Lyndon State College - Northern Lights Yearbook (Lyndonville, VT)

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January - 1938 more clowns, represented the Fresh- men; a mock wedding and the Dionne Quintuplets followed. The Junior Float, whose chairman was Mrs. Hildred Duke, presented the modern teachers in one car, a smart roadster, followed by the old-fashioned teachers in another, a not-so-smart sedan. An open truck, with sides removed, carried the Senior Float. Sitting in all her glory (still puffing from the exces- sive exertion of climbing aboard) rode a fat lady, surrounded by a monkey, a ballet dancer, and two clowns. The antics of the latter were severely limit- ed, however, by the ever present fear of falling off the truck as it moved slowly forward in jerks and starts. Doris Spencer was in charge. The last float introduced a poignant note of sadness into the parade. Hand- kerchiefs were whipped out as tears of pity filled the eyes of many spectators. For there now came into view, dragged by Hovey and Simonds wrecker a long black coffin. A sign “L. N. S. Faculty —The Circus Did It,” told the sad and gruesome tale of woe. Would the spirits of the dear departed faculty let the circus down? Or would they re- turn that evening for the events to be staged in the gymnasium? After the parade dormitories buzzed with excitement as costumes and prop- erties were returned and borrowed again for the evening performance. Cries of “Who’s going to fix my face?” and “Where’s my moustache?” echoed through the halls. At 7.30 a large group of children and grown-ups was on hand in the gym- nasium to witness the evening show. The first item on the program proved to be a portrayal of an old fashioned school with Miss Hodges as “teacher” and the faculty as pupils. It is to be hoped that Mr. Hapgood did not get Athlete’s Foot from going barefoot on the gymnasium floor, and that other members of the faculty did not catch cold from exposing their knees to the cold November air. And now the sideshows filled the spectators with thousands of thrills. A spectacular dance by the “hula-hula” girl from the South Sea Islands, Sarah Bass, was presented to a crowded “tent”. While Senorita Grace Hubbard, the palm reader, peering into the future, found there a man for many of the fair girls of L. N. S. The World’s fattest woman, Isabelle Mugford; the world’s tallest woman, Ruth Walker; and the world’s shortest woman, Irene Robin- son, presented so queer an assortment that those who saw them were led to wonder if by chance they had not stray- ed into some land of make-believe. The next act in the circus introduced the Hill Billy Band combined with the Glee Club, consisting of thirteen stu- dents singing and playing combs while one played a Hawaiian guitar. Dis- cords there were, here and there (prob- ably caused by the change in climate since they had come all the way from the Kentucky hills) but the selections were rendered, otherwise, with vigor and precision in the manner of good troupers. Then followed the most spectacular, death-defying stunts and rope climb- ings that the Eastern part of this coun- try has ever seen. The clowns, a spe- cial troupe, sent by Barnum Brothers by special request, certainly did their stuff. [25]

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V E R L Y N Parody On “The Duel” By ELSIE TUCKER (With apologies to Eugene Field) Dear old Kelty and Faulkner fat Side by side on the reserve shelf sat; ’Twas half past ten, and (what do you think!) Nor one nor t’other had slept a wink! Old Mr. Beard rubbed his shiny pate And seemed to know as sure as fate There was going to be a terrible spat. (I wasn’t there: I simply state What the fellow told with the shiny pate!) Old Mr. Kelty went, “Ow-ow-ow!” And massive old Faulkner replied, “My Cow!” The air was littered, an hour or so, With bits of Pilgrims tossed to and fro. While Mr. Beard in the same old place Up with his hands before his face, For he always dreaded a public row! (Now mind: I’m only telling you Verlyn Circus By FLORA OSGOOD On Friday, November 9, not 13, the Verlyn Circus, the greatest, most stu- pendous show in the world favored Lyndonville and places nearby with its awe inspiring presence. Women fainted and people were trampled underfoot by the mobs in the ’Ville who tried to get a closer view of the parade. Down the street it came led by the Misses Kathryn Munn and Phyllis Coburn, carrying a banner, fol- lowed by the band, resplendent in uni- What the honorable Mr. Beard de- clares is true!) Beard’s old pate looked very blue, He wailed, “Oh dear! what shall I do!” But Mr. Kelty and Faulkner fat Wallowed this way and tumbled that, Employing every charter and law In the awfullest way you ever saw— And, oh! how the Pilgrims and Indians flew: (Don’t fancy I exaggerate— I got my news from Beard’s shiny pate!) Next morning, where the two had sat They found no Kelty nor Faulkner fat: And Miss Fernow thinks unto this day That someone stole that pair away! But the truth about the two old pups Is this: they ate each other up! Now are you really surprised at that! (Old Mr. Beard he told me so, And that is how I came to know.) form and blaring forth in all its proud array. Then followed amid exclamations and great cheers the most bewildering- ly ingenious floats ever seen in this part of the country. Theodore Elliot’s car, decorated under Letha McLam’s direction, with red and white pennants, balloons and two clowns, served as the school float. Donald Doyle’s car, in charge of Rowena Baker, and taste- fully decorated with streamers and [24]

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V E R L Y N The fashion show, put on by the boys, gave the women of the audience a good idea of the styles for the coming season. The orange knitted suit modeled by red-headed Miss Donna Doyle sent many young ladies home to their knit- ting needles. Leona Lamberton show- ed the up-to-the-minute young lady what she would wear in ski togs this winter. Marriana Merriam next took the spotlight in a very attractive bath- ing suit. Diana Bullock modeled the latest fashioned evening dress topped by a very becoming coiffure. The latest in house coats was shown by Henrietta Ford. Bashfulness seized him at the last moment and he refused to take the coat off to show his very becoming sports costume of shorts and bandana underneath. Theodora Elliot conclud- ed the show by taking the stage and displaying a nicely fitting negligee and hairnet. It is said that a scout from Holly- wood, who was attending the circus, offered the boys a juicy sum if they would sign contracts and depart at once for Hollywood. However the boys, true to their professional spirit, refused to give up their chosen careers and the scouts departed in low spirits. A dance held in the Assembly Hall, following the circus, was well attended. Silver Night By S. CHASE The moon is a silver lantern. Hung at Heaven’s gate To light the way for weary souls, And comfort those who wait. The stars are silver spangles Trimming the gown of night; The milky way is a fairy bridge, Which the glowworms help to light. The lakes are pools of silver wine. Which only the gods may sip; Birches are dancers, silver-clad, That bend and bow and dip. In a graceful swirling melody Of fluttering silver lace. The silver leaves of the silver trees Dance with rhythmic grace. Play Day By KATHRYN MUNN On October 23rd the four state normal schools, Johnson, Castleton, Burlington, and Lyndon sent repre- sentatives to the Southwick Memorial Hall in Burlington to take part in the first Play Day to be held in this state. The Burlington girls, as hostesses, took charge of a program of games which did not include any competition be- tween schools. On December 11th Johnson and Lyndon held a similar Play Day at Lyndon. These activities are helping to strengthen the spirit of friendship and cooperation among the Normal schools of Vermont. [26]