Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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The Branksome Slogan 21 Ski Heil! The call of the wild ! The lure of the north lands ! The appeal of snow-glazed peeks gleaming in the sun light! — contrary to all adverse opinions, this is not an extract from Jasper ' s advertising data, or even information concerning Banfif — the winter playground of the West, but rather, a play-by-play or should I say, fall-by-fall, descripti jn of that annual extravaganza. The Huntsville Week-end ! After carrying precariously crossed skis and bulging suitcases onto the train at the Union Station, Friday evening, the aspiring skiers sought diversion in the form of barn dancing in the baggage car, to while away the minutes on the four-hour trip to the Mecca of Winter Sport Lovers. Once arrived, tumbling figures trailing mitts, scarves, and ski poles, swept from the cars and from there it was anyone ' s race, to see who would cover the distance from the station to Traveller ' s Rest in the shortest time and thus obtain the coveted chamber known to all as the Bridal Suite , No one has ever succeeded in probing the mysterious appeal of this room, but besides other attractions, it undoubtedly possesses two radiators in excellent working order ! The sheen of sunlight on freshly fallen snow, the tantalizing aroma of sizzling bacon, and the sounds of running water and musical accompani- ment (slightly off key), greeted our awakening Saturday morning. By eleven o ' clock, with the aid of free advice and unlimited assistance on the part of the ever-present guides, with wax and a few extra ski straps thrown in for good measure, everyone was strapped, buckled, or snapped into their sliding sticks. From the Rest, the would-be snow-birds descended the first of the slopes surrounding the trails through Memorial Park for a morning of much desired practice.

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20 The Branksome Slogan next year is that Branksome girls will wear a new uniform ; consisting of tartan skirts, beige shirts and stockings. Thus the Scottish tradition of the school will be maintained materially as well as spiritually. On the closing day of this school year, which has brought so many changes both in the world and in the school, the beauty of the closing garden party will be much enhanced by the fact that the graduating class will wear on this occasion, for the first time, long w hite graduation dresses in place of the usual school middies and white skirts. It seems specially appropri- ate to distinguish in this way the girls who are leaving school after a period of study and preparation, to enter upon another stage of life. The changes and opportunities that the future will bring for each and all of us, no one can foretell, but we feel sure that the good that we have received during our time at Branksome, and the pleasant memories of the happy days we have spent there will always stand us in good stead and will be an incentive to us to contiriue amid whatevei fortunes may be ours to follow our school motto, ' ' Keep well the Road , a motto which we hope will long serve to be a guide and inspiration to us and to the future generations of Branksome. JOY MACKINNON (Clan Campbell). Ode To British History Henry I was a knowing old soul But the loss of his son his own death-knell did toll ; Henry II had a masterful reign But I hope we w on ' t hear of his tactics again ! Henry III surrounded by French- men — What could you expect with such chattering henchmen? Henry IV an usurper bold Killed Richard II then died of a cold ; Henry V many battles did brave But all ' ' paths of glory lead but to the grave. Henry VI of sorrowful mein Who ' tween White Rose and Red Rose could not intervene; Henry VII a crafty old miser Whose fines left his barons both sadder and wiser ; Henry VIII was a scheming old bird Of whose six merry wives no doubt you have heard. Now of these men whose doings historians thunder Do you really think they are worth it ? — I wonder. PATRICIA HEIGHINGTON (Form I A).

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22 The Branksome Slogan These slopes proved an excellent lead-up for Steven ' s Fields, which we conquered in the afternoon. Here, some learned the truth of the Red Man ' s version of the famous sport, Swish, — and then walk a mile. But occasionally, stemming between sprawled figures and tangled skis of hapless experimenters, a flying figure would flash from the summit. The descent was a poem of soaring grace punctuated by swinging christys and termi- nated by a graceful telemark, who can it be ? (Name and other data concerning this wonder woman supplied upon request). That evening, fun and frolic held sway at the Town Hall. The orchestra jived and Branksome shagged. Even nocturnal festivities, however, didn ' t keep us from the trails and chalet of the Huntsville Ski Club. The downhill run provided thrills, spills and plenty of amusement. An optimistic Track from the summit, a rush of wind, a skid of skis, a soar, a swoop, and alas — a froth of snow and the gleam of inverted ski poles ! The grimly determined athlete then mounts once more, loath to admit that it ' s Snow use. During the course of the turkey dinner which awaited our return to the Rest , some of these unfortunates were seen lowering themselves gently into chairs upon which reposed plump cushions ; but even this slight indisposition did not curtail their evident enjoyment of the excel- lent meal. In everyone ' s opinion the week-end was rated an all-star success. Even now, in anticipation of next year ' s trip, some of the more progressive students are labouring over ingenious devices and inventions. Padded ski suits, non-skid skis, and folding pocket-sized ski poles will, they believe, revolutionize the sport and may heighten the already well estab- lished success of the Huntsville Week-end! SHIRLEY JACKSON, Form IV A.