontal bars. flying rings and aerial
ladders. 1t was called the Skowhe-
gan Athletic Club, and it held forth
in the rooms over what Is now Fred
Woods stove store. The cream of
our youth were its membership, and
the most eminent and distinguished
citizens esteemed 1t an honor to be
elected its officers.
Every winter the club gave a grand
Athletic Exhibition in Coburn Hall,
where in flesh colored tights the stars
displayed their physical charms and
prowess to admiring sororities. The
drills of the Indian Club swingers to
spirited and dreamy music were al
ways of most appeal. The play of
muscles in swaying arms and sinewy
thighs were rhythmic ds the slide of
trombone. The club has disbanded,
the old gymnasium is abandoned, the
members are scattered on the Seven
Seas, and their willowy, lithsome
figures have lost their trimness. Good
luck and bad luck have left thier
marks on the stars of yesterday.
Doubtless many have been breserv-
ed from an early grave and complete
physical breakdown by reason of ply
steal perfection resulting from exer
else in that old gym. 1t is to be
hoped a goodly number have con-
tinued the stunts thete learned thru
the intervening yeats. One, at
least, r. r. Patten, heal newspaper
man, has kept up the Indian club
practice and, in the 40 odd years that
have passed, has constantly added to
the combinations which were taught
him in those days by Gearge Hurd of
Colby, the physical Instructor. He
will demonstrate what can be done
in four or more decades of patient
practice by appearing before the foot
lights in an Indian Club exhibition.
Special lighting effects have been
prepared and St Cecelia's orchestra
is rehearsing special music to go with
this event.
This is only one of the many Start-
ing remarkable acts In the grand Olio
of the big show TAey will delight
the eye. mystify the senses and appal
the imagination. Stout guardians of
the law will be stationed at the stage
entrance to protect these matinee idols
from enthusiastic fappers. 1t will be
the biggest show for its size ever per-
petrated on the Western hemisphere.
The race among the fair contestants
for Miss Skowhegan" goes madly on.
Every seat will be filled by satisfied
spectator. Mony refunded and ex
pert medical attention furnished to
anyone who sits through the show
without laughing. Mufflers furnish
ed to hearty laughers. Jack Jenkins
and Archie Roderick don't dare tell
each other their jokes for fear Of
knocking each other out
Now don't forget that there's no law
against buying as many so cent tickets
as you want even though you don't
exchange all of them for reserved
seats. One man bought twenty-five
the first day, and if his candidate for
Miss Skowhegan' needs it,, he'll
likely buy another twenty-five. Every
cent you understand will go for the
benefit of the boys who made Skow-
hogan so proud in 1917 and 1918
when they marched down Water
Street. The Legion represents the
best citizenship and our dearest ideals
And when you are buying your tickets
take the whole durn family. Give
mother and wife and the children a
good laugh. This is one time when
you can be sure of having good time
even though your wife is along.
Remember
It's easy enough to be pleasant with
glass. lass and a song.
But the man worth while Is the one
that smiles
When he's got the old woman along!