Alma College - Almafilian Yearbook (St Thomas, Ontario Canada)

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nun: The Candle Lighting Service - - and it was the biggest tree, all covered with pretty lights. Now Grandma tell me something you have seen at Christmas time.' Wwell, my lad, I guess the loveliest thing I have ever seen was the Candle Lighting Service at Alma College when I was a girl. It made Christmas so real you could almost reach out and touch it. All the girls and teachers, with their parents and friends met in the Chapel first for a service of Christmas music and worship. The Chapel was hung with spicy evergreen, and two tall candles burned at the front. I can still remem- ber how beautifully Miss Hardy told the story of 'The Other Wise Man.' At a certain point in the service, when everyone had been given a taper, we lighted each other's tapers and walked reverently from the Chapel, singing as we went. That long procession of light wound through the dear familiar halls and up the main staircase, until the tapers formed a living spiral of flame. Standing on the stair steps, we sang several Christmas carols, and Dr. Dobson led in prayer. In the sheer beauty of the moment, many eyes were damp. Then the lights came on, the enchant- ment was broken, and the girls went down to speak to their friends. But that my child, was the very loveliest thing I have ever seen at Christmas Jeanie Sweet. The Water Carnival An hour in Fairyland--guests of Neptune for an evening on the occa- sion of the betrothal of Prince Charming and the beautiful mermaid Prin- cess. At entrance. the was the little fish Next the Prince water, with a change in the appointed time, Neptune and his whole court made a stately To begin the celebration, the mermaids performed, then all swam into the spot light and displayed their agility. and Princess themselves performed unbelievable feats in a coloured spot light playing over them. But then there the tempo, an ominous throbbing was heard, lBetty Hill at the piano? the rosy colours faded and a weird purple light enshrouded the whole place. A long, snaky form glided from the shadows and advanced towards the guests. This was the sea serpent, but it soon went away and the mermaids again tried to outdo each other in their aquatic prowess. The court clowns could contain themselves no longer, and at this point they accidentally? fell in, and with some difficulty pulled each other out after fireflies formation. a sigh we rescuing their bowler hats. The lights faded and a group of Kswimmers with lighted tapersj flitted over the pool in varying Then even these extinguished their incandescent glow and with returned to the realm of mortals, and went to the gymnasium for coffee and hot-cross buns. Jeanie Sweet 34

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THE .4LM,4F11.1AN X we ' or -if 1 x- Skating Carnival On the fourth of February a skating carnival was held here at the Alma skating rink. The different houses entered into it hear- tily and each one presented a skit. Upper McLachlin interpreted WFerdinand the Bullu, nThe Old Mill Streamn was given by Ryerson East, WSnow Whiten by Ryerson West, WCanada's Quintupletsw by Warner East, and-WThe Courtship of Stiles Mandishn by Warner West. Reubena Rabbezana, Mary and Nancy Newton carried off the prizes for the best dressed, and Betty Hill, as a fat lady received the prize for the funniest costume. Between these amusing presenta- tions everyone enjoyed skating around the rink, or warming her toes beside the blazing bonfire. Afterwards lunch and dancing were enjoyed in the gymnasium. Holly Hop One of the greatest social events of the year at Alma was the enjoyable, informal dance which was held the night before the Christmas vacation. The guests were graciously received by Miss Sparling and Francis Reiner in the drawing room. Here the students were gath- ered in little groups waiting expectantly for their escorts. Upon their arrival they proceeded to the gymnasium which was decorat- ively attired in full accordance with the Christmas Spirit. The gay dance music which was rendered by Benny Palmer and his orchestra, stopped for a brief intermission during which an appetizing lunch was served in the dining room. After refresh- ments, everyone returned to the gymnasium where the dancing con- tinued. When the strains of WGod Save the King had died away, the guests expressed their enjoyment as they departed and left the students with many pleasant memories. t 55