RANDOM NOTES May 1, 1921 news

THE RAINBOW is the optimist's banner, and the poet, dreaming of the land of the free and the home of the brave, has often likened this heavenly harbinger of hope to the national emblem of the United States of America in its starry splendor striped in vivid hue. That the annual celebration of the Widows and Old Men's Home should this year revolve itself into a "Rainbow Fete" seems to combine most happily the optimism and patriotism which the name suggests, and which is eminently characteristic of this beautiful benevolence, for nearly half a century a special providence to those who face the setting sun of life, but who, although bereft of all that makes life independent, are, through the generous, gentle administration of this noble undertaking, able to find the rainbow of joy, contentment and comfort, if not the pot of gold behind it. Shakespeare says that it "is wasteful and ridiculous excess" to "add another hue into the rainbow," to gild refined gold, or paint the lily, but nevertheless the managers of the Home and their indefatigable junior board have given carte blanche to their assistants in finding any new or extra radiant tint which might be added to nature's own, to make of this occasion, the most colorful in the history of this fashionable institution. For everybody connected with that part of the entertainment, which is out of on the lawn, and about it, instead of building on East McMillan street, is to wear a costume containing all the colors of the rainbow and suggestive of the picturesque capped and aproned peasant of Normandy. Mr. Robert West Pogue is the Chairman of this feature of the day's proceedings, which in the afternoon from 3 to 6 will be a children's paradise, and after 6 given over to dining, supping and dancing, a trilogy of pleasures which no other fete ever given by this time-honored institution has ever before provided. The details of it are now complete, although each sub-Chairman is adding daily new adherents to her group, to help the good work and make of it a perfect organization, incorporating the maximum of advantage to the visitor with the minimum of strain to the indefatigable worker. Thus the plans move swiftly and surely to a red-letter day in the annals of the Home.

The dancing platform is to be the irresistible feature of the evening to which already the juniors and the debutantes, the young married set, and, as onlookers, the dowager and the non-dancer, look forward with joyous antiipation. (sic) It is to be erected on the lawn, and about it, instead of boxes, innumerable tables are to be ranged as at a the-dansant or a souper-dansant, where the observer may surround himself with a congenial few to watch the "toddler;" where the dancer may desert his delectable ice cream and cake to take a whirl as his fancy dictates, or where the man of many engagements may while away a pleasant hour stopping en route to or from town. Each of these tables is to be $5, Mrs. Dudley Sutphin having the sale of them in charge, applications being made direct to her. Ice cream and cake, sandwiches, coffee, lemonade and other soft drinks will be served here, most of those reserving tables having already made arrangements to dine indoors at the Home, where a famous chicken dinner is always provided on these annual occasions, taxing their dessert, which by custom is an "extra," in the open quite a la Paree. Some, who have other dinner engagements which they have tried unsuccessfully to postpone, will bring their friends in afterward to dance, their tables being ready for them on their arrival. Mrs. J. S. Graydon has entire charge of the dancing platform, which is full assurance that it will be well thought out, and that the debutante set of the past two years and those who soon are to take their places in the (sic) rosebud garland will be out in force, for Miss Jean Graydon is a leader par excellence in the younger generation of the smart set. Mrs. Sutphin has already answered many inquiries for tables, which, being an innovation, are being quickly bespoken. Mrs. J. W. Herron is looking after the decorations for the fete, the rainbow being the inspiration for her color scheme. Needless to say, the best dance music in town has for weeks been pre-empted for these day of days, for in the hands of these efficient young women nothing is left to chance, their hard-earned efficiency in the conduct of charitable undertakings and their own experience in entertaining making them particularly au fait in matters of this kind.

Mrs. Dudley Sutphin has already sold eight tables and, as the number is limited, the remainder will not long remain unreserved. The name will be placed upon each table and held until the owner arrives, which gives those entertaining a very comfortable feeling of security. Among those who quickly made their reservations were Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Pogue, who have turned their table over to their charming dark-haired daughter, Miss Russell, who will have with her a group of her young comrades; Colonel and Mrs. Dudley Sutphin, who likewise have given their reservation to their junior belle, Miss Elizabeth Sutphin, who will collect a few intimates for her party; Mr. and Mrs. George Dana, Mrs. Samuel Franklin Pogue, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Graydon, whose debutant, Miss Jean, will occupy this coign of vantage with a party of her friends; Miss Frances L'H. Jones and Miss Mary Cunningham, the latter having also a circle of debutante belles and gallants about her.

Mrs. Robert West Pogue, as president pointed an interesting series of Chairman of the "Rainbow Fete." Has appointed an interesting series of chairmen for various duties during the afternoon and evening, and these in turn have added innumerable others to their list of aides. Assisting Mrs. J. S. Graydon on the Dance Committee are Mrs. B. W. Lamson, Mrs. Samuel F. Pogue and Mrs. O. de Gray Vanderbilt, who have appointed many subcommittees to do their bidding in the rush hours. For the children's benefit, between 3 and 6, will be unconfined, for nothing has been omitted to give them a wonderful time. Mrs. William Horace Schmidlapp will, as usual, have in hand the toy table, filled with every sort of device to gladden the heart and occupy the fingers of the youngsters. Mrs. Stuart Sutphin has taken charge of the French market, where all sorts of flowers, fresh vegetables, dairy products and the loot of many fashionable largers in the way of jams and preserves especially selected for the weekend Sunday supper, the picnic at a country lodge in the woods, or merely for the family consumption will delight the eye of the housekeeper. Mrs. J. Nevin Roberts, who is looking up the ponies for the impromptu steeple chase that annually brings unlimited thrills to the girls and boys, has already the promise of several more than is usually the case. Mrs. John Pogue has evolved numerous new sorts of grab bags, the chief of which is to be an apple tree, the only difference between this Eden and the original one being the fact that no serpents are allowed, so the apples will bring knowledge of delights alone. Mrs. Lawrence Hartzell will have the necessary paraphernalia for taking postcard photographs, silhouettes and all sorts of souvenirs of that genre, dear to the child imagination

Mrs. Frederic Flach had promised to look after the candy table for the children on the lawn, but she is feeling unequal to this task since the death of her little baby, and she has asked Mrs. William Hayden Chatfield to undertake her duties. Mrs. Logan Thompson, who was much missed at Laurel Court on Monday last when Mr. and Mrs. Peter G Thomson opened their lovely place with its encircling gardens, its limpid pool and its high shrubbery, for an address by Miss Florence Kinney, of Mr. Sunday's staff, has agreed to provide all the dolls that even so large a contingent as that expected at the Rainbow fete could desire; and having a small child of her own, Mrs. Thomson knows just what sort of dolls little girls most adore. This year Mrs. T. J. Davis is to have her flower booth out of doors, and it will be a radiant sight, despite the difficult season, for Mrs. Davis is an organizer of more than common ability. She has just returned from three months in Florida with her father, Mr. Brown, and her three boys, one of whom had so serious an attack of influenza and pneumonia two years ago, so she is feeling very fit, indeed. Mrs. Harrison Smith is to be the cigarette girl, and she is attractive enough to make even the most abstemious blue law advocate wish to indulge in the fragrant weed. The ice cream table, where the delicious provender for the tables at the cabaret after 6 will be forthcoming, is to be in the capable hands of Mrs. Charles Iredell. A fete, whether of rainbow promise or not, would scarcely be a fete without lemonade, and this beverage, with all sorts of special soft drinks, will be presided over by Mrs. Carl Jacobs. That delight of the small child's leisure moments, the ice-cream cone, will be sold by Mrs. W. R. Collins, who has many fetching plans for distributing these delectable sweets. The fortune teller will not be absent, but in radiant hues of many silks and fringes, beads and mysterious face veils, will be marshaled by Mrs. N. O. Goldsmith, who has asked several of her most advanced mystics to do duty on this auspicious occasion. Thus everything that could tempt the eye, tickle, the palate or transcend all expectations has been thought of for this happy day, which will also include within the spacious home the customary fancy tables, the wonderful candy table, where, as usual, Mrs. W. Alexander Julian will be the Chairman; will be the Chairman: the precious quilts made by the old ladies in residence at the Home: the chicken dinner; the cake and ice-cream table for the grown-ups, and other indispensable features of this yearly event, will be found as of yore, an additional incentive to bring society and the community at large to this public benefit on May 26.

Father Spence Burton, accompanied by Rev. Charles Forbes, are arriving on Tuesday from the House of the Cowley Fathers at Cambridge and will spend the next fortnight with Father Burton's parents. Mrs. And Mrs. Casper Henry Burton, at their lovely place on Reading road, which is beginning to deck itself in its fairest summer garb. Father Burton and Mr. Forbes are coming to Cincinnati to conduct a mission at St. Luke's Church from May 5 to 15, a series of daily sessions dealing with spiritual matters which has already created the greatest interest and the most widespread cooperation. The mission is open to all creeds and conditions, the hour being 7:45 each evening.

Mr. and Mrs. W. Alexander Julian are being warmly welcomed home after several months in the Far West, where, accompanied by the Duchess of Manchester (Helena Zimmerman) and her young daughter, Lady Louise Montague, they enjoyed the golfing and motoring in that land of sunshine to the utmost. After this delightful outing and the Duchess's departure from America, they made a swift journey across the Great Divide, arriving here about April 16. Since then Mr. Julian has been often out of town, and Mrs. Julian ha been often out of town, and Mrs. Julian has spent much time with her venerable father, Mr. William Means, at Yellow Springs, where his daughter, Miss Pearl Means, is the devoted chatelaine of his house and his constant companion, so it is only after a fortnight at home that their friends are beginning to realize that they are once more an interesting factor among them.

Mrs. W. S. Rowe and Mrs. C. W. Bosworth are famous gardeners and Mrs. William Cooper Proctor, Chairman of the Garden Committee of the Zoo Fete on June 8 for the benefit of the Children's Hospital, at once enlisted their aid, on accepting the responsible post for which she is so well qualified. Mrs. Rowe and Mrs. Bosworth are now raising from the seed many precious annuals and perennials which they will sell on behalf of this beautiful institution for crippled children on its cliff overlooking the valley beneath Mr. Auburn, those desiring to avail themselves of this rare opportunity to help a good cause and at the same time to insure for their gardens, porch boxes or sun parlors these beauty plants being asked to reserve them at once, all of these early varieties being potted and delivered as soon as ready. Mrs.Bosworth, who has wonderful greenhouses and cold-frames, as well as a fascinating garden, at her place at Milford, is also designing the Garden Club's booth for the Zoo Fete, its background being the blue lake and the milk-white swans and gently sloping borders which the habitués of the Zoo know so well. Any number of applications will be received for the perennials and annuals. Mrs. Rowe being reached by telephone at Woodburn 234, and Mrs. Bosworth at Milford 313. Many lovers of flowers are even arranging to send some of these plants to their summer cottages, so that on their arrival at sea or mountain they will be greeted by blossoming reminds of home, of the Zoo Fete, and of all that their generosity is accomplishing for the poor little codgers suffering in the heat while being made over into responsible and healthy citizens by the Children's Hospital, one of the great and far-reaching benevolences of Southern Ohio.

One Sunday next Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Hobart will keep open-house at their hospitable residence on Winslow street in honor of their sister, Mrs. George Pierce (sic)(Elsie Hobart) who, with Mr. Pierce and their younger daughter, Miss Rosamond, is now enroute to their home at Berkley, Cal., aafter (sic) a winter at Cambridge, where, with the help of the famous Harvard Library, Dr. Peirce ha been compiling a text book in the specialty which makes him an important factor among the faculty of the University of California. Dr. Peirce and Miss Rosamond, who is still a school girl, do not arrive until next week, but Mrs. Peirce is expected on Wednesday, and although Mr. and Mrs. Hobart are sending out no invitations for their informal at home on Sunday they will be glad to see any of their friends who wish to welcome Mrs. Peirce to her native heath once more. As these are legion, as Mrs. Peirce is a most clever and attractive woman, the pleasant Hobart house will be a merry rendezvous between the hours of 4 and 6 on that date. Mr. and Mrs. Peirce's elder daughters, one of whom is well remembered here, where she spent a delightful few weeks winter before last, are in the East pursuing their studies and will remain there through the summer, following their parents to California later in the year. They will be en route after Christmas, which they hope to spend with Mr. and Mrs. Hobart here, to the great pleasure of the friends which they have made on other visits.

Mr. J. R. Froome has established in Cincinnati a reputation in matters "dramatical," as Pinafore says, which gives him a unique place in the artistic life of the city. As a member of the Cincinnati MacDowell Society and one of the foremost judges in the latter's recent open competion(sic) for playwrights he has been of invaluable service both in assisting the committee's final decision in making the awards and in coming to its rescue and acceding to its urgent plea to write a play especially for the MacDowell evening of drama in aid of the MacDowell Colony at Peterborough, N. H., in order to properly balance the program after Miss Katherine Stifel's "De la Rue Blanche" and Mrs. A. O. Palm's "At Tea Ttimme,"(sic) had been announced the choice of the jury assembled to read the MMS, and pronounce judgment upon the many contestants. Mr. Froome has written his play-a delightful comedy-but owing to a pressure of professional duties which have arisen since his recent return from Cleveland, and which will make of him an exceedingly busy man from now until the end of June, it was impossible for him to superintend the rehearsals of his own interesting drama, or to cast his all-seeing eye upon those of the winners of the contest. Therefore, the Cincinnati MacDowell Society, being denied its lion, will not roar in public on the evening of May 12 at the Cincinnati Woman's Club, but instead will present its two prize plays, its lovely MacDowell music and one or two impromptu features not yet announced to its own members and those who care to bring guests, but it will not open "to the general," as Hamlet says, this delightful affair to which Society, Art and Music in Cincinnati had looked forward with many agreeable anticipations. Thus there is great disappointment abroad, which may be remedied by having a friend in the MacDowell fold, for although it has been decided that the plays will be produced only for the members and those having escort tickets (which must be shown at the door), admissions will be granted guests by application to Miss Isabelle Jelke at the Cincinnati County Club. The hour is 8 o'clock on May 12, and as this occasion will be much more intimate than one open to the public could possibly be, it will have a special value in its spontaneity, and be to many who will enjoy it more like the performances of the Workshop Theater at Harvard, where votes are taken and suggestions offered between the acts, or like those interesting premieres in the Greenwich Village or in MacDougal Alley, where the inspiration of playing to a selected few rather than to what Galsworthy calls "the mob," is indeed following Shakespeare's idea of offering caviare. Thus the committee will not replace Mr. Froome's gay little masterpiece on the program, reserving that episode for some future moment when its author is less crowded with matters professional.