Evening star., 1945-01-21
I Just Between
Ourselves
BY Philip II. Lore.

You probably think 1t has been a
pretty good winter-not enough
snow, perhaps, but enough ice to
provide fair amount Of fun, any,
how.
Well, most Of your elders disagree
with you. II they had their way,
there would be law against snow
and sleet and the like.
That last sleet storm was SO bad
that visitor to q home in my
neighborhood slid down the front
steps and across the yard as If
she had been shot from a buzz
bomb launching platform. And
she'd probably be sliding yet II a
rosebush hadn't got in her way.
She wasn't hurt, fortunately, and
to try to make sure she wouldn't
be, her host escorted her to the bus
line, two blocks away. 1t was a
long, hazardous trip, but they got
through without mishap. Then,
standing perfectly still, the visitor
suddenly went down again. When
she got back up, still unhurt, she
laughed, II guess I took too deep a
BREATH"
In my neighborhood the Ice stayed
put. so long that the kids finally
tired Of shedding and sliding and
took to fighting the Battle Of the
Bulge" The only trouble was, as
small boy who identified himself as
Marshal Montgomery" explained,
"You can't make snowballs out of
this stuff"
While the ice was at its slippery
worst, neighbor was picking his
way down the hill from the bus
stop, holding onto hedgerows, tele-
phone poles, fireplugs and one thing
or another and wondering If he'd
ever make it, when a little girl
swished by. She turned to toss him
a smile and, alas. slipped and fell.
But before he could slide to her aid
she regained her feet and called,
"It's fun, isn't it, Mister?"
Well, no, frankly, it isn't fun, but
I'm not so old that I can't remember
when 1t was. And in those days,
the winters were much icier than
they are now-and, therefore, more
fun.
Perhaps my memory exaggerates,
but 1t seems that when I was your
age. the ground was covered with
snow through much Of the winter,
and there was enough ice for skat-
ing from late fall until early spring.
Every neighborhood had it's fav-
orite sleigh-riding hill. and it was
in use nearly every afternoon and
evening. Many families had their
own double e-decker" sleds. some Of
which, despite the name, were long
enough to carry a half-dozen or
more passengers. Nearly everybody,
big and little, turned out for the
sport. and between rides they'd stand
around the roaring fire at the top
Of the hill. Somebody would always
have some potatoes to roast, and
they tasted better than the most
scrumptious banquet you'll ever eat.
AS Inspector Dick Mansfield would
say, Those were the happy days!"
Junior jottings" Rubinoff and his
violin were recent visitors to Langley
Junior High School. The musician
promised to send the students auto
graphed photographs for their con-
tributions to the infantile paralysis
campaign. Says Phyllis E. Porter,
IA: Il am sure every one at Langley
will contribute in appreciation of his
wonderful performance" Cool
idge High School is very proud of
the grand student backing of its
newspaper" the Courier, reports
Peggy Chrisman, II. Every year
since its establishment more than
four years ago, upward of 80 per
cent Of the student body has been
on the subscription list. Helen
Arnold, Eastern High School, dances
on roller skates. :. Soap sculpturing
Is the hobby Of another fastener,
Annette Brody. Miniature furniture
which she carved from soap was ex-
hibited recently at the school.
Elverton Hailstorks, Dunbar High
School, has modelled more than 200
airplanes and ships for the Navy
For interesting letters, thanks to the
following: Kathleen Lucey, IL, St.
Louis School. Ashton. Md; Joan
Long, 13, Silver Spring, Nd, and
Joseph S. Dibble, l3, st. Adams
School for Boys.
oil