Saint Bede Academy - Via Baeda Yearbook (Peru, IL)

Page 12 text:

Ever since the destruction of the spacious Abbot Vincent Gymnasium in March 1953, the physical plant of St. Bede has been devoid of a much needed indoor recreation center. Al- though the lack of such a building was keenly felt both by the students and faculty, their inconveniences were offset considerably by the sight of the rebuilding project which was beginning to approach the appearance of the finished pro- duct shown in the accompanying architects’ sketch. By the time that the Via Baeda went to press reconstruction had ad- vanced far beyond the two stages pictured at the bottom of the page. Larry Dobberstein, pictured above with Father Theodore, rec- tor, became a very familiar figure on the campus during the year. His position as contractors’ foreman made it necessary for him to be on hand every work day. The advances made in the re- building of the gym during the ’54- ’55 school year gave every promise that the building would be in readi- ness by the fall of 1955. The picture at the left shows the marbelized steel enamel panel- ing in place on the east wall of the gym, while in the picture above the stage area is receiving a cement floor.

Page 14 text:

Monks Relax... The early part of September, 1954, meant the end of a three month vacation for both the faculty and students of St. Bede Col- lege and Academy. Routed from relaxing scenes like these, teachers and pupils alike were faced with the stern reality that school had begun. For the monks vacation time was not de- void of all kinds of work around the mon- astery and it was not devoid of continued school work for some. But amidst the abundance of work and study there was al- so a bit of time for an occasional game of golf... for an almost daily session of croquet... . . . and for a chance to in- dulge in the apostolic sport on the Illinois river and other streams in the vicin- ity.