JANUARY, 1957
PAGE 3
Employees’ Children Feted At Yule Parties
The Patron Saint of Children—this year with
an overabundance of whiskers—kept his tradi
tional appointment with more than 2,000 Fire
stone employees’ children under 14 years of age.
It was the occasion of the three Christmas parties
at the Webb and Palace theatres in Gastonia,
Saturday morning, December 15. The children’s
Christmas observance was the 17th annual pro
gram sponsored by the Company.
Approximately 1,800 children attended the
theatre shows. Those who did not attend a theatre
party received gifts at the plant Industrial Rela
tions Office. At the Webb, there was a show at
9 and another at 11 a.m. At the Palace, the show
began at 10 a.m. The program for all three shows
consisted of selected cartoons and short movie
features. At the close of each performance at both
theatres Santa Claus appeared and directed dis
tribution of gifts, handed out according to the
children’s age groups.
I
Above: Mixed reactions are registered on the faces
of these children as they watch a "Big Bad Wolf"
cartoon from among the collection of short movie fea
tures shown at the Webb Theatre. Steve Tomberlin
^olds Donald Earl Howell, while James Howell sits
at right. Standing are Ronnie Howell and Betty Tom
berlin.
Center: Thomas A. Grant, Time Study, gives his
daughter Sharon a hand for a very personal welcome
to the bewhiskered visitor from the North Country.
Right: First Shift Nurse Grace Reeves passes out
packages of yuletide cheer to Brothers Dana Phillips
(left), and Terry.
Above; Typical of the family groups at the Palace Center; Rosa Marie Muskelly, in the arms of her
theatre party; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Thompson, along sister Naomi, was a mite skeptical of Santa Claus, but
Mth sons Douglas James (held by father), Fred Allen; even more so of the photographer.
®ttd daughter Delores Ann.
Right; Somewhat weary of flashbulbs, St. Nick
crouches behind these youngsters waiting in line to re
ceive their presents. From left; Jackie Hogan, Susan
Craig, Bill Hogan.
Above; Of course she'd been good. Tena Deloris Mer-
* lists her wants for Christmas, as the North Pole's
famous citizen lends an ear.
Center; Among the several young women who helped
spread holiday cheer at parties in both theatres were
Barbara Abernathy, Industrial Relations secretary;
and Nancy Gragg Cloninger, Cotton Office secretary.
Right: Although anxious to see what was behind the
wrappings, these Beaver Brothers pause long enough
to exhibit their gifts. From left, front row: Ralph,
William and Arthor. Second row; Alfred and Stanley.