Wells River High School - Chatterbox Yearbook (Wells River, VT)

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had a jump to use. A small structure could be erected for not more than fifty dollars. It would bring that much business to the community. We should have our community up to date and able to thoroughly enjoy winter sports. A NEW KIND OF BACK-TO-THE-LAND MOVEMENT Ever since America became a manufacturing nation, its inhabitants have steadily moved from the farm to the city. During the past sixty years, people have moved even more rapidly than before because of greatly increased production, new industries and labor saving devices introduced on farms. Whereas twenty or thirty years ago it took fifteen or twenty men to mow a large field, now, with the aid of a mow- ing machine and tractor, two men can cut the same amount in less than quarter of the time. The prosperity of the United States from the Civil War to 1929 was broken by only two major depressions. Young farmers’ sons were drawn to the city like Hies be- cause of higher wages, and more educational and recreational facilities. However, during each depression and to a certain extent all the time, a back-to-the-land movement developed; but most people immediately moved back to the city as soon as the de- pression was over. Since the World War a new back-to-the-land movement developed. Modern transportation facilities enable the lower classes of working people to own a small but comfortable house in the suburbs of the city in which they work. The better paid middle class is able to buy an old farm in the back country that has “gone to seed” and use it as a week- end home to “putter around in.” What could be a better place to own than an old decrepit house (no matter how drafty and cold it is in winter, you can use it in the spring, summer and fall), and two or three hun- dred acres of fallow fields, orchards, and woods, on which is a small sandy pond and a brook? 4

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In many other cases we find similar situations where we fail to see where any peace or good will is intended but, of course we may not see matters in the right light. At any rate, from all outward appearances it seems to me a quotation some- thing like, “War on earth, ill will toward men,” would be more fitting for the present state of affairs. If every person, not only the dictators and political lead- ers, would say to himself “Peace on earth, good will toward men” just once and then try to carry out this thought, I am sure that much more friendly and congenial relations would be established among us all. SKI JUMPING “Good morning, Mrs. Jones, I thought 1 would drop over and see how things are in your family this morning. My, what a time 1 have had; my son Jimmy wants to go over that terrible ski jump and I don’t know how to stop him.” “Well, Mrs. Ricker, 1 certainly wouldn’t let my little Johnny go over that jump. It means no less than a broken leg or neck.” 1 hat is just what has killed ski jumping in Vermont. Some mother is afraid that her dear little son will scratch his face or hands. If they could only see a downhill race 1 am afraid they would die of heart failure. People who have looked into the situation enjoy watching jumping. It is about the only ski race that spectators can watch and understand. Landing slopes have to be steep for it makes jumping safer. If the slopes were not steep many jumpers would be hurt seriously. Science of today has made jumping safe. One can take a bad fall and nine times out of ten will not think a thing about it after he has picked himself up. It does not hurt any- one to slide the length of a hill on his back as long as the slope is smooth. What any skiing community needs is a small ski jump. There are many young people who would like to jump if they 3

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One can go fishing and hunting and indulge in any such hobbies as hiking and flower gardening or even raise a few beets, corn and beans. This new back-to-the-farm movement appears to be a perm- anent institution now as it is gaining force and speed every year. AUTUMN Oh, golden days of autumn, My heart within me thrills As I look about in wonder At the color of the hills. Thank God for all the splendor, And the beauty of the sight Of trees with arms uplifted In the glorious morning light. With canvas, paint and brush Long man has vainly striven, To catch the beauty of the hills, God’s gift to us from heaven. Oh, how I love to enter The woods on autumn days, When the noon tide sun shines brightly On the leaves that deck our ways. The birds seem loath to take their flight From flu1 brilliant colored hill And to the sunny southland go, For I can hear them still. When twilight comes, and over all Peace and quiet reign, I lay me down to sleep and dream O autumn days again. 5 —Catherine Morse ’44