The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 31, Milford, Kosciusko County, 16 September 1987 — Page 12
12
THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., September 16,1987
North Webster News
Maude Willis: A well-known educator and Chautauqua star
Maude Willis of North Webster was a star of the Chautauqua during the early part of this century and performed in every state of the union and Canada Henry Willis was from England and a miller by trade. Elizabeth Willis was a native of Prince Edward Island. They came to the United States in 1859 and raised a family of six children. Maude was born to them in 1875. The Willis family came to North Webster from Wisconsin.
September 1 7-18-19 North Gate Shopping Plaza US 30 & SR 15 Warsaw TENT EVENT CHALLENGE Over 300 New & Used Cars & Trucks - Fi r h ’?‘ K Fight Os -k| Fight Os *1 .The Century The Century . The Century Chevjw . Imnnrt L L Dealer * > m P®n X - Truck & Blazer k jf- Oldest 4 u. 14- J ee l* •te’ ± Nissan Jeep T T Domestic & Cherokee Dealer 2 W * Teom Event * # ■& I free Zj r r v I hotair / y Z V I BALLOON RIDES I ll A X-d SAT. 9-12 I Z M , M .a Nellans Motors Inc. vs. Steve Ross Chevy This Challenge Will Also Include: On The Spot "Low, Low" Bank Financing! I """MM"-" | Free Tank Os Gas Wtth™"* Unit Sold! J Register For Prizes! « < •
BY MARY LEE WILLMZ N . Readers living in the Nor:h Webster area are encouraged to call their news items to Mary Lee Willman at 834-4544f0r publication in this column?
They purchased land on the south and west side of Webster Lake where Willis Park is now located. Henry operated Boydston’s Mill for many years. Maude’s brother, Henry, served as trustee of Tippecanoe Township for several terms. A sister, Alta Willis, married Henry Kline. Maude was a pert, red-haired child. She attended the one-room school at North Webster and spent her spare time thinking up things to get punished for. A child
who misbehaved in school was required to stand before the class and recite a poem or reading, Maude was always prepared and looking for opportunities to perform. Following graduation from Northwestern University School of Oratory, Maude served three years as Dean of Oratory at the University of Southern California. She left California in 1898 to give lectures at State Teacher's Institutes in Indiana, Ohio, New
York and Pennsylvania. The Maude Willis Concert Co. was formed in 1907. It consisted of a vocalist, pianist, violinist and harpist; Maude gave the readings. The company was eventually disbanded and Maude continued to perform alone. She had a repertoire of 300 selections and booked her own performances, sometimes as far as a year in advance. Some of her most popular programs were “The Prisoner of Zenda,” by Anthony Hope; “The Copperhead,” by Agusta Thomas; “It Pays to Advertise,” by McGrue and Hackett; and “The Bluebird,” by Maeterlink. Maude gave shows in large city auditoriums as well as in tents in rural and small communities. As soon as the show was given, the actors packed up and moved to another town. It could not have been an easy life considering the type of transportation that was available during the first part of the 20th century. While researching information about the history of North Webster, this reporter became intrigued by the story of Maude Willis. Interviews with North
Webster residents who knew Maude personally reveal she was a fascinating, talented and beloved woman, a Chautauqua star held in high esteem by her fellow actors and all who knew her. Ruth Mickley: “She was a marvelous person who spread happy magic everywhere she went. She worked as a talent scout for WLS Radio (Chicago) when it first started and was acquainted with all the early radio stars. Maude always carried an umbrella. When asked about it she would reply, “Never let the sun shine on a fragile rose.” Mrs. Mickley continued, “I remember one time she put her umbrella to good use. Our home extension club had a picnic at the Flowing Well Park. It started to pour rain, and everyone was scrambling for cover. Maude calmly opened her umbrella and continued eating —a picture of mirth personified.” Mrs. Mickley remembered, “Maude provided costumes for our Tippecanoe Township Club Kitchen Band. She coached Belle Mock on how to dance the ‘twostep’ to the tune, ‘Golden Slippers.’ We performed all around
the Lakeland area. One time, Maude, Lillian Barker and I gave * a homemaking demonstration at the Mentone-Egg Festival. We came home with a blue ribbon.” “Maude was devoted to her brother, Henry,” said Mrs. Mickley. “I’d been to ttieir home many times. She was also close to Billy Sunday and spent a lot of time at Winona Lake activities. There are so many things to tell I could just go on and on. My friendship with Maude was one of the high points of my life. She was a real sunbeam.” Goldie Hunnicutt: “She really was a wonderful person. I just loved her. She was sort of oldfashioned and kept all of her costumes and old dresses. When our club met in her house, she dressed everyone up and let them model her costumes. Maude had gowns from Paris and all over the world. She had trunks and trunks packed full of costumes. They were donated to Enchanted Hills Playhouse when she died. Maude would give readings that made you laugh until you cried. Then she would pretend to cry and make you laugh even harder. Her brother was township trustee at one time. Her mother and father died less than a week apart and are buried in North Webster. I know her father ran Boydston’s Mill for years and years. Maude was a welleducated person.” Eleanor Nine: “As a small child, I used to go visit the Willis family with my parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Kline, Jr. Maude would try to teach me ‘theater’ things and I’d get dressed up in her clothes. The whole Willis family was wonderful. She would give me her theater books to look at and read. It seems none of Maude’s talent ever rubbed off on, me, but I had a good time.” After spending so many years as aii cuuta'iui, performer-and entertainer, Maude, who never married, retired from the stage and moved back to the family farm at North Webster. There » she and her brother, Henry (who was a bachelor), lived out their remaining years. Information for this article was provided by Lois Conkling and Kip Sullivan's history book of North Webster. Sorority meets with Linda Hoy Linda Hoy was hostess for the September 8 meeting of Theta Sigma Chapter of Psi lota Xi Sorority. Betty Richcreek reviewed the financial report for the summer months. Liz Waltz, winner of the 1987 Mermaid Festival Queen Contest, was sponsored in the Allen County Fair Queen Contest by Psi lota Xi Sorority. She also won the title of Miss Allen County and was then sponsored as a contestant in tlie Indiana State Fair Queen Contest. Plans are being made for the sorority-sponsored 11th annual “Christmas Bazaar.” It will be held November 7 in Camelot Hall. All proceeds will go to the charity or philanthropic projects. Judy Parsons and Norma Eisaman reported on the Psi lota Xi National Convention they attended in June. Theta Sigma Chapter of North Webster was presented with a certificate of achievement for having the highest percentage of members
It Happened in —
King Arthur's Town
NORTH WEBSTER United Methodist Church circle meetings: Miriam Circle, September 14, in the home of Olive Locke; Esther Circle, 9, carry-in luncheon in the home of Isabel! Shidler; and Rebekah Circle, September 9, noon potluck in the home of Betty McNair. ANGIE BARTON, daughter of Mr', and Mrs. Larry Barton, is a recipient of the B. Franklin and Eleanore M. Ringle Educational Trust Scholarship. Angie is a 1987 graduate of Wawasee High School. She is a student at Oral Roberts University School of Nursing, Tulsa, Okla. While at Wawasee, she was a member of the National Honor Society, Speech Club, school newspaper staff, band and orchestra. GOODWILL EXTENSION Homemakers family night and carry-in supper was held September 9 in the House of Friendship with 20 members and guests in attendance. Edith Watkins gave the meditation, “What Is a Farmer?” The group’s annual auction of baked goods, white elephant items, etc., was enjoyed with Garry Tom as auctioneer. LAURA HILL, North Webster, has 31 wildlife drawings on display at the Honeywell Center, Wabash. The display will run
IIbb» / B j MUM wEgf s flH| rW 4 'Ail j|'
STAR OF THE CHAUTAUQUA — Maude Willis of North Webster, was a star of the Chautauqua at the turn of the century. She performed in every state of the union and Canada and organized her own concert company in 1907. (Photo submitted by Lois Conkling)
in attendance at meetings in the northeast district. A carry-in dinner is planned for September 22 in the home of Mrs. Eisaman. Games will be played. Club meets North Webster Past Chiefs Club met September 9 in the home of Catherine Bause. Alice Kissinger gave a reading, depicting a child’s view of retired people in Florida. Mrs. Bause read household hints. Following the business meeting, euchre was played. Jeanette Bockman placed high and Marie Hursey placed low. Joan Moore received the door prize. Mrs. Bause served refreshments of chicken and lime gelatin salad with topping, assorted sandwiches, crackers, cookies, fruit punch and coffee. The club’s October meeting will be held in the home of Lynn Stalter. First meeting of the fall season The first meeting of the fall season for the Lakeland Women’s Club was held September 10 in the home of Lee Jordan, Irish Lake. The assistant hostess was Joyce Stoliker Roll call response was “How I Met My Husband.” Barbara Jackson was a guest. Donations were made to the North Webster Friends Os the Library and the North Webster Day Care Center. A tentative slate of new officers was presented: Mrs. Jordan, president; Marian Steedman, vice president; Imogene Palmer, secretary; and Mrs. Stoliker and Charlotte Hubartt, treasurer. Lakeland Women's Club meets the second Thursday of each month, September through May. Any interested woman in the community is welcome to attend.
through September 25. Laura is a member of Northern Indiana Wildlife Artists, Northern Indiana Artists, Hoosier Salon, National Wildlife Federation, Audubon Society, Ducks Unlimited and Indiana Wildlife Federation. The Honeywell Center is open from 8 a.m. until 10:30 p.m., daily, except for major holidays. —o— MR. AND Mrs. Clark Davis will observe their golden wedding anniversary on September 27. A ROAD rally for the benefit of the Beaman Home, Warsaw, will be held September 19, starting at 9:30 a.m. Participants may register at the Warsaw Freshman High School at 8:30 a.m. There is an entry fee. The Beaman Home is a shelter for abused women and children. The rally is being sponsored by the Warsaw Altrusa Club, Beaman Home Advisory Board and Northeastern Indiana Sports Car Club, Fort Wayne. For further information, call 267-7701. SENIOR HIGH Youth group from North Webster Church of God Is planning a “Fall Kick-Off” on September 19, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. TIPPY LEE Club's annual dinner party was held recently at Nappanee with 17 members and guests present. Veva Shepherd
Senior citizens hold on auction The North Webster Church-of God Senior Citizens met September 9 in the church for a carry-in dinner and the annual auction of -crafts, baked goods, white- elephant. items, ..etc A Labor Day theme was used. The tables were decorated with tools and red, white and blue streamers. There were 40 persons in attendance. Bus Likens served as the auctioneer. Proceeds from the auction will be used to support senior citizen activities during the coming year. The program was given by Burge Munson, a retired pastor, who told his life story. Eldonna Warren announced the annual Fall Color Tour and a picnic are planned for October 14. Members of the dinner and decorating committee were Harold and Jo Henry, Bus and Myrtle Likens, Evelyn Bowser, Goldie Hunnicutt, Dale Hickman and Nina Sutton.
Girl Scout directors to meet Sept. 21 The next Indiana Lakeland Girl Scout Council’s Board of Directors meeting will be held Monday, Sept. 21, at the Lamplight Restaurant, Pierceton (onefourth mile east of US 30 and SR 13). Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., to be followed by the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Dinner choices include salad bar only, or salad bar with either chicken, ham or shrimp. Reservations should be made by September 17 by calling the council office at 293-9568.
gave the meditation. Individual favors, featuring Amish boys and girls hand-painted on wooden thimbles, were at each place setting. The thimbles were painted by members of the planning committee, Janet Kinney, Peg Campbell, Rosemary Sellers and Claudia Archer. THE GO-GETTERS Sunday School Class from North Webster Church of God is planning a class party at 12 noon, on September 20. —o—- — CAT and our resident squirrel (we call him/her Ralphie) have been playing “chase” all week. The cat isn’t doing very well. Yesterday evening, Ralphie would run across the yard, followed by the cat, and would jump upon a tree trunk. The cat would leap over the squirrel, land higher upon the tree trunk and race up the tree, looking back over his shoulder to see if Ralphie were following. Ralphie would be off and running for another tree. This strange behavior continued back and forth around the yaFd until hubby couldn’t stand it any longer. He joined the chase, grabbed the cat in mid-flight and brought him in the house. The cat was breathing hard and look annoyed, especially after hubby made a few choice remarks about feline mentality. TILL NEXT week. .