A Sanitarium Banquet by L. A. Hansen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 7, 1916

A Sanitarium Banquet

By L. A. Hansen

The St. Helena (Cal.) Sanitarium has recently completed its annex. In order to give the local business men an opportunity to inspect the new building, and to get better acquainted with the work and workers of the institution, the sanitarium gave a banquet the evening of October 26. It is nearly a year since Brother C. E. Rice took the business management of the St. Helena Sanitarium. Building operations and an unprecedented heavy patronage have kept him so busy that he has not had opportunity to get acquainted with the business men of the town.

The completion of the new building gave an excuse for a public gathering that would give opportunity to meet the business men of the community.

About sixty of these men, with their wives, responded to the invitations. Arrangements were made for comfortable and prompt transportation of such guests as were not provided with conveyances of their own, the sanitarium automobile service being quite equal to the demand. The employees received the visitors and showed them about the institution, and did their part in entertaining them.

After a half hour spent in getting acquainted, the visitors were escorted to the roof of the annex, which has been fitted up as a roof garden. Here they were entertained by selections from the sanitarium band, after which they were shown through the building. Workers were stationed at various places to explain the treatments and to demonstrate the appliances. The questions asked and the general interest shown by the visitors, proved the value of giving them an opportunity of seeing and knowing what the institution affords.

The new wing is forty feet wide and eighty feet long, and is of steel and concrete construction. It represents an outlay of a little more than $25,000. The cost of furnishings was approximately $10,000, and it cost $5,000 more to make the necessary changes to connect the wing with the old building. Each floor of the new wing is connected with the main building, and there are porches fourteen feet wide and seventy-five feet long.

The first or lower floor, which is on a level with the second floor of the main building, is devoted to X-ray and electrical departments, and also to the pharmacy and laboratory. The second floor is used for treatment-rooms for men, and the third floor is devoted to treatment-rooms for ladies. The fourth, or top floor, is occupied by physicians' offices and special treatment-rooms.

It is generally true that the local community is not well informed regarding the work of a sanitarium. Often false impressions prevail, which sometimes prove a great disadvantage to our work. The local standing of an institution is important, and a little outlay in means and labor to get in friendly touch with the people of the community, brings good returns.

SAINT HELENA SANITARIUM, SHOWING NEW ADDITION ON THE RIGHT

The banquet was a success in demonstrating to the guests that the sanitarium fare allows of variety and abundance. The following menu was served:—

SOUPS

Cream of Corn　　　　　　　　　Soup Sticks Savory Potato with Dumplings

RELISHES

Bell Olives　　　　　　　　　Iced Celery Hearts Shredded Lettuce — French Dressing

ENTREE

Hot Nut Sandwiches — Butter Sauce

VEGETABLES

Stuffed Potatoes　　　　　　 Carrots and Peas in Cream Asparagus — Sauce Hollandaise New Lima Beans

SALADS

Macedoine of Fruit　　　　　 Waldorf Salad

DESSERTS — FRUITS

Sliced Hawaiian Pineapple Spitzenberg Apples　　　　　 Casaba Salted Almonds Royal Anne Cherry Sauce Muscat Grapes　　　　　　　 Luncheonette Cakes Vanilla Ice Cream　　　　　 Coconut Cream Pie

BEVERAGES

Bruck's Zinfandel　　　　　 Fruit Punch Caramel Cereal Coffee　　　　 Yogurt Buttermilk

During the banquet the sanitarium band, which was stationed on the veranda, rendered appropriate selections. At the close, a number of the business men made short speeches, expressing their appreciation of the sanitarium and its work. The toastmaster recalled some of the early history of the institution, referring

to the time of its establishment in 1878, when it was called Crystal Springs. He spoke of the original building, twenty-eight by seventy-two feet in size, two stories in height, and affording accommodations for only fifty guests, and contrasted it with the present institution having accommodations for two hundred guests.

Dr. G. E. Klingerman, medical superintendent of the sanitarium, and Brother Rice, responded in behalf of the institution. Their remarks were well received. It is the general feeling that the gathering was highly satisfactory, both to the men of the city and to the institution and its interests.

Such gatherings may be held to advantage on various occasions. Local or county medical societies, W. C. T. U. conventions, and other public gatherings offer the sanitarium workers a good opportunity for showing hospitality and for getting better acquainted with people.

L. A. HANSEN.