Recalling the 1948 firemen's ball

Columbia Falls Volunteer Firemen have always been successful, whether fund raising or fighting fires. St. Patrick's Day balls were traditional and memorable events raising funds for the department for many years.

Will admit I had forgotten the week long firemen's ball celebration in 1948. Raffle ticket proceeds, after expenses, were used to help finish the new town hall and fire station. Net income from dance tickets sold became mainstay for the volunteer fire department.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday brought a harvest of illegal parking tickets for unsuspecting drivers. There were fines for jay walking and warnings to either buy a raffle ticket or go to jail. It was noted that by third day, there were lubricated, self-appointed cops giving tickets if you smiled.

About 700 attended Firemen's Ball in the high school gymnasium, Wednesday, St. Patrick's Day. They included men, women and a few grade and high school students. It was noted that Martin City and Hungry Horse Bureau of Reclamation employees were well represented.

Ray Nelson's orchestra provided music for the dance. Chet Seymer and Joe Opalka shared the mike to announce 97 floor prize winners. Names of raffle winners were drawn at midnight. Prizes were furnished at no more than cost basis by Columbia Falls merchants. Winners did not have to be present.

Mrs. Sue Main won the grand prize, a radio/phonograph. She came to Columbia Falls as a bride on Sept. 14, 1891. It was after midnight, but Jim Marantette and Joe Opalka took the prize to her room over the bank building. She exclaimed, "Well, I'll be switched" when she saw the prize.

Names of top prize winners are still familiar to many of us: C. W. Weimer, washing machine; Steve Anderson, boy's bicycle; Mrs. Joe Hula, electric mixer; Pat Motichka, pop-up toaster; R. Robb, Gates Rubber Co., Billings, 32-piece dinner set; Calvin Dunn, pressure cooker; Tom Brayson, complete fishing outfit; Arthur H. Davall, GE electric iron; G. A. Miller, Kalispell, 14-quart cooker; Leo B. Evans, Missoula, three piece carving set. A $5 baskets of groceries went to James Connole, John Leubner, Leon Bedell, Marie Lane, John McPheeters, W. J. Smith and Mrs. Milton Mercord, Kalispell.

Pat Kelly was chairman for the event, and Frank Kirkpatrick had charge of the raffle. Income included $l,383 worth of raffle tickets, not counting $400 donated by Kalispell organizations and businessmen, and $260 for tickets sold at the door for admittance to the dance.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.