Wednesday, July 29, 2009

The Firemen's Ball

from "A Place to Remember", by Georgia Payne Durham Pinkston
"We attended the ball and supper at the Fireman's Hall, given by Providence Fire Company No. 1, on the evening of January 22, 1876.
We found it one of the most enjoyable affairs it was ever our pleasure to attend. There was a complete harmony of all the elements, and a universal disposition with those present to enjoy themselves. Providence has become an elegant place in one respect. All our balls and dancing parties pass off without any jars. No drunken men are allowed to disturb them, and there is scarcely ever one who appears intoxicated at them. Really, the ball was a delightful pastime.
The supper was very good, though the best edibles did not hold out to the second table. The young people, after dancing with good consciences ought to have. So, when we modestly approached the second service, we pleasantly beheld the frames of chicken and turkeys standing like deserted castles. We didn't even get a leg leg, for there was no leg left. But there was an abundance of ham, and we rolled into it.
Cakes were abundant. The splendid stack cake from Reigart and Conn was voted to the most popular lady, Miss Frances Stassner being the happy winner.
Success to the the Firemen, say we." (newspaper account)

L. P. Sponsors Cecilian Concert

from "A Place to Remember", by Georgia Payne Durham Pinkston
"The finest opportunity of hearing brilliant and classical music was offered the people of Providence on November 21, 1887, in a Cecilian Concert. The concert programme would do honor to any large city, and the reputation of the artists promises a most pleasant and delightful evening.
Mr. Y Mrs. Ganier, of Millikins' Bend, are thorough musicians. As a violinist, Mr. Ganier received his education in Europe. Mrs. Ganier, formerly Miss A. Mitchell of Vicksburg, made music a specialty and scored successes as a vocalist and a performer. The operatic and much admired voice of Miss Ida V. Noland of Omega (Plantation), could not fail to please the seveest of critics.
Our home talent needs only to be mentioned to draw a full house. The sweet and musical soprano voices of Miss McFarland, Miss Louise McCulloch and Mrs. Olive Ransedll, the euphonic barotone of Mr. Martin, the deep sonorous voice of Mr. F. X. Ransdell, prove that in the terpsichorean art we are far above cities that reckon more inhabitants than we do.
Add to that the harmonious and much pleasant strains of Miss McCulloch's harp and the dulcet melody of Mr. Benham's violin, and you will have a fair estimate of a concert that would certainly be appreciated by opera going people."