Recreation
Music, Theater, Roof Garden, Art, Parks, Sports, Holidays, Outings

"Bread and Hyacinths, the Rise and Fall of Utopian Los Angeles" by Paul Greenstein, Nigey Lennon and Lionel Rolfe

"Harriman firmly believed that a lively social life was necessary to lighten the load of the co-operative pioneers. So recreation blossomed forth in a multitude of ways..."

"Vernon Parish Democrat," August 12, 1920

"The music was under the direction of Fred Hemman, who rambles from clarinet to piano and from piano to violin as occasion requires, and he was supported by Geo. Pickett at the drums, L.C. (daddy) Thomas at second fiddle, and Mrs. Wrenshall occasionally assisted at the piano."

"Vernon Parish Democrat," September 16, 1920

"The Colony Saturday night dance was held as usual last Saturday, about the usual crowd being present.

These dances are becoming more and more pleasing each week and are attracting quite the best elements from our neighboring towns and farms, because of the clean, bright, entertainment offered."

"Every evening finds a coterie of personages dramatically inclined, rehearsing their parts for the two plays, "A Box of Cigarettes," and "David Garrick," to be staged at an early date."

"Vernon Parish Democrat," November 4, 1920

"To-night's dance was well attended, and the dancing school had a large class of beginners. This class is open to anyone who wishes to take lessons and there is no charge made: it offers an opportunity for those outside of the Colony, as well as to those inside, to learn correct methods of dancing and deportment."

"Vernon Parish Democrat," December 2, 1920

"Wednesday, November 24 -- One more day until Thanksgiving; and our men are prone to recognize the day other than with work. But we have decided to work in the morning and lay off in the p.m. I suppose they will all fix their suits for the Masquerade Ball to be held in the evening...

Comrade Tackett is dressing our turkey to-day: he had to go to the dairy for it, killed it there and brought it to the steam pipes, where he scalded, scraped and cleaned it. It weighs about 200 lbs. Oh! I forgot; I didn't intend to say that our turkey was just hog; but we should worry. It's all ours and paid for, no rent to pay and no butcher to send in his bills.

The Democrat is being run off to-day, so George (Cantrell) and his force can help eat hog at leisure tomorrow. Geo. is English and wants lots of time at such an important occasion. So do I, George, at least ten minutes.

Thursday, November 25 -- This is "Turkey" day and a day for thanksgiving and we have much to be thankful for; and would be more thankful if we knew that all our class was as well provided for as we are here. The men worked half a day in the potato patch, and many of them worked all day, in order to take advantage of the good weather.

We had a fine dinner at the hotel at noon, and Mrs. Olsen and all who assisted her received many compliments. Every one of the colonists was out to enjoy the repast. In the evening we had a Masquerade Ball and not only were our colonists masked, but many of our friends from Leesville and the surrounding country. We had a six-piece orchestra, and a good time was had by all who attended."

"THANKSGIVING DAY ENDS WITH MASQUERADE DANCE -- The Colony's Thanksgiving dance was one of the merriest and hilarious affairs of the year.

After a Thanksgiving dinner of more than ordinary quality and quantity, the evening dance came as a fine 'cap per' for a most delightful day.

Shortly after noon the dinner bell rang and an assembly of happy, jovial folks gathered to do justice to Mrs. Olsen's fine feast. Turkey was not on the program, but the cooks had secured a fine Colony-grown pig and roasted him to perfection and made dressing to tickle the palate and gravy to appease the dressing and pickles and tomatoes and sweet potatoes and Irish mashed and pies and salads and oranges an' everything.

In the afternoon Comrade Fred Waters set fire to some rubbish, which spread to a grass fire, and a call for help came when the bell rang and the big whistle blew. A crowd of firefighters were soon on the job and the danger overcome. One of the houses caught fire, but was soon extinguished. The girls and boys have been trained to fight grass fires, for they did well with their wet sacks.

In the evening the lights were switched on to a nicely cleaned and waxed floor, and soon the masked dancers began to arrive. All kinds and conditions of masquerades were evident, and much ingenuity was shown in the variety of the costumes. There were nuns and gold dust twins in pairs, paper ladies, clowns, Indians, pretty school girls, bakers, officers, and ghosts, as well as the usual ladies who were men and the men who were ladies. A grand march was the signal for the unmasking, and much merriment was the result.

The orchestra was especially entertaining and even poor dancers were caught in the beautiful rythm [sic] of the music and swung around in a graceful style.

It was voted that the affair was a big success, and already the stakes are down for a repetition on New Year's eve."

"Vernon Parish Democrat," December 9, 1920

"The Esperanto class held its usual well-attended meeting last night. Myrtle Kemp had the children practicing for a Christmas program, at her house, and a new play is being rehearsed at the theater for Sunday night's program."

"Vernon Parish Democrat," December 23, 1920

"Spirit of Christmas Pervades Departments -- Old Santa Claus is not going to come to the Llano Colony without adequate preparations for his reception.

The Schools closed Monday and the children are organizing the decorations at the hotel and school. Boys have been busy in the woods, seeking holly and mistletoe, and the girls are cutting paper into chains and pretty decorations.

Saturday evening the entertainment committee assembled and made arrangements for the dinner on Christmas day. An ox will be killed and roasted in the bake oven, and a special crew will man the hotel, kitchen and dining room for the day, thus relieving Mrs. Olsen and her regular crew.

The school children will decorate the tree Saturday, and in the evening will present some pretty exercises.

There will be the usual candies, nuts and fruits, etc., for the old as well as for the young kids.

The print shop has been dispersing some neatly printed greeting cards that colonists may wish their friends in the old home towns the season's greetings.

Old Santa is being looked forward to with much glee by the little folk."

"Fred Hemman is a wizard on the violin and the clarinet, and he is assisted by Roede on second fiddle and Miss Trixie Ewell on the piano, and G.T. Pickett handles the drums, all making a combination which is hard to beat."

"Vernon Parish Democrat," March 31, 1921

"Mr. and Mrs. Theo F. Cuno invited all the young folk to enjoy an Easter Egg hunt on Sunday morning; and promptly at nine o'clock, the hour set for this enjoyment, the kiddies were assembled en-masse, and at the signal given by their host and hostess, all were off to the beautiful woods land, just in front of the Cuno home, where eggs of varied and attractive hues were found hidden amid fern and flowers, and in nooks and crooks.

Miss Nellie Kemp proved the most successful hunter in the crowd, she bringing in seventeen eggs. Our children are ever appreciative of such thoughtfulness shown them, and always respond generously; so in this case, Mr. and Mrs. Cuno were showered with thanks for the pleasure thus afforded."

"Mrs. Kemp, with Nellie and Harold, Mrs. Synoground, with her four children, also Mr. Landberg, with Robert and Clinton, spent Easter on the river fishing. They report a most delightful outing."

"Vernon Parish Democrat," May 5, 1921

"On Monday evening the hotel was the center of attraction, where a fine evening's dancing concluded the celebration, and many happy faces of Vernon's best citizens as they navigated the floor with their laughing partners, was evidence enough of the happy time for all."

"We went to the theater and listened and helped to put on a very nice program. Children from the kindergarten up to our aged comrades did their different parts in order to make a very intertaining [sic] and instructive evening a pleasure to the colonists and our neighbors.

Our home talent performances are clean, wholesome, and a pleasure to all; it costs nothing to attend; but is an assistance to those who take part and an education to all."

"Llano Colonist," May 6, 1922

""The Colony is the place to have a time. The dances are free; the shows and several other social affairs are free also...

The roof garden is nearly finished...

The children's orchestra is doing nicely. We play for dances and at the theater. The mandolin and guitar club is doing nicely. Nellie Kemp."

"For amusement we have a large swimming pool, where everybody can go swimming. Each Saturday night we have a public dance and many visitors come to the dance. Sunday nights... we have a program at the theater. Beulah Miller."

"The children have a great deal of fun. Every day they play some kind of games, such as football, base ball and others. Almost every night, after school they go out to the swimming pool and have a great time. There is plenty of room even for the outsiders. Emma Kapotsy."

"We have picnics on Saturday. Mrs. Martin prepares our lunch; then we go to the swimming pool. We swim before dinner, but cannot go in the water for an hour after dinner. Mr. Pickett says it is not good for us to go in soon after eating... Victor Gaddis"

"Vernon Parish Democrat," May 25, 1922

"Two Fords carried a crowd of folks out picnicing Thursday; not many fish were caught, but the dinner was enjoyed by all."

"Llano Colonist," December 10, 1927 (Gateway to Freedom)

"AMUSEMENTS -- The Colony theater offers programs, home-talent, every week, and many of them well performed. Its moving picture machine shows motion pictures. The desire, however, is to develop Colony talent and resourcefulness and initiative, rather than to rely on merely imported entertainment.

The swimming pool is Colony property, a spring filling an adequate pool, which is patronized to some extent by neighbors.

The Dances are free, being held on Saturday evenings in the Roof Garden.

The Orchestra of Colony musicians and music students is a group willingly and freely giving its services to the theatrical performances, dances, etc."

"Llano Colonist," May 3, 1930

"A trip to our Anacoco [Creek] Saw Mill property, where Dad Philips is located, offers... a pleasant outing... This place is one of the beauty spots of Llano Colony and no one who visits it can fail to see the possibilities of a wonderful vacation camp being established there with plenty of shade, a good place to swim, excellent fishing, and a quiet place for meditation."

"Llano Colonist," August 22, 1931

"A splendid program was offered at the theater Sunday night by Miss Erma Wilson, former director of the musical activities some two years ago. Miss Wilson has been on a visit to the colony for ten days, and during this time went actively to work arranging a program and the work that she did in a few days was marvelous...

The stage was beautifully decorated with flowers and shrubbery native to this place under the direction of Miss Wilson...

Homer Loutrel manipulated the lights and produced an accommodating moon for a moon song."

"Llano Colonist," January 9, 1932

"Llano Colony had one of the finest Christmas days and evening that it has been the good fortune of the Colony to enjoy for many years.

More than 500 tokens in the form of substantial goodies were given out and not a single member, old or young, was overlooked...

An interesting program preceded the giving of the treat. By an unanimous vote of the children at the Kid Kolony, they decided that Christmas carols were about the thing to begin the festivities with. The teachers... began rehearsal and as a result the following well known carols, "Silent Night; It came upon the Midnight Clear; O little town of Bethlehem, and I heard the Christmas Bells" were lustily and harmoniously sung by the grade children with Mrs. Ercil Evans at the piano, Mrs. Nicholas Lentz floor director and Dr. Cecil Williams musical director. Then the children included everybody, closing with a rousing "Merry Christmas."

The clever Young family, including Ed Loupe, who recently married Ivy, put on a Xmas carol dance that was certainly the hit of the evening. The dance was very intricate and the steps were difficult. Mrs. Young... furnished very rapid music for quite a number of minutes and Howard, Ivy and Flora Young and Ed Loope [sic] took part on the dance floor. The offerings were warmly received and two encores had to be given.

Dr. Williams, master of ceremonies, sang... "Breakfast in my bed on Sunday morning" which was much appreciated. Miss Anita Brannon... accompanied on the piano.

A very nice surprise was offered when Phillip Ellison tapped his way up the steps and onto the stage to the rapid music on the piano by Mrs. Brannon. The tap dancing of Ellison... was so good that he had to put on some other fancy steps. He won the crowd with his dancing and is a regular feature at the theater.

The orchestra now began the Grand March which was led by the carol singers and as they marched around the hall and past the Christmas tree, bags were given by Mrs. Busick, Mrs. Killian, Comrade Tuber and Comrade Derleth. There was no delay in the line whatsoever, but it took quite a number of minutes before all could be served.

The tree was selected and brought in by Comrade Nicholas Lentz and was more than 20 feet high... Many hands made light work of decorating the tree. The Young family assisted; Homer Loutrel put up the colored lights; Mrs. Busick, Mrs. Killian, Joe Hough, Geo. Williams, Lois Hough, Myrtle Maki, Martha Raicoff, Vivian and Iris Busick and a number of others.

A general dance for more than an hour with music furnished by the orchestra was given and was very much enjoyed. Many of the children, having received their gifts departed for their beds at an early hour, leaving the floor free to their elders."

"Llano Colonist," March 5, 1932

"Three interesting reels of pictures were shown at the theater Sunday night to a capacity house. Two of them were from the Modern Woodmen of the World, and the other, a Charlie Chaplin comic, of ancient vintage, was one of the colony's turned in by Comrade Banks.

The spectators enjoyed them, especially the children -- they had a high and glorious time laughing at the antics depicted...

The work accomplished by Joseph Hough and his assistants, Goeke, Whitmer, Butts and others, towards enlarging the theater's seating capacity, the ramp arrangement, the new projection booth, deserve the warmest praise."

"Llano Colonist," March 12, 1932

"Dick Condon, who has been at the Rice Ranch for some time, returned and sang, with Mrs. Miller accompanying, 'Neath the Old Oak Tree,' a composition of Comrade MacIntyre, on the farm, who has been in the colony more than a year. The number was filled with sentiment and was very tuneful.

Before singing the number, Dick handed to the announcer, Dr. Williams, a composition of his own, he had collaborated with Orchestra Leader Bingham, who wrote the music for this number... called 'I am Dreaming of You by the Fireside'...

Wes Wright presented 'Fifteen Minutes of Magic' that confused the audience very much. His seance demonstration and the ringing of the bells and shaking of tambourines sent a shiver up and down one's spine. His card tricks were especially effective.

'Musical Hash and Irregularities' were offered by H.C. Weatherwax, a recent arrival from Michigan, who has had considerable stage experience in addition to his platform work for the party. He whistled several numbers accompanying himself on the piano. His work was really very good. Weatherwax, by the way is an expert piano tuner."

"Llano Colonist," May 21, 1932

"Up in Harriman Circle, the old sawdust pile smokes and smoulders, mourning the day when on this site the old mill with its shrieking, groaning saws ground out boards and timbers from Louisiana's majestic forests. Now and then there is a gust of wind, a flurry of sparks. Smoke clouds sweep over adjacent cottages. On both flanks the gardens grow -- homely cabbages and pungent onions, collards and lettuce swelling over. There are roses, too, and larkspur and daisies, arbor vitae and crepe myrtle and many other things to feed the mouths, gladden the beauty-loving hearts of Llanoites, and symbolize the triumph of collective industry."

"Llano Colonist," June 16, 1932

"Comrades Atworth and Mardfin accepted the task of creating a park system for Llano, and after a few small beginnings, one place and another, have finally settled down on a central spot by the highway, right at our gates, and there they began to remove the debris left by fires and dilapidation, to plant rows of roses, cedars, lilies, crepe myrtles and whatever they could get, in an effort to carry out Mr. Atworth's designs and sketches for a model village of cozy cottages, along curving roadways leading from or converging towards the entrance park, which he named Harriman Circle, as a memorial to the founder of the group. These two devoted men, chums inseparable during daylight hours, have done good work. Their progress is wonderful, considering the rough, messy acres they chose to convert into a place of beauty. If one is sociably inclined, a rustic table and seats, among the young trees, would be a fine place to drink one's cup of coffee of an evening, and smoke a Llano cigar, or read a book after supper, before the western sky lost its brilliance."

"Llano Colonist," January 21, 1933

"At tonight’s program at the theater, the orchestra… began playing under the leadership of W.R. Gaylord at 7:15, which entertained the audience until the curtain rose at 7:30 for the show proper… Lloyd Potter, teacher of the fourth grade at the Kid Kolony, was a distinct surprise in putting on a real magic number. His clever sword swallowing [and] the suspension of gold… in mid air deceived most of the audience entirely. He pulled from the big plug hat the proverbial ribbons, handkerchiefs, dresses, and other things that seemed entirely too much to even half way go into the hat… His patter was good, and he was very much enjoyed.”

"Llano Colonist," June 30, 1934

"Harriman Circle is being improved right along. Mr. Mardfin, Joe Rosenberg and Mr. Atworth have their hands full keeping the bushes and shrubs cultivated, and John Szpila and his crew have more than doubled the size of the postage stamp garden, until nearly all of the circle is under cultivation."

"Llano Colonist," January 5, 1935

"At the Kid Kolony there was this afternoon a program of songs, recitations, speechmaking, and treats. And tonight at the Roof garden, dancing, the unveiling of Santa Claus by Mrs. Alice Pickett, the usual Grand March, treats for everyone, and singing the "Bandolero," by Dr. Williams."

"The Regular Saturday Night Dance was given at the decorated Roof Garden, and a big crowd attended, though quite a number of the colonists were absent getting Christmas things ready.

Music was furnished by the Llano orchestra, under the leadership of Sydney Archer.

The platform was made brilliant by Homer Loutrel during the day. The new set of lights makes it possible for the musicians to see the notes better, and the shades keep the glare from the eyes of the dancers.

Llano's dances have a long history. They go back to the inception of the colony in California, in the early part of 1914. Job Harriman, the founder of this enterprise, was very anxious to see the people enjoy themselves and he felt that dance would foster this object.

The dances were held once and twice a week during all these years, and since the colony has been in Louisiana, few dance evenings have been missed. The present manager, Pickett, himself a musician, as well as a dancing teacher, has appreciated the Saturday night dances and when possible joins the orchestra and assists in the gaiety of the occasion.

Usually square dances have been held on Tuesday evenings. The music usually is of the "Barn Dance" variety. A big radio in the roof garden for a number of years has furnished music in the absence of the orchestra on off evenings. So fond of dancing are the young people that nearly every evening the radio can be heard and the shuffling of feet keeping time to the music.

The roof garden, a distinct feature of the colony, was added in the early twenties, over the dryer, which now serves for the theater, potato dryer, the electric shop, and the plumbing and broom making shop.

Decorated shades lend an attractive appearance to the raftered and beamed garden. Now that the 80 x 80 feet dance floor, with its big chimney in the center, has been enclosed by siding, a more "comfy" feeling is evident, and the dances are seemingly enjoyed the more.

It has been an axiom among the officials of the colony that those who play together can all the better work together, hence the insistence upon these regular weekly features dedicated to Terpsichore. Dr. Robert K. Williams"

"Llano Colonist," May 23, 1935

"Another very fine program was offered by Dr. Robert K. Williams, arranger of programs at the Llano Theater Sunday night to a capacity audience.

This unique theater has the distinction of not making a charge for its entertainments, and as a result, two or three score of neighboring guests, from Leesville and surrounding country were present. The program likewise, in addition to the local talent, carried offerings from Leesville and elsewhere."

"Llano Colonist," May 23, 1936

"Picnicers Get Moist -- Inez Yost was the prime mover in a picnic party which some of those going along termed a fishing party last Sunday. With Ralph Page and his V-8 gravel hauling equipment providing means of transportation, the party went out to some place between here and the Sabine which some ancient historian pronounced a creek. Sure there were a few puddles of water and some little things resembling fish. A few of them nibbled the hook and were brought ashore, but the fishermen were tender hearted and returned them to their watery home. Anyhow, the attempt at fishing proved appetizing as was easily proven when time came to devour that which the ladies had provided for the occasion. Ralph said he wasn't hungry, but his actions indicated that he proposed to stave off any chance of getting hungry before some time next day. At that, he was willing to swear before Mary that Dad Sanford ate more than he did. Claude Yost, the other mere full-grown male in the party, had nothing to say. Inez was present. As "show time" neared and that waterwagon overhead sounded like rough traveling, Ralph turned his "We-Ate" homeward -- but not soon enough. If you desire to learn anything about the heavy dew, ask Margaret Brough. Those taking this delightful afternoon outing included: Hostess Inez Yost, Margaret Brough, Mary Stansbury, Irene Maki, Louise Adler, Ralph Page, Claude Yost, William Yost, DeForest Sanford."

"Frog Hunting Popular -- Hunting frogs has become a popular sport here the past two or three weeks. Almost every night finds one or more parties out after the big fellows.

One night last week Roscoe Busick and Sylvester Watson went out and bagged 15, bringing home 6 1/2 pounds of "bacon" in the form of frog legs."