Vergennes Union High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Vergennes, VT)

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10 VERGENNES HIGH SCHOOL TREATISE ON THE PRESENT FASHIONS IN HATS “The Tatler,” Thurs., Feb. 22, 1934 No. XXI It is with some fear and trembling that I take my pen in hand in humble defense of the present fashion in hats. This afore-mentioned feeling is caused by the fact that, as a member of the male species. I should have comparatively little to say on this matter. Certain of my feminine admirers will, no doubt, belittle my feeble attempts at discussing so important (in their minds) a subject, of which I have so little knowledge. However, it seems certain that, we men should voice our heartfelt appreciation of our fairer companions’ choice in present hat fashions. Several of the Club frequenters have advanced opinions in this matter, and I now take it upon myself to acquaint my readers with their expressions of appreciation. The best of these was voiced by Forest Brooks, the well known naturalist, who said that the new and superb creations in hat fashions would give us a fuller appreciation of nature. By this, he explained, he meant that the off-the-face, trough-shaped models reminded him of a turtle’s back. He suggested, in all good faith, that a profitable industry in turtle-shells might be established whereby turtles, having been caught and scalded, should be relieved of their shells. These would subsequently be made into stylish new hat creations. His companions readily agreed to his proposal and Wealthy Want-More, the Wall Street Banker, suggested that the turtle’s flesh be utilized for turtle soup, thus eliminating the poor lamb who has, formerly, ful-filled his duty as “mock” turtle. Personally, I find the new hat fashions most pleasing. They are such a protection as to render a coat collar most unnecessary. This, of course, enables coat manufacturers to manufacture collarless coats, consequently lowering the cost of production and the cost of the coat to its buyer. Thus, it is easily seen that the tiny, unassuming creation called Milady’s bonnet has caused a most pleasing and economical reduction in coat prices. I invite any of my readers, of either sex. to mail to me by - Saturday’s Post, their carefully conceived opinions of this treatise. These letters will be carefully read, judged, and a few selected to be published in a continuation of this treatise next Thursday. Please address communications to “The Twentieth Century Spectator,” No. 2263 Wool worth Building, New York City. Shirley Adams, ’34. THE SOLUTION of the HERLOCK SHOLMES MYSTERY Morris Sorrell is the murderer. He declared positively that the only gun he had fired recently was a .22 calibre Remington rifle, which would not leave specks of burned powder. Therefore Sorrell was lying, while Booth acknowledged shooting a revolver the night before. And so another case goes down in history solved by the great Herlock Sholmes.

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BLUE AND WHITE 9 EXTRACT FROM THE DIARY OF WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT February 27. 1860 Today, at Cooper Institute, I presided at a meeting of the Young Men’s Central Republican Union. The speaker of the day was a man from the West, Abraham Lincoln, known to the East only through word of his successful debates with Douglas. As best I could, before he spoke, I studied the man. He was obviously nervous, and no wonder—with his ill-fitting clothes and awkward country manner. He might impress the Western farmers, of whom he himself was one, but I had my doubts about this sophisticated Eastern group. I introduced him. Awkwardly he approached the center of the stage. Every eye was upon him. “Mr. President, and Fellow-Citizens of New' York,” began his high pitched drawl. A stir swept over the audience. With all my heart I pitied the man. But little did 1 know him! He started his subject. At once he went directly to the point, presenting Douglas’s recent statement that “our fathers, when they framed the government under which we live, understood this question as well, and even better than we do now.” He stated the question. Pie made clear who “the fathers of our government” were. He proved that they had already acted upon this question in the favor of the Republicans. He addressed the Southerners themselves. He proved THEM to be unjust, sectional, and non-conservative. not the Northerners. With scathing irony he presented their case, and their arguments. He had by now warmed to his subject. He did not need my pity; he demanded my respect, and that of every man in the audience. His was not the grand eloquence of Webster; it was the simplicity of the man that was compelling. With his clear logic he shattered every argument of Stephen Douglas and the entire South. At last he addressed the Republicans themselves. Pleading with them to do their duty as they saw it, he ended. The crowd that had at first regarded him critically, now rose to its feet with one accord. The hall rang with applause. He was undoubtedly a success. Somehow I know this man is destined to be great. Soon the North and the South must clash over this question. Already I hear thunder in the distance. Is this man fated to pilot us through the coming storm? I wonder. Shirley Haven, ’34. WHY? Barbara Bristol, ’34 While walking in the garden This early sunny morn, I saw a lacy evening dress A fairy once had worn. I found a shady silent place Where I could think things out, For T was greatly puzzled As to how this came about. Last night the moon shone brightly, Of that I was quite sure, There also was the music Of an insect overture. With these considerations I still do not know why The little gown was left there. What does it signify?

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BLUE AND WHITE 11 iEiittorialH Edward Ryan, ’35, Editor OUR GYM On May 14, 1925, a notice was inserted in the “Enterprise and Vermonter” by the prudential committee stating that the Baptist church had been offered by the Vermont State Baptist Convention to the high school for use as a gymnasium. The next week the “Enterprise” was managed by school students. W. Rogers made a plea for the gym and gave opinions of prominent men in our town upon the project. Some thought seven to eight thousand dollars could he saved. On May 28. 1925, a meeting was held in the City Hall to vote on the question and the building was accepted. Op, June 12. 1925, an Alumni Banquet was held in the gym with one hundred twenty-five present. Talks were given on the benefits of athletics. This was the first formal gathering in the new gym. Church properties were removed; the side walls covered; windows screened ; baskets put in place, and everything made ready for basketball by Dec. 10, 1925. That fall it was decided to have a girls’ basketball team and our team was to enter in the Marble Valley League. The first party was on Oct. 22. 1925, when Grade 6 gave a Hallowe’en party. This was closely followed by another staged by the seniors. On Dec. 11 the V. H. S. lassies opened basketball warfare against the Bristol feminites. Miss Lyon had charge of the team then. On Jan. 6 the Junior Hikers won over the V. I. S. scrappers. These were probably the two first games played on our floor. Some of the girls on the team then were K. Edwards, F. Fishman, M. Gardner. R. Field. D. Collins, T. Jarvis, M. Rvan and C. Tracy. They met Brandon on Jan .15, 1926. The boys on the team at that time were Swenson, Norton, Palmer, Blak-lev, Ryan, Parent , Milo, Brown and Warner, who clashed with Black River Academy on Jan. 16, 1926. To show that these ancient students also had spirit we uncover the fact that a food sale was held on Jan. 30, 1926, for equipment for the team. Another interesting fact is that the first Junior Prom in the gym was held on Mav 28. 1926, by the good old class of ’27.' In the fall of 1931 the platform at the south end of the gym was removed and a new floor laid. Many a happy night was passed on hands and knees by the students and teachers both. Our morale was kept up at this time by the rendering of “Old Black Joe” and other selections by those who dared attempt imitations of Lawrence Tibbett. By this time a girls’ dressing room was added where formerly was a balcony. It wasn’t until the winter of ’33 and ’34 that the boys really “got the feel of the floor” and started hanging scalps to their belts. This last season was probably the best in the history of the school, although the team was handicapped by the loss of the gym and equipment. That was a fateful night (Jan. 29) when our good old gym vanished into smoke, leaving only ruins where once a loved building had stood —the old building where good times were had, victories won and defeats sustained, mistakes made and lessons learned. It was a part of the student body—a part taken away. Will a new gym take its place in our hearts? Edward Ryan, ’35. The linoleum cut of our old gym, which forms the frontispiece of this issue, was drawn by Jeannette Graves, '37, and cut by R. Kingman, ’34.