Central School - Deeds and Misdeeds Yearbook (Decatur, IN)

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An Old-Fashioned Mother

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20 DEEDS AND MISDEEDS EIGHTH GRADE PLAY Day after day, as grave as a judge, Miss Coffee would spend her assemb¬ ly period presumably trying to pene¬ trate our inmost being. Finally she announced that the boys and girls who were to impersonate the char¬ acters in the play selected, “An Old- Fashioned Mother” had been decided upon. At our first meeting we were very frankly told that unless we were willing to work and work hard, we should make it known then and there and another character would be chosen, for, upon our shoulders rested the responsibility of maintain¬ ing the high standard in amateur theatricals that former eighth grades had established. Rehearsals for the first few weeks were held for the purpose of mem¬ orizing lines and before the novelty wore off they were real larks for us, but after the date, May 1 and 2, had been definitely decided upon we awoke to the realization that there was hard work ahead and plenty of it and we went at it with redoubled energy. Several parts of the play appealed ( ' specially to some of us. Helen Shroll just doted on her refusal of Chester Brandyberry’s proposal of marriage because (you know) Helen lias decided to have “Miss” engraved on her tombstone, so she says. George Kinzle always wanted to prac¬ tice the second act as eating a quarter of a pie was a part of his perform¬ ance in that act. Virginia Hite was at her best when bossing “Sukey” and “Jerry Gosling.” Everybody worked hard for the success of the play and we felt amply rewarded when after our second night’s performance, Miss Coffee and Mr. Brown said, “We are satisfied, you did well.” Feeling that a load of responsibility had been lifted from their shoulders after the presentation of the play, the cast and the teachers enjoyed a de¬ lightful luncheon, which was served in the domestic science room. An old rocking chair saved Helen Haubold’s reputation as an acrtess in the closing scene as she stumbled very gracefully into the arms of her long lost son. Our conduct during rehearsals must have been of unusually high order for Miss Coffee only once threatened to resign. The growing esteem of the play cast for Miss Coffee as coach of “An Old-Fashioned Mother,” bloomed forth in the form of a dozen beautiful roses on the final night of the play. The twelve roses represented the twelve characters in the cast. The gift was a fitting recognition of Miss Coffee’s ability as a teacher and coach. To all the teachers and pupils of Central to Mr. Wilson Beery, our in¬ dispensable make-up man, and to the public who patronized us so liberally, we extend our heartfelt appreciation. Vivian Thomas, who served as sub¬ stitute in the play, seldom was ab¬ sent from rehearsal and was always so sweet and gracious in doing what¬ ever part fell to her that those in charge feel impelled to express to her their gratitude. And last but certainly not the least were the villiage choir and their very able little organist, Eibenezer Sourapple (Harry Dailey). Their quaint costumes, their singing of the good old songs, and the celever act¬ ing of their part evoked many a hearty laugh and added much to the evening’s entertainment.

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22 DEEDS AND MISDEEDS HELEN HAUBiOLD Musician and Essayist For the first time the distinction of having the best composition on the subject of highway safety fell to an eighth grade pupil. This year the subject was “Highway Safety Habits I Should Learn.” Marie Crider’s, Mar¬ lowe Shell’s and Helen Haubold’s were the three submitted. The judges Mr. Wortliman, Mr. Linton and Mrs. Lower selected Helen Haubold’s as the best. Last year, Anna Jane Day, then a 7-A, was the winner, so the 8-A’s feel themselves signally honored by the success of their classmate. The following is Miss Helen’s com¬ position: Highway Safety Habits I Should Learn Many persons do not think of the numerous accidents that occur every¬ day from carelessness. The habits that we form have much to do with it. If we form good habits we are not so liable to be injured. Carelessness is the cause of many accidents so we should try to cultivate habits of care¬ fulness. These are some rules I should ob¬ serve: 1. I should never cross the street in the middle of the block. 2. I should cross crossings careful¬ ly. 3. I should never ride a bicycle on the sidewalk. 4. I should not play ball or any other game in the street. 5. I should not hitch my sled to moving vehicles or when I am riding a bicycle hang on to a car. 6. I should look both ways before crossing a railroad track. How many observe these rules? Everyone should. In crossing streets how many stop to look before cross¬ ing or how many children do not ride their bicycles on the sidewalks? But the children are not the only ones who violate these safety precautions. Even men and women are often care¬ less about driving their cars. Near¬ ly every driver of an automobile is very careful not to run over people on the street. Yet, occasionally there is a careless driver who disobeys traf¬ fic regulations and injures or kills someone. Many accidents are caused from children playing in the streets and getting so interested in games that they fail to notice the automo¬ biles. That is a bad habit and we should never do it. If I observe the safety habits, I have mentioned and everybody else does so, too, the highways will be much safer. -o- The services of Helen Haubold as pianist for the past year have been highly appreciated by both teachers and pupils. It is our hope, Helen, that you will always be as willing to use your talent for the benefit of others as freely as you have for us in the past year. - ♦ - Miss Coffee admits that she was perplexed as to the outcome of the dramatic parts of our play but she did not despair for she knew that Mr. Brown would enkindle in the players some of his appreciation of Shakesperean drama of which he has an abundance.