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Short takes from the Enterprise

(Wednesday, January 14, 1925)

When this old copy of the Enterprise surfaced (not the daily Enterprise, but published only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday) it was all about a devastating fire on Broadway.

I ran the big story in detail back then, picked from the headlines … “Many Stores Wiped Out by Flames on Broadway”“Work of Reclamation Is Underway; Damage Proves Heavy.”

There were also many unusual short stories. Many years ago, there was a reader survey that proved people read the short stuff veraciously, hmmm, or, at least, a lot. So here are excerpts from overlooked short takes.

Chamber elects new director

“Acceptance of the position of Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce by Walter H. Pilcher, assistant secretary of the Rochester, N.Y., Chamber of Commerce, was announced today.

“The position was offered Mr. Pilcher by telegram after a meeting of the Board of Directors yesterday afternoon. In the announcement of the decision the board states that several applicants had been considered before selection was made.

“He is married and has three children and will move to Saranac Lake immediately. He was formerly from Plattsburgh where he was manager of the Mountain Home Telephone Company.”

New tea room on River Street

“Mrs. F. M. De Mar is opening a new tea room at the Komfort Cottage, 120 River Street, opposite the Pontiac Skating Rink.

“The place has been attractively furnished and decorated to present a cozy, homelike atmosphere. Formal opening of the new tea room will be held on Saturday evening from five until 10 o’clock. A pancake supper will be the specialty of the evening.”

Bus drivers needed?

“WASHINGTON (United Press) – The ‘Little Red Schoolhouse’ has been out of existence in most parts of the nation for many years. Now the venerable tradition of the farm boys and girls trudging along dusty roads to their classes is going the same way.

“The auto bus is taking the kids to school now, and doing it so economically that the practice is becoming almost universal in all except the very poor, [what else is new?] and sparsely settled farm sections.

“The Department of the Interior has just completed an investigation with the average cost of transportation $32.55 per year for each pupil.”

Classified — help wanted

“Wanted – Ambitious young lady to travel in crew of three other salesladies, nice outdoor work, must be Catholic. Experience unnecessary. Earn while you learn. Call J.J.K., before 9 a.m. Grand Union Hotel.”

“LOST – Will party who got the wrong shoes and overshoes at the Pontiac Rink Sunday afternoon please phone 926 and exchange for their own property.”

Saranac Lake “social mirror”

“Mrs. Charles H. Goldsmith of Saranac Lake, accompanied by Miss Mildred Maguire of Malone left last evening for New York City, from which port they will sail to Havana, Cuba and Kingston, Jamaica, British West Indies on the Great White Fleet steamer, Carillo. They expect to be gone about three months.”

Mothers’ Club

“Continuing the domestic science courses under the direction of Mrs. J. N. Hayes, member of the Mothers’ Club will meet at the Community House Thursday evening at eight o’clock. The hostesses of the evening will be Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. S. F. Blanchet.”

League of Women Voters

“There will be a meeting and study class of the local branch of the League of Women Voters, held in the ensemble room of the Saranac Lake Free Library, Thursday afternoon from 4 until 5 o’clock. Ways of amending the constitution will be the subject of study and discussion. Persons other than members of the League interested in the subject are invited to attend the meeting and take part in the discussions.”

Women’s Relief Corps

“The local branch of the Women’s Relief Corps will hold a meeting in the Methodist Church parlors, Friday evening at seven thirty o’clock. This meeting is one postponed from last week and officers announce that business of utmost importance is to be transacted. [Sorry they didn’t tell us about the business.] All members and especially the newly elected officers are urged to attend the meeting.

Women’s bridge club

“The regular monthly bridge party and gathering of the Saranac Lake Women’s Club will be held at the Community House on Friday afternoon at two-thirty o’clock. Tables of bridge and pinochle are to be arranged and attractive favors are being offered for the highest scores in each game. Mrs. Rose Scriver and Mrs. Eugene DeLamnter are in charge of the tables. Mrs. Walter Atwood is chairman of the refreshments committee and is being assisted by Mrs. Arthur Wood and Mrs. George Gutshow.”

Watch that housing shortage!

“VIENNA – (United Press) – Vienna is having a very bad attack of divorce fever. By many persons the attack is attributed to a marriage fever which swept the country in the days immediately following the return of the Austrian soldiers from the World War. Other persons claim that the ‘housing situation’ is responsible. During 1924 an average of almost three hundred divorces per month were granted in the local courts.”

Apology

It was an oversight on my part last week by republishing a photo of a junkyard fire on Averyville Road with a caption that began “Holocaust on Averyville.” I glanced at the photo, thinking, I didn’t know there was a junkyard on Averyville and never read the caption carefully. Holocaust has only one meaning – the genocide of European Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II. I sincerely apologize for using the photo and caption.

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