Wakefield High School - Oracle Yearbook (Wakefield, MA)

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IN A MAINE LUMBER CAMP THE CELEBRATION AT PROVINCETOWN There are many people in our own town who think it would be necessary to go to the north- western part of the United States, or the Cana- dian woods, in order to visit a real lumber camp. They are entirely mistaken, for a person can easily take a trip to the northern woods of Maine and vi it one of the most interesting camps in North America. There are several camps in Maine, but the largest of them is in the Dead River region. This camp employs three hundred men. There are sixteen bunk-houses where the different crews sleep, eight cook houses with a seating capacity of fifty each, and many other small buildings including the office, bosses ' head- quarters, stables, engine-rooms, blacksmith shops and tool shops. It would take a person two weeks to travel the entire domain of the camp and the working places of the various crews. Much hard work goes on in these camps. First, the lumbermen cut the trees, then trim them and with the aid of horses haul them to the nearest freshet or large brook. Next, the floaters take the logs down the brook to the river where they are sorted and chainetl into lots according to their quality for making boards. In the spring, the floaters really work hard. After the winter ' s snow the brooks are overflowing and the waters of the rivers are madly rushing about. All this commotion breaks up the chained logs, and they float wildly about until there is a jam, then the floaters have to take their picks and peaveys and again separate the logs. After all is in readiness, the logs are floated down to level water and a long float is made. A steamer is waiting to take them to the nearest sawmill where they will be turned into boards. After they have been thoroughly seasoned in the yards, they are carried by freight to the purchaser ' s factory in some large city or town and made into some unique article. From the factory the article will be sold to the re- tailer and he will in time sell to the customers, who will have for their homes, the product of our forests. R. CLEMONS, ' 21. AT THE TOP The man who wins Is the man who tries. Who uses his hands, his head, his eyes, Who labors on and never stops. He ' ll find a place waiting at the top. MABEL HILL. At ten o ' clock on the morning of August 28, 1920, a very small French merchant ship, the Ville D ' ye, steamed into the harbor at Provincetown and dropped anchor. It was France ' s contribution to the celebration. About noon, two large American warships, the Florida and the Delaware, floated in amid the blow- ing of whistles and booming of cannon. Later in the afternoon the Constance, an English destroyer, glided over the bay and came to a standstill near the other ships. The Con- stance is an extremely low and gi-aceful boat, built for speed. In the evening marvelous acetylene search- lights from the battle ships lighted Province- town and the surrounding country from dark until midnight. The next day the ships were visited by thou- sands of interested people and all wore Pil- grim costumes. That night the lights were again put into play, making it . ' eem like day. Monday, the thirtieth, was the day of the main celebration. Early in the morning the Star Spangled Banner, followed by God Save the King and the Marseillaise, played by the bands on the ships, came floating across the cold, gray harbor to the silent shore. For an instant Provincetown lay still, as if listening for an echo of the wonderful music. Then whistles blew, automobiles began their usual humming, flags were hung out, adding to the already innumerable quantity of them. The morning was spent in erecting archways, and in putting up pictures of the Mayflower on every available tree or post. A reviewing stand was built in front of the town-hall. Many store windows displayed miniature copies of the Pilgrims ' sailing vessel. A temporary first-aid station was established in one of the central churches and the local doctors took turns in attendance. At half-past one the reviewing stand was filled and the parade began. Among the guests were Bainbridge Colby, Secretary of State, Lieut. Gov. Cox, the English Ambassador, Admiral Geddeys and the principal officers of the ships in port. There were many picturesque floats and costumes in the parade. The Red Cross float was a representation of Flanders ' Field. The Beachcombers ' Club, composed of the men artists of Provincetown wore brightly colored pirate costumes. There was a float to rep- resent the signing of the Pilgrims ' Compact in the Mayflower cabin. There were also, many copies of the historic ship. After the parade the throngs of people con-

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THE Y. M. C. A , AN ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY I have often wondered if the people of Wake- field realize what the Y. M. C. A. moans to their community. In 1902, several of the leading men of the town felt the need of some place where their sons could spend their spare time to a good advantage. To further this idea, they began to make plans for the building of a Y. M. C. A. Their hopes were realized when, in 1909, the Y. M. C. A., one of the most attractive buildings in Wakefield, was opened. As the building is small, the members are especially blessed that they are able to have all the privileges of a larger association, with the exception of the swimming pool. Through this association and with the aid of a staff of very, competent supervisors, the Wakefield young man is able to develop him- .self, physically, mentally, and morally. These young men are grouped in different classes, and attend the gymnasium at different periods during the week. At the gymnasium, their training is under the physical director who conducts the calisthenic drills and super- vises the work on the different pieces of appai ' atus such as the horse, the buck, th( parallel and horizontal bars, the spring board and rings. The clumsiness of some make the classes amus- ing, while the ability of others makes the exer- cises spectacular. After the class drill is over, the fellows are put into several teams and a basket-ball game is started, or if the majority wish some other game, heminway ball, indoor baseball, or volley-ball is played. The main desire of the physical department is to pro- mote good health, steady nerves, clean morals, and a genial disposition. To help build up the mental and moral charac- ter of the youth, there are clubs, and instructive talks, besides the personal contact with the secretary, a- man of high ideals, and fine charac- ter. At these clubs, the boys themselves have full sway, and conduct themselves in a business- like manner, with the general secretary as their advisor. The clubs are divided into three groups, one for the high school boys, one for the employed boys, and OTie for the grammar school boys. Each club has a special object for which it was formed. The object of the High School Clubs is to promote the general welfare and all-around development of the High School boy, while the Beaver Club is to improve the younger business man, and the Pioneer Club to develop the grammar school boy. Between the first two clubs, there is great rivalry, and competition is carried on in pool tourneys, bowling matches, and basketball games. Besides helping the fellows mentally and morally, the Y. M. C. A. aids them socially. Their meetings are preceded by a supper, which proves to be a gay affair, and very often there are socials to which the ladies are invited and that club has the use of all the amusements of the building. There are Sunday afternoon talks on worth while subjects for the older boys, and at the clubs there is a leader, a man interested in the boys, who leads them in their discussions on important problems of the day. All these activities keep the young men off the streets and in good company. Some of the reasons why a fellow should be a member of the Y. M. C. A. are these; it is an association of young men and the build- ing is a common meeting place. It affords him good, clean. Christian and moral com- panions; it has the equipment to make him physically fit; it will show that he cares or wants to be in the right kind of company and en- vironment; it instructs how to live, to avoid evil and to protect manhood; it gives him a place where he can profitably spend his spare time in good reading in a cozy reading room and in playing wholesome games; and last but not least, it puts him under secretaries who are in the woik primarily for the service they can render to young men, and who are capable of giving sound advice. The Y. M. C. A. is often criticized by non-members because they cannot use the privileges it holds out to the boys, but like any club it is solely for the members, and any self-respecting fellow over ten years of age can be a member. Taking all these points into consideration, is not the Y. M. C. A. a wonderful asset to the community? FRANK E. LORING, ' 21. A RIVER Endlessly onward it is running, Never a stop will it make, Sweetly a tune it is humming, Quickly a turn it will take. Gay is the song it is singing, . Cheerful and happy its band, Sweeter than bells it is ringing. The work of our makers ' hand. ANNA S. HAYDEN, ' 23.

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gregatod around tht- highly decorated Pilgrim monument on the Town Hill. Here, Dr. Wm. De Beaufort, the Netherlands ' Acting Minister, Lieut. Gov. Cox, and several others spoke appropriately. Just at dusk official flat-boats in the harbor began sending up magnificent fire-works, which continued until ten o ' clock. That evening the narrow streets of quaint Provincetown were crowded with a throng of laughing sailors and sight-seers. The stores were all ablaze with light and filled with pur- chasers. A grand Officers ' Ball was held in the town hall. At sunrise, the early fishermen saw the great ships steam away, thus ending the Province- town celebration of the landing of our heroic forefathers. MARY COGAN, ' 24. HER LOVE She most certainly was in love. Although at the time I had not had much experience with this complex subject, I could recognize the symptoms easily. At dinner she refused a second helping of pie, and I knew something was wrong. All the afternoon she acted queerly, and did not say a word. She sat in a large chair, and stared fixedly ahead of her. Her usually happy grin was replaced by a miserable and gloomy scowl, which gave her a woe-begone appearance. Suddenly she sprang to the window, and stared out with a strange expression on her face. Then she flew to the door and opened it, and in a second was on the walk, gazing down the street. Yes, undoubtedly that was he, walking by the side of her father. Then she ran to meet them, and cried to her father, with tears in her eyes, Oh, father, you must not let them take him away. Father, you know I love him, so run down and get the hcense. We must not be parted now. Obediently the father passed down the street, while the girl walked into the house, trying to keep back the tears of joy, for had he not been saved from his enemies? Soon the father returned, bringing the license. As he handed it to the girl, he received his thanks in the form of an avalanche of kisses which she showered on him. Then he placed in her hand a round object which most of us would recognize, and she clasped it round the neck of her loved one. At last, she murmured happily, Fido is safe. Now that we have the license the dog-catchers cannot take him from us. WILLIAM INGERTON, ' 22. AMERICA ' S FUTURE What does American Citizenship mean to the school boy of today? Does he realize the great responsibility which is soon to be his? Is he devoting all his time to his studies and good literature, or is he spending his time in revelry and perhaps dissipation? These are questions of the most vital importance. The school boy of today is the citizen of tomorrow and with him will soon rest the fate of the nation. Will liberty mean for him but the right to vote? Will the great heritage handed down to us from our Pilgrim forefathers be looked upon as a trifle, or will the future generation bear in mind those ideals for which our forefathers braved the dangers of storms at sea and of savages and wild beasts on land? We have but lately passed a crisis in the history of our country. The world is worn out with foreign and domestic str-ifc, and now looks to the younger generation to rally to its support. We have emerged from a war of unparalleled magnitude. Many of America ' s youths now lie buried amid the poppies in Flanders ' fields. The deeds of these great heroes should stimulate us to increased devotion to this wonderful country of ours and to the service of mankind. MOSES M. FRANKEL, ' 21. THE TWO LITTLE SPARROWS One bright summer ' s morning when I opened my eyes and beheld the bright sunbeams stream- ing across my room, I was pleased to see so many beautiful birds, flying to and fro in the tall lilac trees in front of my window. Two sparrows especially, seemed to enjoy the beauti- ful May morning and sang with all their hearts, while the other birds, although they were never so numerous in that part of the garden before, did not seem to appreciate the beautiful nature which surrounded everything. I noticed, as the sun gradually rose higher in the sky, that the birds slowly disappeared, but the two lively sparrows remained and seemed to be seeking for something. I watched them during the day, when I got the chance, and towards sunset they too disappeared. The next morning there were not so many birds as the morning before, but I recognized the song of the two little sparrows and I knew they were present. That day I saw them only a few times, but the next morning and the next, they sang in the same tree and I won- dered why they took a liking to that old lilac tree. Their reason was a good one. 10