Rockland High School - Cauldron Yearbook (Rockland, ME)

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14 THE CAULDRON endless opportunity for excitement. One of the big occasions for him is his first overnight trip up Barren Mountain. On many day-trips up Borestone Mountain he has learned the skills of mountain climbing and the thrill of looking out over the lake beneath. No less exciting is the search for wrecked Wharves left by the spring freshet. As a result of this hunt, this boy will probably enhance the beauty of his own water-front by a float built from these salvaged materials. Likewise, a f'Tippy-canoe, built from two logs connected underwater by four pieces of wood used as seats, is much more fun than the best sponson ever built, for a ride in it is likely to combine the joys of swimming with those of canoeing. In all these activities he has probably been aided by his sister, but when he tinkers with out-board motors, a very delicate work, she is definitely a hindrance, be insists, However, when it comes to needing help in sailing the sailboat-a rowboat with a blanket on a pole-she again becomes useful in his eyes. Onawa holds enjoyment, not only for young boys and girls, but also for their older brothers and sisters, and their parents as well. For the young people, there are swimming, diving, boating and surf-boat riding. For their elders there is Fishing in the salmon pool, with the ever-present possibility of catching a fifteen- pounder. to top previous records. The poet and painter, too, have a wealth of material wherever they turn. As you hear the musician's notes Float over the lake you realize that all your senses are awake to the beauty of this inspiring spot. All these pastimes seem to indicate that Onawa has beauty only in sunshine, but that is not the case. An occasional rain storm is greeted pleasantly here. An approaching storm may be announced by rolls of thunder, the mountains grow gray, rain is heard and seen coming down the lake in a black blanket. In camp, when the rain draws near, tarpaulins are pulled down on porches, and pans are placed in advantageous positions to catch the inevitable drip from the leaky roof. Lightning may be seen to strike the lake. Soon however, the storm is over, the sun comes out, producing a magnificent rainbow, and everything glistens with rain drops. Even the rain lends its power to beautify the ever-changing landscape. As the rain clears away and the fog veil lifts from the mountains, you realize that Onawa's joys are limitless for all ages in all kinds of weather. Nature seems to have done its best to make this spot beloved over all. BETTY HE M PSTEAD

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THE CAULDRON 13 fighting men need can be bought with the money from War Bonds and Stamps. The bandages that are made in Red Cross Rooms all over the country are sent to all parts of the world where the fighting is taking place. Rationing boards regulate the consumption of scarce commodities such as gasoline, sugar and butter. It issues certificates for washing-machines, cars and bicycles and thus keeps production from soaring, due to high wages, by selling only to those who really have need of the products. There are Red Cross Nurses' Aid Courses and Cadet Nurse Courses which help to relieve the nurse shortage. At the present time, with a bill to draft nurses if they do not volunteer, and with the need for more nurses as the fighting gets more and more savage, this is very important. Nurses' Aids make it possible for more nurses to volunteer and for the hospitals to keep running efficiently. Wlieli you think of all the couples who have sons in the service, and when you think of all the blue and gold stars that show the sacrifice of all these people, do you think you are doing your share? These few ways of aiding our fighting men entail no real sacrifices for us at home. Compared to the things the boys are going through, what little we can do here at home we should do. Nothing that we can do is too much. Think again on these questions. Search your heart and mind. Do you deserve all the sacrifices being made for you? Are you worthy of all the lives of those boys fighting out there? Let your conscience be your guide ! MARGARET JACKSON ONAWA'S SPELL God gave all men all earth to love, But, since our heart is small, Ordained for each one spot should be, Beloved over all. For about twenty-five families, most of them out-of-staters, Onawa, a small Maine lake in the Moosehead Region, is this spot beloved over all. From Sep- tember until 'lune these families relive past experiences there and plan future activities. Though they differ greatly economically and socially, their common bond, a love for Onawa, unites them for the summer. Those who go to Onawa are regarded by some people as a bit queer, for out- siders think It incomprehensible that a place inaccessible by automobile should hold such an attraction. This very seclusion is the charm of the spot. Onawa's only touch with the outside world is the daily stop of the ancient combination freight and passenger train. This train, which is called The Scoot because of its breath-taking speed of fifteen miles per hour on a down grade, is niet each day by the entire colony, who greet the friendly trainmen and get what mail and provisions it may bring. As the train crawls away, the campers, with filled pack-baskets on their backs, again wind their way down their various trails to the privacy of their own camps. The primitive life of Onawa holds adventure for a young boy. Exploration of coves and inlets, leading to discovery of beaver dams and turtle nests, give him

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THE CAULDRON 15 Literary INVASION CONVOY The port of Tunisia in Africa was to be the port of embarkation of the next invasion. The harbor was congested with ships of all different types, such as troop transports, ocean going landing craft, mine sweepers, subchasers, submarines, destroyers, cruisers, repair ships and practically everything that Hoats. Harbor lights blazed, defying danger, throughout the night. The activity was so seething that it seemed impossible that the enemy hadn't learned of these preparations. Every ship was overcrowded with both soldiers and sailors and, unbelievable as it may seem, there was no quarreling between the two-not even any sarcasm or words of the traditional contempt they have for each other. On board ship every- body was dead serious. They seemed outwardly calm, but inwardly they were frightened sick with worry. They, the doughboys and tars, talked of their chances of survival, and even wagered bets as to whether or not their ship would be hit. Everyone knew that they were taking part in an historic naval movement and were doing all they possibly could to make it a success. All this hustle-bustle of prepa- ration was the invasion prelude. -' lfinally, everybody knew, without even being told, that the big moment had comeg for all that day slower troop-carrying barges had filed past the faster escort ships in an unbroken line, heading out to open sea and their destiny. Late that afternoon the harbor was empty and the command ships slipped away from their moorings and steamed out past the bomb shattered city. The day of embarkation couldn't have been more appropriate. The sun brightened everything with its magniiiceut splendorg its heat was modified by a mild offshore breeze. The tiniest ships could be seen miles out at sea, silhouetted against the horizon. There is no way of describing the enormous size of the Heet, but in the distance it resembled a large metropolis. The uncountable structures of dull colored, camoullaged ships were indistinct against the dark blue background of water. There was no way of concealing this immense armadag therefore it was necessary lo protect it in every way possible. Allied planes iiew in formation thousands of feet above themg great graceful cruisers and wicked destroyers hovered in a wide circle, surrounding this fleet of over two thousand ships. Vicious little P. T. boats, roaring in one giant combination, maneuvered about the larger ships like a swarm of hornets. Their guard was assembled and the1'e was no turning back. The hrst morning out the sailors were called on deck and told where they were going. That news was the occasion for settling up any bets that had been made as to where the invasion would take place. The convoy sailed in separate fleets, landed in separate areas, and were commanded by three Admirals and three Generals. This first day at sea was like a peace time Mediterranean cruise. The weather was something you read about in travel folders, warm and sunny. with the sea as smooth as silk. But in spite of the peacefulness of the surroundings a sharp alert was kept, for at any moment they could be attacked by a submarine, surface ship or airplane. The serenity of the sea made it hard to take the possi- bility of danger seriously. All went well during the day, but toward evening the weather took a seemingly disastrous change. The sea began to kick up and the wind came from practically