PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Lake County Press, Issue 2696, 23 August 1917, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Tea and Entertainment.

(From a Correspondent.) The following notes ou the tea and entertainment in connection with the Arrowtown Presbyterian Church Sunday School which took place in the Athensum Hall on the 10th insfc. reached us too late for insertion in our last week's issue : The noise was almost deafening, and »xcitement ran high as the afternoon wore on. The toy balloons bounced lightly mall directions, so evasive were they. But what tin appetite such fun developed ! And now and a"ain one noticed sly glances cast in the direction of the screened-off stage, for it had been whispered that behind that "old" screen a red fairy tea was being prepared, and for all the girls and boys. It was well that Mr Kennedy had not forgotten his boyhood's days, and so kept going the interest in the games ; otherwise the youngsters could not have refrained during the last long hour from having a sly peep behind the scenes. Everything w&s thoughtfully prearranged for their complete surprise. At the right momaut the signal was tfiveu. The screen went up. And what a munificent sight met the children's eyes ! There, iu the centre of the outer table, was a Christmas tree brilliantly decorated and . lit up with coloured candles—a dazzling, V trlitterin" thing of beauty, having on either side a dainty vase of the prettiest flowers. In front of each child's plate, bristling with good things, was a lovely orange, in which was inserted a tiny fairy-like candle that burned right cheerily and seemed to say, "Come on! Come now!" For an instant there was a blank stare with mouths wide open; then a rush, and all set to. Did we - say that there was an outer table ? Yes, which of course implied an inner table. The inner table was quite a, revelation in its own way. Such Japanese lanterns the children never before had seen, lit up as they were. These, with the long rows of lighted candles set in rich yellow orange candlesticks acrid ; the various cakes and sandwiches and sweets and dainty serviettes, and graced by the presence of so many beaming faces, made a picture worthy of the rarest canvas. Oh that we had taken our camera! For there were around the two pretty tables fifty-two smiling faces, and in the body of the hall below (which was also artistically decorated with evergreen) were many more who partook of the refreshments provided. After all, it was worth those hours and days and weeks of preparation and denying and almost exhausted patience. That beautiful array of flowers—roses, chrysanthemums, carnations, poppies, lilies,' etc.—had meant hours and hours of work, but it was a work of love, and ail felt amply rewarded in those beaming faces and laughing eyes. The training of °the children, too—under Mr Kennedy and Misses Edwards and Stevenson—was richly rewarded in the entertainment that followed. Special comment on individual items would be difficult to make, but the almost continuous applause showed how they were appreciated. The programme was as follows : Doxology and Prayer. Piano duet Misses Anderson & Stevenson Recitation "A Vision" May Summers Chorus " The Little Soldiers " \ Boys Recitation - Hunter Dialogue "Dr Johnny's Visit" Maud and " Gordon Campbell Recitation " Be Careful" Frank Stevenson Recitation " A Catland Law " Ethel Dunlop Action son* " Little Waiters " Girls Recitation "My Birthday " Ivy Penglase Dialogue " Trials of a School Teacher " A. D and M. Summers Speech - Gordon Campbell Chorus " Good Night" Little Girls Recitation " A Maid's Thoughts " Maud Campbell Dialogue " A Narrow Escape " Sword dance, - Violet Stevenson Recitation, " When Ship comes in Myitle Penglase Action song, " Children's Hospital" Monologue, " Dorothy entertains the Minister " Eliza Mackie Dialogue " The Minister's Call " Son>* a "Tommy Atkins" Mr Pears Recitation, " The Fence v. Ambulance" Maggie Keid Action song, " Sound and Colour" Recitation," Barbara Fritchie" Ella Fletcher Sono . . . _ - Mr Stevenson Recitation, "I am aFisherman" Harvey Summers Action song, " Flowers' Festival " Recitation, " Trick for Trick " Annie Summers ' Votes of thanks. National Anthem. A collection was taken, and the sum realised was just sufficient to defray the cost of the " treat." Later the flowers and a few of the dresses were disposed of, and a few shillings thus added, to the church funds. But the object of the entertainment was wholly attained in the children's enjoyment of the same, and Mr and Mrs Kennedy are ■ to be congratulated on their worthy efforts resulting in so complete a success.