This week’s question: This house has had an interesting past. Do you know what that past is and where the house is located now?
Last week’s answer: Last week’s photo featured the 1954 dance chorus of the “Bells of St. Mary’s,” an amateur theater group sponsored by St. Mary’s Church. With roots tracing back to 1892, the “Bells of St. Mary’s” were reviving an annual tradition that had lain dormant for half a century.
Seen in the photo are (left to right) front row: Eleanor Dunham, Rosemary Bucci, Ann Bucci, Virginia Barnum, Regina Steinbach, Dorothy Guhin, Brooks Ford (dance director), Regina Hunter and Ann McCarthy; second row: Carolyn Paddock, Helen Baker, Claire Brown, William Kirchaine, John Delaney, James Collins, John Kinslow, Suzanne Mason, John Sinnett, Harriet Howard, Stuart Hosler, Jr., Nancy McArdell, John Pidgeon, Gerald Carr and Jeanne Fryer. Rosemary Sinnett was the producer.
The 1954 production was titled “Holidays” and featured a musical review of traditional holidays from New Year’s celebrations to Christmas as well as celebrities from Abraham Lincoln to Santa Claus. Casting began in September and the show quickly mushroomed from a review into an extravaganza with 90 dancers and 40 musical numbers.
Participation and enthusiastic support extended well beyond parish members. Minks and other assorted furs were loaned by D’Jima Furs, and Mario DeSantis and his orchestra provided the music. Attire for a fashion show scene that preceded a wedding vignette was provided by the Addis Co. The wedding gown was furnished by E. W. Edwards. Clark Music Co. loaned a new Hammond organ. B’villians shared treasured family 19th-century gowns, beaver hats, fedoras and accessories for the period scenes.
Three performances were presented the week of Thanksgiving to kick off the holiday season. The newly refurbished high school auditorium was the venue. Audience response was hearty and favorable.
Production of a holiday show was initiated in 1892 by then pastor Rev. Patrick Beecham whose joy-filled spirit embraced the entire Baldwinsville community. With his sudden death in 1904, Baldwinsville mourned. Shops were closed the day of his funeral and the annual holiday show ceased.
The 1954 show marked the second year of what was expected to be revival of an annual tradition. However, its overwhelming success set a daunting standard. The annual show was put to bed and soon the Tinsel Ball would come on the scene to dazzle B’villians as they celebrated the holiday season.
Email your guess to [email protected] or leave a message at 315-434-8889 ext. 310 with your guess by noon Friday. If you are the first person to correctly identify an element in the photo before the deadline, your name and guess will appear in next week’s newspaper, along with another History Mystery feature. History Mystery is a joint project of the Museum at the Shacksboro Schoolhouse and the Baldwinsville Public Library.
