The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-24

The Most Reverend Maurice F McAuliffe, Bishop of Hartford. has authorized the celebration of a Christmas midnight Mass for the Catholic personnel at Bradley Field. Starting Friday night promptly at l2:00 p. :n., VITO will broadcast for the third successive year the com- plete ceremony with Bernard Null lins, the stations chief announcer, commenting on the service and in- terpretlng the prayers and music which will be rendered by the male choir of St. Justins Church, Hart ford, under the direction of the Reverend Father Hewith.
 The celebrant will be Lieutenant Gordon P. Campbell, Catholic base chaplin at Bradley Field. He will be assisted by Reverend Charles Nc Nerney as deacon and Reverend Richard Dunn as sub-deacon, both of St. Mary's church, Windsor Locks.
 The servers of the Mass will be Sgt. William DuqueSne, of Pennsyl- vania. master of ceremonies; Staff Sgt. Peter Luddy of Waterbury and Corporal Arthur Merkelz of Chicago, accelytes; and Sgt. James Luddy of Waterbury, censor bearer.
 Reverend John Kennedy, editor of the Catholic Transcript, will de liver the sermon.
 Plans are being made for elabor- ate Christmas decorations for the Chapel by a soldier group under the direction of Corporal Claude Jackson of Lexington, Kentucky.
 Carrying on the tradition begun by Mime. Schumarn-Heink and con- tinued by Kristen Flagstad until her departure from this country. Helen Traubel American-born Met ropolitan Opera soprano. will sing Silent Night, Holy Night" at three minutes before midnight on Christ mas Eve over the NEG network. Miss Traubel will repeat the song in German On Christmas Day as part of special broadcast to be short- waved into Germany.
 There was one contestant on 'Thanks to the Yanks" over CBS who breathed sigh of relief when he learned that his voice was not carrying to the West Coast It was Private Bernie Gibbs of Hollywood, who appeared on the show at 7:30 p. m., EWT, last Saturday. He was telling quizmaster Bob Hawk all about his coming date with New York girl when sudden thought silenced him, horror stricken. "Oh, my goodness" said the young sol- der in sudden remembrance, my girl back home may be listening!" Bob assured him that she couldn't be. Not unless you want to come back for the repeat broadcast" No" said the unhappy lad, I'm in enough hot water already now my date knows got a girl back home. You can't win!"
 When Miss Lydie Dranow, a per- sonnel worker. guested on Thanks to the Tanks" last Saturday (CBS, 7:30 D. m, EWT), Bob Hawk asked her what her work consisted of, ex- actly. T interview applicants for jobs. l ask them questions and by their answers I know what they're fitted for,' said she. Lets see how that works" said the interested Hawk, ''ask me some questions"
 The young lady obliged. What experience have you had? What kind of work would you like?" Bob thought those over. "So far my an- swer to both is Blondes --does that tell you anything"
 Influenza is playing merry hob with the well-laid plans of radio. Guest stars and regular performers are being moved down by the cold germs and usually just before air time. making it difficult to get re- placements. However, the industry has been equal to the emergency. For instance, Metropolitan Opera Additions of the Air." had two ma jor casualties last Sunday. William Hargrave. baritone, was stricken as was Milton J. Cross, the commenta- tor. Lansing Hatfield was rushed in to take the place of Hargrave and Gene Hamilton substituted for Cross.
 With the new year, Ken Niles will be announcing Blonde" and all oth< shows of the same sponsor originating in Hollywood: idea is to get one voice identified exclusively with the group.
 Lillian Leonard, balladear on Gay