Charity Ball Dances Its Way to a Century of Celebrations!

On December 3, 1880 the first Ladies Union Relief Society meeting was held at the Presbyterian Church in Westfield NY. The second meeting was held at the home of Mrs. G.W. Patterson, Ladies Union Relief Society President with board officers: Mrs. Harriet L. Minton, Vice President; Mrs. R.W. Scott, secretary; Mrs. E.A. Skinner, treasurer. Founded by this small group of caring and concerned women who wished to help their less fortunate neighbors, Union Relief today continues that tradition by giving temporary relief to those in distress and cooperating in the welfare of the community. Today, the organization is known as the Union Relief Association of Westfield NY.

The annual Charity Ball is the largest annual fundraiser project used to finance the good works of the organization.  From its beginning in 1880 to 2023, Union Relief is now celebrating its 143rd year with their annual Charity Ball celebrating 100 years!  Congratulations to this organization for an outstanding legacy. A Dibble’s Dabbles article by the late Billie Dibble, former Westfield town historian dated October 25, 1980 marked the Union Relief’s 100 years from 1880-1980. 

In 1888, the first Charity Ball was held February 10 at the Wells Opera House, which was the third floor of the building at 27-29 East Main Street. Ticket price was one dollar. Today, Betts Insurance Agency is located at 27 East Main Street; H&R Block is at 29 East Main Street. The stairway entrance to the upper floors leading to the opera house is between 27 East Main Street and 29 East Main Street. The upper floors later became the IOOF (Independent Order of Odd Fellows).  In 1890, the second Charity Ball returned to the Wells Opera House on April 16 with an orchestra from Westfield providing the music. In 1891, there were two Charity Balls held on April 1 and on December 30 at Virginia Hall located on the third floor of 1 & 3 East Main Street. Music was provided by the Massasauga Orchestra of Erie on April 1.  Tute Shaw Violin and Piano provided the music on December 30.  In 1892 and in 1893, the Charity Ball was, again, held at Virginia Hall with the 74th Regiment Orchestra playing for the final year at Virginia Hall.  Today,  Executive II Barbershop is located at 1 East Main Street and Parkview Cafe is located at 3 East Main Street. Access to the upper floors is between the two businesses.

From 1893 to 1917 records show there were no Charity Balls.  Ladies Union Relief Society was receiving enough contributions to cover the needs of their services to the needy and local churches provided Thanksgiving offerings. Ladies Union Relief Society used Fenner Hall for various fundraising activities which included card parties with some dancing though no events under the heading, Charity Ball. These gatherings were to obtain funds for their continuing community work during those years.

In 1917, the Charity Ball relocated to Fenner Hall at the top floor of 14 North Portage Street, a three story building called the Fenner Block.  The Charity Ball was only held one year at Fenner Hall.  Today, it is the location of Grace and Abe’s.  In 1921 and in 1922, the Charity Ball moved to the Grange Hall on the second floor of 79 East Main Street.  Music was provided by a six-piece orchestra.  Today, the former Grange Hall is home to Centerstage Dance Studio owned by former Radio City Music Hall Rockette, Emma Bishop. 

In 1923, the Charity Ball was held at Backman’s Rink with the Joe Armbruster Orchestra of Buffalo providing the music.  This orchestra also played in 1930, 1931 and 1941.  In 1925, Backman’s Rink built by John W. Backman was remodeled to become a spacious village hall.  The formal opening of Eason Hall was officially scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 1925.  The following December the Charity Ball was held at Eason Hall with music provided by the Woodcliffe Orchestra of Dunkirk. In 1935, members of Peck's Bad Boys included Peg Blatherwick Beal, vocalist; Bob Cady, Walt Schropp, Al Kolpien, Hal Knowlton, Thad Wilcox, Jim Shearer, Jack Peck, Chuck Belden, Alva Mathews, Dave Falvay and Bud Peck, conductor.  In 1937, Peck's Bad Boys played at the Charity Ball.

The Charity Ball continued to be held at Eason Hall until 1940 though the Charity Ball returned to Eason Hall in 1941 to the present day. On December 26, 1940 the Charity Ball was held at Pinter's Restaurant located at 7 East Main Street.  During this time movies were shown at Eason Hall due to a fire at the Grand Theatre on North Portage.  Music was provided by the David Cheskin Orchestra of Buffalo. Today, the location is Brazill’s On Main. 

The beloved Mattie Mathews and His All Stars provided music for the Charity Ball in 1953, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1968 and 1969. In 1969, when Mattie played at the Charity ball the band’s name was Mattie Mathews Trio.  The beloved Deutschmeisters played four years later beginning in 1973 and continued into 1974, 1975, 1977, 1980 and 1982.  No doubt many polkas were requested at those Charity Balls.  This group of musicians played for the Charity Ball for six years as did Mattie Mathews and His All Stars.  Thank you, Gentlemen.

Additional orchestras and bands through the years included the Seelbach’s 20th Century Orchestra of Buffalo, The Club Georgians, White Knight’s of Buffalo; Frank Mutch Orchestra, Herbie Johnson Dixieland Band, Sims Molay of Jamestown, Joe Strada & Orchestra, Hal Barry Orchestra, Art Detrick Orchestra, Max Davis of Jamestown, Vince Costello of Dunkirk, Pat Oliver of Erie, Richard Fote of Fredonia, Larry Mutch, The Professors of Dunkirk-Fredonia, Joe T. Mann, Fredonia Jazz Ensemble, Steve Snyder, Tony DiRusso Orchestra, Neil Cross & Modern Brass, The Wallace-Farina Seven, Joey Allen Combo of Dunkirk-Fredonia, Freddie & The Flashbacks, The Rhythm Express of Lakewood, The Graduates, Joe Matczak Orchestra, The Leon Hall Show Band, Encore of Erie, Emerald City Productions, The Untouchables, Uncle Ben’s Remedy and DTO. Many of these groups played multiple years.

Since 1991 the Charity Ball has been held on the first Saturday in December.  Music for the 100th year will feature one of the most popular dance bands, Porcelain Busdrivers, of Jamestown NY. The Charity Ball is December 2nd from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. with the time-honored song, Oh, When the Saints Go Marchin’ In being played during the “Grand March” at midnight.  The evening begins with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at 7 p.m. and a champagne toast at 9 p.m. with Union Relief members being recognized. Tickets can be purchased from Union Relief members and at B&C Tax Bookkeeping Services, 61 E. Main Street Westfield NY. 

Come, one and all, to the Charity Ball!

Left to Right:  Melissa Trusler, Pat Locke, 

Bill Locke, Lori Cornell, Susan Weatherup