description:
THE SKYSCRAPER Chicago's First Theatre COLLEGE ORGANIZATIONS Last night A'ida was sung at our lovely Civic Opera House. As we were leaving the theater it pleased my fancy to recall to mind the first dra matic performance presented in Chi cago, about which I had read in old papers and books about our historic city. Rather, it pleased me to recall the place where the first performance was held. Somehow, that had seemed much more important to me. To be frank, I do not remember what the first play was, but I know that I shall never forget the story of the old Sau- gonash hotel and of Mark Beaubien. It was one hundred years ago that the Beaubien family occupied a rough cabin on Wolf Point in Chicago. The point was the meeting place of the North and South branches of the river. The cabin was one of a group that were situated in that lonely spot. The old Port was some distance away, and the main part of Chicago, our grand, glamorous Chicago, was hidden by the prairie grass This lonely cabin was long remem bered by travelers in the mid-west, however, for to Mark Beaubien was sent anyone desirous of food and lodg ing. His house was never too full for another guest and the host himself was never too tired to extend his own particular brand of gracious hospital ity. Before the city of Chicago was planned, Mark bought a new cabin. He was not a little dismayed, therefore, when the city had been mapped out, to find that his cabin was in the mid dle of the street. He purchased, then, two lots on the corner of Lake and Market streets. There he built a small house which was one of the first and easily the most famous of taverns in Chicago. In 1832 he built an addition to the original house. It was described in Wan-bun as a pretentious, white, two-story building, with bright blue wooden shutters; the admiration of all the little circle at Wolf Point. This was the old Saugonash Hotel, the favorite resort for business and amusement purposes in early Chicago. Mark Beaubien was as genial in his role of mine host in the new hotel as he had been in his old cabin. When he had provided his guests with the best food the frontier afforded, he would tune his violin and play for them. He was really a skilled mu sician and, like a kindly piper, set his hearers to dancing and singing. When Mark left the Saugonash, the hotel lost its popularity. Landlords of varying ability followed in his foot steps, but none could hope to compare with the jolly Beaubien, and in 1837 the house was left tenantless. About this time Mr. Isherwood and Mr. McKenzie came to the struggling frontier town with the intention of opening a theater. The only place in town large enough to serve such a purpose was the dining room of the Saugonash. It was not a model of theatrical beauty nor did it have stag ing facilities, but it was chosen by them for the scene of their dfibut. I like to think that on the gala first night of first nights the spirit of lost glory and the echo of lost voices welcomed the playgoers back to the house of Mark Beaubien. The dramatic career of the hotel was short-lived, however. In 1851 someone set fire to the building, and the old house sang its swan song in a fiery blaze. It was a gallant gesture and an end worthy of the famous house, and I am thankful that it was not forced to humiliate itself by crumbling with age. Press Club Has Novel Reception The Press Club pledges were guests of the Skyscraper staff at a real newspaper party in the Romance Lan guage club room, on Monday, October 26, at 3:30. A layout of the Skyscraper was drawn in outline on the board, and each pledge was given a piece of chalk and a topic corresponding to one of the headlines- In response to a stir ring editorial read by the hostess, Mar garet Roche, the pledges wrote amus ing stories to fit the startling head lines. Each article was read aloud, there being some diversity as to the style of type used, and after much delib eration the members voted the three best stories and delegated the pledges to choose the winner. Virginia Man gold was awarded the prize, a pocket dictionary. Their test passed, the pledges were formally received and after the sing ing of the pledge song, sandwiches, cake, and hot chocolate were served, Janet Ruttenberg and Justine Feely pouring. Gaelic Costume Homemakers Have Turkish Coffee CHEMISTRY CLUB ELECTS The election of officers of the Chem istry club was held on Tuesday, No vember 3, resulting in the selection of Elaine Krambles as president, Mary Frances Burke, secretary, and Mildred Hora, social chairman. At a previous meeting, October 20, Genevieve Dooner welcomed the new members and spoke of the club activi ties of last year. Following her talk, Mary Agnes Tynan outlined some pos sible projects open to students inter ested in chemistry. In keeping with the oxygen experiments recently per formed, Magdalene Kessie gave a brief biographical sketch of Joseph Priest ly, the discoverer of oxygen. The principal feature of the pro gram, however, was a series of talks on the history and development of the artificial silk industry, given by Mary Frances Burke, Mildred Hora, Loretta Jans, Gretchen Kretschmer, and Le nore Manning. The Alpha Omicron Homemakers' Club entertained their pledges with a formal Turkish Coffee, Thursday aft ernoon, November 19, from 3 to 5, in the model apartment. Know ye, say the Homemakers, that Turkish coffee is the very latest thing in social circles, and the Alpha Omicron is keeping up with the times. The custom of serving'Turk ish coffee, much in the manner of the English tea, originated in Turkey and the neighboring countries, and only re cently has it been taken up by the American hostesses. No Turkish hostess would think of such a thing as entertaining even a casual caller without serving the cof fee, and even the business men take it as a matter of course during business calls. The oriental custom may, in deed, have been adopted because it is picturesque, but there is, too, a delicious flavor about the coffee, and the tiny demi-tasse from which it is served adds atmosphere to any social gath ering. Helen Horan acted as hostess at this first of Mundelein's formal affairs of the year, at which the freshmen in the Department of Home Economics were initiated into the Alpha Omicron pledge section. The entertainment committee, head ed by Mary Bergin and her assistants. Marguerite Kullman and Adelaide Brost, furnished several very lovely musical numbers. Virginia C. Walsh acted as chairman of the refreshment committee, and was assisted by Mar garet Farrell, Mary McCabe, Mary E. Moore, Mae Frawley, and Josephine McGurn. The other upper class stu dents assisted in making the Turkish Coffee a delightful success. Emer Phibbs wearing the costume of Queen Emer at the Fall Festival. Famous Players Address Students Art Department Receives Members Pledges were received and new members welcomed at the tea given by the Art Club in the fifth floor so cial rooms on Thursday, October 29. A clever method of initiation has been inaugurated, and as a result the would-be artists are wearing charac teristic emblems until the next meet ing. The activities of the art department are manifold, the latest being the painting of color designs suggested by music. The students listen attentive ly to the selection and adapt their strokes and color combinations to the rhythm and shading of the music. The composition class has recently completed a series of life sketches of one another, and those who have seen the displays on the eighth floor declare them to be speaking likenesses. The graphic advertising class has pro vided clever and artistic posters for several of the school activities, notably for the Fall Festival and the Eve ning of Mosaics. Room planning and furniture ar ranging comprise the program of the interior decorating class, while the ad- j vanced classes are working on oil i paintings of the autumn scenery. One of the loveliest and most ef fective costumes worn at the Fall Fes tival sponsored by the Cecilians on October 28, was an exact replica of the gown of the legendary Gaelic prin cess, Emer of the Faithful Heart, worn by Emer Phibbs. An interest in her romantic namesake led Miss Phibbs to look up the history of the noble lady, and finding that her costume was no less picturesque than the tales sur rounding her name in the Tain Bo Caulgre, Emer determined to appear in such a gown at the Fall Costume party. In the ancient Gaelic literature there was a cycle of tales, very much like the Arthurian legends of England, which concerned the Knights of the Red Branch. The hero of the cycle was Cuchullan, or the Hound of Cool- ney, one of the chieftains of Ireland, and next in rank to the High King. His wife was Emer of the Faithful Heart, a woman of great charm and beauty, and of high intelligence. Her gown and robe, according to the legend, were typical of the era which shortly preceded the time of Christ. The dress was white, with a mantle of deep blue, both adorned with beautiful embroidered figures symbolic of the Druid religion and re flecting the colors of the nation, blue and gold. It was worn in the tradi tional manner, draped over the left shoulder and fastened wilh an exquisite Tara brooch. Both gown and mantle were designed for Miss Phibbs in New York, and the Tara brooch, an exact duplicate of the legendary ornament, was secured at a little Irish jewelry shop. Other interesting costumes were a genuine Swiss peasant dress worn by Ruth Tangney, and a Tyrolese dress worn by Ann Lackner. Prizes for the prettiest, the funniest, and the most unusual costumes went, respectively, to Leonora Stahr, Morel Farmer, and Penelope Haloi.los. Mr. Donald Brian, president of the Catholic Actors' Guild of America, and Miss Edith Taliaferro, co-stars in a recent loop production, were the guests of the Laetare Players on two occa sions during the past month. On Thursday afternoon. October 14, Mr. Brian and Miss Taliaferro ad dressed the students in the Little The atre. Mr. Brian told how the Catholic Actors' Guild had been organized by the Reverend John Talbot Smith in 1912 for the purpose of bringing the Catholic actor into closer connection with the Church. He mentioned inci dentally that the success of this group was the inspiration for the Jewish and Episcopal Actors' Guilds in the East. Commenting on the beauty of the col lege, Mr. Brian commended the work of the Laetare Players. With extreme versatility, he next told several amus ing stories, after which he gave a hu morously clever interpretation of a popular song. Miss Taliaferro more than justified Mr. Brian's introduction of her as one of the finest, sweetest ladies on the stage. Attired in a striking ensemble of brown velvet and beige lace, the charming actress stated what she con sidered the requisites of success in dra matic art: first, a nice, even disposi tion, then enunciation, good voice, and personality. Miss Taliaferro ended her little talk with a lovely bit of verse of Thomas Moore's, finishing with the line, They come out for friendship and take away love. To the list of requisites for dramatic suc cess, Mr. Brian added a Knowledge of dancing, which gives grace; body culture; expression of the eyes; and voice culture. Later in the week a number of the Players attended the matinee perform ance of the production in which Mr. Brian and Miss Taliaferro were play ing, after which they were given a glimpse of life backstage. In order to say farewell to Munde lein and its dramatic students, Mr. Brian and Miss Taliaferro returned to the college Friday afternoon, October 23. Through the instrumentality and courtesy of Mr. Brian, the Players have secured autographed photographs of a number of prominent contempo rary actors. These pictures have been framed and they form an interesting frieze around the walls of the Little Theatre. Glee Club Enjoys Pledge Reception The glee club installed its officers and received its pledges on October 26, in the formal social room, and the new dignitaries, together with the potential prima donnas, then adjourned to fifth floor where dainty refreshments were served. The following officers were elected: president, Betty Smith; vice-president, Penelope Haloulos; secretary, Mary Margaret Brady; treasurer, Ruth O'Connor. This organization has so increased its membership since last year that it now boasts that much- coveted possession, a waiting list. The glee club deserves honorable mention for the splendid school spirit the members demonstrated when forty- six out of forty-seven members came for practice for the glee club num bers in Mosaics, on a rainy free-day, November 11. Indian Lore We are always fascinated by a glimpse into India, the land of mys tery, with its rigid caste system and its traditions, but the address which was given in the auditorium, Novem ber 17, by the Reverend Leon Foster, S.J., who is devoting his life to the mission of Patna, India, was, in ad dition to this, an unfolding of the glory of the missionary spirit. Father told us, first, something about life in this inexplicably enchanting land. Anna Mary Mann, a sophomore whose brother is at the Patna mission now, modeled the garb of the women of India, the sari, which has been in style for three thousand years, and probably will be for three thousand years to come. Although the women of India lack the freedom of Americans and Europeans, they are really the rulers, since they are the influences in matters of such importance as re ligious rights, and the marriage of children. The real India is to be found in its villages, some 500,000 of them, which consist of ten to thirty mud huts, rice fields surrounding these, and a few mud roads. It is not what we have, but what we are satisfied with, Father said. From this picture of India, Father passed into the exalting subject of the missionary spirit. If we are going to be good Catholics we have to have something of the missionary spirit a spirit of zeal, prayer, and sacrifice. The missionary life entails not only giving up much, but suffering much for the cause of Christ. In 1930 over one thousand souls were awakened to the light of the faith through the work of the Patna missionary. SODALITY ACTIVE Stylus Club Has Narrative Contest The Skyscraper extends the sym pathy of the entire college to Elinor Egan on the death of her brother, No vember 6. All students interested in writing were given an opportunity to earn prize money as well as fame by the announcement of the short story con test sponsored by the Stylus Club, which will close December 1. Mr. John T. Frederick, editor of the Midland, has graciously consented to judge the stories submitted. The best original story brings a prize of five dollars in gold to the win ner, and the second best will win three dollars. One dollar each will be given to the winners of third and fourth places. The Stylus Club held a reception of pledges at a tea in the formal social rooms on October 16. The following officers were elected at the opening of the school year: president, Mary Lally; vice-president, Marion Young; secretary, Virginia Fischer; treasurer, Vera Carson. Gertrude Scanlan was elected chairman of pledges, and Emer Phibbs, chairman of programs. The first of the club's activities was a matinee party October 31, at The School for Scandal, starring Miss Ethel Barrymore. The staff of the Clepsydra is chosen from the members of the Stylus Club and the following group is responsible for the splendid fall issue of the quarterly: Literary editors, Virginia Fischer, Mary Lally, Helen O'Gara, Dorothy Riley; De partment of Art, Marion Young; Department of Dramatic Art, Vera Carson; Department of Music, Emer Phibbs; athletic editor, Annamerle Kramer; sodality editor, Doris Bar nett; exchange editor, Gertrude Scan lan; business manager, Annamerle Kramer; circulation manager. Vera Carson. The Mundelein sodality, under the direction of its newly elected presi dent, Chesa Wolniewicz, has resumed activities and the various committees have outlined their programs for the year. The mission committee is perfecting a feasible and concrete method of help ing both home and foreign missions. Catherine Manske, who acted as chair man last year, is continuing her official activities this year. The Catholic Literature committee, with Mary Catherine Schmelzer in command, is sponsoring a Book Week campaign, which includes a Queen's Work drive, and an exceptional pamph let sale. This committee is in complete charge of the sodality bulletin board during Book Week, and many valuable suggestions are presented thereon. It is the hope of the committee to make Mundelein College a member of the Pamphlet-a-Month Guild, a project of fered by the Queen's Work in connec- nection with Father Lord's lastest pamphlets. Language Clubs Have Meetings Eta Phi Alpha, the classical club of the college, held its first meeting and installation of officers on Monday, Oc tober 26. The new students of the classical department, who will become members next semester, were guests at this meeting. A short program on Greek and Latin mythology was given. Justine Feely read an interesting pa per on Zeus and Hera, Katherine Brennan introduced more of the Olym pian deities, Apollo and Artemis, and Mary Dwyer contributed informa tion about the Muses. In the business meeting that fol lowed, Helen Newhouse was elected vice-president to fill a vacancy in the ranks of the club's officers, and Gene vieve McClevey was appointed chair man of the next meeting. The presi dent, Mary Lally, then formally in stalled the officers for the year. The members of Die Rothensteiner Gesellschaft were pleased to welcome their honorary member, the Reverend Father Rothensteiner, on Monday, No vember 9, and they expressed their regret that Father had not been pres ent at their formal reception of pledges, at which time they presented a humorous German play, die kluge Magd. Helen Newhouse took the part of Friiulein Elisabeth, Elaine Kram bles distinguished herself as Herr Miller, and Margaret Sehaefer por trayed die kluge Magd in characteris tic style.
title:
1931-11-20 (3)
publisher:
Women and Leadership Archives http://www.luc.edu/wla
creator:
Mundelein College
description:
Student newspaper for Mundelein College
subject:
Newspapers
subject:
Religious communities--Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
subject:
Students
subject:
Universities and colleges
subject:
Women's education
relation:
Mundelein College Records
type:
Text
language:
English
rights:
This image is issued by the Women and Leadership Archives. Use of the image requires written permission from the Director of the Women and Leadership Archives. It may not be sold or redistributed, copied or distributed as a photograph, electronic file, or any other media. The image should not be significantly altered through conventional or electronic means. Images altered beyond standard cropping and resizing require further negotiation with the Director. The user is responsible for all issues of copyright. Please Credit: Women and Leadership Archives, Loyola University Chicago. wlarchives@luc.edu
coverage:
Chicago, Illinois
coverage:
Mundelein College