Augusta Military Academy - Recall Yearbook (Fort Defiance, VA)

Page 32 text:

QUEASY, BUT DETERMINED to make the first trip up and then down safely, Tom Galifaro and Richard McCaffrey bump into the chair lift up Afton’s gentle slopes. SHAKY, not snow spattered yet, Ward Northrup steadies himself for the first time ever on skis. Afton, close to Walton’s mountain, uses artificial base. HOW DO YOU STOP THESE THINGS? Lars Steib tries new techniques for one used to the water variety. Line up men in the rear watch his fate before deciding on a trip upward. O 30—SkiDay

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FRIGID FLAKES of snow creep up Joe Kennedy’s pants legs, receiving the careful scrutiny of Col. John Dekle who thinks Joe has been snowbound more than ski bound. L 3 i j : ' : { j ‘wemmessn Leaving the spirit of Christmas past and getting into the spirit of Augusta present was not an easy one. Heads had to turn to academics — painful prepara- tion for mid-term exams. A rash of infir- mary blues which reared its head was nipped in the bud by the commanding figure of Mrs. Mollie Canevet, ready with the thermometer to see who was trying out for the ‘‘Oscar”’. No one believed that a library club could be brought into existence, but Capt. Harry Davis succeeded. A new newspaper display case, new furniture and Gruhn-donated books swept men into the library to partake of the Davis- laden offerings. Capt. Davis almost ran HEADSTRONG — HEADFIRST William Creekmore tacks up 9 points in his pike lay-out position during the Massanutten meet. The revived Augusta men won 74-15. into a competition scene with his daily movies on subjects ranging from life in Alaska to production of windows. After the exam hiatus sports events mushroomed in basketball, fencing, swimming and riflery. Volunteer attend- ance at sporting events did not show full corps support except in the ‘‘big’’ games. “He thinks a lot like us.” ‘“He’s liberal minded just think, he’s going to drive us to Afton for a ski day.”’ That day did materialize when winter arrived for a brief stay in the area. Disillusioned about the lack of dances, Dave Brown, Luis Marien and the Band men whipped up a sudden success. At- tendance was limited to 15 couples, but the taped music received an ovation. New students appeared on the scene, too, all twelve of them. The winter blahs of '72 failed to appear. ARTISTIC TALENTS of Dave Hamilton and Jim Dollenmeyer spring to life for an “’F’’ company banner proclaiming that F”’ is best in an attempt for the weekly award.

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Freshman Dave Bullington George Butera Charlie Creekmore Tony Epperson Spencer Griffin ENCRUSTATION. Hitting the snow with regularity, Val Vintilla seeks help from Major Charles Dillow in digging away the speed-slowing ice flakes. Snow Tumbles ‘Men interested in a snow day at Af- ton will be able to sign up after lunch.” When Col. Charles Savedge made the announcement, there was a stunned re- action. Since arrangements had to be made, the November bombshell pin- pointed January 13 for the big outing. Forty men were bewildered, never be- lieving it would happen. Weather added to the doubt. Warm days followed hot ones. Plans were set, even though Lt. Bruce Smith tried aerial acrobatics in a cave — alone, and managed to break a leg, literally. White flakes began to tumble from above on the 8th of January, not much but enough to make all plans “‘go.’’ The Blue Bomb was loaded even though all traces of snow in the Valley had disap- peared. Afton was aglow with ribbons of white, 90% man-made and 10% natural base. Giggles, laughter, manly kidding in the ski-hut mingled with odors of boots, skies, steaming coffee, and even emo- tions. A few men simply were reluctant to face the white ordeal and the frigid winds. Laced with mountain accents of old Virginia, speech patterns from Ward Northrup couldn’t hide his awe of the gentle slopes. But he was determined. Tom Galifaro and Rich McCaffrey con- quered the slope on the first try. One minor accident, a twisted ankle for Joel Wilks, didn’t dim the fun. ‘“Now I can’t wait til the ski weekend trip’ ... “Wait til I call Mom for more money.” ‘Why can’t we do this every weekend?” Forty men tumbled into bed, happy, tired, and praying that winter weather would cooperate and make the weekend trip a reality. SkiDay—31 O