“Saranac Lake lovers of that which is good in music have a memory that will stay with them for many years after the annual Tuberculosis Society concert Wednesday night.

“Long before time for the concert to take place the last seat in the house had been taken, and Dr. William B. Soper, president of the Society, addressed his introductory remarks to an audience that completely filled the Pontiac Theater.

“The surprisingly beautiful voice of Rosa Ponselle, generously poured forth in song after song, each only serving to increase the urge for another.

“Colin O’More’s clear true tenor, a delightful experience for those who heard, in operatic and lyric airs alike.

This photo is looking from the balcony to the stage. The Pontiac Theater seated 1,200 and was often filled when two movies, a cartoon and a newsreel were on the bill. (Photos Courtesy of the Adirondack Room of the Saranac Lake Free Library)

“Barbara Lull’s violin mastery was wonderful with her refreshing simplicity of personality.

“Accompaniments were exquisitely rendered by Walter Golde for Miss Lull and Mr. O’More and by Maestro Romani for Miss Ponselle.

“The unannounced appearance of Mme. Francesca Peralta, like Miss Ponselle is a reigning soprano of the Metropolitan Opera Company.

“This wealth of musical inspiration made up the program of Saranac Lake’s most memorable concert, and the persons that took part gave their services in order that the good work of the Tuberculosis Society may continue and expand.

“The evening was rounded out to full perfection by an audience of spontaneous appreciation in response to the soul-searching music given them.

“A large measure of appreciation falls to the lot of those who planned for this event and for its success. In making arrangements for the concert, Ernest Wood, executive secretary of the Society, (he was superintendent of Trudeau Sanatorium) upon whom most of the responsibility rested, had the assistance of the following concert committee: “Mrs. J. Woods Price, chairman; Miss Helen Adams, Mrs. Edward R. Baldwin, Mrs. Lawrason Brown, Mrs. J. Peyton Clark, Mrs. A. H. Denny, Mrs. M. M. Feustmann, Miss Ann McCrary, Mrs. William Mulfur, Mrs. Edward N. Packard, Mrs. Ellis N. Platt, Mrs. Willard Soper, Miss Ellen Taylor and Mrs. Francis B. Trudeau.

“Mr. O’More’s First group of songs opened the program, and the tenor, who was at the Society’s concert a year ago won so many warm friends was accorded a warm welcome.

“He sang an Aria from Puccini’s ‘La Boheme,’ a Page’s Road Song by Ovor Novello, and Serenade, by Richard Strauss.”

(Now the following is for those of my friends, with no opera experience, who use to “Shimmy at the Shammy,” the famous Shamrock Bar and Restaurant that’s now sadly closed forever — or not. If any of those friends are still around, remember when we were at the bar and were often requested to sing. Usually the title of the request was “Sing by the Window and We’ll Help You Out” See, when you thought I couldn’t get any more corny. Oh, I almost forgot: Female opera singers are sopranos, and male opera singers are tenors.)

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Hospital construction completed

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“Following the recent completion of the Saranac Lake General Hospital building, (a mere 98 years ago, now the administration headquarters for North Country Community College on Winona Avenue) as originally designed, officers of that institution are now planning establishment of the annual maintenance fund on a systematic, efficient basis through the enrollment of membership sufficient to underwrite the amount necessary to make up the difference between operating costs and operating receipts.

“This will mark the final step in the hospital’s progress to a position of security and permanence in the community, and plans for an active membership campaign were outlined at a meeting of branch chairmen with officers of the hospital held yesterday afternoon at the Saranac Lake Free Library.

“Sept. 1 is the day set for the hospital drive. By having a large number of workers canvass the entire village, it is planned complete the campaign in one day. (Pretty cool. Now it takes months.) The village will be geographically divided into districts. Heads of the various branches of the hospital tree will captain the districts and appoint women of the village who are interested in the hospital to assist with the canvassing.

“First-class memberships carry a $25 subscription. Other classes are $10 and $5. Everyone in Saranac Lake will be asked to subscribe in one of the classes, so that a sufficient amount will be realized to cover the annual hospital deficit.

“As in all hospitals there are a number of cases each year which the hospital is obliged to treat without any charges or at a very low rate.

“Miss Hilda Fletcher is chairman of the membership campaign, and chairmen of the hospital branches who will act as captains of the districts are as follows: Mrs. J. P. Clark, Mrs. E. R. Baldwin, Mrs. W. H. Hasse, (Sharon Bishop’s aunt), Mrs. E. F. Kendall, Mrs. C. H. Goldsmith, Mrs. J. C. Morgan, Mrs. W. J. Callanan, Mrs. G. M. Abbott, Mrs. Eugene Delamater, Mrs. W. H. Cluett, Mrs. Julius Cone, Mrs. E. S. Welles and Mrs. H. B. Brown.”