Farmington High School - Laurel Yearbook (Farmington, ME)

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

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 31 text:

THE LAUREL 27 wished, doing the thing he wanted to dog but his homespun philosophy will live on forever, and the world is thereby blessed. Elaine Tibbeits '37. I YT ADDRESS T0 UNDERGRADUATES ACI-I year it has been the custom for a member of the Senior Class to give advice Qgood, bad, or inditierentj to the undergraduates. Unfortunately this advice in former years has gone unheeded by those who have needed it mostg such as, Clymena Colburn and Hugh Campbell. Perhaps the cause of this disregard is the youth of the speaker which would discount his worth as a counselor. 'Tonight I have come prepared to remedy this situationg so if you will be patient, we will allow a few seconds for the wheels of time to turn. QGoes to exit. Puts on beard and wig. Returns.j The weight of years now hanging heavy on my shoulders, I feel it my duty to give you young whippersnappers down in the front seats the benefit of my mature w-is- dom. I'm not going to talk just to make my whiskers wiggleg so sit up and take notice. First, I must say that I clon't know what the younger generation is coming to. In fact, I don't know 'wlicn the younger gen- eration is coming to. Some of you seem to be in a perpetual daze. At the end -of every study period a friend must lean over and awaken one of you sleeping beauties. Almost every day I have seen Nelsie Aus- tin's head slowly sink to his desk and re- main there peacefully until the bell or an awakens him. Why do they of too many When anyone unfeeling classmate rudely And he is only one of many. sleep? Probably because extra-curricular activities. participates in so many outside activities of the school that his scholastic standing has gone on a sit-down strike, his program can't help being unbalanced. I suppose you wonder how I occupied my study periods in my youth when I wasn't watching people sleep. During the course of my studying I unconsciously used to massage the underpart of my desk. Suddenly my fingers would become en- tangled in something soft and sticky. It was a plastic piece of gum someone had left behind him. Not content to disturb the study hall with his constant chewing, this vile gum-masticator put temptation in the way of others. Ask Mutt Benson if people who chew gum and leave it under desks should not be exterminated. O n c e I - er - er - a young friend of mine found a very pliable piece of gum and in a moment of weakness inserted it in Mutt's unruly lock of hair. In a short time, hair and gum were as in- separable as Phil Morse and his arguments. Finally Alden Littlefield came to the rescue and with a jerk, left Mutt minus both lock and gum. Those were the days! Umphl But don't any of you do anything like that. Remember, crime even in the bud doesn't pay. If a word to the wise is suflicient, a hundred ought to be enough even for an undergraduate. I I went to the zoo the other day, and while I was there a rather peculiar thing happened. I closed my eyes for a momentg and from the chattering and gobbling I heard, I thought I was back in school days and in one of the corridors while classes were passing. I imagine you make just as much unnecessary commotion as we did. It is bad enough when you ask the person next to you if he didn't think that test was hard and what the answer to the third question from the end was, without yelling from the bottom of the stairs to the top in the manner of a hog-callerg and Pearl Metcalf, if you must exercise your lungs there are many athletic games at which a good loud voice ringing across I-Iippach field from the cheering section would be appreciated. Maybe some of the seniors are wondering what to do next year. There is an oppor- tunity for some enterprising persons to get jobs as nursemaids for Phil Hoyt, Skinny