Vermilion School of Agriculture - Yearbook (Vermilion, Alberta Canada)

Page 40 text:

(A . 0 i2krC±±± 1914 V. S. A. COMES OF AGE 1935 (Continued from page 7) In the spring of ’21 Mr. Taggart accepted a position with the Federal Government, and Mr. J. C. McBeath of the Youngstown staff became Principal. Fie remained for only one school term when S. H. Gandier of the Raymond staff was appointed in 1922. During these years, from ' 20 to the spring of ' 23, the registration ebbed to the lowest of the school’s history. Dry years and poor crops had prevailed in many districts for a couple of seasons, forcing the closing of the Youngstown and Gleichen schools in ' 22, followed by Vermilion and Raymond in ’23. Regular classes were again admitted to the V.S.A. in 1925. The Last Ten Years By W. J. Elliott, Principal It is given to the undersigned to write the third chapter in the history of the Vermilion School of Agriculture, and thus bring the story up to modern times. In the 20th of October, 1924, we arrived in Vermilion to prepare to meet a contingent of British boys, who were coming to Canada to train for positions on farms, and who were just landing at Montreal. Forty-nine of these boys came on the two boats, Megantic and Montrose. Later an additional 15 came, swelling the class to sixty-four. Mr. Craig, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, came to Vermilion, and with the Principal, welcomed the boys. They had been sent off the mid¬ night train in two coaches. When we a rrived at the depot the group poured out of the coaches, bowler hats and all, and we have no doubt but that we looked as new and strange to them as they looked to us. George Newson soon conveyed boys and baggage to the school—and what an assortment of baggage. A curious crowd had gathered at the depot, for the plan of the Flon. George Floadley had been known for weeks, and the coming of the British boys had been eagerly awaited. At the school, the old assembly, sewing room and dining room had been converted into dormitories, while the present practice kitchen had been cleared out and divided by a short partition. In one half a large range had been installed for cooking, the other half was set with tables and constituted the dining room. The general plan consisted of five months’ training in agriculture on the farm, then service on outside selected farms for a year, with periodic visits by the Principal. Of all the years of our life this one stands out by itself. Mr. J. G. Clark, Irma; Mr. E. C. Flallman, and Mr. B. J. Whitbread, then farm manager, constituted the staff with some assistance from others of the Department. Some incidents stand out clearly in our mind. We shall never forget coming round the corner of the old school building one morning after a fresh fall of snow, and finding one of the boys, in full hunting regalia, a rifle in his hand, hunting for bear as he said. Many of the boys will also remember the chap, who considered it bad form if he appeared in the morning to clean out the cow stable, without his lavender spats. As a whole that first class did very well indeed, in fact as well as a group of our Canadian boys might do, in fitting themselves into the life of another country. [ Page thirty-six 1 The next year, 1925, the Government decided to open the school for Canadian boys and girls again, and a second group of 28 British boys also arrived. The same arrangement with a new group of British boys continued up until 1929. With most of the boys from across the water, we were anxious that they have four horse experience, and so during these years de¬ vised the plan of operating four horses and a plow in the snow which was usually quite deep on the lawn. In fact we disced and harrowed the snow and ran tedders and all kinds of machinery over it. Many farmers as they passed on the road, stood up in their sleighs in open eyed wonder. They surely thought that it was another Ponoka. The last class (1929) was a group of Scotch Boy Scouts, and while much younger, these boys in many ways, were a very excellent addition to our young Canadian life. The attendance at the V.S.A. therefore gradually increased from 1924 to 1929. The greatest number of students in any one year was 1928 when 176 Canadian students and 35 British boys made a total attendance for the year of 211. Interesting phases of the V.S.A. life cover many different activities. In the sport realm, to mention only one, the years 1925 to 1927, stand out in our memory as outstanding in hockey. When you remember such boys as Frank Mead in goal, his brother Bill with Clarence Boggs on defence, and Norman Burch, Lyle Robinson and others on the forward line, it is easy to understand how the Weibe Cup, emblem of civic supremacy, came to the V.S.A. In 1927 the attendance began to tax the ability of the town of Vermilion, to accommodate the students, and the need for a dormitory became very evident. The Legislature of 1928 promised the funds and during that summer the present fine dormitory was erected. This building was built a year after the one at Olds, so that with that experience, and many valuable suggestions from the Flon. F. S. Grisdale, who was principal at Olds at that time, a number of improvements were effected, so that the V.S.A. building, in many respects, is one of the finest of its kind in Western Canada. The dormitory has added tremendously to the school life. The associa¬ tions in the class room, laboratory, gymnasium, in the Literary Society and in the common dining-room, are all designed to bring out what is best in the student. It is also true that the staff and student body enjoy much more of a fellowship than is possible in larger institutions. These years are often very impressionable, and it is but a natural thing that life long attachments and friendships are formed among the students who attend. As an economy measure, the school was closed in 1933, but on the suggestion of the Flon. F. S. Grisdale, present Minister of Agriculture, and the approval of Premier R. G. Reid and his Cabinet, the school was opened again for students the fall of 1934. The writer was given instructions to see what could be done and on the opening day the Minister ' s recommendation was found to have been fully justified for 165 students enrolled for the winter course. Truly the V.S.A. has had its many difficulties and problems, but the re¬ sults have fully justified its existence. Most of our ex-students are still on the farm successfully practicing the principles laid down by their school, it is our earnest hope that the school will grow and continue to enlarge its sphere of usefulness.

Page 39 text:

LIST OF FIRST YEAR STUDENTS AND ADDRESSES FIRST YEAR GIRLS Baker, Jean.Vermilion Beadle, Elsie.Leighmore Beilish, Agnes.Smoky Lake Bown, Irene.Ranfurly Brown, Margaret.Minburn Clark, Grace.Streamstown Cummings, Ruby.Vermilion Fedoruk, Mary.Vegreville Furman, Grace.Lloydminster Frunchuk, Doris.Andrew Geibelhause, Lydia.Vegreville Harrington, Betty.Lloydminster I—I a rt, Helen.Vermilion Heineman, Ethel .Northern Valley Hope, Elsie.Airways Johnson, Clarice.Mannville Johnson, Louise.Vermilion Maddex, Margaret.Greenlawn McArthur, Gladys.Peace River McGillawee, Jean.Greenlawn McLean, Madelon.Vermilion Oldenberg, Lena.Tolland Patnoe, Irene.Kitscoty Shandro, Lena.Shandro Stanley, Hazel.Clandonald Topalinsky, Mary.Beauvallon Turnbull, Esther.Onoway Yaremchuk, Annie.Beauvallon FIRST YEAR BOYS Anderson, W.Minburn Annabo, A.Ryley Baker, A.New Lindsay Beamish, T.Ranfurly Beatty, V.New Lindsay Babiuk, T.Willingdon Bradley, W.Lloydminster Bruce, W. F.Bruce Borton, L.Wembley Cameron, F.Vermilion Cameron, J.Vermilion Christian, H. .Clandonald Koehli, E. .Daysland Christianson, W. .Holden Lazaruk, J. .Soda Lake Christianson, R. .Holden Mathison, A. .Kitscoty Clarke, D. .Mannville Machin, A. .Mannville Crichton, C. Currey, 6. Cook, D. .Kitscoty Maksymec, W. Miller, M. .Derwent .Vermilion .Rosyth .Edgerton Melynk, P. .Derwent Dibbon, R. .Vermilion Moon, FH. .Kitscoty Dmytryshyn, N. . Myrnam Newby, A. .Vermilion Edey, E. .Vermilion McCrae, C. .Vermilion Elm, H. Eyben, G. .Hardisty McCrae, L. .Vermilion .Auburndale McCarty, J. .Vegreville Fedoruk, T. .Vegreville McIntosh, G. .Dewberry Fisher, L. .Vermilion Newby, A. .Vermilion Flaade, B. Furness, A. .Rosyth Olson, O. .Sedgewick .Vermilion Osadchuk, M. . Inland Gray, R. .Greenlawn Palmer, M. .Marsden Gieblehause, W. .Vegreville Palinka, N. .Northern Valley Gilpin, E. .Viking Pankew, P. .Smoky Lake Golding, J. .Edgerton Palmer, W. .Strome Good, R. J. .FHolden Pringle, R. Rogich, F. .Vermilion Gordon, G. Grosland, W. .Chauvin .Derwent .FHolden Rolheiser, F. .Riverton Hackman, W. Hanasyk, M. .FHamlin Sangster, J. .Innisfree .Derwent Schultz, H. C. Sc ' noenenberger, G. .Tofield Hardy, 1. .Irma .Derwent FHaynes, L. .Greenfield Snelgrove, T. .Derwent FHarrison, P. . Innisfree Sorenson, C. .Holden Hetherington, G. .Auburndale Swabey, F. .R.R.2, Tofield Hutchinson, T. Hutchinson, A. .Vanesti Smith, G. .Spring Park .Vanesti Tennant, W. .Hayter Jerry, R. . . . Peace River Therrien, P. .St. Paul Johnson, J . .Hardisty Tovell, A. .Vermilion Johnson, G. .Ribstone Trotter, R. .Rusylvia Jones, R. .Heinsburg West, C. .Clandonald Lal,a:, C. .Ryley West, R. .Ryley Kallal, J. .Tofield Whiting, F. .Lloydminster Kalynchuk, J. .Inland Willis, J. .Vermilion Kashuta, S. .Beauvallon Willis, V. .Vermilion Kwalchuk, W. .Willingdon Wirth, S. .Daysland Kittle, C. . Lavoy Yaceyko, M. .Derwent Visit the Palm Room Just the place for a good cup of coffee or a dainty luncheon Soda Fountain Refrigeration Throughout Try Us For a Cool Drink E.C.D. ICE CREAM BAKERY CONFECTIONERY C Sl Tt JOS. A. WENER Phone 15 VERMILION ocgtyji EVELYN MAXWELL BEAUTY PARLOR PERMANENT WAVING, MARCELLING, FINGER WAVING AND ALL LINES OF BEAUTY CULTURE ■O-j Parkview Apts. VERMILION, Alta. I [ Page thirty-five ]

Page 41 text:

Values Worth While CRAIG BROTHERS, Vermilion The City Store in the Country. Individuality, Quality and Service is the Keynote at Craig’s Our carefully selected lines represent the best Merchandise procurable. Staple and Novelty Dry Goods, Millinery, Women’s Ready-to-Wear, Men ' s Wear, Slater and Williams’ Shoes, House Furnishings, Furniture, Crockeryware, Floor Coverings and Bedding F F F Fresh Meats and Groceries Stores at: VERMILION, NORTH BATTLEFORD, TURTLEFORD, PRINCE ALBERT 7 ? SS 6 [ Page thirty-seven Reliable Merchandise