Annual Firemen's Banquet

FIREMEN GIVE THEIR FRIENDS BIG BANQUET – Tenth Annual Event Thoroughly Enjoyed. – Chief Adams and Faithful Assistants Prove Admirable Hosts to Their Legion of Friends.

            Following a custom started some ten years ago, the Cranbrook Fire Department staged its regular annual banquet in their spacious quarters last Tuesday evening.  How successful these have been is attested by the large number who say they have never missed one in all these years.  Upon this last occasion 48 invited guests including a representative body from both the city council and the police department, sat down to a sumptuous supper prepared by the boys.

            Chief Adams and his firehall “boys” left nothing undone.  The hall was tastefully decorated with evergreen, streamers and paper bells.  One long table reached across the end, from which three others extended down the hall.  These were decorated with flowers and lighted candles, and laden with seasonable delicacies.  When the guests took their places six large turkeys done to a golden brown were brought in, carved and served.  There was plenty of everything for all and to spare.  Ice cream in individual containers and pie and cake were served as desserts.  Then came the cigars and cigarettes.  It was a great meal served in “homey” surroundings.  Even the canary in a cage on the wall voiced its approval lustily and burst forth into song frequently during the festivities.

Speakers of the Evening

            Those who made short addresses were: Mayor Roberts, F.M. Mac Pherson, M.L.A., Aldermen Collier, Balment, Attridge and Flowers, J.P. Fink, Father Choinel, T.R. Flett, V.Z. Manning, D. Philpot, C.R. Ward, F.H. Dezall, W.F. Cameron, J.E. Kennedy and Howard Congdon.  Mr. Congdon came all the way from Lethbridge to attend, and was representing the International Harvester company, which supplied most of the new fire fighting equipment for the city.

            All were grateful for the invitation and many flowery compliments were showered upon Chief Adams and his efficient co-workers.  The chief welcomed all the visitors and expressed his appreciation of the splendid support his department had received from the mayor and council.

            E.D. Taylor proved himself a capable accompanist for the community singing.  F.J. Smyth was toastmaster.

            Cranbrook’s fire department is comprised of Chief Percy Adams, with James Gordon and J.H. McClure on the regularly paid force.  The call firemen are: Jack Ward, Alan Gill, Eddie Taylor, Gordon Hanna, M.A. Tallman, O.J. Knight, James Conroy, Ross Carr and Sam McLeary.