Farmington High School - Laurel Yearbook (Farmington, ME)

Page 29 text:

1 .1 THE LAUREL '25 success of camping. This includes, for the adventurous, the thrills of swimming, div- ing, fishing, canoeing, hiking, and mountain climbingg and for the more serious minded, an opportunity to indulge their hobbiesg such as, nature study, photography, and arts and crafts. To one who has not been fortunate enough to be apprenticed through formal camping to its a-b-c's, his first experience may be rather unpleasant. I-Ie may bid a cheery farewell and jaunt off to the woods or moun- tains to learn the lore of the outdoor life, but he will probably return with woeful tales of unhappy adventures. It surely does take the joy out of camping to find that one has brought so inuchequipment that he feels more like a paekhorse than a light-hearted hiker. Even this may not be so uncomfort- able as waking in the middle of a night and having that chilly feeling that you didn't bring enough blankets. I am reminded of the camper who took cotton blankets and found them to be rather disagreeable bed- fellows when they had quickly absorbed all the rain which chose to fall on that par- ticular night. After such experiences, he will probably come home and bury his nose in a book concerning the do's and don'ts of camping. However, when the essentials of the art are mastered and one knows how to make himself comfortable, there is no better means of acquiring strength and vigor than by camping. It is indeed a re-birth, physically and mentally. From. the cold clip in the morning to the last song around the dying fire, the flavor of the open air seems to per- vade the soul and make mere living a thrill. To all campers the long summer days seem short and one sees the first shades of night with regret. At evening comes the gypsy romance of the flames. As the embers fade, we reverently acquiesce with Van Dyke in his ode, God of the Open Air, of which the following is a part: From the prison of anxious thought that greed has builded, From the fetters that envy has wrought and pride has gilded, From the noise of the crowded ways and the fierce confusion, From the folly that wastes its days in a world of illusion, CAI1, but the life is lost that frets and languishes therelj I would escape and be- free in the joy of the open air. Elisabcflz. Hodgkins 137. TT' OUR BEST-LOVED AMERICAN N the late summer of 1935, probably one of the most widely known and best- loved citizens of the United States met his death in a lonely, remote place in Alaska. It is doubtful if any man without rank or title was ever accorded the homage that was given Will Rogers. The world has been his audience 3 and at his death, the world paid him profound respect. Not one breath of scandal was ever known to have been printed about this ideal American. This, in itself, was an unconscious tribute from our gossip-loving race. VV ill Rogers occupied a tender and unique place in the hearts of the people. There was an atmosphere of friendliness about him that made his death a personal loss to all the world. His was the peak of popularity in what- ever field of endeavor he might for the moment be appearing, His greatest suc- cesses, and those which ,endeared him to countless admirers throughout the civilized world, were made as a motion picture actor, a radio entertainer, and a newspaper col- unmist. First rank in any of these great enterprises is assurance of fameg but added to these was his prestige as at stage enter- tainer. after-dinner speaker, unofficial statesman, aviation exponent, and amateur sportsman. As an actor, both on the screen and stage, he essayed many roles and performed them with a rare skill that others could not imitate. No senseless script or' faulty directing could ever ruin 'a Rogers picture.

Page 28 text:

Q4 THE L that time. Witliout doubt he was patiently experimenting with the wood. varnish and shape of violins. Although this period was the most unproductive in the quantity of in- struments it was probably the most im- portant, for it was in this period that all his powers as an artist were at play. Being a fine violinist himself, he knew exactly the tone that he wanted in his instruments. At last when most men are thinking of retiring, he began to give the best of his talent to the world. He confidently departed from the traditional style of violin making and for twenty-tive years molded instruments whose tones are the essence of beauty and power. People have payed as high as eighty thousand dollars to possess a Stradf' A poem by George Eliot, the words of which are attributed to Stradivarius, gives us the spirit in which the Cremonese maker worked: XVhen any man holds 'twixt hand and chin A violin of mine, he will be glad That Stradivarius lived, made violins And made them of the best. For while God gives them skill l give them instruments to play upon God using me to help Him. Stradivarius and the other Cremonese makers paved the way so that great artists might lay the foundations of modern violin playing. One of these artists was Henri VVieniawski who wrote several violin com- positions among which is the Plonaise Brilliante which I shall play for you tonight. Alszzleczz Tiicmnb 137. TY THE LURE. OF THE OPEN QW many people go through life miss- ing the natural beauties of this uni- verse: the glory of the sunset reflected on the tranquil lake, the star-studded night sky through the treesg the sound of a birds, chorus at morning, the lapping of the waves against the shore, the wind sighing in the treesg the fragrance of the pine or the earthy scent of the cool sod. I know of no better way to benent by these gifts of nature than AUREL to leave our conventional abodes, and roam to where the pine needles will be our carpet and the vast sky our roof. What lover of the outdoors does this scene not lure to thoughts of camping, of sizzling bacon, of the crackling fire? Camping is as old as the human race. ln our country long before Columbus touched the coast, the indians lived under the open sky, gained necessary skill in hunting, hsh- ing, paddling, riding, and in a primitive way overcame the forces of nature. XVhen our forefathers came to dwell in the wilderness, they found it necessary to gain their living much as the Indians. Per- haps, then, our enthusiasm for the freedom of the deep woodland might be due to a racial tendency. Before ISHN. farmers made up seventy- five per cent of the population: but after the Civil VVar the agricultural interests be- gan to give place to the manufacturing and commercial, and the people necessarily be- came urban, in their mode of living. At the beginning of this century, more than one- half the people lived in localities of 3,000 or more. A transformation had gradually resultedg it was no longer necessary to know how to roll a pack, make a fire, blaze trails, and live off the land. Yet. as rapid and inexpensive transporta- tion were developed and camping equipment was improved, people began to have a desire for a closer communion with nature: there- fore modernized roughing it became popular. In recent years, the state governments have done much to make camping more tempting by blazing trails, setting aside areas for motor camps, building fireplaces and shelters, and developing state and national parks. At the beginning of the twentieth century girls' and boys' camps were organized. There are many of these now especially in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Almost every young person who spends a summer at one of these camps has a glorious time that he will never forget. This is partly due to the carefully planned routine which has been proven to be so important to the

Page 30 text:

Y 26 THE LAUREL He unconsciously dominated every scene in which he appeared. His distinction in the picture field is perhaps best recognized by the fact that when associated with other stars n-one of the petty jealousies which continuously arise in the picture industry were ever evidenced. As a radio entertainer, Will's remarks were more likely to be spontaneous than to follow the dictates of his sponsors. There were frequent moments of discord, at lirst, over his refusal to let network ofiicials cen- sor his broadcastsg but there was only one Rogers, and consequently he was allowed to be his natural self. It was suggested that his grammar was oftentimes faulty and Will's reply was, Shucks! I talk and write alike. If there 's bad grammar, it ain't intentional. As a newspaper columnist his writings were accepted as almost infallible by countless thousands, and back of all his homely philosophy and witticisms were more fundamental truths than the average reader would glean from famed editorial writers. His barbs of wit were never di- rected at the under dog but always at those occupying high stations, and even then, they were tempered to avoid giving offense and often amused those at whom they were directed. His love for mankind in general was shown through his unlimited generosity. No one ever made an appeal to WVil1 Rogers for help and left empty handed, his big heart could deny no one, and he summed it up, time and again, in the words, I never hated anybody or anything. Although his time was very valuable, he is given credit for playing more benefits for charity than any other star in the profession. When announcement was made that he received payment at the rate of S350 per minute for his broadcasts, there were many who claimed no personage, however great, warranted such a salary. If these same critics had known that every penny de- rived from these broadcasts was devoted to charity, their cries would probably have been stilledg but because Will Rogers shunned the notoriety of press notices, this fact was.not known until after his death. In spite of his world-wide connections and various interests, Will Rogers was a typical home lover. His devotion to his wife and children was always the greatest thing in his life. He loved every foot of his ranch at Santa Monica where he en- joyed hours of recreation with his family. Still another phase of his wonderful character was shown in 1934 after the United States had taken over the flying of the airmail. Rogers arrived in New York prepared to broadcast some humorous re- marks on the airmail situation. A few min- utes before he went on the air, word was commercial plane in received that the which he had flown East had crashed, kill- ing the two pilots was stunned by the news. He requested that the audience which was to sit in the studio during his broadcast be dismissed. He then, in the privacy of a small studio. went on the air and extolled the flyers. Those who: were privileged to hear his broadcast that Sunday evening will never forget that moment, nor will they ever question his sincerity, when this man, sup- posedly a humorist, wrung pity from the hearts of millions of listeners as he com- pletely broke down in paying tribute to those friends. The popularity of Will Rogers was not confined to any particular locality, section or county. His name and fame knew no boundariesg and crowned heads, digni- taries and high olficials were as proud to meet him and call him friend as were the common people of whom he considered himself a representative. He liked every- one and everyone liked him. There was something almost prophetic in one of the last articles Rogers wrote be- fore his death. It was entitled Off for Somewhere in a Red Bus. Those words Off for Somewhere- seemed to en- vision the tragic ending in the bleak Alas- kan tundra. Will Rogers died as he had and the hostess. He