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

Page 22 text:

Mrs. Elliot For many, many years Mrs. Elliot has been in the hall of the residence to welcome the boarders when they arrive in September, to look after them during the year and to bid them farewell at the stations and airport. She has taken care of colds and 'flu and mumps and measles. And she has taken care of the noisy and the naughty ones, the sad ones and glad ones - and loved them all. Now it is time for Mrs. Elliot to look after herself. When she leaves us in Iune she takes with her our love and good wishes for many happy days of leisure. Utopia Down the majestic mountains which soared high above the virgin forest, flowed the unharnessed stream into the hidden val- ley below. This wide panorama was part of my country, Northern Canada! Free from the enslaving ways of man, it was not smothered by industries or dissected by roads: instead, it was engulfed with the in- tense beauty of the wilderness- I-Iow I had anticipated this moment standing alone be- fore my log cabin, while I beheld the glassy lake reflecting the setting sun - beholding my paradise! I remember, in my youth, my mother had to whisper to me in -chapel, Son, you're daydreaming again: listen to the sermon. As far back as I can remember, I always mused over the same dream. Now, twenty years of age, and alone in the world, my wish had been fulfilled. I had been unrooted from my home in the Niagara Peninsula by a hurricane which had wiped out my entire family. Luckily, if one could describe it so, I had been working miles away when the storm tore at our little bungalow and killed my two brothers, baby sister and parents. Then, I was living in a land of plenty - peaches, pears, apples and with all life's amenities: but now I was in a different land of plenty, a land not made by man, but by God alone. This land did not flourish with fruits and luxuries, but with silvery streams, golden sunsets and tower! ing evergreens. It was not only plentiful in beauty, but also in wildlife: the flashing trout, the fluttering grouse and the graceful deer were all emblems of the North. These animals could also serve me as food, if my stock ever ran low: but how I hated to kill defenceless things! I remember the tragic day, or what then seemed a day of true disaster, when my father had set a trap for the gopher that was ruining our lawn. How I had pleaded with him not to do it, but, as would any man who found his land being depleted, he set out to remove the destroyer. That night when it was trapped, I cried myself to sleep. At seven one cannot under- stand necessity, The falling thoughts and as I entered the cabin, I took a last look at my Utopia. The wind Whistling through the trees made it seem as if the whole forest were beckoning to me: it was as if magic, like an intense desire, was draw- ing me unto it. The hooting of the owl broke the entrancing spell and so, I closed the little wooden door behind me on that velvety night. only impatient desire. darkness terminated my Dawn brought the warmth of the sun, and I arose early to explore the surrounding landscape. How beautiful the woods looked soaked in dew. Every bird that flew over me, every leaf that fluttered in the early morning breeze, every flap of a beaver's tail gave me a tingling sense of freedom. As I explored the country, I knew this was the only place in which I could ever be content - the only place in which I could ever be free to live as I wanted- Every brook opened up a new kingdom to me, every crevice and canyon, a new world. It was my country, and it was free! DEANNA SILVESTER-Form V

Page 21 text:

19 The seasons change, but not the land - No sign of life -1 man, beast, or bird, lust the snow and ice are seen, And only the violent wind is heard. CLAIRE ROULSTON-Form II Apollo Apollo, Apollo, cast down thy rays, That the wheat may grow again today. May the rice in far China: and flax in Dundee, Once again toss in the sun with glee. Oh fill the earth with your bountiful light, Cast away Somnus with his sleepy night, Take your place in the glorious sky. And Shine o'er the world, oh, king so high! Shine, and cheer up the sleepy earth, And fill our hearts once more with mirth, Make known thy warmth to everyone. Oh, wonderful, marvellous god of the sun! JANE HARRISON-Form I Tin Teeth It all happened at school one day playing Pom-pom-pull-away. I was running with my eyes shut. When I opened them, I had smashed into the fence. Then Lorna and another girl took me inside the school. I went to look in the mirror and saw that I had broken my teeth in an unusual way. I had made an Indian tent of my teeth. I went to look for the bits of tooth, but they were lost. When the morning was over, I went to the dentist. I-Ie put on silver caps. Then everybody called me Tin Teeth. I just hated the name. For two whole years I felt miserable. Then Christmas was coming.,All I wanted from Santa was two white teeth and my dentist promised me some. At last the day came. He put the white caps on. I was so glad to have them on bef- cause nobody can call me Tin Teeth again. PATRICIA ANDERSON-Grade IV Our Trip To Eoton's On Wednesday the third of February Grades One, Two and Three went on the bus to Eaton's to see the animals. When we got there we saw some mon- keys and a long fat snake. Then we saw the boa-constrictor. It is a snake, it was wound up in a ball. We also saw some turtles their shells were different colours. One turtle was under a pile of them and he looked as if he were dead. We saw the tail of an armadillo but the rest of him was under the hay, We saw lots of other animals. We came home on the bus and everyone had had a wonderful day. BARBARA ASHDOWN-Grade III SIGNY STEWART The Kettle I'm an old black kettle With a crooked nose, I never want to settle But I always want to pose. I had my picture taken On a frosty morning day, As I sat there I was shaken Then quietly I lay. Now I always want to settle But I never want to pose, I'm a good black kettle With a crookedrnose LORRAINE CRAIVIP--Grade V Hove You Heard About... The native King who owned a magnifi- cent throne, all gold and in-laid with jewels. Fearing an attack by a neighbouring tribe. who would surely steal his throne, he decid- ed to hide it- But where? Not in the forest - a warrior might find it. Not in a tree - it might fall and break. Finally he decided to hide it in the thatched roof of his hut. He won the battle, and then wanted to have the throne for his victory feast, but couldn't remember where it was hidden. As he paced wind blew and thought in his hut, the strongly and the throne fell on the king and killed him. Moral: People who live in grass huts shouldnt stow thrones. JANIS IVICKEAG-F'OI'm II mall A Tktaufue UJHNTED CQ' Boas 'for BH- 6-IEHD ' farragulars- ,uh Q--i ., x1PP DDNGIR Fatt 0

Page 23 text:

,. 'l 32.1 at Q ig rf! ' My A 4 -' , fig Our Second Day In The Country On a beautiful Saturday, September 19, at Mr. and Mrs. George Andison's MareMar Farm, the Balmoral Hall Auxiliary ventured upon another Day in the Country. Praying for sunshine, mothers and daughters arranged their stands, and anxiously awaited their first patrons. The weather report had foretold a warm, bright day, and this we had. So, with a perfect setting and fair weather, what more could one ask? Crowds? VVe had those too - friends, brothers, parents, and grandparents all poured in. The girls, if not selling tickets, helping at food stands, or leading ponies, were run- ning errands, and perhaps selling usulky tickets in their spare moments, No one was left oult. Mothers could buy at the fresh vegetable stands while their teenage sons and daughters enjoyed an old-fashioned Barn Dan-ce: grandparents listened to the Scottish bagpipe players while the youngest members of the family took exciting rides on the Htwirling chairs. A special feature at the handicrafts stall this year were the Barbie doll clothes made by some of the Seniors. Special prizes for outstanding work were awarded to Margaret Andison for abridal outfit, to Sally Spohn and Frances Tanner for evening dresses: and Frances Tanner and Katharine Kilgour for day-time ensembles. The late afternoon entertainment featured a horse show and harness races. The audience received the horses very enthusiastically as they went through their paces. Thoroughbreds, saddle-breds, Kentucky walking horses, and hunters - they were all there, each with its own way of performing, and each entirely different. After adult riders hiad put their mounts through difficult dressage and show paces, some Balmoral Hall equestriennes put on a jumping exhibition which was followed by a display of riding by the Manitoba Team. Between riding events, four horses, and sulkies, each representing one of the School's Houses. sped around the track in four different races. Much to the delight of Glen Gairn the red horse proved to be the undefeated champion, bringing the house a new mascot as first prize. The end of the day found all the home-'baking and most of the handicrafts sold, and dozens of hot dogs and hamburgers ravenously eaten. As our friends drove away from the extensive, but well-filled parking field, they chatted gaily about lawn bowling fish- ing for prizes, throwing darts at balloons, and many of the other enjoyable features of this happy Day in the Country' DEANNA s1LvEs'rER KA'I'HRYN NEILSON MARY BRUCE af' , file, ... , WF' I -. ,. it W ' iff , , Y I ,-4 j, V yx . ul lffwfffowemn-'.: