Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts - Mohawk Yearbook (North Adams, MA)

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My curiosity being aroused, I approached Helen Sinderman, who was proceeding spasmodically along the refreshment table. I noticed several attractive caterer's boxes bearing the legend, MacAdoo-Clever Canapes and Courses for Carnivores . Helen had, it seemed, become a food- taster, because, she confided, she liked to have a finger in every pie. She explained that the refreshments were approved by Meadels Master Menu, which governed the city's nutrition. The caterer had outdone herself on this occasion for her friend Fran, who arranged parties like this daily in a professional way. Carrot-stick in hand, I next proceeded to a group engaged in dis- cussing with some heat the policies of Evelyn Hampel, maintained by the city government as Coordinator and Chief of Police. Hopelessly trying to maintain harmony as usual was Alice Galusha, who by virtue of family connections had become choir director of the city's most fashionable church. Out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of the celebrated philoso- pher-hermit Naomi Michalak edging toward the door. Having made the rounds myself, I joined her, and on the way to the elevator we tried to find hints in the youth of those persons I have mentioned which might have indicated their future had we been more perceptive. I am sorry to say that our musings were of short duration. The un- precedented downward velocity ofthe elevator destroyed the focus, dis- persed the screen, and there I was sitting bolt upright beside my buzzing pre-war radio. ' 2T

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efau pfzopfzecy HE ARMCHAIR PROPHET was sunk deep in an overstuffed chair the other night listening to smoothly blended violin music when, so unobtrusively as to be unnoticed, the radio which stood nearby assumed decidedly futuristic activities. In his relaxed state, however, the Prophet accepted the change without dismay. Waveringly at first and then more clearly, this ordinary pre-war instrument began projecting pictures upon a shifting screen of smoke which had grown up overhead from the Prophet's pipe. The scene, when it became more definite, was clearly a gay, feminine afternoon party. From the appearance of the room one would guess that it was part of a modern apartment in some great city. Whether the details of plot, setting and character were announced to him, or whether they were silently transmitted to his receptive senses, the Prophet couldn't be sure, but they were as real to him as though he were a part of the scene, and so it was that he related them to me. By means of a few well-directed inquiries, he began, I found out that this festive gathering was in honor of the twentieth anniversary of the graduation from college of a group of girls with whom I once was well acquainted. They had devoted a brief period to teaching, then like so many others, resolved to bend their efforts toward the improvement of other professions. Alice Beaudreault for one, having retired from a brilliant stage career at the zenith of fame, was now the director of a college for male actors, which had the longest waiting list yet recorded. Her college supplied all of the men for the celebrated Miss Morrison's Shakespearean productions in Basic English. Suddenly the music which was being supplied by a unit of Davis' Stradivarius Specialists was interrupted, and an urgent call was broadcast for Dr. Kernahan to report at the Medical Center of which she was execu- tive in charge. 26

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Seniaa HIS IS THE STORY of eleven hardy pilgrims who have weathered four years of intense mental toil at the State Teachers College at North Adams. Our story begins on a warm September morning in nineteen-forty. At the time we numbered thirty-two, including four gen- tlemen. The first test of endurance was a series of intelligence and academic tests, and having proved ourselves hardy and capable of the rigors of college life all were duly admitted. The freshmen had just recovered from a royal display of good fellow- ship at the junior-freshman reception when a class called - the sopho- mores - I think - assumed the manner of dictators and gave orders to the freshmen to ride down the assembly hall in a baby carriage. When we reached the stage we received a dog collar and an extremely legible identification tag. To prove that it would take more than that to keep these freshmen down, the class immediately made plans for the Hallowe'en party. On this occasion we gained sweet revenge, then softened the pain with refreshments and games. Studies now became our chief interest until the pre-Christmas party when all members of the pioneers became English maids and gentle- men dressed in picturesque costumes. How joyful we were, and proud to be among the upperclassmen and faculty! The time came for a show of ingenuity, for we had a prom date in spring. Using Never say can't! as our slogan we gave the term Spring Prom a literal interpretation by making the Masonic Temple bloom with delicate, sweet-smelling apple blossoms. And so on a happy note, though war clouds dimmed the lights of the world, sophomores they came to be. We were fewer in number than at the start, it is true, but still strong in spirit and ambition to show the world we could take it. The first disagreeable and painful task to be faced was to initiate the freshmen into the rigors of life at college. Memories of the previous year spurred us on toward joyous plans for new and diabolical forms of sadism, in the outcomes of which we happily report success. November 7th was the high spot of the year for again these astonishing workers proved their ingenuity by presenting a panorama ofstreamers and balloons at the annual sophomore hop. In March the actresses among the sophs sat in deep and pensive thought and finally presented a laugh f?j provok- ing satire on, of all things, themselves. 28