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

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l6 A Most Remarkable Women The day dawned sunny and hot. Already some of the guests were up from their sticky beds and were strolling to the cantina for breakfast as I gazed out of the window. My father, who owned the Circle Z Dude Ranch was hurrying down the dusty mud road to the large green and white stable. Suddenly I heard 3 loud honking, and ran out into the yard. Already a crowd had gathered to watch the arrival of a black. shiny Rolls-Royce. The car stopped and out squeezed a short, immense creature with a huge head laid on heavy, fat shoulders. She had a large black mark at the tip of her nostrils and ugly red scars covering her fat face- She wore a bright, blonde, fuzzy wig with a diamond on the top. She was squeez- ed into a pair of gigantic lemon yellow slacks and a green and red checked shirt. She also had an exotic jade necklace around her thick, lumpy neck. Well, don't just stand there gaping, you rude people! Magoo! Carry my bags to my room! shrieked this weird woman. A sigh and a sad, Yes, ma'am, was heard, and out of the car popped a tiny, dark, wizened man with worried black eyes. I-Ie wore dusty, old black riding clothes, and a broad-brimmed riding hat was pulled over long, black, touselled hair. He picked up her monstrous trunk, securely locked with a giant padlock, and trailed bqwlegged be- frnd her, while she waddled ahead of me. How many horses are there at this little iich? If you call it a ranch! she suddenly exclaimed and I noticed she stressed the word if, One hundred and twenty-five, I re- plied proudly. A'Is that all? In Europe I visited at least ten estates with over four hundred horses! That must have been fun, I said po- litely. Not really, she retorted. By now we had reached the cottage where she would be staying. Are you suggesting that I live there?' she rudely asked. I must admit it was rather small, but no smaller than any of the other cottages. Why, uh . . , no, you can sleep in my room. I replied on a sudden impulse as I knew Dad would be angry if we lost a guest- HI? Sleep in a child's room? In Europe I lived in a palace! By now I felt like telling this rude. haughty woman to go back to Europe, but I held my tongue and politely replied. 'Tm sorry, ma'am, but all our other rooms are rented. All right, if this is the best you have. she interrupted. Magoo pulled her heavy trunk into her cottage and as I left I heard him ask, '!Where shall I sleep, Mrs. Leip- sig? HSleep in the barn for all I care, Magoo! she replied. The woman appeared ten minutes later and shouted to Dad, When is luncheon served? I'm hungry! Dad said, We have just finished break- fast Mrs .... uh . . . Smithl she snapped. In Europe when I desired food, I received it, and I expect it here too, Mr. I-Iornshawln The names Hamshaw, ma'am, Dad replied politely. What of it? Mrs. Smith retorted. Finally it was time for dinner. Dad was explaining to some of the dudes why horses' tails were clipped and how it was done, when suddenly Mrs. Smith interrupted with, You'reg wrong! What do you know about it? After dinner it was even worse! She sat with us breaking into the guests' conversa- tions to boast that she had played poker in Las Vegas and seen horse races in Europe- Why was this woman acting so queerly and being so unsociable? Why did Magoo call her Mrs. Leipsig and she call herself Mrs. Smith? I wondered. For two weeks she lived here spoiling plans, ruining stories and aggravating everybody. One day after dinner we were discussing riding in foreign countries. Dad said he pre- ferred Western riding in the States to Eng- lish riding in Europe as he thought it was much more fun. Most of the guests agreed but suddenly in an angry hiss, Mrs. Smith screeches, Mr. I-Iornshaw, I have never been in such a rude crowd of people in all my born days! I am leaving with Mr. Magoo tomorrow and I . . . I hope your barn burns down and all your horses are killed! She hurried off, turning once to give us a dreadful look. Please, sir, a little voice was heard. Don't be angry with her. It was Magoo. 'Susie was one of the most famous riders in Austria, thirty-two years ago. Susie? Dad questioned.

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SCHOOL ORGANISTS A Dream Come True Ever since I have been in Grade One at Balmoral I-lall, I have always admired our School organists and yearned to be one of them. My enthusiasm increased wheif the new organ was purchased in 1959 and I bought my keys to assist in paying for it. Finally after ten years of impatient wait- ing, I had an audition. When I qualified, I started a number of Saturday morning prac- tice sessions and was soon assigned a morn- ing to play for Prayers. It was with con-- siderable trepidation that I took my position at the organ, but once I began to play, it was a thrill to hear the whole school singing and following my lead, and to know that I was filling a vital part in our morning ser- vice of worship. The satisfaction which this gave me more than compensated for the many hours of piano practice necessary be- fore I could touch the organ. VICKI GRIFFITHS-FOI'm IV The Moderns Go To School On Wednesday, lanuary 27, the A'Moderns Go To School from the Mani- toba Theatre Centre visited Balmoral Hall. They presented a programme consisting of two poems from the Grade Ten and Eleven Syllabus, a play, The Marriage Proposal by Anton Chekhov, and HMrs. Ioseph Poi'- ter, a reading from Dickens. The poems, The Wind our Enemy, by Anne Marriott, and The Ballad of Dick Turpin by A. Noyes were accompanied by a guitarist, which produced a very dra- matic effect and aided by presentation, The play concerns a man who went to propose to a girl and ended by arguing with her: it was very amusing. The programme ended with a poem. Daniel' by V. Lindsay, sung as a folk song. The actors game a magnificent per- formance, which brought us the enjoyment of modern poetry and theatre. PATRICIA JOHNSTON The Christmas Carol Service The stage curtain were drawn: the organ silent: the guests quietly seated. Into this reverent atmosphere came both light and music as the choir and school proceeded up the aisle, To the familiar strains of Once in Royal Davids City the school entered the hall, the congregation rose. and the Carol Service began. Following the opening prayer, the School Choir began the recital of carols with Fan- faref' Beautifully contrasted to the exhilar- ating Gloria'sl were the soft voices of Grades II and III singing, VV'hence, O Shepherd Maide? The lunior Choir then sang the French carol, Hleanette, Isabelleff and Grades IV, V, VI, HCarol of the Birds. The recital was ended with two carols sung by the School Choir. Then all eyes focussed on the stage as the curtains slowly opened to reveal the first picure of the Navity. As lunior and Senior students read the appropriate passages from the Bible, the figures on stage unfolded the story of the Birth of Christ, The scenes were interspersed and accompanied with carols. and the service concluded with the reces- sional, The first Nowellf' ROBERTA KIPP

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Susie Leipsig was her real name, he replied in a quiet monotonous tone- Her husband was Colonel Wolfgang Leip- sig . . . Chl I've heard of him! one of the guests interrupted. And they were very rich and happy, Magoo continued very slowly, and had a stable full of magnificent horses. One night a fire started in the barn by a lighted cigar- ette dropped in the hay. Susie and Wolff gang ran out to try to save the horses, but the barn collapsed, killing Woilfgang and all the horses. At this moment, two big tears rolled out of his sad eyes, but he kept on with his story. Susie was found badly burned with all her hair singed off. She was in hospital for three years. She had put on over one hund- red pounds, had no hair, had ugly red scars marring her once-beautiful face, and she had no family. She began to hate all man- kind because of that one careless dropper of the cigarette. But, she couldn't stay away from horses. She was always kind to me in the happier days when I was in charge of the stables and so I have been travelling with her to prote-ct her against the enemies she makes. She has had so much bad luck! Please forgive her! Magool Come here this moment! Magoo looked at my father beseeching- ly. Dad smiled. Okay, You don't have to lift that trunk again for a while, if you'll come and give me your advice about a mare I'm worried about. DEBORAH DICKSON-Form III Christmas Party The boarders' annual Christmas dinner party had an unusual feature this year. After the usual delicious turkey dinner, everyone went to the Senior Common Room. Here we surprised Miss Sharman with a shower for her new apartment. Among the varied household items, the most original wrapping was a mop disguised as a girl with blue hair. The students ended this happy evening with their favorite folk songs led by Marsha, Barb, Roberta and Kay. THEODORA NANCE--Form V SHERYL AND CUPID Cupid Capers After each couple passed through a recl and white cascade of streamers, their at- tention focussed on the centre of the dance floor. Grade Twelve's Sheryl Noonan had struck again by creating a life-size golden The rest of the with the tradi- cupid on a base of hearts. gymnasium was decorated tional red and white hearts and cupids, lace and elegance. kept everyones occurred. but a reported during the polka, which was wisely followed by a relaxing waltz. Later in the evening, a light supper was served in the dining room, also decorated for the occasion. February the twelfth was a memorable night that flut- tered many hearts, including some that were not made of cardboard. A great variety of music spirits high. No casualties few minor collisions were PAMELLA KAYSER-Form VI The Treasures Of Tutankhumen At the entrance to the Exhibition we were met by Dr. Riad. He was there to explain the Egyptian signs which were on a piece of cardboard. Dr. Riad is a man from Egypt who came with the treasures so that he could explain what each one was and what it rc- presented.