December 20 1945
Free Press Files
On Saturday last about 1100 people, young and old, attended the puppet show and saw Santa Claus in Toyland at the Trites-Wood store.
There were four shows: at 3,4,5 and 6 p.m. All performances were well attended, but the 4.00 o’clock show was the largest and about 500 witnessed the show; kiddies were sitting on the shelves and on the counters, any place, so that they could see.
Mother Bear opened the show and welcomed the guests and after a few words with the children she proceeded to do the dusting, then went into her act until she lay panting on the floor of the stage, then acting as master of ceremonies she introduced each act. Following her was the “Big Bad Wolf” who did a hit jive number to the music of the “Pennsylvania Polka”; he was given a big hand. Next was the lovely Xmas fairy and amid a beautiful winter scene did a ballet dance. So dainty was she when she danced that she looked human, and at all performances this little lady received the loudest applause. On the comedy side was “Buttercup”. After some discussion with the audience about going out on a spree, she did a dance. Oh, yes, Buttercup was a cow, and she could dance, she even jumped over the moon, and she could turn her feet in all directions; she was real fun. Mother Bear then closed the show wishing all a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.
Mr. and Mrs. Kensy Stewart and the staff of the Trites-Wood store are to be congratulated on such a fine show. This is the first time a puppet show has been demonstrated in Fernie. It is Mrs. Stewart who works the dolls, assisted by Mr. Stewart as prop man, and they can be very proud of the show and from the kiddies of Fernie, “Thanks a million”.
Mrs Stewart is an expert at this work and with a company of three other ladies at Vancouver they handled between four and five hundred puppets.
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