Balmoral Hall School - Optima Anni Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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. r- - L -- . L. .rrr.r... THE OPENING The Formal Opening Words do not really convey the significance of a moment such as an opening ceremony any more than does a picture but for the sake of history this great moment should be recorded. December 20th, 1955 and the School, the whole school is alive with excitement. Examinations are just over, classrooms have been specially tidied, and fitting decorations suggest the Christmas season, The new building is very new today - it is spotless - it shines. Clusters of holly brighten the notice boards, add colour to the green plants at the entrance, and can be found in the oddest place. Scissors, gold scissors with holly attached are ready for the moment when the ribbon will be cut. 2:30 o'clock and into the darkened hall with only the lights from the Christmas trees to give atmosphere, process the students singing The First Nowell. Very real is the Christmas story as it is read, and acted, accompanied by the choir and school. Very real is the spirit of Christmas as the curtain closed on the final tableau. 3:30 o'clock and very real is the spirit of Thanksgiving as the students join in the School Prayer. As a conclusion to the Christmas Service and as a part of the opening ceremony Archbishop Barfoot offered a prayer of dedication and the Benediction. Then following the choir, His Grace and Dr. Lockhart lead the many distinguished guests to the new building where Dr. Lockhart cut the ribbon and declared the ,building officially opened. Words are not adequate but this was indeed a very great and memorable moment. Do You Remember? As a result of our new building not being com- pleted when we returned to School in September, we took classes in temporary rooms for two months. Grade Seven, Eight, and Twelve re- mained in the junior school, while Grades Nine, Ten and Eleven went to the Red House. It was the latter who shivered between houses, and who found much distraction in their temporary quar- ters. Grade Nine and Miss McLean were poured into the abandoned Grade Two and Three Room where the cubic feet of air per pupil was at a low level and the area of the room simply meant that all were at each others' elbows. Mrs. Vaughan took over Grade Ten in the former Home Economics Room. It was larger but such enticing objects as

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After all, I was practically new. She didn't even take me, a tired-sounding voice added. She wore me for years, but when she met that girl, she bought that shocking pink- coloured thing. This was from Cindy's quilted dressing-gown which was thrown carelessly over the pink chair in the corner. At first I wondered at the hint of contempt in the voice when it spoke of that girl. Then I remembered something that hurt some- where away inside. I remembered that awful night when Cindy had brought one of her new friends to dinner. Sherrie had worn a low-cut 'black dress that was quite out of place in the homey, comfort- able atmosphere of our home. The next day Cindy and Mother had gone on a shopping trip. Cindy came home with a maximum of new clothes plus a vaguely triumphant air. Mother seemed disap- pointed and frowned when Cindy began to chat enthusiastically about the new clothes she had bought. I remember hearing Mother and Dad talking together at night. I remembered how the tennis games and early morning confidences had suddenly stopped. I remembered certain little shows of wilfulness and temper that had upset our normally happy-family life. I remembered how that many of the little things which Cindy used to do had ceased. I remembered that outburst of the long forgotten loafer. All of a sudden I realized that the floor was cold and I shivered. Shirley Donaldson, Grade VIII. The Robber's Fancy It was indeed a busy store. Daily came the rich and the poor-trying, some with a tranquil and wealthy clothing fitting, arguing, mauling, smile of a chore well-done and others reluctant to reach into their pockets. All was seen and reflected by five stately mirrors. Then one night when all was dark, there came a muffled clang followed by the click of a lock and in stepped a slouched figure carrying under his arm a black bag and in his hand a wrench. Cautiously he moved among the counters and racks until seeing the dark cash register he moved more quickly and carelessly stepped on an object which broke under his foot. Cursing himself he stopped to listen for any sounds. Then he heard it. At first it was a low murmur and then came a peal of laughter followed by more murmurs. With a beating heart and frightened eyes he listened and there in the dark he heard the most unusual of Conversations. g 1 7 Snoopy, don't tell me you really laughed at that dumpy old woman, chided a motherly voice. Indeed I did!' retorted Snoopy, reflecting the motherly mirror such a glare that she was taken aback. Indeed I laughed so hard my sides almost split and that made her figure even worse. It was like looking at a mirror in one of the circus side- shows. I know because I saw Smirk laugh! You have, indeed, have you! bellowed Smirk, I'll show you! Now, now, really you mustn't argue like that. After all, the dumpy one did look like a scream, However, I have seen worse in my day. The speaker was a cracked wrinkly mirror wheez- ing with age and delivering a condensed lecture with the air of an orator. His aging woodwork showed signs of wanting viarniish and the legs were likewise stiff with mirrorism. Now, exhausted with his speech, he sank back against the wall and viewed his young friends with wise glances. Tell me, Snoopy, what kind of dress did the dumpy 0-ne have on? inquired a lean, mirror called Gossip. If it was an extremely tasteless one I should like to tell my friend What about it. Ah, you old fiend, grinned Snoopy, as though you didn't notice, It was orange with red stripes blending perfectly with her complexion. I guess that covers it. So it does, retorted Gossip bending towards her half-deaf friend, What, and reciting the de- scription like a parrot. This session has been long enough, chided the motherly voice, I think we should retire, that is to bed, With those words they obediently stiffened and became serene, leaving the would-be robber musing over his fancy. Signe Salzberg, Grade VIII. ,g ifw m . x X if x V L 1' 1 I hs -. MW Ev f' .1 Q any

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,gpg A gg g wg I9 mirror, piano, and refrigerator served as pleasant non-'academic decor. Grade Eleven established itself in the subter- ranean Science Laboratory, and occasionally were distracted from surrounding biology specimens to peer towards the teacher at the front of the room. Whats she talking about? I don't know, I can't even see her, - were typical student conversations. For a study period, one either picked up one's bug-ridden books and migrated to the back by the goldfish, or sat in the trunk-room to do home- work, happily dangling feet in a laundry basket. At one time, Grade Eleven was menaced by a bulldozer which threatened to join us for an English class. However Friday, November 11th was declared Moving Day. Piece by piece and desk by desk we moved to our new quarters and then we helped to move the Lab. Miss Sharman's prize boulders were soon removed, more care was given the skulls, and bones, and still more for the livestock. Then it was a bottle brigade - cartons and car- tons of bottles. This was followed by Handle With Care Acids whose carriers made a solemn procession but arrived intact. At the end of that day the room little resembled our clean and well- arranged Laboratory. Actually it was not long before everything was in order, and we satisfied our curiosity with an inspection of all our shining new rooms. B. Dougall, Grade XI. New Art Studio Never before has Balmoral Hall had an Art Studio - a room specially and entirely for art, crafts and weaving. Before I tell you about this new studio listen to our Art efforts while in tem- porary quarters, Supplies were kept in the laundry room in cupboard - drawings were piled on top. There just wasn't any other place because all space was used for classes. Wfe took turns carrying the supply box back and forth and between classes, we had no access to our unfinished paintings and drawings. But now - we have a Studio. We have a place for all our equipment. Our drawings are there - some of them hang for all to see-we learn from others what to do and what not to do. When in- spired to work and we have free time we go to the studio. Our unfinished effort calls, and everything is at our fingertip. It is no-t a large room and we badly need a sink in it but for those of us who like to draw it makes our new school complete for the Artist. An Art Student THE ART STUDIO