Bedford High School - Pioneer Yearbook (Bedford, IN)

Page 26 text:

MISS NO It INK KVASS ibe Hettee BC COOKjNQ One of the most interesting places in the high school is the cooking lalioratorv or kitchen. When it is seen it ap| eals strongly to any girl with a domestic instinct. While the work in the kitchen is very interesting and the time goes all too quick j well spent. The work consists of practical lessons in cooking, serving, cleaning, the history and classification of foods, together with the best and most economical way of f preparing them. Each food is studied and prepared with its relation to the body. One of the practical serving lessons was in the form of a dinner served to the Sohool Board and male members of the faculty. The dinner was prepared by the girls of the morning classes and served by three girls out of each class. The kitchen is not equipped with a dining table and chairs, but with these borrowed I from the superintendent’s office, it proved a successful “debut” and gave encour- agement for the undertaking of a more elaborate affair in the future. The work in the laboratory depends largely on the individual work of the girls. Every week each girl is given a s| ecial housekcejier’s duty and is made to feel a resjionsibility for the appearance of the kitchen. Much interest has been shown in this department, not only by the school, but by many outsiders who have visited the kitchen during school hours and have found it a good place to come. More than once savory odors floating up from the kitchen have brought many a hungry person to the kitchen door only to find the last bit of something good” has just been eaten. Even the odor of onions, after they have been cooked in this place, appeals to the appetites of the professors and the boys have so far forgotten their bashfulness that they are now not ashamed to enter and inquire if there is not a taste left for them. Although this is the first year of the new work everyone feels that it has been very successful and that the way has been paved for the enlargement of the department. 22 ]

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IB I be honoer BI SEWING em • ■. Sowing was introduced into B. H. S. September. 1914. for the purpose of teach-our girls how to sew and to better prepare them for life. This course consists of two periods of forty minutes each. One period is usually devoted to note book work and the other to sewing, the materials being furnished by each individual. The first few weeks were spent in learning the different stitches and seams, to thread the machine, fill the bobbin, treadle, etc. Of course many needles were broken, many crooked stitches made and many stitches taken out. but we soon learned to do better as the days went on. The first garment we made took several weeks of hard work but with Miss Williams’ aid we had a long row of beautiful gowns displayed. The next piece was made with fewer mistakes and we began to feel that with much practice and patience we could sew straighter. During s| are moments, while the machines were in use. we had the pleasure of crocheting, tatting and making Xmas gifts. The making of button-hole samplers caused many a sigh. Sometimcr the holes were climax! out of the goods, leaving a very large hole, often too large for a button, out after much hard practice we had some good button holes. We made a careful consideration of the material before purchasing, the suitability and economy being considered. There was undefinable charm about the handmade lace and tatting on the clothing, and there were also some dainty machine-made garments. As the girl advances in the work she also learns how to plan her wardrobe economically, how to purchase wisely and how to make her own clothes so that they will be adapted to her own use sind personality. Girls in some high schools make their own graduation dresses within a limit of few dollars for materials. Who knows but what some day our own high school girls will be making their graduation dresses? There is a great satisfaction which comes with the independence one feels in the ability to do. Although our sewing room is not fully equipped. our girls have realized what a great l»enefit it is to be able to sew and are looking forward to a large sewing room equip| ed with every necessity. miss mary williams KnRrvi 3 24 3