High-resolution, full color images available online
Search, browse, read, and print yearbook pages
View college, high school, and military yearbooks
Browse our digital annual library spanning centuries
Support the schools in our program by subscribing
Privacy, as we do not track users or sell information
Page 5 text:
“
Thousands of lives were changed by a. LOR RAIN E BATES, 51 .Braid in Me Sha Christmas Eve, 1970. But where were the bustle, the noise and glitter of other Christmas Eves? Where were the hurry- ing shoppers, the cheerful Santas, the youthful carolers? Where were the bright lights, the bells, the carols, the happy, ex- cited greetings and farewells? All was silence, a deep, black waiting silence, penetrated only by the slight glow of the star. The star, or so it was called for lack of a better name, had first been seen a month ago, just such a night as this, clear, black, and crisp. Then, though, the town had been alive, bustling with the happy excitement of the approaching Christmas season. Suddenly, almost blinding the staitled shoppers with its piercing rays, the thing was in the sky overhead, shining very much as a great light had shone centuries ago, over a sheep-dotted hillside. lt faded almost immediately, but remained in the sky, faintly visible over the hills. The shoppers, recovered from their first fright, hurried home to tell their families, to call their newspapers and demand to know what was going on. All night the thing burned in the other- wise starless sky while busy editors and scientists answered' phone calls. The rays of the morning sun brought a temporary end to the phenomenon but not to the growing apprehension of the people. Newspapers gave various explanations. Several astronomers feared a planet from another universe was heading for the earth at a rate of several thousand miles a. minute and had been arrested, temporarily, they feared, only a few million miles away. Others disagreed, maintaining that the thing was some terrible man-made Weapon that at a certain designated time, control- led by a government miles away, W0111d come hurtling down, destroying the entire United States. Each night the star appeared, and as week followed week, the lives of the people underwent a peculiar change. Feuds and enmities were frogotteng people who had never before associated
”
Page 6 text:
“
with each other exchanged their common hopes and fears. Society as such was for- gotten. The richest family was in as much danger as the meanest. Death would come to all at once. Money would make no dif- ference, nor would color or race. Men, their reserve forgotten, talked to anyone they met and were surprised to find that, underneath, each felt the same. All crime had practically stopped. What was the sense if you wouldnlt be alive to enjoy the fruits of your evil deeds? The pursuit of business for profit stopped, only habit and the need of something to occupy the mind kept the people working. People paid their debts and returned even the smallest favors. The churches were packed, not only Sun- day but every day in the week as people prepared their souls for the end. Christmas passed, then one night, as suddenly as it had appeared, the light The trees are bare, They have shed their bright cloaks And sleep till spring will warm their tired, old limbs, And the sap once more will iiow through the gnarled veins. Dreariness clutches the earth, Casting its shadow on the soul of man. Winter brings a fast from nature 's beautyg The poet and the artist sleep. But wait, You who sadly languish for the spring! The morning rays of light sparkle On the window pane. Outside, the earth is covered with a sheet of starlike crystals, The trees reach to the sky with coats of ermine. Nature does not long hide herself Among dark clouds. vanished, still unexplained, never to be explained. Life went back almost to noranalg busi- ness was resumed, towns sprang to life again. But the memory remained and always would. The effects of the experience would last a long time. Once the reserve of a people has been broken down, it is hard to build up again. The entire country had become a friendly place, and each in- habitant felt himself neighbor to people throughout the country. Men had had a. preview of eternity and would remember it forever. Months afterwards, the following Christ- mas, in fact, a little boy, listening to his mother read the Christmas story, broke into the tale with, Was that light every- one was so seared of the Christmas sta.r, Mommy? JANE NEIDE, '51 W fav' f X NORMA ENGlE'L.HARDT, '52 P-maniac First prize poem in poetry contest DAVID KLEINBARD, '51
Are you trying to find old school friends, old classmates, fellow servicemen or shipmates? Do you want to see past girlfriends or boyfriends? Relive homecoming, prom, graduation, and other moments on campus captured in yearbook pictures. Revisit your fraternity or sorority and see familiar places. See members of old school clubs and relive old times. Start your search today!
Looking for old family members and relatives? Do you want to find pictures of parents or grandparents when they were in school? Want to find out what hairstyle was popular in the 1920s? E-Yearbook.com has a wealth of genealogy information spanning over a century for many schools with full text search. Use our online Genealogy Resource to uncover history quickly!
Are you planning a reunion and need assistance? E-Yearbook.com can help you with scanning and providing access to yearbook images for promotional materials and activities. We can provide you with an electronic version of your yearbook that can assist you with reunion planning. E-Yearbook.com will also publish the yearbook images online for people to share and enjoy.
