Putnam patriot., 1925-02-27
FIREMENS BALL
 BEST IN YEARS
Departments 18th Annual Draws Crowd That Taxes
 Capacity of State Armory

Financially and socially the 25th annual concert and ball of the Put nam Fire Department held in the State Armory, Monday night. V9as success. In fact it was the biggest success in years and carried one back for a decade when the annual event of the department was the most large ly attended public function in the city.
 The lavish expenditure on deeora- tions, that only depicts the profits, was missing. In it's stead was a tasti- ly arranged stage with large Ameri- can flag in the background. Sharpe's orchestra was ensconced in bower of potted palms and over the stage outlined in red electric lights were the letters "P. F. D." Other American flags added their touch of color. The decorations were approved by gath ering estimated at three hundred r more and were free from that over done effect SO heavily depressing.
 Guests Arrive Early
 A few guests arrived even before the orchestra began it's hours con- cert. From until 9 o'clock steady stream of guests passed through the doors and 1t kept the reception com mittee active to provide extra seats for the unexpected numbers. Each number on the concert program was received with generous applause, ae knowledged by the leader. Merle Fish. At o'clock Prompter Lebeau, who gave excellent service in this old time role, called for the formation of the grand march. That this feature is passing from popularity has been evil denced on several previous occasions. While the hall was filled only twenty. five couple participated in the march. | Those in the spectators seats, how ever, enjoyed the spectacle as the march was exceedingly we'll manoeu- vered by Assistant Chief, Alphonse Dumas and Mrs. Dumas, with Charles T. Thayer, superintendent of the city's fire alarm system, and Mrs. l Thayer, second in line. As the head i of the line passed the entrance to the dance floor both Mrs. Dumas and Mrs. Thayer were presented large bou- quets of carnations and ferns. Mrs. Dumas wore an evening gown of pais- lev silk and Mrs. Thayer black lace trimmed with silver beads.
 The Plain Qusdriile
 When the march ended the orehes- tra played an old fashioned waltz and the dance floor was filled immediately with dancing couples. Several square dances were on the program. In all probability they were placed there with a little misgiving as to their popularity. If this is so that mis- giving was soon allayed as 1t took but few minutes to fill the floor space with sets for the first quadrille. The dancers seemed to enjoy the old time dance and the spectators certainly enjoyed looking on. The orehestra's dance music was up to the concert program numbers. All were encored. Near midnight there was an inter mission during which supper parties went to nearby restaurants. There was delegation of visiting firemen, Southbridge leading with the largest number. At the headquarters on the square and in the quarters of the No. company open house was held and the visitors entertained.
 Department Has Come Back
 it is matter of public record that there was q period of years during which there was dissension in the i department and the annual ball suf- 1 fered in attendance thereby. Under Chief Ralph E. Thurston, his assist ant chiefs and foremen the person nel of the department has again be- come a harmonious family. Nothing has more emphasized this fact than the fitting time of the holding of the annual concert and ball which mark ed quarter of a century of similar affairs. That the 25th annual' was the best and most largely attended since the days when the sides Of old Union Hall fairly bulged with the number of guests, was the opinion of those who have seldom missed being present in the past quarter of a century.
 The Committees
 The committees having the sue cessful affair in charge was made up as follows:
 General committee: Frank Dumas, chairman; Edmond Keane, secretary 1 Walter A. Wheaton. treasurer; Harry Sharpe, Joseph Cady, Wilton Green, Edward Benoit. Frank Baker, Arthur Dawson, Louis Beausoleil, Edgar Auger, Rosario Mayotte, Elzear Guer- tin, Charles A. Ryan.
 Floor director Philip Gaene.
 Reception committee: Frank Du- mas, Rosario Mayotte, Walter A.. Wheaton.