Berne French Township High School - Our Yesterdays Yearbook (Berne, IN)

Page 19 text:

We Come - - Straggling In Deryll Sprunger. Roger Luginbill. James Goodin. Ronald Lehman Marie Schwartz. Vera Balsiger. Ardus Gene Sprunger. Elsie Jane Stauffer ARENA The theme of the first program was “Stars and Stripes,” which was given in the form of a playlet. As Betsy Ross sewed on the first flag and reminisced, the various numbers occurred. The second program “For Auld Lang Syne” gave us the story of the development and early life of Berne. Sketches, pictures, and many relics were on display. “A Plantation Party,” the third program, brought us a bit of the background and life of the negroes. Bales of straw, lanterns, a little organ, and the painted “darkies” with their southern dialect all added to the interest of the program The fourth program about Abraham Lincoln was divided into three acts: The first, “Lincoln’s Boyhood”; second, “His Love Affair”; and last “His Assassination.” This program was quite different from the rest, for a stage was set in one corner of the gym floor and the entire program was given in pantomime form. Although the Arenas did not receive the cup this year, they did try very hard and presented good programs and will in the future remember their motto, Excelsior. 13

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7:00 O'clock Practices, Here ALPHA Edward Eichenberger. Jr.. Earl Habegger. Lynn Liechty, Jacob Musser Gyneth Schindler. Bette Graber, Ardythe Luginbill, Kathleen Inniger The first program was given in commemoration of Thanksgiving, the theme being “America’s Thanksgiving.” Twelve costumed people representing all walks of life expressed their thanks by talks, poems, musical reading, singing, and other special music. “Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Christmas” was the theme for the second program. The “First Christmas” was given in playlet form. The origin of medieval and modern customs was also given. “Outdoor Indiana” in our third program took us closer to nature as we visited the various State Parks. It was a Boy Scout meeting, and the Scouts wore all in uniform. The last program, “He Made America Sing,” gave the life of Stephen Foster in the form of a radio program. Foster’s many beautiful songs were given as musical numbers. 12

Page 20 text:

Freckles Senior Class Play Freckles, our plucky young hero - Mrs. Walt Duncan (Sarah), who befriends Freckles Walt Duncan, her husband ..... Nellie, the Duncans' hired girl .... Miriam Grey, known as The Bird Woman Angel, a charming young girl - Harvey McLean, a wealthy lumber owner - The Widder Wessner: who thrives on borrerin” Essie Wessner. her young daughter - Freddy Wessner. her son ..... Black Jack, who works for McLean - Lady O’More. an unexpected arrival - Lord O’More. her husband ..... Amy Lawrence, a nurse ..... Director ...... Roger Luginbill Marie Schwartz Palmer Liechty Elizabeth Hirschy Vera Balsiger Gyneth Schindler Edw. Eichenberger. Jr. Kathleen Inniger Pat Sprunger Deryll Sprunger James Sprunger Vera Nussbaum Robert McKean Lucille Sprunger June Fogelsoncer The action of the play takes place in the interior of the Duncan homestead in the midst of the Limber-lost country in Indiana. Here Harvey McLean operates a large lumber mill. To the Duncan house comes a lad named -Freckles.” That is the only name he had ever known. When just a baby he was placed in an orphanage and has been at the mercy of strangers all his life. When he is sent from the orphanage to work for a man who abuses and mistreats him he rebels and escapes in the middle of the night, determined to pursue his own course and make a new life for himself. He learns that McLean is hard pressed to find a man to guard his valuable trees and tackles the lumber owner for the job. McLean is loath to hire the boy because of his youth, but Freckles soon convinces him of his capabilities and because of his pluck and fearlessness he wins McLean over completely within a short time. But there are two men who work in the lumber camp who conspire against Freckles. They are Freddy Wessner and Black Jack, and they plan on stealing some of McLean's most valuable trees. They approach Freckles and ask him to join up with them but he remains faithful to his trust, refusing to have a hand in anything dishonest. In protecting McLean's interest Freckles almost loses his life but he manages to frustrate the clever plans of the timber thieves. In the end the mystery surrounding Freckles’ birth is cleared up in a startling and unexpected fashion. Freckles is then free to marry the girl of his choice. Angel, whom he calls his “swamp angel.” Since the author of the book. Freckles.” from which this play was taken, is Gene Stratton Porter who lived only about five miles from Berne, this comedy was especially enjoyed. 14