London Normal School - Spectrum Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

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GENERAL SCIENCE CLUB The Aims of the Association 1. To discuss science problems of general interest. 2. To make field trips for the purpose of gain- ing firsthand knowledge and an appreciation of nature, industry and sanitation. 3. To develop ability in public speaking and in making clear explanations of observations. 4. To cultivate an appreciation of art and liter- ature in relation to nature and science. 5. To practice the rules of health and appreci- ate the work of the Junior Red Cross movement. 6. To foster an interest in the conservation of wild flowers and bird life. On January 16, 1936, the students of the Lon- don Normal School met to organize the General Science Club. The following officers were elected: Honorary President, Dr. Hofferd; Honorary Vice- President, Miss I. Davidson; President, William Searson; Vice-President, Gordon Stinson; Secretary- Treasurer, Wanita Sloan; and Form Representatives, Nancy Smart, Ida Mahler, Clara Jones, Evelyn Caughlin and Sidney Liddle. The speaker for the first meeting was W. E. Saunders, whose talk, Birds of Prey, was very interesting. A field trip to the Coves on the fol- lowing Saturday gave us over forty entries for our nature log. We wili not soon forget the valuable informa- tion gained during the trip through Kellogg ' s and we enjoyed the samples very much. At the meet- ing of January 27, Ella Wright gave an excellent report on the trip to Kellogg ' s, and Dr. Hofferd spoke of the uses of weather forecasts and the work of the Meteorological Society of Canada. Another pleasant Saturday afternoon was spent at the Hydro-Electric plant and the Waterworks at Horton Street. The same day we also visited the natural gas station. This gave us a fitting introduc- tion to the talk on Natural Gas given the fol- lowing Monday by Gordon Stinson. The meeting of March 2nd brought us three splendid addresses, The Purification of Water by Miss Davidson, Ducks and Geese by Mr. McKone, and Stories in the Snow by Arthur Morton. Saturday, March 7th, found us out again on a field trip to Pawlitzki ' s Greenhouse and to the Lon- don Free Press. We even enjoyed the amateur program in the broadcasting studio. Another talk of value and interest was that by Colonel Ware on Landscape Gardening. During March the Club joined the Junior Red Cross Society and adopted as the club pin the emblem of the Society. The Public Utilities Commission sent Mr. Grover with an excellent illustrated talk on Lighting of School Rooms. Perhaps we shall be more con- cerned over the lighting of our classrooms next year as a result of this talk. During the same meeting Evelyn Caughlin gave us an illustrated talk, Interesting Ways of Australia. The trip which provided us with the greatest fund of information was that to Silverwoods, Limited. Even though we were given a cold recep- tion in one room, we were compensated by that bottle of chocolate milk and the cup of ice cream. The meeting of April 23 took place in the auditorium at 8 p.m., when the special speaker was E. K. Hampson. B.S.A., Canadian reoresentative of the American Potash Company. The speaker was introduced bv W. H. Porter, editor of the Farmers ' Advocate. The topic, Hunner Sions of Plants, was illustrated by numerous slides which made the information qiven by Mr. Hampson very interesting and helpful in th study of soil fertility and fertil- izers. The Glee Club, under the direction of C. E. Wheeler, provided several musical numbers. Sidney Liddle also contributed a character sketch. Another hike to the Coves on Saturday. May 9th, was enjoyed bv fortv of the members. Georqe Rousom presented the slides and talk sent by the Heoartment of Health on Milk and Its Care. Other hikes, nossiblv a weiner roast, and another meetinq on Fire, Earth and Water will be pre- sented by three student speakers, Don Young, Evelyn Caughlin and Marietta Styles. The members of the Club wish to extend to Dr. Hofferd and Miss Davidson our thanks for their interest and the advice which they have always willinalv given to make the Club the success it has been this year. We wish, also, to thank our speak- ers, especially those students who have prepared talks to make our meetings so interesting and helpful. The following poem seems to sum up our aims and interests so well that we will close our section with it: IN NATURE ' S MARKET You may buy wonderful things With silver or shining gold, But the loveliest thinqs on earth Are neither bouqht nor sold! The hue of the bluebird ' s wing In the fragrant lanes of spring, The emerald fire of trees The lullaby hum of bees — These all to be had for a look Through the pages of Nature ' s book. A glimpse of the greening hills Through a rift in the stately pines, A garden of daffodils A lake — when the first star shines; A road in the moonlight pale, Sunlight on a homing sail, Apple trees high on an orchard slope, Lark ' s gay carol of like and hope; Hill and forest and field and lane Brown roofs shining in cooling rain — All these beauties, for you and for me In Nature ' s market are waiting, free! Anon. MARIETTA STYLES

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GENERAL SCIENCE CLUB Back Row — C. Jones, I. Mahler, S. Liddle, E. Caughlin, N. Smart. Front Row — W. Sloan (Sec.-Treas.) , W. Searson (Pres.), Dr. Hofferd (Hon. Pres.), G. Stinson (Vice-Pres. M. Styles. Absent — Miss I. Davidson. GIRLS ' BASKETBALL TEAM Back Row — A. McGugan, M. Cudney, J. Evans, A. Green (Coach), M. Leverton, H. Gloin, D. Adams. Froni- Row — M. Linsley, M. Lawler, M. Riddell, J. Rutherford. BOYS ' BASKETBALL TEAM Back Row — H. Brown, A. Morton, F. Miller, D. McCormick. Front Row — G. Simpson, A. Green (Captain), J. Garrett.

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Music Social Activities The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not mov ' d with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treasons, strategems, and spoils. — Shakespeare. MUSIC is at last beginning to come into its own in the School. Previously it was the for- gotten subject. More and more, people have come to realize that Shakespeare was right, when he penned those immortal words. The field that is open is very large. Even the rural schools, in most cases, have an instructor come in each week to teach the class. But the teacher must do more. One practice per week will not affect the class. The teacher must take hold and keep the interest stimulated. The study of music has progressed favourably, but the door is just open. Progress may be along various lines. In some cities the Boards of Educa- tion have purchased orchestral and band instruments and are training pupils to play. It is quite interest- ing to note that all but two of the viola players in the O. E. A. Orchestra this vear received their in ' tia! training in Public School Groups. This instruction is for the comparative few, however. For the majority, there is choral and nroun sinqinq. This year, at its annual convention, rh Ontario Educational Association qathered a public school choir, composed of double trios selected from each centre, and a high school choir, as well as a symphony orchestra. To auote from the Toronto Star: Stokowski should have heard the O. E. A. con- cert last night. . . . The three-cart composite public school chorus of hundreds, from scores of places, had an ethereal beauty of tone that even choral Toronto was glad to hear. The hiqh school chorus was in four parts, and when these two lovely choirs combined, the effect was as thrilling as the first day of Spring. When the choir and audience combined in har- mony and descant in the last verse of Unto the Hills. the Star reports: I have heard many great art inspirations of massed choirs in that hall; never one more thrilling than that. This demonstrates what is possible. A compara- tively few miles from London there is a boy, who, when he beqan school five or six years aqo, was a monotone. Several weeks ago he won first prize in his grouping in a notable competition. That boy received his training solely in his school. Each year there are pupils coming to school in the same condition as that boy. One cannot hope to make all children soloists, but if every pupil can be taught to appreciate music, and to sing for the joy of singing, then as school teachers, we have not taught in vain. VINCENT GRAY K EN cannot labour on always. They must I V I have intervals of relaxation. Recreation is intended to the mind as whetting to the scythe, to sharpen the edge of it. — Bishop Hall. September 27. — Gathered together from vari- ous parts of Western Ontario, we came to the London Normal School as strangers to one another. While a cold autumn wind blew outside, we found ourselves on this particular afternoon, enjoying a pleasant party extended to us by the teaching staff. Games were played, during which each student wore an identification slip. Tea was poured by the Masters ' wives, assisted by the Staff. Dancing closed a very enjoyable afternoon in which we all felt we became better acquainted. October 31. — Once again the gymnasium was the scene of gay activity, this time for the Masquer- ade Party sponsored by the Student Parliament. The rooms were appropriately decorated with streamers of black and orange, and Hallowe ' en tokens such as the school skeleton. Prizes for cos- tumes, which were judged by Miss Emery and Mr. McEachern, were won by Miss Clara Jones, Messrs. Arthur Morton, Jack Mayberry and Fred Miller. During the first part of the evening the hetero- qeneous company was entertained with qames in the gymnasium and a program in the auditorium. Following refreshments, dancing was enjoyed. As a final hfallowe ' en touch, an earthquake rocked the city shortly after we reached our homes. December 16. — Under the auspices of the Athletic Societies, a Christmas dance was held in the gymnasium, to music provided by Johnson ' s Orchestra. Streamers of red and green, and clus- ters of balloons festooned the ceiling, and framed an alcove for the orchestra. These and a cheery fireplace lent a festive air to the familiar room. For those not inclined to dance, games were in progress in the library. A delightful lunch was served, and the dishes washedf?). February 13. — The night was cold and stormy, in marked contrast to the welcome atmosphere of the Normal School occasioned by the social evening planned by the Literary Society. For the enter- tainment of our guests, the critic teachers, a varied program of music and drama was presented. Musi- cal numbers were provided by the Glee Club, and a male quartette, consistinq of Messrs. Burr, Green, Hartley and Mayberry. A one-act play entitled, The Dear Departed, was ably presented by a talented caste, consisting of Misses Marietta Styles, Joyce Rutherford, Margaret Riddell and Messrs. Sid Liddle, Lloyd Doan and Jack Mayberry. Follow- ing refreshments, music for dancing was provided by Miss Margaret Robertson and Mr. Styles. April 6. — Wong ' s Cafe, artistically decorated with balloons and streamers, was the scene of the At Home, arranged by the Student Parliament. (Continued on page 38) Page 28