The Camp Dix Knights of Columbus Recreation Hall

The Knights of Columbus Auditorium at Camp Dix. The Camp Dix News, 27 October 1917, p. 5. GGA Image ID # 1ce6fe3029

The Knights of Columbus building, shown above, is 110 feet long by 60 feet wide and has a seating capacity of 1200 people. It is under the personal care of Thomas H. Neary, a well-known K. of C. man in Jersey City.

It is planned to have a variety of entertainment every night of the week. Still, provision for moving pictures has been made, so this form of entertainment will be featured Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays every week. The Knights of Columbus will announce other entertainment from week to week.

This auditorium, added to the large Y. M. C. A. auditorium and the nine other smaller halls of the Association, will assure the boys of Camp Dix plenty of space for entertainment. There is no question that talent will always be available throughout the war. In addition to the present K. of C. auditorium, it is understood there will be two more of smaller size located at different points.

Making the American Soldier Happy and Contented

THE Knights of Columbus are doing their bit to make the American soldier happy and contented. The organization has established huts at every cantonment in the United States, and by a successful campaign for funds, has been able to extend its facilities and equipment.

Contrary to current opinion, the K. of C. houses are not merely for Catholics or members of the Councils. The words "Everybody Welcome," which appear on each of the huts, means precisely what they say.

Regardless of a mans' sect, creed, or religious belief, any man in uniform is warmly received by the workers. "We are here to help the American soldier," the attendant told me.

"It makes no difference whether he is a Catholic or a Protestant — he is welcome. We never question the boys concerning their religion, nor do we press any advice upon them.

If they come to us, we give them the best we have." The K. of C. huts' interior is furnished with regard for expediency, rather than mere ornamental embellishment.

Around the side of the hall are wooden desks and benches, provided with writing materials. The room's center is filled with benches facing towards the stage, upon which entertainment, boxing, and wrestling matches are frequently held.

There is also a supply of athletic equipment on hand, and the hall is so constructed that, if the benches are cleared, soldiers may use it for basketball games or indoor athletics.

Particular stress is laid upon athletic sports by the K. of C. In the winter, basketball games are promoted, and when outdoor conditions permit, football and baseball games are played, the equipment for which is provided by the organization.

This picture shows the large building of the K. of C. at Camp Dix. The workers are members of the Councils sent there by the K. of C. Commission on Camp Activities.

The Knights of Columbus Auditorium

The Camp Dix Knights of Columbus Recreation Hall Where the Sign States "Everybody Welcome." Camp Dix Described and Photographed by Roger Batchelder, 1918, p. 27. GGA Image ID # 1ce48455a8

The Knights of Columbus building, shown above, is 110 feet long by 60 feet wide and has a seating capacity of 1200 people. It is under the personal care of Thomas H. Neary, a well-known K. of C. man in Jersey City.

It is planned to have various entertainments every night in the week. Still, a provision for moving pictures has been made, so this form of entertainment will be featured Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays every week. Camp Dix K of C will make announcements of other entertainments from week to week.

This auditorium added to the Large YMCA auditorium, and the nine other smaller halls of the Association will assure the boys of Camp Dix plenty of space for entertainment; there is no question that talent will always be available the present K. of C. Auditorium, it is understood there will be two smaller sized auditoriums located at different points within Camp Dix.

K. OF C. NOTES: Activities at Main Building

THE past week has been a very interesting one at the Main Building of the K. of C., near the post office. A very full program for the entire week had been arranged and there was something doing every evening.

Last Saturday evening, November 10, an excellent musical program was presented including such features as a piano solo by James O’Toole, Trenton Council, K. of C., followed by a soprano solo by Miss Josephine Kelly sung in a sweet and well trained voice that met with an instant reception for the young lady.

Mr. Harry Mendelson, laughsmith and humorist, now on the Keith circuit and known in vaudeville for ten years as Harry Montgomery, dispensed a number of good laughs and furnished a slight departure from a strictly musical evening. It is good to hear a good harpist and Miss Dorothy Powers, of Philadelphia, is all that and proved it with her golden fingers on her golden harp.

She was followed by a tenor solo by Mr. James Wassail, well-known church singer of Trenton. The entertainment closed with Somewhere in France by the entire company. Saturday night's treat was obtained through the courtesy of John Kelly, of Trenton.

The entertainers were directed to camp by J. Connor French, one of the active K. of C. men in Trenton, who on three occasions last week brought shows to the K. of C. building in his ever-ready auto.

After Saturday night’s show the members of Company E, 311th Infantry and their lady friends held a dance in the Main Hall, the 312th Infantry Band, under the direction of Bandmaster Hagedorn, furnishing the music. Lemonade, ice cream and cake were served.

Last Sunday afternoon the first of the Sunday afternoon concerts was given and proved a big success from an entertaining standpoint, and it is a foregone conclusion that these concerts will hereafter be an attraction not easily resisted.

One of the big hits of the concert was the piano work of the three Russian Sisters Herbreit playing six landed. They rendered La Tropica, by C. Curte, and a selection from Faust, by Gounod, in a way that captivated all present.

In addition to this one of the Herbreit sisters played Diancla’s Fifth Air Varie on the violin in a way that set the audience marveling, as the youthful player is seemingly not more than 15 years old.

The Herbreits played with a clear decisive skill worthy of much older musicians. That there is some exceptional talent and ability lurking among the men in Camp Dix was proven by Private Carl Nisita, of the 309th Infantry, who sang the aria from Pagliacci with great tenderness.

His Somewhere a Voice is Calling was also well received. Mr. James C. Lawler, baritone, sang “Ave Maria” in a way that won loud applause. Miss J. M. F. McCloskey was the accompanist and also sang two numbers.

Her Spanish song, Carmeña, was given with characteristic snap and vigor. Her encore number was Mighty Lak a Rose. The concert was closed by all singing the Star-Spangled Banner.

"K. of C. Notes: Activities at Main Building," in The Camp Dix News, Vol I, No. 14, Saturday, 17 November 1917

"The Knights of Columbus Auditorium" in The Camp Dix News, Vol. I, No. 11, Saturday, 27 October 1917, p. 5.