Bellows Falls High School - Sampler Yearbook (Bellows Falls, VT)

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20 T HE S A MPEER little tots had proper chairs before starting school, there would be no need of the habitual, “Stand up straight, Johnny,” which teachers so frequently find necessary. As posture is a fundamental background to health, should we not consider the appropriateness of furniture of more importance than its symmetry? Perhaps one of the most interesting features to the healthy occupants of a home is the food which may be served. Although we are all familiar with much reading material concern- ing a proper diet, no one can deny the fact that one should eat according to what work he does. For instance, a farmer naturally needs heavier food than a retired business man. Many people don’t eat regular meals. They nibble all the time. If a person would content himself with three carefully planned meals a day. I’m sure he would have a good foundation for health. We all know that attractive look- ing food is pleasing to the family. Increas- ingly popular electric refrigerators make it easy to prepare delicious dishes. Proper preparation not only aids the digestion, but also makes the food much more palatable. People will learn to like dishes formerly dis- tasteful if they are daintily served. We should avoid rich, heavy viands. One may plan many luscious meals containing all vi- tamins required for health. Milk, fruit, and vegetables should appear frequently on each menu. Two more cornerstones in our health foun- dation are orderliness and cleanliness. One naturally follows the other. If a house is kept clean, every one in it is anxious to help keep it neat. If the house itself is spotless, it is easier for the people in it to appear im- maculate. Anyone can appreciate the sig- nificant benefits received by the whole family from habits of cleanliness. Regularity in living is conducive to health. May I repeat that one is able to obtain all the necessary vitamins in three carefully planned meals a day! Interesting conversa- tion at the table advances one’s ability to enjoy dinner to the utmost. This also pro- duces a happy atmosphere of congeniality. The old-fashioned idea that children must be seen and not heard is almost forgotten today. The happy chatterings of events at school or of the last baseball game add to the pleasure of the meal. But no matter how well fed we may be, our health is not assured without suf- ficient rest. One-third of each twenty-four hours ought to be spent in sleep. A person’s bedroom should have soft lights, refreshing curtains, and above all a comfortable bed. If one is to wake feeling full of energy, plenty of fresh air must be available. As at least ninety-five per cent of the people in the United States have to do work of some kind, would it not be sensible to include in our home life some training in efficiency? From the time a child is very small, he is proud to have some special work to do. He may begin by putting away his toys. Then, by the time he reaches High School age, in- stead of being a dependent, he is a co-worker with his parents. Good health can not be maintained without recreation. Let us not go to the movies just to kill time, but because we think we will enjoy the picture. In the same way, a boy who excels in baseball will benefit by it, because he will devote himself to it whole heartedly. In short, our recrea- tional time should add enthusiasm to our lives. A great deal has been said about mental health. Home atmosphere is largely responsi- ble for the condition of the mind. I et us develop in the home those qualities which will result in intellectual poise. Children may be taught courtesy and consideration when very young. If our lives are filled with happiness created by family co-operation, neurosis ex- perts will soon be looking for new lines of activity. Do you agree with me that by careful selec- tion of our dwelling, discreet choice of furnish- ings, regularity in living and with an atmos- phere of contentment, our homes will become veritable havens of health? Laura Fenn. HISTORY OF THE MUSIC (1932-1936) During our four years of high school, there have been an orchestra a band, and glee clubs. The first year all the music except the band was directed by Mrs. Exelson. That year the orchestra went to Burlington with representa- tives for the All-State Orchestra. The band, directed by Mr Leitsinger, did not go to Bur- lington, but practiced regularly, once a week, and played at our home games and at other times when asked. The Glee Club consisted of a separate boys’ Glee Club and a girls’ Glee Club. Besides sending representatives to Burlington, they put on an operetta, “The Love Pirates of Hawaii.” In the fall of that year, the Southern Vermont Music Festival was held in Bellows Falls. The next year Miss Lake had only a girls’ Glee Club, while Mr. Leitsinger had charge of both band and orchestra. In 1934-35, Miss Moses directed the girls’ Glee Club and Mr. Rohrbough had the boys’ Glee Club. That year both groups went to

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T HE S A M P L E 11 19 equipped house. He is, to a certain degree, protected from disease by modern methods of sanitation. Moreover, the hours which lie spends in earning his pay check are spent in places which are built for efficiency. For it is now realized that efficiency, bringing about the best results, is achieved through the medium of good health and good work- ing conditions. Improvement has been made in many buildings by installing that quite recent in- vention—the air conditioning machine. With this machine one is able to make his own indoor weather. Industry fouls the air with gases, dirt, odors, and bacterial life. Air con- ditioning is an extension of ventilation with the view to removing these impurities from the air. This new system is being used suc- cessfully in houses, business buildings, hospi- tals, and laboratories. Naturally one can accomplish a great deal more if there is proper ventilation. Work is difficult, in fact almost impossible, for anyone who is handicapped by defective eyesight. Faulty vision oftentimes is caused by an improper lighting system, especially can this occur if the position requires very close or fine work. I suppose one thing that can be done is to visit an oculist and have glasses fitted. But why wait until the damage is done when a good lighting system will help prevent that. Correct placing of windows and equipment, and artificial lights are things to be considered. Now to come down to even more common ailments caused by the hurry of people in our business world. It seems that hurry is the byword of business people. They hurry to work, hurry at work, hurry home, and hurry at play. Therefore, that common thing known as nervousness has an oppor- tunity to come to the fore. It is found that this disease is the most outstanding one of people in any way connected with the business world. Nor is it difficult to understand when we notice the five factors which are con- ducive to ill health of workers. First, inse- curity, that constant fear of losing the posi- tion; second, monotony, the same routine day in and (lay out; third, speed, again the word hurry; fourth, lack of rest, too much work, too much play and not enough sleep; and fifth, lack of exercise, especially exercise in the outdoors. To me it seems that good working condi- tions and good health go hand in hand. To have one, the other is necessary. All in all, the present day tendency is toward a more prosperous working class. This pros- perity will be brought about, not by the find- ing of new wealth, but by the creation of working conditions leading to the increased good health of the workers. Whether it is factory, mine, or office, the employer is awakening to the fact that efficiency can be more readily achieved by his employees if they work in a place of business furnished with air conditioning machines, a good lighting system, and the best methods of sanitation. If the worker will care for himself at home, with the good working conditions which will be offered, he will preserve health rather than fight disease. A healthy man is usually a happy man, and a happy man is hard to beat. Therefore, we can be a nation of working, healthy, happy people. Clairk Rohinson. HEALTH IN THE HOME We are the future home makers of America. Therefore, we should feel a vital interest in the phase of health problems which centers in the home. Health habits must be formed in childhood. Should not the foundation of correct living be laid in up-to-date, well- planned, and properly furnished homes? In order to live healthy, happy lives the first requisite is evidently a healthful dwelling place. Several points must be kept in mind from the first. Perhaps the most important of these are sufficient space, efficient heating system, expert plumbing, ventilation facilities, and skillful lighting. Proper heating and ventilation play an important part in health. Drafts of all kinds should be avoided. However, windows must always be equipped with such apparatus as is necessary to enable one to open them with ease. Invigorating fresh air is essential in maintaining zest and energy. We cannot be too particular about lights. Good eyesight is necessary not only to health but also to success. Surely, we should zeal- ously safeguard the eyes of both the younger and the older members of the family. A tired man who comes home to a room with soft lights is able to relax. Let us provide our homes with such illumination as will show discriminating judgment. Many people think that a house must be elaborately furnished. This is not true. Large carpets are becoming taboo. Small rugs which can be easily cleaned are much more sanitary. Light, airy, but pleasing curtains make a room look restful, whereas heavy drapes shut out necessary sunlight. When we are ready to buy furniture, comfort and simplicity should be the keynotes in making our selection. If there are children in the family, a little chair appeals to them. If

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THE S A M PL E R 21 Burlington. An operetta, “The Maid and the Middy,” was put on. The orchestra and band having representatives in the All State Orchestra, under Mr. I eitsinger, went to Burlington. This year there has been a mixed Glee Club under Miss Stewart. Representatives to the All-State were sent to Burlington, hut the full glee club did not go. For the first time in these four years, there has been more than one period practice a week for these clubs. The girls and boys practiced separately once a week and once a week together. In the spring, a concert, for which we had worked all year, was given. The orchestra and band, still under Mr. Leitsinger, has played for each as- sembly and on special occasions, such as plays. SPOTLIGHT CLUB 'Fhe Spotlight Club has been one of the most successful clubs of the school. It is proud of the work it has accomplished so far, and the members hope to do much more in future years. The club was started last year by Mr. Kellogg. There were two divisions: one con- sisting of the Sophomores, and the other con- sisting of Juniors and Seniors. The Sopho- mores had twenty-three members their first year and thirty during their second. The Seniors had twenty-one members their first year and thirty their second. In the first year of its existence, the club put on two public plays, and several skits at the meetings. There were presented the “Wonder Hat” and the “Monkey’s Paw.” The latter was also presented at the state contest. The Sophomores put on an as- sembly program besides. Outside of pre- senting the plays, the whole club learned a great deal about make up, how to act on the stage, stage setting, etc. But it wasn’t all work. There were social events as well. The most outstanding event was a party held in collaboration with the Student Forum and the Commercial Club. The year closed with a picnic at Vilas Pool and a financial standing of $5.43. The second year was much more successful. Three evening meetings of the combined clubs were held. At each of these, skits were pre- sented, directed by members of the club. Then “Growing Pains,” a three act play, was presented on February 4. This play was pre- sented before a very good audience. A great deal of work was put into this and it was a huge success; rendering the club a handsome profit. The club has bought for the school two spotlights. Also it financed a trip of the Seniors of the club to see Katherine Cornell in “Saint Joan” at the Boston Opera House on May SO. WHO’S WHO, CLASS OF 1936 (Continued from Page 10) STELLA WOYNAR “Sega” “Our own Babe Didrikson” Basketball Team, 3, 4, being Captain in 4; Treasurer of Commercial Cadets, 3, 4; Twentieth Century Club, 3; Decorating Committee for Senior Hop, 3; Decorating Committee for Senior Bazaar, 4; “Honor Bright”. “Sega” is the greates tof our fun-lovers. When we hear a great commotion in Main Room, we know it is “Sega” and Frankie playing tag. She is a loyal supporter of the Gum Chewing Club. They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Stand by! Boys, here’s some inside information. “Sega” is a grand little cook. We hear “Sega’s” ambition is to “thumb” to California to see the Rose Bowl football game. May you have luck and may your thumb never be sore! MARTHA WYMAN “Martha” Latin Course. Orchestra, 2, 3; Latin Club, 2, 3, 4; French Club, 2, 3. Even though Martha says “Oh dear!” frequently, she finds life great fun and plans to visit “darkest Africa” sometime in the future. We are not sure what language she will employ while conversing with the native Africans, but we hope all her ambitions will be realized.