Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1942-12-27

day for Imperial Valley residents
despite the shadows of war, the va
rions homes being scenes of pleas
ant family gatherings which made
the day happy one.
For servicemen in the city, and
there we're hundreds of them, the
city offered variety of places of
recreation-and planned to con-
tinue them through the weekend.
The canteen on Main street did
thriving business from early
morning on, as hundreds of men
made it their headquarters. The
various churches, Nazarene, Chris
tian, Presbyterian and Methodist,
held open house for the men, offer
ing them quiet places of recrea-
ton in friendly atmosphere. Many
families also invited servicemen to
their homes for Christmas dinner.
Among the family gatherings, one
of the most enjoyable was that at
the Ward McGreW ranch at Melo-
land. where members on both sides
of the family gathered to enjoy a
family reunion. Mr.. and Mrs. I. w.
McGrew, Mr.. McGreW's parents,
we're present as was Evelyn Nc
Grew. who is home from Wright
McMahan school for the holiday.
Mrs. McGrew's father, John Bjor-
gum. was a guest as were her sis
tiers: Mrs. v. II. Bergstedt of Draw
Icy, with Mr.. Bergstedt and their
family. their son Jack, being home
from the University of California.
Berkeley, for the holidays, and Mrs
Herbert S. Harris of Ell Centre, and
Mr.. Harris. Another guest was
Charles Moore a lifelong friend OF
the I. w. McGrcWs, who is here
from Colorado.
For Mrs. Ernest linn DEITY
Ware) Christmas was happy Gay
because she received not only
cable but also letter from her
husband who is on overseas duty
Mr.. and Mrs r. E. Huff made
Christmas joyous one Tor three
privates, Clarence T. Smith, Sher-
rill D. Mcmillan, and James E.
Williamson. AS the men were either
FROM the south or middle west,
Imperial Valleys winter vegetable
gardens we're something new and
the Huffs took them on a tour,
showing them all the spots of in
terest. afterwards entertaining them
at dinner at the Trocadero Many
snapshots were taken which Will be
sent home to give friends and rela-
tivcs an idea of this desert country.
Frances Foulds arrived Christ
mas eve to spend the holidays with
her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Scott b.
Foulds. Frances is a student at Arr
iona State, at Tempe, Arizona.
=.
Judge and Mrs. A. c. Finncy spent
Christmas eve and Christmas day
with Mr.. and Mrs. c. l.. Smith and
their two little daughters to whom
Santa brought their chief desires
a big doll for each. MI. and Mrs.
Cal Rector were guests for break
fast Christmas morning. two SER
viccmcn dining with the family
Christmas day.
Mrs. c. V. Munson and her son,
Alan, who Is stationed i'll Santa
Ana with her for Christmas, as
we'll as her daughter, Jean for San
Diego, and Chuck and Jimmy Mum
son. Alan came from Santa Ana
with group of boys from the valley
James Cope, Milton Damron. How
ard Rhodes, Bob Mack.
Dinner guests of Mrs. j. w. Don
oluc at Rancho Donean Christmas
day were 1t. and Mrs. Richard
Heat. Mrs. Donoh,e has as her
house guest Z man from the San
Diego naval hospital, Carl Ierk-
strotcr who is recovering from
wounds received in battle.
Many residents held open house
INFORMALLY during the day, among
them being Mr.. and Mrs. M. j.
Horton who have invited a few
friends to drop IN, Mrs. Horton al
SO. having the family dinner party
this year.
The Neal II. Gavin home was the
scene of much gaicty all during
tho day, the family having its
Christmas tree early in the morn
ing. after which Mr.. and Mrs. Cav
liz were at home to their friends
until noon, many calling to enjoy
tncir open house. After that the
family had its Christmas dinner,
guests including, Mrs. Cavin's bro
tl,cr, r. I. French from San Fran
cisco: sister Mrs. Dan Gregg, ST.,
MI Gregg and their four sons,
Charles, Gordon. Paul and Neal,
but the person who probably had
the most fun of all was little jim
my Gavin.
For 25 years now Mr. and Mrs.
John Zcnos have held open house
r1,r;ct,,ac dow op6 tl,ic wear apain