Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
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4th North Iowa Band Festival
Tuesday, June 20, 1939

Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Wednesday, May 17, 1939, Page 15

Rush Entries of Queens for Band Festival
Marble Rock Enters First Festival Queen Candidate
28 Communities to Send Bands

________

STEPS TAKEN TO GET FUNDS FOR ANNUAL PROJECT
All Events Will Be Free to Public; June 20 Date Set

Twenty-eight bands are already entered in the North Iowa band festival to be held in Mason City June 20, it was announced Wednesday by the Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber of Commerce also announced the first entry of candidates for Miss North Iowa, queen of the festival. Miss Dorothy Keith of Marble Rock.

Indications are that this, the fourth North Iowa band festival and second annual entertainment of North Iowa royalty will again be a colossal event. Last year the festival drew the largest crowd ever to assemble in the Roosevelt stadium, a throng estimated at from 10,000 to 15,000.

The initial step toward financing the project will be taken at a breakfast Thursday morning to be attended by 50 businesses and professional persons, who will endeavor to raise the required $2,500 for handling the project.

Events Are Free

All events on the program will be free to the public. The program will follow the same general plan as that of the 1938 festival with a parade at 11 o'clock in the morning and band concerts in Central park throughout the day.

Candidates for Miss North Iowa will again ride in open cars in the parade and will be honor guests of a noon luncheon. Also to be invited to this luncheon are the mayors, presidents of the school boards, superintendents, principals and band directors of the participating communities.

The grand finale will again be held at the Roosevelt stadium, with the bands in the stadium seats and the crowd in a large hollow square facing the stadium, leaving room in the center for drill work.

43 Bands Last Year

Last year 43 bands and 4 drum corps from 43 communities participated in the festival. With 28 communities already entered the general committee is certain of an equally large representation.

Instead of asking organizations for floats, the committee is planning to try out a new feature this year. It is proposing to offer cash prizes of $40, $30, $20 and $10 for the best decorated private automobiles in the parade.

The festival will again be sponsored by the Mason City Chamber of Commerce with the following committee in charge: W. L. Nichols, chairman; C. A. Parker, Dan G. Klempnauer, John D. Vance, Carleton L. Stewart, C. F. Weaver and Don W. Wieder.

Bagley Enters Waverly

Among the 23 bands entered for the festival thus far is Waverly which is in the event for the first time. Responsible for the entry is Bob Bagley, formerly of Mason City, in charge of the band and music activities of the Waverly schools.

Following are the other 27 communities entering bands, practically all of them school organizations:

Alexander, Belmond, Britt, Buffalo Center, Chapin, Clarion, Clear Lake, Dumont, Fertile, Fonda (municipal), Garner, Hampton, Hanlontown, Kensett, Klemme, Manly, Marble Rock, Meservey, Nora Springs, Osage, Rockford, Rudd, St. Ansgar, Thompon, Titonka, Ventura and Geneva.

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Monday, May 22, 1939, Page 11

Nora Springs Chooses Candidate for Festival Queen
30 BANDS NOW REGISTERED FOR BIG CELEBRATION
Fourth Annual Summer Music Event Will Be Held June 20

Interest in the North Iowa band festival with its parade, mass concert and other colorful events in Mason City June 20 continues to gather momentum. The Chamber of Commerce, sponsoring organization, Monday announced that 30 bands are already registered for the mammoth music celebration.

The announcement also was made that Edna Witt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Witt, has been chosen the Nora Springs candidate for queen of the festival.

Raising Funds

Satisfactory progress is being made in the solicitation of funds to handle the program, which will be free to the public, it was stated.

Special entertainment features will be a luncheon feting the queens at noon. At this luncheon there will also be mayors, presidents of school boards, suprintendents, principals and band directors of the participating communities.

Parade at 11 a. m.

As now planned the parade of bands and floats will take place at 11 o'clock in the morning. Bands will play in Central park throughout the day and in the evening there will be the grand finale program in Roosevelt stadium. This program will include a mass band concert and the crowning of the queen of the festival.

This will be the fourth North Iowa band festival and the second annual entertainment of North Iowa royalty. Interest in the project appears to increase each year. Last year, when the celebration was held as part of the Iowa territorial centennial and the eighty-fifth anniversary of Mason City, it was estimated that 15,000 persons were in attendance. Forty-three bands and four drum corps participated.

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Tuesday, May 22, 1939, Page 10

$100 in Prizes for Best Decorated Autos at Festival
TO PARTICIPATE IN PARADE WITH MARCHING BANDS
Rules for Contest Announced by Local Committee in Charge

The North Iowa band festival committee announces $100 in prized for the best decorated automobile entered in the festival parade on Tuesday, June 20. The automobiles entered must be privately owned passenger cars but they may be open cars, sedans or any type and may come from Mason City or vicinity or any town which enters a band in the festival.

The prize money will be divided into four amounts of $40, $30, $20, and $10 and the committee of judges will be the final authority on what is meant by the word "best." They can take into consideration novelty as well as beauty, but the cars must be decorated. Decorations may be natural or artificial, flowers, bunting, flags or any kind may be used, just so their use is appropriate.

To Be in Parade

As contestants enter a simple set of rules will be sent them. The cars will be expected to participate in the morning parade at 11 a. m., when they will be judged, and to appear again at night at the stadium where the winners will be announced.

The committee states that there will be no limit on the number which may be entered, but that unless a minimum of 25 cars are entered by June 3 it will reserve the right to either reject all entries of private cars or change the prize basis and allow cars to be also entered by organizations.

"We are also inviting privately owned passenger automobiles in the contest," said Chairman W. L. Nichols, "for two or three reasons: In the first place, organizations of the city have provided the floats for three years of band festival parades. We want to relieve them this year of this work, even though they might like an opportunity to earn some of the prize money.

Glad To Help

"In the second place, we believe that there's are a lot of individuals in and around Mason City who will be glad to help the band festival along by decorating a car and who will enjoy doing it. Another reason for privately owned passenger cars is that we have constantly kept the commercial exhibitors out of this celebration parade.

"Enter your car now, folks, and help assure the committee that we will have an outstanding parade again. We know we will have the bands. Thirty are already entered, and our problem will probably be like last year, how to take care of them. With the bands, the candidates for Miss North Iowa riding in open cars, and some beautifully decorated passenger cars we ought to have a parade that will be a record breaker for beauty and novelty."

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Tuesday, June 15, 1939, Page 11

Rush Entries of Queens for Band Festival
TOWNS REGISTER CANDIDATES FOR REIGNING BEAUTY
50 Bands and Drum Corps to Take Part in Mammoth Spectacle.

Heavy registration of queen candidates from North Iowa communities has featured preparations this week for the North Iowa band festival to be held in Mason City Tuesday, June 20. Indications are there will be at least as many aspirants for the coveted role of Miss North Iowa as there were in the big centennial celebration and band festival last year.

Queens in Parade

The queens will ride in open cars in the parade of bands and floats at 11 o'clock in the morning. They will be guests together with officials of their town and school at a luncheon to be held at noon at the Hotel Hanford. They will be guests at a theater party in the afternoon and will be especially honored at the massed band concert and spectacle at the Roosevelt stadium in the evening.

It will be at this grand finale at the Roosevelt stadium that the identity of Miss North Iowa, queen of the band festival will be revealed. She will be crowned and clothed in royal robes for the occasion.

Parade Route Given

The route of the parade will be from the Hotel Hanford south on Federal avenue to Fifth street south, then east on Fifth street one block to Delaware avenue, then north on Delaware to Second street northeast and east to the Lincoln school, while will be the headquarters for the visiting bands during the celebration.

With 50 bands and drum and bugle corps, as well as a score or more of beautiful floats and the queens from most of the participating communities, the parade is expected to draw throngs of spectators along the line of march.

The queen candidates are:


DOROTHY KEITH
Miss Marble Rock

Miss Dorothy Keith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Keith of Marble Rock and senior in the high school of that community, was the first entry as a queen candidate in the North Iowa band festival.

This is the 12th year Miss Keith has been a student in the Marble Rock schools. For nine years she has been neither absent nor tardy. She has been a member of the Marble Rock high school band for the past seven years where she was the first chair oboe.

Miss Keith is on the honor roll of the Marble Rock school. She has been active in dramatic work, taking part in both her junior and senior class plays. She has been prominent in class activities, holding as an officer in both class and band organizations. She also is prominent in social activities of the school.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

EDNA WITT
Miss Nora Springs

Miss Edna Witt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Witt, is Nora Spring's entry as candidate for queen of the North Iowa band festival to be held in Mason City June 20.

Miss Witt, who will attend the festival in the role of Miss Nora Springs, is a senior in high school. She has been active in numerous activities during her four years in high school. These include girls' glee club, mixed chorus, girls' sextet, declamatory contests and operettas. She was selected for the covet role of queen candidate by the high school student body.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

MARIAN SKENE
Miss Ventura

Third candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa, queen of the band festival to be held in Mason City June 20, is Miss Marian Skene, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Skene of Ventura.

Miss Skene is a senior in the Ventura high school. She had been first chair clarinetist in the band and orchestra of that school for the three years these have been organized. She is second soprano in the girls' glee club and girls' sextet. She is editor-in-chief of the "Ventura New Boat," school newspaper. She was among the five highest in scholarship in the senior class, took active parts in all class plays and was president of her class in the freshman and senior years.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ALICE BRUNS
Miss Waverly

Entry of candidates for the coveted role of queen of the North Iowa Band festival in Mason City June 20 are beginning to arrive in rapid succession at the Chamber of Commerce offices. Fourth candidate is Miss Alice Bruns of Waverly.

Miss Bruns is the daughter of Bernard Bruns of Waverly. She is a junior in the high school and is interested in numerous school activities. She is the treasurer of the junior class, was elected the most popular girl in her class and was chosen "Miss Waverly" by the entire school body. She is also interested in school athletics.

Waverly's entry into the band festival is of special interest because Bob Bagley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Willis G. C. Bagley, is the director of the Waverly high school band.
 
 
 
 

BERNICE BRANDAU
Miss Rudd

Fifth candidate fro queen of the 1930 North Iowa band festival is Miss Bernice Brandau, representative of Rudd. Her father is a farmer.

Miss Brandau is interested in a number of activities. She has been solo clarinetist in the concert band for three years and has been a member of a clarinet quartet for the same period. She made division No. 1 at the sub-district contest and division No. 2 at the district contest as a clarinet soloist this year.

For three years Miss Brandau has been a member of the glee club, acting as accompanist in this, her senior year. She was a member of a vocal quartet for three years, columnist for the high school newspaper for three years, participated in declamatory work for two years and had leading parts in junior and senior plays.

Miss Brandau plans to attend Coe college or the University of Iowa next fall.
 

SHIRLEY KNUTSON
Miss St. Ansgar

The parade of beauties continues. The Chamber of Commerce Saturday announced that the St. Ansgar community entered Miss Shirley Knutson as its candidate for queen of the North Iowa band festival to be held in Mason City June 20.

Miss Knutson is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Knutson. Her father operates a farm near St. Ansgar.

Miss Knutson is a member of the graduating class of the St. Ansgar high school and has participated in the following activities: President of 4-H club, soprano soloist in contest, member of the high school girls' glee club, mixed chorus, leading parts in class plays, school sports, cheer leader for school and will represent the 4-H club at the convention in Ames in June. She wants to study music.

Miss Knutson is the sixth candidate for Miss North Iowa queen of the festival and Mason City's second annual entertainment of North Iowa royalty.
 
 
 
 
 
 

MARJORIE SMITH
Miss Clarion

Seventh candidate to be entered for Miss North Iowa, queen of the band festival to be held in Mason City June 20, is Miss Marjorie Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Granville Smith of Clarion. Her father is a Clarion furniture dealer.

A member of the 1939 graduating class of the Clarion high school, Miss Smith has a record of many activities in her school career. She was president of the student council, in charge of the social program for the past year, participated in dramatics, was a member of the 1939 state champion girls' glee club, honor student four years and a class officer for two years.

Miss Smith was president of the school Latin club, president of the Clarion Outing club and president of the Webster City association of Pilgrim Fellowship. She plans to attend Iowa State college at Ames next year to major in dress making.
 
 
 
 
 
 

FERN BRUNSVOLD
Miss Kensett

Fern Brunsvold, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Erle Brunsvold, high school junior, is Kensett's choice for queen of the North Iowa band festival in Mason City June 20.

Miss Brunsvold was chosen candidate for the Miss North Iowa role at the festival by a vote of the band members. During her school career she has been a participant in a number of school activities including vocal and instrumental music as well as dramatics.

The Kensett candidate has been a member of the high school band for three years, playing French horn, first chair. She has been a member of the girls' glee club for three years, singing alto with that group. She is a member of the Girls Athletic association and is keenly interested in athletics. She played French horn in the brass sextet and was also a member of the girls' glee club which took part in the music contest this year.

Ralph Geer, in charge of instrumental music in the Kensett schools, is director of the Kensett band, which will take part in the big festival here.
 

MARIAN HUBBARD
Miss Rockford

Rockford's bid for supremacy in pulchritude at the North Iowa Band festival in Mason City June 20 is Miss Marian Hubbard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hubbard of that community. Mr. Hubbard is employed in the brick and tile factory at Rockford.

Miss Hubbard is a senior in the Rockford high school. She has been in the school band six years, glee club four years, girls' sextet three years and is secretary-treasurer of the senior class. She played first horn in the band for two years and sings alto in vocal groups.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LORENE THROSSEL
Miss Thornton

Miss Lorene Throssel, senior in the Thornton high school, was elected the most popular member of her class and subsequently was chosen by the Band Mothers and band members as Miss Thornton, candidate for queen of the North Iowa band festival in Mason City, June 20.

Miss Throssel has been snare drummer in the Thornton school band for several years. Other extra curricular activities include declamatory work. She won second place in the sub-district contest in the oratorical division. He is a member of the 4-H club of her community.

Miss Throssel is a daughter of Mrs. Throssel in Thornton.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

JEANNETTE PAYNE
Miss Thompson

None other than the daughter of the mayor was chosen by Thompson to represent that community as candidate for queen of the North Iowa band festival in Mason City June 20. She is Miss Jeanette Payne, daughter of Mayor Payne. Thompson station agent, and Mrs. Payne

A member of the 1939 graduating class, Miss Payne has played clarinet in the high school band for several years. She likes to play tennis, swim and dance. Her instructors vouch for the fact that she is a good student.

Miss Payne played on the basketball team for three years, has done dramatic work and took a leading part in the 1939 senior class play.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

DELLA JANE PRICE
Miss Buffalo Center

Representing Buffalo Center at Mason City's entertainment of North Iowa royalty at the North Iowa band festival June 20 will be Miss Della Jane Price, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. L. Price of that community. Mr. Price is the proprietor of the Commercial hotel at Buffalo Center.

Miss Price, a member of the 1939 graduating class of the Buffalo Center high school, has been active in glee club for three years, in band for four years and has had leading roles in dramatics. She enjoys swimming, tennis and golf. In the coming year she is planning to attend the Minneapolis Business college at Minneapolis.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ERMA JEANNE MARTIN
Miss Osage

Erma Jeanne Martin, daughter of Lee Martin, stock buyer, and Mrs. Martin of Osage, is to represent that community as candidate for queen of the North Iowa band festival in Mason City June 20. She is concluding four years of high school which have been filled with extra-curricular activities.

While a freshman, Miss Martin became a member of a chorus in which she sang throughout the four years of school. She has also been in a mixed group, glee club and girls' sextet.

When a sophomore she became president of her class and was appointed to the staff of HiTimes, the school paper, and she has been an active reporter up to graduation. When she became a junior she was elected president of the G. A. A. and had a leading part in her class play.

While concluding her high school career she was chairman of the social committee for the high school, a committee planning dances and other forms of social activity, secretary of a home room and again had a leading role in her class play.
 

MILDRED BLUMER
Miss Garner

In Garner they chose a sophomore to represent that community at the North Iowa Music festival in Mason City, June 20. Miss Mildred Blumer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Blumer, who live on a farm near Garner, has been entered as candidate for queen of the colorful festival that will bring thousands of North Iowans to Mason City for the one day celebration.

Mildred has participated in numerous activities in the two years she has attended high school. These include girls' glee club, mixed chorus, orchestra, concert band, marching band, clarinet quartet and Delta club.

The announcement of Miss Blumer's selection was made by S. T. Tweed, superintendent of the Garner school. She is the fifteenth entry. Indications are that there will be many more candidates from all parts of North Iowa.
 
 
 
 
 

MARGIE BLUMER
Miss Klemme

Margie Blumer, senior next year in the Klemme high school, is that community's selection as candidate for queen of the North Iowa band festival here on June 20.

Margie is a cousin of Mildred Blumer, who was recently chosen Miss Garner. The two Blumer girls are looking forward to sharing the honors of the festival day together.

Margie is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Blumer, who live on a farm south of Klemme. She has been a member of the girls' glee club for three years, of the mixed chorus for two years. During the school year just past she took part in the junior play and served on the junior-senior banquet committee. She was selected Miss Klemme by the popular vote of the student body.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

HELEN KING
Miss Clear Lake

Representing Clear Lake as candidate for Miss North Iowa, queen of the coming Mason City band festival, is Helen King, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. O. Edstrand, 114 South Elm street, Clear Lake.

Miss King is a senior in the Clear Lake high school and in her school career has served as secretary of the Drama club, vice president of the Hi-Tri, member of the Girls' Athletic association, mixed chorus, head librarian at the school library in 1938-39 and cheer leader for three years. Her activities also included membership in the girls' "C" club.

Her musical ability was shown in her participation in the operetta, "Bells of Capistrano," in her junior year. She had leading roles in the junior class play, "American Very Early," and the senior class play, "Early to Bed, Early to Rise." She was recently chosen secretary of the Pilgrim fellowship for the Mitchell association of Congregational churches at Nashua.

Miss King was elected May queen at Clear Lake this year and acted as an attendant to the May queen for two years.
 

ARLENE PINTA
Miss Manly

The student body of the Manly high school elected Arlene Pinta candidate for queen of the North Iowa band festival in Mason City June 20. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Pinta. Her father is employed by the Manly Lumber company.

Miss Pinta will be a senior in the Manly high school next year. She is the vice president of the Girl Reserves, has participated in dramatics with parts in class plays, as well as taking first place in her division each of the three years in declamatory work.

The Manly candidate has been a member of the glee club for three years and class officer for two years. (Photo by Russell.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

VIRGINIA SERNETT
Miss Hampton

Virginia Sernett, daughter of Lee L. Sernett of Hampton, is the choice of that community for queen of the North Iowa band festival in Mason City June 20. Miss Sernett, who was graduated this spring from high school, has been prominent in vocal and instrumental music, dramatics and public speaking. In her aptitude for music she is showing inherited characteristics from her mother, who died six years ago, but who was widely recognized as an accomplished musician.

Miss Sernett, who is 17 years old, has a brother 20 years old and a sister 6 years old. She has lived in Hampton 12 years.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

REBECCA HANSON
Miss Northwood

Rebecca Hanson, member of the high school graduating class in the Northwood high school, is the girl backed by the Northwood community for queen of the North Iowa band festival here June 20.

Miss Hanson, daughter of P. L. Hanson, Northwood farmer, and Mrs. Hanson, has played the clarinet four years in the championship Northwood high school band. She was an active member of the girls' glee club, mixed chorus and girls' sextet, which received an excellent rating at the state music contest at Iowa City this year.

The Northwood queen also had one of the leads in the senior class play and operetta. She is an outstanding commercial student and ranked fourth in the 1939 graduating class.
 
 
 
 
 
 

JANET MERCER
Miss Fonda

Whatever other honors may accrue to Janet Mercer, Fonda's candidate for festival queen in Mason City June 20, she should have recognition for being the entry from the most distant point.

Miss Mercer is the daughter of Ralph Mercer, Fonda farmer. She was selected as a candidate by the faculty and elected by a large majority of the Fonda high school student body.

Her teachers describe her as an "outstanding" student and a popular member of the student body." She is a regular member of the basketball team and takes part in most plays produced in school.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ESTHER SESSLER
Miss Dumont

"Her charm and beauty make her an ideal candidate for queen of the North Iowa band festival," says the scribe that entered Miss Esther Sessler as Dumont's representative in the contest of pulchritude which is to be held as part of the big music celebration in Mason City June 20.

Miss Sessler is the daughter of the Presbyterian minister at Dumont, the Rev. D. J. Sessler, and Mrs. Sessler. She will be a senior in the Dumont high school next year and has a record of active participation in musical events. She has an excellent voice and sang in the girls' sextet, the girl's glee club and mixed chorus. She plays the piano and provided the accompaniment for Durmont's contestants. She also plays the violin. Her interests in sports go to basketball and swimming.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LOIS TINKEY
Miss Alexander

Lois Tinkey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Tinkey, is the bid of Alexander for queen of the North Iowa band festival in Mason City June 20.

Miss Tinkey, whose father is a creamery operator at Alexander, was graduated from high school this spring, sharing honors as valedictorian with another member of her class. She has for four years been a member of the school glee club and was president in her senior year. She took part in both the junior and senior plays.

She was assistant editor of the school paper, "Key," in her junior year, editor-in-chief in her senior year. She also was assistant editor at the Alexander high school annual "The Gold and Black" and received a medal as the highest award for activities and scholarship.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

AVIS BARNETT
Miss Greene

Miss Avis Barnett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Barnett of Greene, will participate in the events of the North Iowa band festival here June 20 as the queen from Greene.

Miss Barnett's father is a farmer and teamster of Green. She is a member of the 1939 graduating class. She enjoys swimming and roller skating, plays kittenball and participates in other sports. She enjoys music and is a former member of the Greene band.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

HELEN BOLLER
Miss Goodell

Goodell will be represented at the North Iowa band festival parade of queens by Helen Boller, member of the 1939 high school graduating class.

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Boller, Goodell's candidate for queen, has an excellent school record. She was valedictorian of her class and during her high school years was editor of the school newspaper, "Tip." She also was a member of the glee club and played in the band. Her father is a trucker.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

JOAN SHEPLEY
Miss Fertile

Fertile has chosen Miss Joan Shepley, daughter of Mrs. Phil Sheimo, to represent that community in the procession of queens at the North Iowa band festival in Mason City June 20, according to A. T. Grundahl, head of the music department in the schools.

Miss Shepley, member of the 1939 graduating class, has participated in numerous activities including music, athletics and dramatics. She was outstanding in the glee club and mixed chorus and was a member of a sextet during her four years in high school.

Winner of the D.A.R. citizenship award of Worth county this year, Miss Shepley was voted the most popular girl in high school. She was one of the basketball team during her four years in high school. Her favorite hobbies are swimming and basketball.

She also had leading roles in the junior class play, "Grand old Darling," and the senior play, "Tiger House." She was a member of the staff of the Fertile "Hi-Life," school newspaper. She attended Clear Lake high school during her ninth and tenth years and the Fertile high school during her junior and senior years. While in Clear Lake she belonged to the G.A.A., T=Hi-Tri and was elected into the Golden Masque club.
 

MARY JUNE KINSETH
Miss Belmond

Mary June Kinseth as elected by the high school at Belmond to represent that community as candidate for queen of the North Iowa band festival in Mason City June 20.

Miss Kinseth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raynold Kinseth of Belmond, is active in school clubs, particularly in the field of music and dramatics. She plays drums, bell lyra, tympani and is a featured vocalist with the high school band. Her hobbies are reading and piano. Her reading is chiefly in the field of history and development of music.

Miss Kenseth's father operates a grocery at Belmond.
 
 

IRENE PURVIANCE
Miss Hanlontown

Success in both scholastic attainments and extra-curricular activities has featured in the high school career of Irene Purviance, chosen by her associates to represent Hanlontown in the big parade of queens at the North Iowa band festival here June 20.

Miss Purviance is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Purviance and lives on a farm near Hanlontown. She is a junior in the Hanlontown high school and had made a record in scholarship, as well as being a member of the band, glee club and the Girls' Athletic association of her school. (Photo by Russell)
 
 

DOROTHY OSTENDORF
Miss Meservey

Meservey chose an honor roll student to represent it at the North Iowa band festival in Mason City June 20. The choice of the community was Dorothy Ostendorf, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Ostendorf, who lives on a farm near Meservey.

Miss Ostendorf was an honor roll student of the junior class in high school this year and took part in all school activities, especially in the field of music. She is a pianist for the high school and for three years has been a member of the girls' glee club and a member of the staff on the school newspaper, "Chalk Marks." (Photo by Russell)
 

 

MARCIA THOMPSON
Miss Leland

A leader in various activities of the Leland high school is Marcia Thompson, chosen candidate for queen in the big North Iowa band festival June 20.
Miss Thompson was graduated from the Leland high school this spring. She is the daughter of A. J. Thompson, a Leland farmer. She plays first clarinet in the band. Her hobby is basketball and she has been active in all school activities.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

JOYCE WILSON
Miss Rockwell

Joyce Wilson, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. H. I. Wilson, is Rockwell's bid for fame as the home town of the queen of the North Iowa band festival in Mason City June 20.
Miss Wilson, who is a junior in the Rockwell high school, has been a member of the glee club, band and the basketball and softball teams. She has lived in Rockwell eight years. Her father is a dentist.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SYLVIA PETERSEN
Swaledale

Sylvia Petersen, daughter of Marinus Petersen, farmer living near Swaledale, is the nominee of that community for queen of the North Iowa band festival Tuesday.

Miss Petersen was valedictorian of the Swaledale high school graduating class this spring. During her four hears of high school she was a member of the girls' club, one of the cheer leaders and assistant editor of the school's newspaper, "Bits About 'Em."

She was a member of the girls' basketball team, which won the 1939 county tournament. In her junior year she took part in the class play, "For Pete's Sake." In her senior year she was president of the class and took part in the class play "Dotty and Daffy."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

JEAN FIELDS
Miss Clarksville

Jean Fields, valedictorian of the 1939 graduating class of the Clarksville high school, was chosen to represent that community as candidate for queen of the North Iowa band festival.

Miss Fields, daughter of Dr. Harry Fields, Clarksville dentist, and Mrs. Fields, has played cornet in the band five years. She has been active in dramatic work and won first prize in the literature contest in her junior and senior years. She sand in both the glee club and the sextet during the four years of high school. She likes swimming, golfing and boating.
Miss Fields is planning to attend the State University of Iowa this fall.

"She comes from a very musical family," says the scribe who filled in the entry blank for the Clarksville queen.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

MARY CHAMPLIN
Miss Eagle Grove

Eagle Grove chose Mary Champlin as its representative in the procession of queens that is to feature the North Iowa band festival in Mason City June 20.

Miss Champlin is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Champlin of Vincent, which is 10 miles southwest of Eagle Grove. Her father is a grain dealer there. Miss Champlin has been very active in speech and dramatic work at Eagle Grove high school and has been a member of the girls' glee club for the past three years. She was recently selected as one of the four cheerleaders for next year at Eagle Grove high school.

Miss Champlin, who is 17, will be a senior in the high school next fall.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

KATHLEEN WHITE
Miss Riceville

Kathleen White will come all the way from Riceville to participate in the revue of queens at the North Iowa band festival June 20. Daughter of Mrs. Florence White, Riceville postmaster, Miss White made an excellent record in high school, from which she was graduated this spring.

Miss White played clarinet in the high school band, sang in the glee club, mixed chorus, girls' sextet, mixed quartet and girls' trio. She took part in the senior class play and was secretary of her class in the senor year.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

MARY LOUISE CARMEN
Miss Sheffield

The varied talents required for dramatics, essay writing and musical attainments are possessed by Mary Louise Carmen, Sheffield's choice for queen of the North Iowa band festival in Mason City next Tuesday. Miss Carmen is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G.V. Carmen. He father is employed by the Sheffield Brick and Tile company.

Miss Sheffield who was graduated this spring from high school, was the leading character in the senior class play this spring. She also had a leading role in the junior class play last year. For the past two years she has been one of three essay winners in contests sponsored by the Iowa Tuberculosis association and each year broadcast over national stations as a part of a statewide contest.
Miss Carmen was a member of the high school girls' glee club, girls' sextet and girls' trio. The trio has broadcast a number of times from KGLO in Mason City. She also served as cheer leader for two years. She was selected the Sheffield queen by the Sheffield Commercial club.
 

EUNICE SCHROER
Miss Hayfield

Eunice Schroer, who lives on a farm near Hayfield, has been selected by that community as candidate for queen of the North Iowa band festival. Miss Schroer was first cornet player in the band and will be a junior next year in the Hayfield high school.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

FLORENCE HART
Miss Humboldt

The members of the band selected Florence Hart as Humboldt's candidate for queen of the North Iowa band festival here Tuesday.

Miss Hart, member of the senior class, has been active particularly in the field of music. She is a member of the girls' glee club, choir, drum quintet, concert band and the Humboldt marching band, which won first place at the regional music contest. She is also a member of the school news team and the student council. During the summer her hobbies are reading, sports, band and sleeping, she says.
 
 

DOROTHY THURSTON
Miss Forest City

Prominent in the field of music is Forest City's candidate for queen of the festival. Dorothy Thurston. Miss Thurston is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N. T. Thurston. Her father is in the insurance and real estate business.

Miss Thurston, who was graduated from the Forest City high school this year, was particularly active in vocal music during her school career. She is a contralto soloist and was member of the girls' sextet and girls' glee clubs.
 
 
 
 
 
 

BETTY HADLEY
Miss Ackley

Betty Hadley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Hadley, is Ackley's choice for the procession of queens at the North Iowa band festival Tuesday. Her father is the owner of the Hadley ice cream factory at Ackley.

Miss Hadley was graduated from the Ackley high school June 2. While in high school she was affiliated with the Girl Reserves, the Literary Drama club, glee club and the Honor "A" society for all four years. She was a member of the basketball team two years and acted as team manager throughout this period.
   
 

Transcriber's Note: Try as I might, I could not find Miss North Iowa Band Festival Queen Candidates No. 8 and No. 40.

PARADE AT NOON, CONCERT, SOLOS BOOKED ON KGLO
Queen Ceremony, Massed Concert on From Stadium

[Page 3] Music in the air and on the air!

KGLO microphones will follow the 44 bands, 4 drum corps and 40 queens when they come to Mason City Tuesday for the North Iowa Band festival so that listeners may have all the highlights of the day.

Begins With Parade

Beginning with the parade shortly before noon and continuing through until the final note of the massed band concert dies out at the stadium in the evening, KGLO will be on the job to cover main events and present several of the bands on the air from the Wagner-Mozart music hall.

With the aid of the mobile unit, the KGLO force will be able to present a complete picture of the band and queen parade in the morning, beginning at 11:45 o'clock, or earlier if necessary, and continuing until 12:15 p. m.

Four Bands on Air

Bands to be heard from the music hall in the afternoon are:

1:15 - Hampton - F. D. Griffen, director.
2:15 - Waverly - Bob Bagley, director.
3:15 - Clarion - Clifton Burmeister, director.
4:30 - Marble Rock - O. K. Conklin, director.

From 5:30 to 6 o'clock in the evening, Program Director Nick Scheel plans to present a number of instrumental soloists from the various bands to the air audience.

If ceremonies at Roosevelt stadium get started on schedule, a preview of the queen-crowning, marching bands and massed concert program will be aired from 7:15 to 7:30. The 8 o'clock newscasts will be opened with announcements from the stadium naming the entry who has been selected as North Iowa Queen.

 

Massed Concert

The massed concert from Roosevelt stadium, in which all of the bands will join under direction of Carleton Stewart, will be aired from 9 to 9:30 p. m.

Numbers to be heard on the massed concert are: "The Military Escort," "Washington Post" and the "North Iowa Band Festival."

[Page 12]

Local Marching Band Will Meet Monday for Festival Practice

[Page 16] All members of the Mason City high school marching band have been asked to report at the music hall at 9 o'clock Monday morning for rehearsal. Practice will be held at that time, according to J. J. Fitzgerald, for participation in the Tuesday band festival parade.

  

  

40 QUEENS WILL VIE FOR CROWN OF MUSIC EVENT
More Than 2,000 To Take Part
In Band Festival on Tuesday

A giant stage was prepared Monday for Mason City's fourth annual North Iowa band festival and second annual entertainment of North Iowa royalty to be held Tuesday.

With 40 queens from 40 North Iowa communities outside of Mason City providing the largest procession of pulchritude in the history of North Iowa and nearly 2,100 musicians in 48 bands and drum and bugle corps thundering their salute, the festival has all the elements of the gigantic 1938 celebration and more, members of the community point out.

Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, the festival provides the greatest gathering of bandsmen ever held in North Iowa, with Mason City playing the role of an entertaining host.

Parade at 11 a.m.

While band concerts start at 9 o'clock in Central park, the big opening event of the festival will be a parade through the business section of the city at 11 o'clock. A hundred units, made up of bands, floats and specialties will flow southward on Federal avenue from the Hotel Hanford to Fifth street south, then east to Delaware and North to Second street northeast.

Climax of the celebration will be the massed band concert of the more than 2,000 bandsmen and the coronation of Miss North Iowa, queen of the festival at the Roosevelt stadium at 7 o'clock in the evening.

The 40 queens, chosen on the basis of popularity, personality, scholarship and participation in school activities in each of their home communities will be seen in the morning parade. They will be the guests of the Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon at the Hotel Hanford at noon.

   

Click on newspaper page above then the magnifying glass icon to view enlargement of queens' page;
click on your browser's "back" button to return to this webpage.

Mason City Will Entertain 40 Queens at Band Festival
BEAUTIES FROM NORTH IOWA TO RECEIVE HONORS
Procession of Pulchritude to Start With Morning Parade

 

  [Page 2, Section 2] Many a city over North America has been a flutter with plans and anticipation connected with the visit of royalty this spring.

North Iowa has had its share. It had the crown prince and crown princess of two countries, Norway and Denmark.

Few cities, however, have made more elaborate preparations for the entertainment of royalty than Mason City is making to fete the 40 queens who will be her guests at the North Iowa band festival here Tuesday. This is the fourth annual North Iowa band festival and the second annual entertainment of North Iowa royalty.

Each of these queens represents a community in North Iowa, outside of Mason City. Each one will be given special honors in the band festival program.

One of Them to Reign

And most thrilling of all - one of these 40 queens will be selected as Miss North Iowa, queen of the band festival. That will take place at the concluding program at the Roosevelt stadium at 7 o'clock in the evening. The queen will be named in the early part of the program and the 39 other candidates will form her court.

The queens, however, will have special entertainment throughout the day. At the 11 o'clock parade they will ride in open cars, each one adjacent to her community's band.

At 12:30 o'clock the queens will be honored guests at a luncheon in the Wedgewood room of the Hotel Hanford. Also guests at this gathering will be city officials and school officials, including the bandmasters of the participating communities.

It will be at this luncheon that the queens will be eyed by the judges who will select the festival queen. They also will observe the queens as they ride in the parade.

To Attend Party

In the afternoon the queens will attend a theater party that has been arranged for them.

After the theater party the girls will be served a buffet supper, following which they will be conveyed to the stadium in order to be in the position before the opening at 7 o'clock.

The queens will be in charge of a special committee of hostesses made up of Miss Bea Lynch, chairman, Mrs. Francis Darland, Mrs. Bob Ferguson, Mrs. Kenneth Neu and Mrs. Chester DeSart.

Queens Listed

And -- here is the official list of queens:

Alexander,
Lois Tinkey
    Britt,
Virginia Koons
    Buffalo Center,
Della Jane Price
    Clarion,
Marjorie Smith
 
Clear Lake,
Helen King
    Dumont,
Esther Sessler
    Fertile,
Joan Shepley
    Fonda,
Janet Mercer
 
Garner,
Mildred Blumer
    Goodell,
Helen Boller
    Greene,
Avis Barnett
    Hampton,
Virginia Sernett
 
Hanlontown,
Irene Purviance
    Humboldt,
Florence Hart
    Kensett,
Fern Brunsvold
    Klemme,
Margie Blumer
 
Manly,
Arlene Pinta
    Marble Rock,
Dorothy Keith
    Meservey,
Dorothy Ostendorf
    Nora Springs,
Edna Witt
 
Northwood,
Rebecca Hanson
    Osage,
Erma Jeanne Martin
    Rockford,
Marian Hubbard
    Rudd,
Bernice Brandau
 
St. Ansgar,
Shirley Knutson
    Thompson,
Jeanette Payne
    Thornton,
Lorene Throssel
    Ventura,
Marian Skene
 
Waverly,
Alice Bruns
    Belmond,
Mary June Kinseth
    Rockwell,
Joyce Wilson
    Leland,
Marcia Thompson
 
Riceville,
Kathleen White
    Clarksville,
Jean Fields
    Sheffield,
Mary Louise Carmen
    Eagle Grove,
Mary Champlin
 
Ackley,
Betty Hadley
    Hayfield,
Eunice Schroer
    Forest City,
Dorothy Thurston
    Swaledale,
Sylvia Petersen

~ ~

They Head Committees Which Planned North Iowa Festival


W. L. NICHOLS
General Chairman
 

PAUL McAULEY
Parade Committee
 

JOHN D. VANCE
Program Committee
 

C. A. PARKER
Finance Committee
 

D. G. KLEMPNAUER
Queen Committee
 

MISS BEA LYNCH
Hostess Committee
 

MAYOR R. E. PAULEY
Reception for Notables
 

W. A. STORER
Headquarters for Bands
 

Committees Worked Weeks Preparing for Big Festival
Under Leader of Chairman Nichols, Chamber of Commerce Members
Planned Many Details of Huge Celebration

All is in readiness for the opening of Mason City's fourth annual band festival and second entertainment of North Iowa royalty after weeks of work and preparations chiefly by a group of committees centered in the Chamber of Commerce.

These committees have held numerous meetings and their members have devoted a large among of time to plans to assure success of this huge music event.

Leadership in the preparations, of course, has been centered in W. L. Nichols, chairman of the general committee. Other members of this general committee are: D. G. Klempanauer, John Vance, C. A. Parker, Carleton L. Stewart, Charles F. Weaver and Don W. Wieder.

Planned Parade

The big parade was planned and leadership in handling it will come out of Paul McAuley's committee, made up of Fred Wagner, Bob Stoyles, Jay Tubbesing, Dr. V. E. Wicks, John Adams, Keith DeLacey, Dr. John Hood, John Morrison and Bill Sullivan.

The program is in charge of a committee made up of John D. Vance, chairman, Carleton L. Stewart and Nick Schael.

They Raised Money

The following were members of these teams: Walt Bramhall, Joe Price, Grover Relp, John Vance, Leo Davey, Claude Sinnett, H. E. VanEssen, L. E. Blanchard, George Harrer, Paul Pappas, James Rae, Dan Klempnauer, Henry Kimmel, Tad Martin, Dean Lightner, Fritz Olson, Carl Merkel, Jack Bodier, W. P. Tyler, G. E. Allbee, Don Innes, Paul Pritchard, Lloyd Geer, Dan McCloud, Bill Berger, C. E. Weaver, Lyle Liefbendorfer, Ray Prusia, Roger Patton, John Corsaut, C. E Leffler, L. J. Swanson, F. R. Fockler, H. L. Gore, George Mendon, C. V. McCarthy, M. W. Burns, C. M. Schaffer, H. B. Farrer, H. W. Wormhoudt, Fred Wagner, K. K. Kier, L. S. Sanders, E. J. Sprengeler, Ross Potter, A. M. Adh, Roger Flickinger, Jake Douglas, C. E. Cornwell, E. C. Jones, Dick Currie, Don Fitzgerald and L. T. Oldham.

The committee in charge of arrangements for the entertainment of the North Iowa queens is headed by Mr. Klempnaur. Other members of the committee are: Carl Merkel, Henry Kimmel, G. E. Allbee, F. M. Humphrey and Paul Pritchard, who is in charge of the arrangements for the open cars.

Hostesses for the queens are Miss Bea Lynch, chairman, Mrs. Francis Darland, Mrs. Bob Ferguson, Mrs. Kenneth Neu and Mrs. Chester DeSart.

Mayor Heads Committee

Mayor R. E. Pauley will head a committee for the reception of visiting notables. Other members on the committee are: Mrs. G. E. Bresse. City Manager Herbert T. Barclay, R. E. Robertson, Supt. R. B. Irons of the city schools, Principal James Rae of the high school and Carleton Stewart.

W. A. Storer is in charge of headquarters for the visiting bands at the Lincoln school

Garrett Chapman, chef de gare of the Forty and Eight, will be in charge of the ushers at the stadium.

The committee on police, parking and platform is made up of Police Chief Harold Wolfe, G. E. McEldoon and R. D. "Duke" Molesworth.

 

~ ~

Grand Finale of Band Festival
Tuesday Night at Stadium
MASSED BANDS TO PLAY UNDER STEWART BATON
Coronation of Queen to be Climax of Big Celebration

[Page 3, Section 2] The outstanding event of the day's program at the North Iowa band festival Tuesday will be the grand finale at Roosevelt stadium, scheduled to start at 7 o'clock.

The program for this evening event will include the coronation of the beautiful Miss North Iowa, around whom the other queen candidates will act as a court. A massed band concert will be given and exhibition drills presented.

Arrangements in the seating of band members and spectators will be different than in other years. This time the bands - almost 50 of them - will occupy the grandstand, while the spectators will sit on bleachers, planked seats and the grass below.

To Provide Seats

Bleachers are being procured from the North Iowa fair and other sources. Planked seats are in the process of being constructed in order to have all in readiness for the Gargantuan night program.

W. Earl Hall, managing editor of the Globe-Gazette, will be master of ceremonies for the program, which gets under way at 7 o'clock, when the Northwood high school band under the direction of L. T. Dillon gives a half hour concert. This will be followed by the introduction of candidates for queens of the festival and the crowning of Miss North Iowa. W. L. Nichols, general chairman, will place the crown on the head of the festival queen.

At 8 o'clock the entry of the floats will take place with the awarding of prizes.

The Chamber of Commerce is offering $100 in prizes for the best floats in the morning parade.

An exhibition drill will be presented by the Humboldt high school marching band, division No. 1 winners, under the direction of T. M. Talmadge.

Bands to Play

At 8"30 o'clock one of the big events of the festival takes place, the massed band concert by more than 2,000 band members under the direction of Carleton L. Stewart of the Mason City high school. The bands will play "Crossley March," Fillmore; "Officer of the Day," Hall; and "El Capitan," Sousa.

Following these massed band numbers the Iowa training school band from Eldora under the direction of I. A. Lowell will give an exhibition drill. Last year's festival convinced the visiting thousands these boys could drill.

At 9 o'clock there will be three more massed band numbers, "Military Escort," Fillmore; "Washington Post," Sousa; and "North Iowa Band Festival," composition in honor of the Mason City event by Berryman.

~ ~

2,100 Musicians - 48 Bands and Drum Corps - in Parade
LINE OF MARCH ALONG FEDERAL AND DELAWARE
Queens to Ride in Open Cars;
Floats Add Beauty, Color

[Page 5, Section 2] A stream of rhythmic music from 2,100 bandsmen will feature the mammoth, colorful North Iowa band festival parade that will flow through the Mason City business district Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock. Forty-eight musical groups - 44 bands and four drum and bugle corps - will make up this mammoth column of marching melody. Starting at the Hotel Hanford the line of march will be south on Federal avenue to Fifth street south, then east to Delaware avenue and north to Second street northeast, where the bands will return to their headquarters at the Lincoln school.

The column will be headed by motorcycle police, followed by police cars and officials, after which will come the Mason City Legion junior drum and bugle corps.

Queens to Be Seen

Following these initial units will be the queens riding in open cars so they can be readily be seen by everyone. Each queen will be followed by the band from her community. There will also appear in the parade the school and city officials from each of the participating communities.

Scattered through the long columns, adding to the beauty and interest of the moving spectacle will be floats provided by Mason City civic organizations. Floats have been entered by the Cerro Gordo county chapter of the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of American, Cerro Gordo Safety council, Elks club, Girl Scouts of America, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Lions club, Kiwanis club, Rotary club, Mason City Woman's club, I. O. O. F. home, North Iowa fair, Patty and her Gang, Vance Music company, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Y. W. C. A.

Eldora Band Coming

One of the marching units that will attract special attention is the Eldora training school band, which was invited to the festival because of the popular demand for the organization caused by its brilliant performance last year.

Bands in charge of directors and school officials will start arriving in Mason City early Tuesday morning. Maintaining the Lincoln school at Second street northeast as their headquarters throughout the day, the bands will gather at specified places on streets intersecting Federal avenue north of the Hotel Hanford in order to be ready for the signal to "forward march" in the parade.

Forty-four bands from 44 communities are booked for the parade, including the Mason City high school band under the direction of Carleton L. Stewart. Besides, there will be four drum and bugle corps, the Mason City Legion unit under the direction of R. L. Bailey, as well as the junior drum and bugle corps from Clear Lake and Ventura under the direction of John Kopecky and the Swaledale drum and bugle corps.

Bands Listed

Alexander,
Leonard A. Miller
    Algona,
Robert W. Getchell
    Ashley,
Marilyn Rideout
    Belmond,
F. F. Griffen
 
Britt,
Durwood Griffen
    Buffalo Center,
Wilbert Graber
    Clarion,
C. A. Burmeister
    Clear Lake,
John Kopecky
 
Clarksville,
Ray C. Smith
    Durmont,
M. W. Seipp
    Eldora Training School,
L. A. Lowell
    Elmore, Minn.,
A. W. Hull
 
Eagle Grove,
Marcus G. Boe
    Fertile,
A. T. Grundahl
    Fonda,
H. P. Berry
    Forest City,
Hugh J. Croft
 
Garner,
D. O. Anderson
    Goodell,
Clyde Freeman
    Greene,
R. O. Morris
    Humboldt,
T. M. Talmadge
 
Hampton,
F. O. Griffen
    Hanlontown,
J. W. Schar
    Kensett,
Ralph Geer
    Klemme,
Marvin Batchelder
 
Leland,
Karl Bohlen
    Manly,
Lawrence M. Hahn
    Marble Rock,
O. K. Conklin
    Mason City,
Carleton L. Stewart
 
Meservey,
R. C. Hovey
    Nora Springs,
E. L. Snyder
    Northwood,
L. T. Dillon
    Osage,
Frank Piersol
 
Rockford,
J. T. Haugen
    Rudd,
Darwin Maurer
    Rockwell,
The Rev. F. J. Landdeck
    Riceville,
Lester R. Yager
 
St. Ansgar,
Donald Barrows
    Sheffield,
Wendell Schaefer
    Swaledale,
Clyde Freeman
    Thompson,
Daniel L. Martino
 
Thornton,
R. C. Hovey
    Titonka,
Phyllis Dougan
    Ventura,
John Kopecky
    Waverly,
Robert W. Bagley

Here Are Some of the Leaders of Bands Coming to Celebration.


BOB BAGLEY
Waverly
 

RALPH GEER
Kensett
 

M. W. SEIPP
Dumont
 

RAY C. SMITH
Clarksville
 

CLIFTON BURMEISTER
Clarion
 

I. T. DILLON
Northwood

 

KARL BOHLEN
Hayfield-Leland

 

JOHN KOPECKY
Clear Lake
 

The Rev. F. J. LANDDECK
Rockwell
 

CARLETON L. STEWART
Mason City

 

FRANK PIERSOL
Osage

   

VISITING BANDS PLAN CONCERTS IN LOCAL PARK
Demonstrations Also Will Be Presented on Festival Day

While the main attractions of the band festival will be the parade in the morning and the massed band concert and coronation of the queen in the evening, the big celebration Tuesday has other features that will interest visitors. For instance, there is to be a series of concerts and marching demonstrations. The concerts will be in Central park and the demonstrations on Federal avenue adjacent to the park. Two small massed band concerts are included in the repertory.

The Manly band under the direction of Lawrence Hahn will give the first concert at 9 o'clock, followed at 9:20 by the Nora Springs band under E. L. Snyder. Osage bandsmen, under direction of Frank Piersol, will play at 9:40 o'clock and Ralph Geer's Kensett band at 10 o'clock.

To Give Demonstration

A marching demonstration will be given by the Dumont band under M. W. Seip's direction at 10:20 o'clock. A performance will be given by the Clear Lake junior drum and bugle corps at 10:40 o'clock.

No concerts will be given during the period when the parade is staged, but at 12 o'clock events start again with a small massed band concert under the direction of Joe Berryman. Participating in this concert will be the bands from Rockwell, Sheffield, Clarksville, Riceville, Ventura, Algona, Klemme and Swaledale.

Concerts on Program

At 12:20 o'clock the Ackley band under the direction of Marilyn Ridout will give a demonstration. This will be followed by a series of concerts as follows:

12:40 p.m., Forest City, Hugh J. Croft; 1 p. m., Fonda, Howard P. Berry; 1:20 p.m., Garner, Donald O. Anderson; 1:40 p.m., Rockford, J. T. Haugen; 2 p. m., Eagle Grove, Marcus G. Boe; 2:20 p.m., Rudd, Darwin T. Maurer; 2:40 p. m., St. Ansgar, Donald Barrows; 3 p. m., Thompson, Daniel L. Martin; 3:20 p. m., Thornton-Meservey, R. C. Hovey; 4 p. m., Greene, R. O. Morris; 4:20 p. m., Belmond, F. F. Griffen; 4:40 p. m., Clear Lake, John Kopecky.

At 5 o'clock in the afternoon there will be another massed band concert in Central park, this one under the direction of Carleton L. Stewart. Bands taking part in this concert will be from Alexander, Britt, Buffalo Center, Leland, Fertile, Geneva, Goodell, Hanlontown, Elmore, Minn., and Hayfield.

~ ~

[Page 6, Section 2]

JUNIOR CHAMBER IS IN CHARGE OF BANDS' PARADE
Large Committee Is Announced to Handle Multitude of Details

SPECIAL ROUTE TO STADIUM FOR NIGHT PROGRAM
Bands Instructed to Reach Stadium by Way of Federal Avenue

Band Festival to Be Family Affair for Three Griffens
Each Coming With Band for Big North Iowa Musical Event

HAMPTON - The band festival at Mason City Tuesday will be more or less a family affair for the Griffens. F. O. Griffen, band leader at Hampton the last seven years, and his two sons, Durwood of Britt and Forrest of Belmond, both band leaders, will be present with their bands. This is the first time all three have been present, although last year the father and one son, Forrest, then of Sheffield, attended and the latter's band had the successful candidate for queen.

F. O. Griffen was recently elected president of the Iowa Bandmaster's association.

Both sons are completing their first year in their present positions, Durwood coming to Britt from Minnesota, and both have been band leaders for three or four years. Neither has yet equaled their father's record at Hampton of having his band rate superior in the national contest the past two years.

It's Not Surprising

It is not surprising that the Griffen boys are musicians.

"They were practically reared in a band room," said their father in a recent interview. In reply to the
question as to whether there was the usual difficulty in getting them to practice he replied "No, music
has always been a part of their lives. They seemed to take it for granted."

When the boys were at home there was a family orchestra in which Mrs. Griffen played the piano or saxophone, Mr. Griffen the violin, Forrest the clarinet of saxophone, and Durwood the cornet. Mrs. Griffen formerly played the saxophone on various occasions with her husband's band, but has given up her musical activities.

They Co-operate

After studying music with their father, and, of course being members of his band, both boys attended Charleton college and were graduated from Morningside college at Sioux City.

A fine spirit of co-operation exists among the Griffens. A few years ago when Durwood was organizing a school band at Hayfield, Minn., his father took a group of Hampton school musicians to Hayfield to give a demonstration. Last year Durwood played a cornet solo at the commencement exercises here at the last band concert given here a few weeks ago. Durwood and Forrest each directed their father's band in a selection.

Transcriber's Notes: F. O. [Fred Orville] Griffen, son of Charles Lewis and Augusta Florinda (Arnold) Griffen, was born May 5, 1890, and died July 15, 1943. His epitaph reads, " A Rest Is Silent." He was interred at Hampton Cemetery, Hampton, Iowa.

Durwood Griffen was born November 25, 1911, and died August 13, 1990. Doris, his wife, was born May 12, 1914, and died January 29, 1998. They were interred at Hampton Cemetery, Hampton, Iowa.

Forrest F. Griffen was born November 23, 1913, and died December 16, 1977. His wife Betty was born October 20, 1921, and died April 6, 2018. They were interred in Forest Park East Cemetery, Shreveport, Louisiana.

 

~ ~

[Page 7, Section 2]

  

  

~ ~

[Page 8, Section 2]

~ ~

OFFICIALS WILL BE GUESTS FOR PARADE, DINNER
Mayors and School Heads Accept Local Invitations

[Page 9, Section 2] Special invitations have been extended by the North Iowa band festival committee to the mayor, school board president, school superintendent, school principal, music mothers president and the band master of each of the participating communities to be special guests at the celebration Tuesday. Responses to the invitations have been received from a large number of these.

These special representatives will be given seats on Federal avenue, from where they will review the parade at 11 o'clock. They will be guests at the noon luncheon in honor of the queens at the Hotel Hanford. Up to 7:30 o'clock seats will be reserved to them at the grand finale at the Roosevelt stadium in the evening.

Get Acceptances

Acceptances had been received from the following up to Saturday noon:

 

  Osage - Mayor Swanson; H. E. LaRue, school board president; George H. Sawyer, school superintendent; and Frank Piersol, band master.

Rudd - Mayor Will Cheney; President Will Roberts of the school board; Supt. I. W. Edie; Mrs. D. T. Maurer, school principal; Mrs. Otto Brandau, music mothers president; and Darwin T. Maurer, band master.

Clear Lake - Dr. A. B. Phillip, mayor; H. E. Freeman, school board president; T. G. Burns, superintendent; Catherine Chambers, principal; Mrs. Charles Comstock, music mothers president and John Kopecky, band master.

Rockwell - Dr. Kaiser, school board president; Mrs. H. J. Wilson, music mothers president, and the Rev. F. J. Landdeck, band master.

Thompson - O. J. Lockram, school board president; Mrs. G. A. Robinson, music mothers president; and Daniel L. Martino, band master.

Swaledale - Lester Bonner, mayor; Hans Pahause, school board president; Mrs. Earl Drury, music mothers president; and Clyde Freeman, band master.

To Be Guests

Meservey _ Mayor Langlitz; Frank Guth, school board president; Mr. Berier, superintendent; Mrs. Lester Gobel, music mothers president; and Mr. Hovey, band master.

Manly - Mayor Shulte; Mr. Culver, school board president; Mrs. H. D. Rissler, music mothers president; and Mr. Hill, band master.

Hanlontown - Selmer Lee, mayor; G. Trusteum, president of the school board; Miss Dorothy Sivers, principal; Mrs. Benton Moeller, music mothers president; and Mrs. Scharf, band master.

Thornton - Melvin Ingebretson, mayor; George W. Myers, school board president; D. C. Davis, superintendent; Mrs. Armand Nicolete, music mothers president; Mr. Hoby, bandmaster.

Garner - I. C. Hastings, mayor; Charles Bithka, board president; Mrs. Alex Hammon, music mothers president; and Don O. Anderson, bandmaster.

Fonda - Charles Christian, mayor; John Anderson, board president; B. C. Holmes, superintendent; Mrs. John Byers, music mothers president; and H. P. Berry, band master.

Kensett - T. S. Baken, mayor; Mrs. R. H. Boutelle, music mothers president; and Ralph Geer, band master.

Coming to Festival

Forest City - M. J. Wolf, mayor; Harmon Lundberg, board president; Mrs. William M. Hanson, music mothers president; and A. Rensink, band master.

Algona - O. B. Laing, superintendent; and Bob W. Getchall, band master.

Goodell - O. Sandberg, mayor; Elmer Klienenberger, school board president; James Freeman, principal; Mrs. Harry Carpenter, music mothers president; and Mrs. Clyde Freeman, band master.

Eagle Grove - Mayor Martin; Superintendent McDowll; and Principal Berry.

Fertile - Theland Ellhon, mayor; A. Groarters, superintendent; Mrs. Harley Ouverson, music mothers president; and Mr. Grundahl, band master.

Klemme - Paul Grange, mayor; H. F. Jost, board president; Mrs. Lester Stilie, music mothers president; and M. C. Batchelder, band master.

Accept Invitations

Belmond - Mrs. Guy Baker, music mothers president; and F. F. Griffen.

Buffalo Center - Roy L. Lostigan, mayor; F. C. Daum, board president; Emeralda Kruse, principal; Louise Lohrbeck and Mrs. F. C. Koppen of music mothers.

Nora Springs - Karl Volkman, mayor; Kenneth Shanks, board president; Henry Foster, superintendent; Fred Larson, principal; Mrs. Ralph Rowley, music mothers president; and E. L. Snyder, band master.

Eagle Grove - J. H. Martin, mayor; C. L. McDowell, superintendent; Roger Berry, principal; and M. B. Boe, band master.

Rockford - F. M. Weber, mayor; Dr. H. H. Ervin, board president; Hazel Plumly, principal; Mrs. L. V. Leigh, music mothers president; and Joseph Haugen, band master.

Clarksville - W. F. Busching, board president; R. K. Thompson, superintendent; Mrs. Busching, music mothers president; and Ray C. Smith, band master.

Also on List

Hayfield - Superintendent Norton; Mrs. Elmer Bredlow, music mothers president; and Karl Bohlen, band master.

Britt - H. R. Brooks, school board president; L. J. Thies, superintendent; Mrs. Fred Holck, music mothers president; and Durwood Griffen, band master.

St. Ansgar - John Bernstern, mayor; S. A. Kleinwort, board president; Mrs. W. H. Eggleston, music mothers president; and Donald Barrows, band master.

Hampton - Joe Sikkema, mayor; G. E. Rankin, superintendent; Mrs. K. W. Harrison, music mothers president; and F. O. Griffen, band master.

Ventura - Ted Wolfrom, school board president; Howard Smith, superintendent; Mrs. Kenneth Peterson, music mothers president; and John Kopecky, band master.

Alexander - George Dunn, mayor; Roy Richards, school board president; Mrs. F. E. Bohlen, music mothers president; and Roy Thomas, band master.

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Burmeister's Players Will Broadcast

[Page 10, Section 2] Clifton Burmeister, director of the Clarion band, announces that his organization will broadcast the following program over KGLO as part of the band festival entertainment Tuesday.

"Goldman Band," march, K. L. King; "Ariana," overture, Louis Boyer; "Pomposo," tuba solo, Al Haynes, played by Jim Iliff, graduate of the Clarion high school this spring, and winner of Division II rating in the state contest; "His Honor," march, Henry Fillmore; "Pilgrim Chorus from Tannhauser," Wagner, arranged by C. E. Holmes; "Tonawanda," Indian dance, by A. F. Wendland; and "El Capitan," march, by Sousa.

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Prime favorites with the crowds were these high stepping drum majors with the Garner band.
Left to right the girls are Beverly Ziesemer, Jame Ziesmer and Mary Redding.
Some of the bands had as many as six such leaders.

Part of the huge crowd which thronged Roosevelt stadium Tuesday night to cheer the queen of North Iowa at the crowning ceremonies is shown in the panorama view which was taken from the top of the grandstand. Seats for approximately 6,200 persons had been placed on the cinder track around three sides of the stadium's green oval but the seats were filled long before the program started and the crowd overflowed to sit on the grass, leaving only a roped off rectangle for the marching band demonstrations.

The crowd on the field was estimated at 10,000 persons in addition to the grandstand which was filled with band members and spectators. The 40 queens of North Iowa's bands can be seen seated on the platform in the center of the picture.

The dark rectangle at the left in the crowd was formed by the uniforms of the Eldora training school band which gave a marching demonstration during the evening program. The Humboldt high school band also performed. (Lock photo, Kayenay engraving.)

Marjorie Smith of Clarion, chosen queen of the North Iowa band festival, is shown on the throne with crown and royal robes, reigning over the giant spectacle at the grand finale held at the Roosevelt stadium Tuesday evening. (Lock photo, Kayenay engraving.)

4 HONOR MAIDS ALSO NAMED BY BEAUTY JUDGES
Great Volume of Music Wells Forth as Massed Bands Play Numbers

(More Pictures on Pages 2, 3)

A crowd of approximately 13,000 persons exploded into a roar of approval as Miss Marjorie Eileen Smith of Clarion was crowned queen of the North Iowa Band Festival at Roosevelt stadium Tuesday evening.

The nearly 2,000 high school band members from Miss North Iowa's and 42 other towns forgot prejudice and cheered and pounded their drums for several minutes as the brunet beauty left her chair among the other candidates to mount her golden throne.

Name 4 Honor Maids

So close was the decision of the special judging committee at the luncheon for the 40 queens at the Hotel Hanford that they recommended that naming of four maids of honor.

These four were Virginia Sernett of Hampton, Virginia Koons of Britt, Erma Jean Martin of Osage and Florence Hart of Humboldt. Their names were announced at the stadium by W. Earl Hall, master of ceremonies, and caused mingled cheers and groans from the grandstand as the members of the four bands realized that their candidates had been eliminated from the title race.

Concert Is Given

Disappointments were drowned in enthusiastic cheering soon after the naming of the queen. Each of the steps in the ceremony was the signal for another demonstration as the royal robe was placed on her shoulders by the hostesses, a huge bouquet of red roses handed to her after she was seated on the throne and when W. L. Nichols, general chairman of the festival, placed the crown on her head.

The stadium program opened with a concert by the Northwood high school band under the direction of L. T. Dillon after which closed cars rolled into the stadium on the cinder track to bring the 40 queens to the platform.

Floats Are Paraded

Each of the queens marched around the platform after receiving an engraved compact from the hands of Carl Merkel and the approach of each gave rise to a noisy demonstration from the band which she represented.

The parade of floats followed with the throne as the last to enter the stadium. The prize winners were announced by the master of ceremonies. First to the Elks club entry, second to the Mason City Women's club, third to the Y. W. C. A., and fourth to the throne, entered by the Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Judges of the floats were Dr. A. B. Phillips, mayor of Clear Lake, chairman; C. L. McDowell, superintendent of Eagle Grove schools; H. E. LaRue, president of the Osage board of education; Mrs. K. W. Harrison, president of the Hampton Music Mother's club; and Mrs. Ida E. Larson, Swea City postmaster.

Massed Band Plays

After the queen had been escorted in her throne by the hostesses, Mrs. Chester DeSart, Miss Bea Lynch, Mrs. Francis Darland, Mrs. Bob Ferguson and Mrs. Kenneth Neu, the Humboldt high school band gave a marching demonstration [Page 2] under the direction of T. M. Talmadge.

Carleton Stewart, director of the Mason City high school band, then led the huge massed band seated in the grandstand in three numbers after which the Eldora training school band gave a marching demonstration.

During the last group of massed band numbers the baton twirlers gathered in the infield to entertain the audience with their deftness.

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"It Made Chills Run Up My Back," Says Miss North Iowa
Thought It Would Be One of Others: "They Were All So Sweet"

"It made the chills run up and down my back."

That's how it feels to be named Miss North Iowa and queen of the band festival. Miss Marjorie Eileen Smith said so late Tuesday evening and she should know. She was picked from the 40 candidates representing as many North Iowa towns at Tuesday's band festival.

Chosen Miss Clarion by a vote designating her as the most popular girl in the senior class, Miss Smith was still very modest after the close of the crowning ceremonies at Roosevelt stadium during the evening.

Too Shocked To Smile

"I thought it might have been any one of the others. They were all so sweet. I certainly didn't dream it would be me." She admitted that hearing her name called was such a shock that it took her several minutes to regain her composure sufficiently to be able to smile.

The 17 year old brunet queen of all North Iowa is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Granville W. Smith. Mr. Smith is a Clarion furniture dealer and funeral director.

She expects to matriculate at Iowa State college next fall to study commercial dress buying and said she might transfer to a New York school after two years at Ames.

Designs Own Clothes

"I've always been interested in clothes ever since I started sewing for dolls," she admitted.

"No, I don't sew for dolls any more," she smiled in answer to a question. "I design some of my own clothes. Designing and drawing are my field. I have a woman make them."

Her hobby is the Iowa Pilgrim Fellowship, the young people's organization of the Congregational church, she said without hesitation. During 1938-39 she was president of the Webster City district and the preceding year was secretary. She is not a member of the band but was in the 1939 state champion girls' glee club and plays the piano.

Was Honor Student

She also was president of the student council, in charge of the social program for the last year, class officer for two years. Miss Smith was president of the school Latin club and president of the Clarion Outing club.

She volunteered a word of thanks to the hostesses who had the 40 queens in charge throughout their day in Mason City.

"I heard many of the girls remark how lovely they were to us," said Miss Smith. "We all had a grand time."

The hostesses were Mrs. Chester DeSart, Miss Bea Lynch, Mrs. Francis Darland, Mrs. Bob Ferguson and Mrs. Kenneth Neu.

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Miss Ventura to Turn Valve Giving Town Natural Gas Wednesday

Marian Skene, Miss Ventura in the North Iowa band festival, has been selected to turn the valve that will introduce natural gas to the newly constructed distributing system of the town, it was announced Wednesday by the People's Gas and Electric company. The event will take place about 8:30 Wednesday night, H. D. Makeever of the company stated. The ceremony will include several numbers by the Ventura band and special illumination.

Looking across the parade ground to the platform occupied by the 40 queens and beyond the grandstand occupied by nearly 2,000 bandsmen who played in the massed band concert at the grand finale of the North Iowa band festival at the Roosevelt stadium Tuesday night. (Lock photo, Kayenay engraving.)

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[Page 3]

Photographs courtesy of The Globe Gazette

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, July of 2018

 

 

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