The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-12-21
Santa Makes Early Visit
Happy Faces
Abound at
Party

Happy faces filled the gymna-
stun OF Ypsilanti High School
Thursday evening as Santa Claus
made an early appearance present
ing toys, dolls and games TO each
hoy and girl. The occasion was
the annual Goodfellows Childrens
Christmas party. held this year es-
pecially for the children OF men in
the armed forces and those who
have returned from the services.
The returned servicemen and
their wives, and the wives of the
men who are still serving. appear
ed at the party as guests Of the
Goodfellows. also.
II was estimated that over four
hundred children were present at
the gala party and about $50 adults.
There were 700 gifts piled high in
one corner of the gymnasium in and
around Santa's sleigh.
The gifts left over from Thurs
day evenings party will be includ-
ed in the annual Goodfellow's
Christmas baskets, Thomas O'Dea.
chairman of the party committee,
stated
Arrive in Time
Happy children, many Of them &C.
companied by their parents, began
filing into the gymnasium before
7 p. m, the scheduled time for the
beginning of the party. To the &C
compartment OF recorded Christ
mas carols, all persons attending
were presented candy and pop
corn by teen-age. hostesses, from
the Ypsilanti High School
Soon the lights were dimmed
with only the brightly colored cleo
trio candles of the enormous Christ
mas tree in one corner of the gym.
nasium glowing, and on a silyery
screen that had been placed in
front of the seated crowd. was
shown a half hour of motion pic
lures. including a Popeye cartoon,
a doggy drama and a "Madcap
Models" and Three Bears in a
Boot cartoons
Magician Delightful
Then the lights were on again
and on the stage in front OF the
sleigh full Of toys was Miss Eleanor
Mellert, magician with two tables
full of tricks. The guests laughed
at many of the tricks displayed by
the modern sorceress as she used
many of the children and grown
ups too, from the audience. They
were Supplied by others, but de-
lighted by all.
Following the lady with the ole
Black Magic" came singing police.
men from the Detroit police force.
One, a veteran of the European
war who recently Joined the police
force in the motor city after sew
eral years absence, is popularity
known as Jerry McSafety" and his
Irish tenor partner. Frank Smith
They harmonized on Yankee Dood-
lie Dandy" and "McCarthy's Band"
before a third member of the troup
was introduced by Patrolman Nc.
Safety. 1t was Little Jerry Mosaic.
tvs wooden pal, and together. with
hig Jerry doing the ventriloquism,
they held the party goers enthrall-
ed
A gala evening was climaxed by
the appearance OF Santa Claus and
the presentation of gifts. The
toys given to the youngsters were
accepted in various ways. Some
delightfully."- thanked the nice man
in red, others, most Of them
younger, weren't quite so eager
TO shake the hand of the strange
looking man. Still others. we're
not sure whether they should ac-
cept the presents or not, but all
left the high school happy they
had come.
Particularly fortunate were those
who received cuddly stuffed dolls
and animals made by Prospect Girl
Scout Troop 80. The girls donated
the gifts for the party.
Committeeman in charge of the
party, with Thomas O'Dee as
chairman. expressed delight in the
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