Elmwood School - Samara Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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30 SAMARA SeKlo jUite G Mf. Section The River Dear Marion: They say you find out something new every day. I often wondered what my grand- mother did all day, and today, when my mother and I were hunting through the last of her possessions, I found out she had been an invalid the last two years of her life, and when we moved to our new house up the Rideau River a bit, she slept in the corner room with its huge windows. The view from there was lovely. Granny had always fancied herself an author— she was planning to take up writing when she got old and write a sen- sational novel. However, she never did get old; yet as she sat by her window all day she wrote down snatches of description of what she saw outside. These are what I found. Maybe she thought it would be published some day, like Pepys, Davy or something, I don ' t know, but I was never one to disobey the wishes of the departed, so I am sending them to you to see if you think they are worth bothering about. December 26: A group of skaters racing and twirling, falling, breathless; and then dashing over the ice as if blown by the chasing winds. The air was harsh, tearing and pulling their bright scarves and streaming hair. The sky reflected the blazing of yester- day, giving only a soft glow. The river was a smooth, grey, cold stone, the wind driving against it, making it smoother and barer, sweeping and whistling across it. January 8: Last night the snow fell, gliding silently, covering each filigree twig, weighing down each outstretched pine spray, and covering the wide, motionless river with an untouched, unbroken whiteness. There was no sound, the snow almost flowed, landing gently on the soft drifts. The great patches of it made the evergreens droop, as if sleeping, lulled by the ever whirling flakes, falling drowsily on, and on, in continuous motion. The darkness descended slowly, the whirhng stopped, the lights from the bridge sparkled on whiteness which caught their yellow glow. The air was clear, and from behind the snow- laden trees, I could hear the roar of the city. The bridge ' s shadow leaned silently towards the house— April 21: The mottled grey ice had been swept on by the racing water, the sky had changed, from winter gray, to the pale water- colour blue of spring. The air was steeped in the smell of fresh, brown mud and wet leaves, new buds, and melting ice. The first brownish- green grass was sprouting and the low bushes on the other side were wading in the flooding water; the birds have built a nest outside the window. This is such an exciting spring; everything is in such a hurry! The palest blue was in the water, and the fresh white spring clouds sailed on the ripples. The maple buds flew past the window, on their way to start growing, and the warm yellow sunlight thawed out the frozen ground. July 9: It is raining to-day, spattering and splashing against the window in a syncopated pattering rhythm. The sky was washed into the river, the colour was washed from the trees and the ground— everything was gray, everything was wet, the river sloshed and rippled as the sky emptied itself into it. August 14: The sun blazed on the water; the heat dulled the brain; the pulsing hum of the crickets made my eyelids droop; the drowsy ease at which the river moved, mean- dering along, resting in cool marshes, calmly gliding over the rocks, slipping and sliding, dazzled by every beating ray of the sun, made me nod, watching its aimless journey down to the sea, unhurried and calm. It was the lovely strong blue of the late summer, and already the goldenrod was showing splashes of bril- liant yellow on the opposite bank. Summer is almost over.

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SAMARA 29 Sports Day Sports Day 1950 was held on June 5. It was a lovely day and everything went well. The winners were as follows: Intermediate Sports Cup— S. Thomas Seniors Sports Cup— J. Nesbitt Junior Sports Cup— J. Kellock Preparatory Sports Cup— L. Castonguay Inter-House Sports Cup— Keller Inter-House Relay— Keller Badminton Although the house badminton was not completed when the magazine went to press, the school winners are as follows: Senior Singles— Wendy Quain Senior Doubles— Pat Knowlton and Wendy Quain Intermediate Singles— Shirley Thomas Intermediate Doubles— Eleanor Hamer and Shirley Thomas Gym and Indoor Games We have been very busy this year in drill learning marching formations and the Irish Washerwoman ' s Jig. We have learned ex- citing new games including Quarter Deck which is especially popular among the Juniors. Skiing and Skating There was quite a lot of snow this year, and so it was a good winter for skiing. Many of the boarders enjoyed a trip to the Gatineau. There was skating also which was popular throughout the school. Diane Boyd, Sports Captain Elmwood ' s Motto High is our standard of education here; High is our roll-call and higher every year; High our respect for Mrs. Buck and staff; High our sense of humour, making others laugh; High our rewards in basketball games; Highest of the high will ring in all our aims! SuzETTE DeWolf, VI Matric Keller

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SAMARA 31 These are only a few. Don ' t forget to send them back and tell me what you think. Write soon, Love, Jane. Catherine Hees, VA Nightmgale Followed Walking home late one night On my way through the park, I heard muffled footsteps Approach in the dark. I quickened my pace, But was only to find I was still being followed By footsteps behind. Should I scream? Should I yell? Were the thoughts in my head- No, that wouldn ' t do, I might be shot dead! Summ ' ning up courage, I whirled right around. Prepared to face danger, Feet firm on the ground. Go away, go right home And never again Must you follow me down Through the dark narrow lane! So, turning around With a sad soulful bark, The little brown pup Disappeared in the dark. Wendy Quain, VI Upper Keller There once was a baby so pink. Who said, I cannot sleep a wink . So I ' ll just take a look. At this wonderful book; It ' ll help me to doze off I think! Susan Brain, IVA Fry A Winter Holiday It was Christmas afternoon; the thrill and excitement of opening new presents and examining them had died down. My young cousins, who were spending Christmas with us, had become tired of playing indoors and wished to try out their new toboggan. I promptly offered to take them to the park which was some distance across the city. My offer was hailed by squeals of delight as they rushed to get ready. I stretched lazily, rose and peered out the window. The snow was whirling down and the wind was blowing hard. It was almost a blizzard. I shuddered at the thought of leaving the warm fireside but nevertheless I went to get ready. I struggled into wet ski-pants and pulled on my tight ski-boots. A4y cousins, Jill and Bobby, were waiting impatiently at the front door when I went out. As I pulled on my cold, wet mitts, we started off, a seemingly happy trio. The wind was cold and cutting, and as we boarded the street-car I discovered that it was packed with other children who were being taken to the park by good-intentioned parents. We had to stand all the way. Sleds fell on me, I was kicked and bumped and when we finally emerged I felt as if it was time to go home. We reached the top of the first hill which I thought looked rather exciting, but I was informed that it was awfully slow and only good to practice on. We went down it very nicely except that Bobby fell off before we reached the bottom of the hill. We stayed at that hill for several more turns, until Bobby suggested we go to Suicide Hill , to which Jill agreed enthusiastically. I consented to go, hoping the hill would not be all its name conveyed. When we arrived, I found it to be quite steep with the snow firmly packed down which made it very fast. By this time I was freezing cold; my feet were like blocks of ice, but when I suggested that I wait at the top of the hill, I was told I was scared; so I had to go down to reassure them (and myself) of my courage. The toboggan was a three- seater which seated two comfortably.