KofC125 — New Year’s Eve 1945

This is the latest in an occasional series of posts leading up to the 125th anniversary of the founding in December 1896 of the local Knights of Columbus and the centennial of the start of construction in 1922 of the former Glens Falls Knights of Columbus hall at the corner of Warren and Center streets. The building is now the offices of the FitzGerald Morris Baker Firth law firm and Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce.

It was a return to New Year’s Eve normalcy in 1945.

“Glens Falls and vicinity amusement spots were filled to overflowing Monday night as the community celebrated a peacetime New Year’s in traditional fashion,” The Post-Star reported on Jan. 2, 1946.

At the Knights of Columbus hall, one of the largest gatherings, a capacity crowd of 500 people danced from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. to cabaret music by the George Beaton Orchestra.

Tickets were sold out way in advance.

“For a number of years the New Year’s Eve party was an annually socially successful affair on the program of the Knights of Columbus, but because of the war the parties were discontinued in 1941,” The Post-Star reported in an advance article on Dec. 19, 1945.

“Hats and noisemakers will be distributed and sandwiches will be available.”

Elsewhere in Glens Falls, about 150 people attended the New Year’s Eve party at the Glens Falls Elks lodge.

“Tierney’s Orchestra played for dancing, and a buffet luncheon was served.”

More than 200 people attended a New Year’s party at the Hebrew Community Center.

About 170 people attended a turkey dinner and New Year’s Eve party the Mr. and Mrs. Club held at Christ Church Methodist.

Entertainment included a tap dance number, a roller skating act, a Shakespearean comedy, and round and square dancing.

Mr. and Mrs. Sterling Nesbitt were in charge of the dinner and decorations.

Click here to read the most recent previous post in the series.