The Topeka State Journal

HOME-MAKING HELPS

"Everything About the House Helps to Make the Home"

By WANDA BARTON

Here Are Some Interesting Suggestions for Labor Day Parties.

Labor Day is the last holiday of the summer season that is celebrated generally. The vacation crowds do not lack for amusement, but it is the stay-at-homes who cannot get away who are looking for suggestions which may enhance the pleasures of the holiday.

An old-fashioned barn dance never loses its charm, no matter how modernized it may have become as to its dance music. If there is an available barn it should be swept and aired, then decorated with cornstalks, goldenrod and pumpkin lanterns. If the light is insufficient, use a few barn lanterns with red chimneys, or cover them with red crepe paper.

Aprons and bandanna headdresses for the women, with neckties to match for their escorts, add a note of gayety to the color scheme.

Cover boxes and benches with red calico for seats, as no furniture should be allowed.

If the music is modern, hide the musicians; if old-fashioned, costume them to carry out the idea. The refreshments should be served on an improvised table in the open. This is half of the fun.

They may consist of cold meats, hot biscuits, honey, cheese, coffee, baked potatoes and boiled corn. This is followed by frozen custard and sponge cake.

A driftwood party is another form of amusement possible for those on the seashore. The party on the beach gathers driftwood and kindles a big fire, then all sit around it and tell stories while the fire burns. While this is going on a shore supper is in preparation, and is served on a rudely arranged picnic table near the fire.

Steamed clams, boiled lobster, corn, coffee, potato salad and lettuce sandwiches are usually served. Watermelon or berry pie is served for dessert.

For those who are in the country, a corn roast is always a jolly excuse for a gathering of friends. While the meal is being prepared a dance may be held on the lawns or porches. Corn, potatoes, chicken and squab may be roasted on a properly constructed fire outdoors, built like a clambake oven over and under the stones, or the foods may be cooked indoors.

For persons in cities who are tired of the conventional amusements, a dinner at a restaurant of a nationality little known may prove interesting. Not the usual Italian or French eating places, but some more unusual ones, such as Syrian, Japanese, Armenian or Bohemian.

A "bite" party is rather a new idea, and was tried out in a successful manner not long ago. The party started at a given point, visiting a small museum of interest. After leaving the museum they were each given a doughnut from a basket. Then they moved on to the next "stunt," which was visiting a famous old house. Here they were given cookies as they left the porch. They stopped at several places of interest, walking and riding, always following the leader, who never failed to provide the "bite." At last they reached a restaurant where a simple dinner was served. Then they journeyed on to a place reserved for them to dance, and when they broke up they had a final bite before separating.

Every one remarked that they felt very little fatigue after the strenuous trip, owing to the bites which kept up their strength by the way.