The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-05

Watertown, March s The MasQue and Dagger Society of the Taft School will present benefit performance for the Red Cross Drive of the three-act comedy George Washington Slept Here, by Moss Hart and George Kaufman. Friday evening, March Q at 8:l5 in the Bingham Auditorium.
 The play was first presented Feb. 24th and was such & success that MT. Lester Atwood, Chairman of the Red Cross Drive for Watertown, has made arrangements with the school authorities to have the play given again for the Red Cross. The play ran with almost professional smoothness and continuity of ac- tion, having none of the flaws or Interruptions from missed cues and breaks in tempo so often character istic of amateur productions.
 The outstanding performances of Robert Merkle, son of MT. and Mrs. Francis J. Merkle of Waterbury, who played the part of Newton Fuller, of Stephen Veitch of New Mexico as Annabelle Fuller, his wife. and of Chester Miller of Dan bury, Conn, as Uncle Stanley help cd make this performance one of the most outstanding in the long list of dramatic productions pre- sented on the Taft stage. The en- tire production is under the direc- ton of MT. Robert T. Olmstead. head of Dramatics at the school. Much credit must also be given to MT. Walter Rotan and the art stu dents for their work on the stage settings and o Mrs. Robert Olm- stead for the costumcs.
 Masters and Lecturers Night
 Visiting Masters and Lecturers night was observed at the regular meeting of Watertown Grange held in Masonic hall Friday evening Present at the meeting were two visi- tors from Prospect Grange. three from Middlebury Grange and la from Bethlehem Grange, four from Plymouth Grange and % local Grange members.
 Visiting Masters attending the meeting were Harland Crooker oi Middlebury Grange, Lyman Burke of Bethlehem Grange and John Dd- vies of Prospect Grange and visit ing lecturers were Mrs. Ruth Bas- sett of Middlebury Grange anG Mrs. Mabel Paris of Bethlehem Also present was Mrs. June Tucker Beach former lecturer of Watertowr Grange. Mrs. Beach, the wife ol Lieut. Beach of the Air Trasnporl Command, is spending some time at her home here.
 During the business meeting, vote was passed to contribute the sum of S5 to the Red Cross Wal fund drive. Mrs. Elsie Gillette, an' nounced that during the past week she had sent to the Merchant Mar inc library 8 large box Of book' contributed by Watertown Grange Announcement was also made of af invitation to visit Pomeraug grange on Monday evening. March l3. Int invitation was accepted and a many members as can will attend
 The following program arranged by Mrs. Elsie Gillette wa spresent' ed: Opennig song. Welcome tt You" the Grange: Talk, "Agricul' ture", Mrs. Ruth Bassett. lecturer of of Middlebury Grange; skit pre- sented by Mrs. Mabel Paris, lectur' CT of Bethlehem Grange; humor' ous reading, Joe, the Bootblaci Takes a Sunday Ride"-John Da vies. master of Prospect Grange sang for those in the service. II Beulah Land"-Mrs. Mabel Booth Miss Marian Gillette, Wilbur Hew' it. poem, T Remember I Remem' Der. the House Where I Was Born Mrs. Ruth Bassett: reading, "Th' Beeswax Shortage"-Miss Marior Gillette: closing song. Smiling Through the Grange.
 The cake was won by Mrs. Bis sell of Bethlehem, member of Lhs Plymouth Grange.
 Red CToss Drive Report
 Lester W. Atwood. chairman of thu local Red Gross War funnd dytvl hos anneunaa6 that VI untl alln'