Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-12-24
Will Arrive at Com
munity Chris TIM a S
Ire e in M ar k e t
Square at Z O'clock
This Evening with
Gifts for 1900 Little
Boys and Girls

The younger boys and girls Of Au-
gusta are to be favored by visit from
Santa Claus himself early this eve
ming before he starts on the long
round of chimney visits which he must
complete before little boys and girls
all around the world awaken to inves-
tigate the stockings so confidently
hung on fireplace mantels to receive
the detired items for which they have
expressed desire.
A great community Christmas tree
observance for girls and boys 10 years
and younger has been arranged for
this evening in Market Square by the
Augusta Rotary Club, with the COOP
Grafton of other local civic and serv-
ice organizations.
AS joyful welcome to old st. Mich
olas. the boy carolers of st. Marks
church. under the leadership Of Har-
rison Lyseth, will sing Christmas
carols at the opening of the program
at 6.45 this evening. The Augusta Ca
Diet Band, under the leadership of
Frank A. Dennis. will also play sew
eral selections and accompany the
carol singers. The old >carols to be
rendered by the ST. Marks choir will
be ''Oh Come All Ye Faithful" silent
Night. Holy Night" and "Oh Little
Town of Bethlehem" 1t is expected
that the entire assemblage will join
with the carolers in these songs.
Santa Claus Is expected to arrive
promptly at o'clock and while he
gives his reindeer opportunity to re-
fresh themselves for the long nights
task at the fountain, he will be well
coined on behalf of the little boys and
;rlc he Of NV
Smith S. Randall, chairman of the Ro-
tary committee. Santa will reply with
a few words OF personal greeting to
the children of the Capital City. The
talk will be very brief as the jovial
old gentleman will be tired after the
sleighride from the Northland, and he
knows that the youngsters will be
anxious to participate in the distribu-
ton of the bags of goodies that have
been prepared for them.
Arrangements have been made so
that the young children may file by
the big illuminated Christmas tree in
two lines. A detail of aides from the
American Legion under the direction
of Commander Colonel Charles w.
Savage will organize the lines and
keep them moving along rapidly. There
are plenty of gift bags for all of the
younger boys and girls, and there will
be no occasion to crowd up around
Santa and the tree; in fact. Santa has
informed the local committee that be-
cause of the many other calls which
will be before him this evening he
will be able to tarry here but briefly
and things must be organized If he Is
to complete the distribution.
Ne vehcular traffic will be permit
ted through Market Square in any di-
rection between and s o'clock. A
squad of Augusta policemen under
Chief William ]. Skehan will be pres
ent to handle the traffic and enfore the
rule. ~ Is urgently requested of peo-
pie who park their automobiles in the
square in the late afternoon, remove
them before $50 as matter of pro-
lection to the some thousand small
children who will be present to greet
Sonta Claus.
AS each child received his package
from Santa he will also be given a
numbered coupon which should be re-
tanned carefully until Santa or one of
his aides makes the drawing of the
numbers for the awarding of the IL
special gifts. Since the original list
of these extra gifts was announced six
more have been added, making a total
for girls Of six, and another half dozen
for boys. The added gifts were pro-
vided as follows: Skis by Smith S.
Randall; searchlight by George S. Will,
liams: express cart by Blaine S. Viles.
These three articles have been added
20 the gifts for boys, and the follow
ing three presents for girls: Express
cart. given by Mayor Ernest L. Nc
Lean; golf clubs donated by Milton 0.
Dean; utility basket provided by Ed
ward B. White.
Seventh special gifts for both girls
and boys were added Thursday eve
ming, when the Chernowsky store
rendered wool stockings. With this
donation there are now IA splendid
gifts available for the youngsters
who hold the winning numbers when
Santa Claus draws the tickets to-
night.
The visit Of Santa Claus this eve.
ming is for the enjoyment of citizens
generally, but gifts have been provid-
ed only for the boys and girls who are
not yet more than IL years old.