Lake Braddock Secondary School - Lair Yearbook (Burke, VA)

Page 191 text:

In December, the Bruins joined the nation in the struggle against the En¬ ergy Crisis. The temperature was low¬ ered, the activities were curtailed, and the time was modified. Our Christmas Lists changed as a result of the sixty- eight degree building. began dream¬ ing about sweaters,warm woolen socks. Bruin jackets, and Redskin stocking hats instead of Gnip-Gnop, Lionel Trains, or Suzy Homemaker Ovens. Bruin athletes had an added three- week training period due to the un¬ expected snow-week and Christmas vacation, but the week of January 7th was a very hectic one in order to make-up all postponed games. The gasoline shortage affected the late buses; seventh period activities were completely eliminated on Mondays. Teachers became accutely aware of the shortages when all proposed field trips were permanently cancelled. And ten- speed bikes were then added to our Christinas List, while parents formed car pools to lessen the severity of the Energy Crisis. As the moon descended behind Lake Braddock, we blindly felt our way through the darkness, rain and fog to begin each new day. We were thankful for warm shelter and anxious¬ ly anticipated the weeks ahead that would bring Ugh ter mornings and warm¬ er air. January ' 74 - DST left its mark! student life 187

Page 190 text:

186 student life

Page 192 text:

All You Ever Haven’t Had Wanted To Know About Bru A Chance To Ask ins But I Some bears seem cumbersome and slow, but the Bruin bear is capable of amazing speed. For short distances he can travel at nearly thirty miles per hour. The average weight of a large male Bruin is three hundred pounds. He may be nearly three feet high at the shoulders wben he is on all fours. When he stands up on hind legs he may be well over six feet tall! This magnificent animal easily adapts itself to variations in climate topp- graphy and food conditions. Bears may often seem inspired by mischievousness, but they also have bad tempers, for a Bruin will fly into a great rage when his desires are thwarted. He will work himself into a frenzy when a locked cabin, box or can keeps him from food. His mood can change from one of playfulness to one of irrational, hot anger without warning. A Bruin will become ferocious when food is of¬ fered and then withheld, or when defending her young. The North American black bear, or Bruin, is more powerful than any animal of equal size. This power enables him to crush the skull of a deer with a single blow or drag a 300 pound logalong with him after he has become entangled in a trap. The stomach of one bear was opened to display two quarts of yellow jackets. He had swallowed them whole! Mmmm, good!’’ Bears love honey. They will raid wild bee trees or farmer’s bee hives. They have even climbed telegraph poles and torn wires down because they mis¬ took the hum” for the droning of bees. During the spring, summer and fall the bears of northern latitudes have no fixed homes and roam widely throughout their area. In winter, however, they retire into their lairs and spend most of their time in deep sleep. Frequently, they are partially enclosed by a wall of ice formed by the moisture of their breath. This deep sleep is not recognized as hibernatioh beqause body tem¬ perature, pulse rate, and,other physiological changes do not come to a com¬ plete stand-still as in true hibernation. . The following pages take us into the habitat of the Lake Braddock Bruins.” 188 student life