Knox School - Rose Leaves Yearbook (Nissequogue, NY)

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the assembly room, herding before them the stampeding ranks of the tyros. Pride was thrown to the winds as bathing suits and skis were modeled by the abashed victims and private lives were publicized. A soothing factor, however, was the ice cream served in the drill room afterward. The Hallowe'en party too, brought to light some of the latent talent among the girls. Ingenuity combined with humor Cboth subtle and not-so-subtleD made an impressive and colorful picture. Autumn peeked anxiously around the corner to see if winter might just happen to be lurking there behind a white cloud, and felt a blast of icy wind that turned her flaming guise cold and sent her tinted patches scurrying to the ground with whispering sounds. Suddenly there was no more Fall and color, but only a white, spun-cotton world. With the snow and its quiet purity, came a feeling of purity stealing into our hearts, and when on the twenty-second of November came Thanksgiving Day we were ready to bow our heads with fervent thanks for what was and is ours. Although the war was over, the biggest battle was yet for us to win. We thought and prayed for brothers, fathers and friends who were still in the far corners of the earth, for strength and courage and foresight to face the year of national crisis to come. II s 9 With refreshed vigor, books were attacked with wetted thumbs and ppli2lie8lenses. November twenty-third and exams! Purple rimmed eyes were a common sight. The pre-exam scare diminished soon, and the exams themselves were plowed through. The feeling of immense relief that ensued was a boon and all settled down to Revel rehearsals and to striving for better marks promised to anxious and hopeful parents. Last minute safaris through the town for Christmas trees Che they ever so scrawnyj, hush-hush preparations for corridor parties, hiding of gifts from curious roommates. Christmas at Knox. Quiet steps through the softly lighted foyer, the delicious scent of pine branches seeping into our blood, and that particular feeling of peace that Christmas brings pervaded Knox. At last on December eighth the result of the combined efforts of teachers and girls Was brought to fruition. The Revel. The lights of the great tree in the foyer were reflected in the eyes of every girl as the court of Henry the Eighth was reconstructed in our foyer. A few stray tears started to the eyes of those of us who realized that this was the last time we would be part of the Knox Revel. Young hearts and faces poured their warmth and life into tired old eyes at the College party for the county farm on the tenth of December. In a few hours of giving the young hearts gained a warm maturity, and the old ones a new enjoyment of life. A similar feeling was experienced at the Christmas party given for the children of Cooperstown on December the eleventh. Small faces lighted at the scenes from Hansel and Gretel and small hands were wiped clean of ice cream and cookies before the little ones were sent back to their mothers. The next few days were a blur of trunks and hurried excitement. How quickly the time had passed ! Only a few days more until vacation! Now the snow lay in deep and sparkling mounds along the sides of the winding streets, and the sky was slate. Mornings were bitterly clear and sounds carried for miles out over the frozen lake. It was on such a frosty and bitter morning when the big door swung wide to release the little pilgrim band of singers who, fortified against the cold with layers of Woolen clothing, braved the icy blast and ventured forth into the dawn. CC07lfflIll0L1l 011 next pageD 1 1 5

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AVE TU E VALE i'MzzJir, when .raft zfaicer die, Vibrater in the memory. It was a clear, crisp day in late September. To those of us who were returning for second and third years at Knox, it was like coming home, after a long absence, to all the old and familiar sights, the lake, still a long blue sapphire, the mountains still hanging like a purple back-drop against the sky, and the building itself, with ivy-covered walls and strong white pillars, still framed against the perfect background of lofty pines and ancient elms. The joy of greeting old friends and making new ones, on this day, is a vital part of every Knox girl. As the colors of Fall deepened, and the edge of the air became sharpened, September twenty-ninth arrived, and with it the annual picnic at Fairy Springs. Blue jeans were rolled up for one last wearing and eve-nwrhe misty rain that fell all day couldn't dampen high spirits. The homey tire in the big log cabig hot dogs and cocoa taste even better. Voices were raised in familiar old songs to the trees and the sky, and our hearts were full of the spirit of Knox, as we reluctantly swung back through the winding dirt road? Q0 , Fall mornings brought with them cold mists that made the surface of the lake invisible except for a few glimpses of blue through the ever rising and circling clouds. The hills became even more sharply outlined against the sky, and the tangy smell of wood smoke penetrated every corner. Trees were clinging tenaciously to theior curled rusty leaves and the currents of the lake slowed to a crawl, Mounted on bay and sorrel horses, young equestriennes took to the hills to spend long hours among the tall pines, climbing toward the summits of the hills. The days of long rides through the vibrant country- side were brought to a climax at the banquet given by the Riding Club on October thirteenth. Special, in their black coats and orange collars, marched with noble decorum into the dining room and took their places at the banquet table. The non-members of the Riding Club listened with enthusiasm to speeches and anecdotes by Mrs. Houghton, Mrs. Phinney, and Colonel. La Fiesta Espanol! On October twenty-sixth, the days of Columbus were re-lived in Spanish. Gay colors, gay people, dancing and singing! The shades of old Spain were captured for an hour, and all were, momentarily, transported to that ecstatically carefree country for a whirl at the tango. Fall, in full plumage, was passing with more celerity than most of us cared to note. The brisk days were filled to overflowing with outdoor activities. Hockey sticks were shouldered like so many guns, each bright afternoon, as battalions of girls hiked over to Doubleday Field for an hour's fun and exercise. Any feeling of strangeness that remained in the hearts of the girls Who were new to Knox this year was dispelled by an hilarious rendition on the much-played-upon Who Done It. The dubious production was written and staged by the Old Cvirls. Who will ever forget Mrs. Phinney, in her chic blue-jeans and straw hat, in the role of the villain? Things like that night over in the gym will remain in our memories always. A few days later the warm feeling of the new girls toward the Old Girls was a bit dampened by a late tire drill. Members of the K. A. A. marched stilfly and somberly into 114

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AVE ATUUE VALE QCo1zti1111ed from page 1 IQ It tome upon az midrzigbf clear, That glorious Jong of old, lflfifb dngelr bending near the edrtb To touch .fbeir barpr of gold. Their voices were as crisp and sparkling as the snow upon which they walked. As the little group walked through the shimmering morning, the awakening populace opened their hearts and their doors to the carolers. Yes, we were ready to go home to the waiting arms of our families and give them this spirit of Christmas. But in all of us were thoughts of those who would not be home for Christmas this year, thoughts which made us try to fill with love and laughter the empty places left by them. Ill Winter, in her crown of icicles and robes of snow, had trailed in our absence, through the woods and over the hills. The familiar landscape, in a spotless costume, presented itself to us as we returned. January third, and back to school after a lovely vacation! Sadness at leaving our homes and families, but bursting with things to tell school friends. January and the first really skiing weather! Fenimore hill, like a scoop of vanilla ice cream, lay before us with a challenging glare on its icy face. Eager eyes were turned toward the skating rink to see if some morning there would be ice and skating, and finally when there was ice, the rink was a kaleidoscope of color, girls in gay skirts, and blades flash- ing in the sunlight. The days, then, were all too short for the many pleasures winter afforded. The nights, then, were long and cold and the stars hung like prisms of bright light in the black sky. The air crackled with the vibrancy of winter. On the twenty-fifth of January the assembly room rang with the strong baritone voice of John Gurney, whose lively program put all in good spirits for the weekend. The new girls, these days, were busy with their show, trying to keep their secret. It was staged with ingenuity and wit on the twenty-sixth of January. Shall we ever forget the modern version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs? Snow fell and winter's handiwork was in evidence everywhere. Soon preparation for the Mid-Winter Carnival began. Skates were sharpened, skiis were waxed and diets were begun with determination. The haunting music of Stravinsky's Fire Bird Suite drifted across the road from the rink. An ice castle rose magically day by day, to receive the royal presence of Mary Evert, our Carnival Queen. Was it possible that this was at last February fifteenth? Out came the ash trays for the foyer and rugs and pennants for the drill room. All afternoon parents and friends were arriving and that evening the Fire Bird was staged in a blinding snow storm, with finesse and frozen feet. Dottye, Connie, and Kit were lovely snow birds in their colorful roles. With Saturday came the horse show and that night, the Carnival dance with real live men! Blue Sunday! A glorious weekend had come to an end. On February eighteenth, the basketball teams were announced in preparation for an exciting season. 116