Municipal Center

              VolUME  St. Charles, Illinois  Thursday, September 5, 1940

DEDICATE MUNICIPAL BLDG. MONDAY
W. R. C. Presents Flag; Com. Kelly at Park in Evening.

Dedication of the Municipal building, perhaps the most important event of the Fall Festival 
program, came Monday forenoon, in connections with the presentation of a flag by the W. R. C.
The dedication ceremonies opened by the introduction of Col. E. J. Baker, at his apartment across
the b river in Hotel Baker, by Supt. G.E. Thompson over the loud speaker. Col. Baker formally 
presented the building to the city, in most appro- priate words, and another donor, Lester J. Norris, 
was presented and also gave a most kindly and cordial presentation, to which, in behalf of the city, 
was responded to by Dr. I. G. Lang-um, mayor of St. Charles.	
Mr. Thompson then presented Mrs Mae Miller, patriotic instructor of the W. R. C. "Our Nation's Prayer" 
was said by Mr, Ida Mum- ma district president of the order. Then came the presentation of the  
wool bunting flag by Mrs. Miller, as- sisted by color bearers Miss Dorothy Lundgren, Mrs. Hildegarde
Holmstrom. Mrs, Ellen Peterson, and Mrs. Swan Erickson. The response was by Robert Gustavson, son of 
Alderman Harry Gustavson.

"Dedication of the Flag", Wanda Langum, daughter of the mayor. "Raising of the Flag", Boy Scout Commissioner 
Karl Asplund, assisted by Oran McIlvaine, Frank Johnson, Dick Hufford and Ralph Hoche.	
"To the Colors" by Bugler Richard Haase.
"Pledge of Allegiance", led by Mrs. Miller. "The Flag Speaks" was recited by Mrs. Miller.
Miss Martha Ogborn, graduate of the high school in June and an honor student, read her essay, entered In a
recent contest and marked "Outstanding'' on the subject of "Benefits of Democracy"
These exercises were all given from the upper gallery of the lovely building being dedicated.	
Following the above program, the doors to the rotunda were opened by Robert, son of Alderman Carl Larson. 
The placques were unveiled by Lavern, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Norris and by Helen Spriet,
daughter of Alderman C. R. Spriet. Don Vandenberg, director of mu-sic in the public schools, led in singing
of "God Bless America" He was accompanied by Mrs. Mary Balls at the Hotel Baker organ. The national anthem, 
played by Mrs. Baylis, ended the exercises.	
Interspersed in this fine program was the most moving part of all, a moment's silence to honor the memory of Mrs. E. J. Baker, 
whose recent passing Was so deeply mourned by the whole city. 
After a day crowded with interesting events came the evening at Pottawatomie park, and a concert in the amphitheatre 
by the Wheaton Municipal band. The large gathering enjoyed their music with deep apprecation; two numbers composed by
the director were earnestly acclaimed by the audience. 
At 8:30 came the address by Raymond Kelly, national commander of the American Legion. Supt. Thomp-
son introduced Col. Chester R. Davis, who in turn presented the man who was to introduce the speaker. A number of notable 
Legion men were presented as well as the president of the Legion Auxiliary, Mrs. Dan Munhall.
The man who presented the speaker gave the audience a fine preview of the national commander, who with his wife came from Detroit. 
Commmander Kelly received a fine welcome from the audience, and before he had progressed very far, everyone well understood 
why he had been named for his high office. Not only an orator, he bud a fine sense of a what the public needs to know, and 
his facts and figures gave an unerring account of the status of this country. its military unpreparedness, but its ability 
to reach this necessary achievement. Its great economic  storehouse, making it independent of outside needs, yet it must of neccesity have 
sufficient and ample defense of its shores. Following the Legion exercises, the Wheaton band
gave some fine selections.
The crowning event of the festival to many ticket buyers was the awarding of the $10,000 Model Home
which was won by L. F. Drury of 343 Spruce street, Aurora.