The old-fashioned game of “Poor Pussy” was also played because the point of it is trying not to smile.  The younger folk will enjoy it.  You may remember that a ring is formed and the person within the ring who is “it,” kneels before someone in the circle and mews or purrs appealingly three times successively.  Each time the person confronted must answer sternly or calmly “Poor Pussy,” never smiling.  In case of a smile or a laugh, this person takes the place of “Poor Pussy.”

Midway of the evening the extra smiles brought to the social were asked for.  Jokes and funny rhymes or sayings were read in turn.  If various persons dislike the publicity of such a procedure, all the “smiles” may be collected and presented by two or three clever persons in the form of a minstrel show.  This can be called “Smiles in Black and White.”

The popular song “Smiles” was in order as well as the older favorite,” Pack up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag and Smile, Smile, Smile.”

The following conundrum was also propounded:  What is the longest word in the English language?  The answer is “Smiles” because there’s a mile between the first and last syllables.

Humorous recitations and others relating to smiles were given by some good readers.

Just before the refreshments came a smile-measuring contest.  All stood in line and grinned broadly while a girl with a tape measure took account of each one in turn.  The winner received as a prize a grinning little china darky.

The refreshments were enough to make everyone smile—­they consisted of pink lemonade and ginger cookies with features marked on them in white icing.  The most conspicuous feature was of course the grin.

AN AVIATION MEET

Try this plan for recruiting attendance at your next church social.  It would also “fill the bill” for a jolly midwinter school party.  The invitations are made to look like tickets of admission; the men’s of red pasteboard and the girls’ of blue.  They read this way: 

        Admit Two
      To an Aviation Meet
    In the ——­ Church parlors
        Friday evening
  February 21 8 o’clock

Each member who receives a ticket must make a point of inviting somebody else, and should conduct the guest personally to the social.

The hall or assembly rooms may be decorated with American and Allied colors, and it would be appropriate and effective to suspend in each window a trio of toy balloons, red, white, and blue in color, respectively.  Miniature airplanes hung overhead at intervals down the length of the room would add realism.

In different places on the walls fasten conspicuously large posters boldly lettered with the program of events, as follows: 

1.  Tests: 
  Ground work
  Control
  Balance

2.  Flights

3.  Stunts and tricks: 
  Hands Up
  Spiral
  Reverse speed
  Low speed
  Spin
  Nose dives
  Loop the loop