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Be sure to admire the drawings in the Rough Draft pages!

And, while you're at it, spare a kind thought for me, hopelessly trying to make sense of all this.
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1927-08-22: ​audio---images---comment---~TRANSCRIPT~---notes---links---site navigation
Note: There is no transcript for the pages of rough draft.  You should take a look at them, because they have some fun drawings.

Page 1

FERNBANK NEWS.
Vol. I., No. 3
Woods Hole, Mass.
Aug. 22, etc.

Column 1

THE NEW DOCK
The various temporary docks which have been in use by the craft which ply on the Millpond have been superceded by a permanent dock, constructed by the Engineering Firm of Billy and Roger Stokey.  This dock in importance rivals the famous Million Dollar Pier of Chicago.  The number of nails used in its construction is a guarantee of its permanence.  It is of the highest type of wooden construction known to Fernbank and environs; it consists of five boards carefully selected from the lumber yards of Fernbank, supported by the end of a crate, and the whole of this supported by two magnificent wooden columns.  The completion of this work is a great event in the history of Fernbank.  Since its construction no one has fallen into the pond, and the FERNBANK News has had to abandon the column devoted to such incidents.  The dock is guaranteed to hold one man.

- - - - -

THE REBUILDING OF THE DRIVE
Another important engineering feat of the past week was the rebuilding of the drive between Fernbank and Neuveannée.  This magnificent drive which was built in the early years of Fernbank has suffered from the frequent storms this summer; the cinders have washed down on the Fernbank path revealing the stones beneath.  The drive was becoming too lumpy for comfort.  Miss Alma Stokey and Miss Kathleen Stokey took charge of the work, and added many pailfuls of soil and cinders, as well as a few clumps of sod.  The bank to the south of the house at Fernbank supplied the soil.  It is black and rich and the engineers are hopeful that a fine turf will replace the gullies.
page 1 column 2

A Trip on the Cayadetta.

Miss Stewart and Miss Haywood took Kathleen, Roger, Margaret and Billy out in the CAYADETTA, the M.B.L. Steamer.  They went out past Nobska Lighthouse.  First, they dredged for sea urchins, starfish, scallops, and other things.  They got mostly Sea Urchins.  They kept the Sea Urchins, starfish, hermit crabs, and conkshells.  They gave away the smallest of them.  There were a great many children on board.  Next they dredged for seaweed.  They got only sea pork.  The next time they got seaweed.  We all enjoyed the trip.    (B.F.S.)

- - - - 
MUSIC ITEMS.

There was an informal musical at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Meyer, Saturday evening, Aug. 20th.  Mr. Pike sang all the music available, but he had not brought a supply with him and he was limited to a selection from Mrs. Evans' Music Library.  He sang several of his own compositions after he had exhausted the Evans Library.  Mrs. Evans sang several numbers so that Mr. Pike could see how much she had improved during the summer.  She has been studying with Mr. Pike during the past winter.  Dr. and Mrs. Meyer accompanied the singers.  Dr. Meyer played several Beethoven numbers.

- - -
A TRIP ON THE CAYADETTA.
by K.S.
Margaret, Billy, Kathleen and Roger were glad to have a trip on the Cayadetta.  Margaret and Billy had been once before, but Kathleen and Roger had never been before.  Miss Haywood and Miss Stewart were the people who took them.  There was an extra amount of people on the boat, mostly children.  We got shells, and clams, and conch, starfish, spider crabs and lady crabs.  It was a little rocky on the boat (Billy interpolates, "Yes, quite a little").  The smoke went down on the water but it did not RAIN.  We went at 8:30 and got home at about 11 or 12.  We had a very nice time on the boat.  Dicky Veeder, Captain Veeder's grandson, driver of the CAYADETTA, and his friend got out in the rowboat and rowed while they were dredging.  The rowboat drags in the 
cont. on page 4.
page 2 column 1

GARDINER ROAD NEWS.
Roger Stokey, Editor.

MRS. STOKEY AND THE STOKEY CHILDREN ARE GOING HOME ON AUG. 29.  WE ARE GOING TO BOSTON THEN TAKE THE BOAT FROM BOSTON TO SAVANNAH, AND THEN TAKE THE TRAIN FROM SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, TO ATLANTA.    R.P.S.
--------------------
Dr. Lenette M. Rogers, who has been working in Botany at the University of Louvain returned to this country this week.  Her parents have bought a cottage on Gardiner Road, just beyond the marsh.  Miss Rogers has been a frequent visitor to Fernbank since her arrival in Woods Hole.
- - - - -
Miss Madeline Munro, of London, is visiting at Fernbank.  She arrived Friday from New York.  All the Fernbankers, Mr. Rogers, and Miss Rogers were at the boat to meet her.  Miss Munro visited at Fernbank in 1924.
- - - -
Mrs. Cameron, formerly of Faculty House, Miss Brenda Cameron, of the Hopkins School, and Mr. Basil Lyons of Philadelphia, were visitors at Fernbank Tuesday, Aug. 16th.  They drove over from Mattapoisett.
--------------------
Mr. Rogers, Mrs. Rogers and Miss Lenette Rogers had planned to take Miss Munro, Mrs. Evans and Miss Stokey to Plymouth in their motor car, but they are feeling at the moment of going to press that no conveyance except a boat will ever be needed again.
---------------
Dicky Veeder, grandson of Captain Veeder of the S.S. CAYADETTA, has a new rowboat.  It is not really a new rowboat but new to him.    B.F.S.
- - - -
WOOD HOLE NEWS.  Woods Hole is like Venice - we have so much water.  It is raining to-day and I think it will rain all the day.  Pretty soon we will have to use Miss Clapp's boat to go out.  Water is inside the Fernbank breakwater.
K.S.
----------------
We are going on the ISLANDER over to Gay Head to have a picnic, and we are going to get some clay and model, and we are going to have our lunch over there, and we are coming home on the ISLANDER, too.
page 2 column 2

There is a big post and a little post out in the middle of the pond, and the big post is bigger than the little post; and there are some other posts; and there is another big post beside the big post, and an oar beside the little post.  Sometimes we get stuck on the posts, so we put real big posts beside them so we won't get stuck on them.
R.P.S.
----------------
Knitting is one of the favorite indoor sports during the rainy season.  Miss Munro has given instruction to members of the editorial staff.
- - - -
Aunt Alma gave me a glass dish about 8 in. around and a glass top about 10 in. around, and some rich soil in it, and a little fern is growing in it; and Aunt Alma is letting me take it home in a baking-powder can with some rich soil in it; and I have a flower pot about 8 in. around and some rich soil in it and a big fern in it.    R.P.S.
- - - - - -
Mr. Farnham, Mr. David Pike, and Mr. Walter Pike (Pipe, according to R.P.S.) came by sport car from Philadelphia, that is Mr. David and Mr. Walter Pike came from Philadelphia and Mr. Farnham came from New York City, on Saturday.
- - - -
Miss Stewart and Margaret will sing at a recital to be given at Fernbank, Thursday afternoon.  Billy Stokey will play the violin.  Mrs. Stokey will play the accompaniments.  The concert will include seven pieces which are 
A Legend..........P. Tschaikowsky
Colette..........F. Gevaert
O, if Mother Volga..........Panchenko
O Gladsome Light..........Archangelsky
The Farmer's Daughters..........Traditional.
Assisted by Kathleen Stokey
Would God I Were the Tender Apple Blossom..........Old Irish Song
Praise the Name of the Lord..........Ivanof
​B.F.S.
page 3, version A, column 1

SOCIETY NEWS.
Editor, Kathleen Stokey.

Half-day visitors to Fernbank.
Mr. David Pike, Mr. Walter Pike, Mr. Farnham
Mr. David Pike, Mr. Walter Pike, and Mr. Farnham visited at Fernbank, on August 20, 1927.  They came to Aunt Alma's laboratory and then we went and looked at the loon.  The loon was where they keep the seals and shark.

Sport car.
Then Roger, Billy, Kathleen, the two Mr. Pikes and Mr. Farnham took them home from seeing the loon.  Then Mr. Farnham took Kathleen, Billy, Margaret and Roger out for a ride to Nobska.  Then we came home again.  By that time lunch was ready.
Sitting places: Miss Munro sat by the window on the west side, next Mr. David Pike, next Kathleen, next Aunt Alma.  Then on the east side Mr. Farnham, next Billy, next Mother, next Roger.
Little table seaters: west side, Aunt Eva; east side, Margaret, south side, Mr. Walter Pike.
After lunch, Billy, Kathleen, and Mr. Farnham went to the bathing beach and watched the tide while the dishes were being done.  In about an hour we went home.  Then Mr. Pike (David) took Aunt Alma, Aunt Eva, Mother and Miss Munro out for a ride.  They went to Falmouth Heights.  Then they came home.
While they were at Falmouth Heights, Margaret, Roger, Mr. Walter Pike and Kathleen played a game of Mah Jong, while Mr. Farnham and Billy played cards.  Then cards was played and singing.  By that time the grown ups came home from the ride.  Then Mr. Farnham and Mr. Walter Pike took Kathleen, Roger, Billy and Margaret for a ride.
Rumble seat.  We all liked to ride in the rumble seat.  It is lots of fun.  And we all like the end places in the rumble seat.  Then we came home and talked while the picnic was being gotten ready.
The picnic.  Finally the picnic was ready so we started off.  At first we were going to Nobska but we didn't go because it looked like
page 3, version A, column 2

rain, and too, it was late, so we went to our regular picnic beach - I suppose you know where it is - Mr. Walter Pike took Kathleen, Margaret, Roger and Billy to the picnic.  They got there first.  Then came Aunt Alma, Mr. Farnham, Mother and Miss Munro.  They got there second.  Then came Aunt Eva and Mr. David Pike.  They got there third.  First we played while the sandwiches were being fixed with the lobster.  Then we ate, and ate, and ate.
Our meal.
1. Lobster sandwiches
2. Peanut butter sandwiches
3. Raisin bread sandwiches
Drinks: hot tea, medium lemonade.
Vegetables: tomatoes, lettuce
Dessert:
Fruit: plums and pears
Cake: chocolate cake
The rest of the time we played skip stones, hunted for shells and seaweeds, and climbed on rocks.
SPECIALLY THE BIG ROCK.
The evening.  After we had gotten home Roger went to bed, then Billy, then Kathleen, then Margaret.
The grown-ups went over to Dr. Meyer and Aunt Eva and Mr. David Pike sang.  Dr. and Mrs. Meyer played.  They went home about eleven o'clock, at night.  They went to bed about half past eleven.
Sunday morning visitors.
Mr. Walter Pike, Mr. David Pike, and Mr. Farnham came on Sunday about 10 o'clock.  Aunt Eva took four pictures, Margaret two, and Billy, one.  They had not had any breakfast and it was about 11 o'clock by this time so they started.  Roger, Kathleen and Billy ran up to the corner and saw them come around the corner from Gosnold Road.  We waved until they were out of sight.     K.S.
-----------------------------
Editor's note: Great interest is taken in the type used in printing this paper, especially by K.S. and R.P.S.  They supervise the capitals, spacing and underscoring, keeping the typesetter to a high standard of work.  They do not supervise spelling and punctuation.
page 3, version B column 1

Sporting News.
Editor, Billy Stokey.
We have missed swimming two times because there were rainy days.  (R.P.S.)

Roger skipped a stone nine times on Saturday.   (R.P.S.)
Mr. Farnham, who witnessed this feat cannot vouch for the number of times but said that the stone made a large number of small skips.   (A.G.S.)

- - - -
Roger can go out in the boat by himself.  Kathleen can go out in the boat by herself, too, because I gave her a test.  The first test was to go over to Miss Clapp's dock and put the boat away and get it out.  The second test was to row around the pond once; and the third test was that Roger pushed her out by herself and made her come back.  Billy gave me a test, too.  Roger's test was to go from our dock to Miss Clapp's dock, and the second test was to row around the pond once, and the third test was to go around the pond twice.
(Communicated by Roger Stokey)

- - - - -

Swimming.  Margaret and Billy went out to the raft by themselves on Monday.  They had to swim about 50 ft.   B.F.S.

- - - - - -

Spar Buoys.
We have some buoys in the pond.  They included a buoy by the big post, one by the little post, one by a barrel and some by rocks.  One was a floating buoy.  It was a little board about 2 1/2 in. by 9 inches and is anchored to a rock.  We put them up because we sometimes got stuck on the rocks and posts and barrel.
B.F.S.

- - - -
Kathleen swam back from the raft a few days ago, accompanied, but not assisted by Miss Haywood.

-----

Billy and Margaret have bicycled to Nobska several times.
Miss Alma Stokey bicycles to the fish market, with more or less success.  Mrs. Stokey mends stockings afterwards if Miss Stokey impairs them in a forced dismount.  She is fearless in traffic, but finds it desirable to avoid the hills, owing to the effect on the hills.
page 3, version B column 2

Gardiner Road News

Dr. Lenette M. Rogers who has been working at the University of Louvain in Botany returned to this country this week.  Her parents have bought a cottage on Gardiner Road, just beyond the marsh.  Miss Rogers has been a frequent visitor at Fernbank, since her arrival in Woods Hole.
- - - -
Miss Madeline Munro, of London, is visiting at Fernbank.  She arrived Friday from New York.  All the Fernbankers, Mr. and Miss Rogers were at the boat to meet her.  Miss Munro visited at Fernbank in 1924.
- - - - - -
Miss Stewart and Margaret will sing at a concert to be given at Fernbank, Thursday afternoon.  Billy Stokey will play the violin.  Mrs. Stokey will play the accompaniments.  The concert will include seven pieces which are
A Legend.......P. Tschaikowsky
Coletta.......F. Gevaert
O if Mother Volga.......W. Pantcheko
O Gladsome Light.......A. Archangelsky
The Farmers Daughters.......Traditional English song
Assisted by Kathleen Stokey
Would God I were the Tender Apple Blossom.......Old Irish Song.
Praise the Name of the Lord......P. Ivanoff
B.F.S.
- - - - - - -
We are going on the Islander over to Gay Head to have a picnic, and we are going to get some clay and model things, and we are going to have our lunch over there.  And we are coming home on the Islander, too.   R.P.S.
- - - - - -
Aunt Alma gave me a glass dish about 8 in. around and a top around 10 in. around and some rich soil in it and a little fern is growing in it, and Aunt Alma is letting me take it home in a bakingpowder can with some rich soil in it and the plant in the rich soil and I have a flower pot about 8 in. around and some rich soil in it and a big fern in it.   R.P.S.

- - - -
Mr. Farnham, Mr. David Pike, and Mr. Walter Pike (Pipe according to R.P.S) came by sport car from Philadelphia, that is Mr. Pike came from Philadelphia and Mr. Farnham from New York City, on Saturday.
page 4 column 1

Gardiner Road News, continued.

MRS. STOKEY AND THE STOKEY CHILDREN ARE GOING HOME ON AUGUST THE 29th.  WE ARE GOING TO BOSTON THEN TAKE THE BOAT FROM BOSTON TO SAVANNAH AND THEN TAKE THE TRAIN FROM SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, TO ATLANTA.   R.P.S.
- - - - - -
Dickie Veeder, grandson of Captain Veeder of the S.S. CAYADETTA, has a new rowboat.  It is not really a new one but new to him.   B.F.S.
- - - - -
There is a big post and a little post out in the middle of the pond and the big post is bigger than the little post.  And there are some other posts and there is another big post beside the big post and an oar beside the little post.  Sometimes we get stuck on the posts so we put real big posts beside them so we won't get stuck on them.   R.P.S.
- - -
Mrs. Cameron, formerly of Faculty House, Miss Brenda Cameron of the Hopkins School, Burlington Vt., and Mr. Basil Lyons of Philadelphia, were visitors at Fernbank Tuesday, Aug. 16th.  They drove over from Mattapoisett.
- - -
August 24.  MORE WEATHER and WORSE.  The waters are rising around us and the boats are being prepared to take off the inhabitants of Fernbank.  The waves are breaking high on the southern shore of the Millpond (or, in juvenile phraseology "busting on Captain Veeder's bank.")   A.G.S.
- - -
Mr. and Mrs. Rogers and Miss Lenette Rogers had planned to take Miss Munro, Mrs. Evans and Miss Stokey to Plymouth on Aug. 24th, in their motor car, but they are feeling at the moment of going to press that no conveyance except a boat will ever be needed again.
- - - -
Woods Hole News: Woods Hole is like Venice - we have had so much water.  It is raining to-day and I think it will rain all the day.  Pretty soon we will have to use Miss Clapp's boat to go out.  Water is inside the Fernbank breakwater.
K.S.
page 4 column 2

News from the South.  R.P.S. Editor

Aunt Ruthie got a new car last year and Roger was the first one of our family to see it.   R.P.S.
- - -
Mr. Stokey got a new car and it has little seats and is an open Buick and it is second hand.  The old Buick this is its 13th year.  The old car was an open Buick, too.  He was going to trade it in but he found out he wouldn't.  He keeps the new car in the garage and we don't know where he keeps the old car.  Roger thinks he keeps the old car in the back yard.   (R.P.S.)
- - -
They are building some new houses on Eighth Street, in Atlanta.   (R.P.S.)
- - -
We are much interested in the appearance of a new southern journal - the esteemed "BUNGALOW BREVITIES."  It met with a favourable reception and was eagerly read and re-read by all the residents of Fernbank who are able to read, and it has been read to all who are not able to read its elegant verbiage.
- - -
Scientific Items.
A case of Emergent Evolution has been reported from Atlanta.  A certain well-known Lobster has been reported as making progress towards a higher state.  Others have suggested that his handling of checks, or rather the omissions in his checks, suggest that he may merely be headed towards the Prawn stage, or perhaps the Crab.
- - - -
-----------------------
Knitting is one of the favorite indoor sports during the RAINY SEASON.
Miss Munro has been giving instructions to members of the editorial staff.
------------------------
Continued from Page 1.
​back of the CAYADETTA.  Dicky drives a little bit.  Dicky is about 10.  He invited us into the pilot house.  We were sorry when we had to get off.   (K.S.)
page 5 column 1

CHILDREN'S PAGE (or column, if copy gives out).  Editor. K.S.
JOKES
GOLDEN CORN AND A LITTLE WHITE TOOTH.
Golden corn so fresh and sweet
That we eat and we eat and we eat,
Can make our Editor to Gardiner Road's tooth so loose
That he has to show them to one and all,
And feel it until it nearly has a fall.
So Golden corn so fresh and sweet
That we eat and eat and eat and eat
Can make our Editor's teeth nearly fall,
That is all, yes that is all.  K.S.
- - - - - - - -
RAIN.
RAIN TO VENICE.
Oh goodness, it is raining us all the way to Venice.
I could not ever speak that funny kind of Italian.
How could we ever buy our food.
We would have to learn how to make a living pretty soon.
Venice, Venice.  We are getting into Venice.
Pretty soon we will have to borrow Miss Clapp's boat,
And we might have to have a nap and float.
O goodness, O goodness we need a boat.
Have we got one?  Nope, nope, nope.
It is raining to Venice, O goodness me.
They might have a war with us, maybe, maybe.
How would we get back to Atlanta by boat?
We would have to buy us a piece of soap
To clean us and scrub us, we have enough water.
What could we have, my daughter?
Answer: I don't know, Mother.
Do you know, brother?
No, not I.
We shouldn't cry.
Do you know father?
O just go on to Venice
They might be able to lend us
The soap; we don't need any water.
No, my daughter, we don't need any water.
​The end.   K.S.
page 5 column 2

Alphabet in Rain.
A - is for All
B - is for Ball
C - is for Call
D - is for Doll
E - is for Eall
F - is for Fall
G - is for Gaul
H - is for Hall
I - is for I call
J - is for Jackal
K - is for Kaw
L - is for Law
M - is for Maul
N - is for Not at all
O - is for Overall
P - is for Paul
Q - is for Qual
R - is for Raw
S - is for Saw
T - is for Tall
U - is for U all
V - is for Very tall
W is for Wall
X - is for X all
Y is for Yawl
Z - is for Zall.
The end.    K.S.
-----------------------
ROGER'S TOOTH.
Roger's tooth has come out
And he's so proud he walks all about.
His tooth came out without his knowing it,
And he wasn't even blowing it.
It worked loose the night before,
And came out at twenty-five minutes before seven the next evening;
You'd better believe it's just been leaving.
It came out without me making a sound.
And he didn't even look like a clown.
My tooth is going to be in by the time I am back;
He might carry his old one back in a sack.
He goes around and shows it to everybody
And asks if he looks better or worse;
He is six years old and does not have a nurse.
He took one bite and then a few more;
And he made it loose with all four.
K.S. and R.P.S.
page 6, version 1: column 1

POETRY COLUMN

What of the weather?
Wetter and wetter.
What of the water?
Higher, O daughter.
Where does the sun shine?
Not here, sons of mine.
When will the clouds pass?
Some other day, lass.
Does England ever
Have such bad weather?
No, children, never.
Aug. 24, 1927.   M. Munro.
----------------
Reflections on a Golden Bantam Supper at Fernbank, Aug. 23, 1927.

"Rise from the table
If you are able."

Please, dear Aunt Eva,
These we have eaten:
   Hot macaroni,
   Peppers, tomatoes,
   Cheese and potatoes,
   Corn of the freshest,
   Mellow with butter;
   More corn to follow
   Spread with more butter,
   Corn for a third time,
   Tender and juicy;
   Scones in the plural
   Hot from the oven -
(Pause here for breathers
   Then onward who can)
   Blueberries luscious
   Cream flowing freely.
Would we like tea tonight?
Tea holds no further charm.
Cheers for the Bantam,
Short, sweet and golden;
Would that it ripened
Far off in England.
M.M.
------------------------
Notes about poets.
Doris Wilson, now Mrs. Helwig, who contributed to our first number, composes at the typewriter.
Kathleen Stokey ordinarily dictates her poetry, but in a few critical cases, as in her "Alfabet in Rain" She writes it in pencil first.  After dictating "Golden Corn and a Little White Tooth" she remarked "That went so easily I could write lots of poetry if I knew what to write about."
Note influence of M.M. on K.S.
page 6, version 1: column 2

Thursday, Aug. 25th.
PERFECT WEATHER..  It is a pleasant day - a most pleasant day.  (The Rogerian definition on "pleasant" is used in these columns: "It is a nice fine day and Mother says you ought to go out of doors and enjoy it.")  The Fernbankers accept that definition and act on it, so we are off to GAY HEAD.
--------------------
Master Roger Stokey announces that his tooth is still out.
--------------------
Music Notes.
The Choral Club will continue its rehearsals through August, in preparation for the concert of 1928.  They are working on eight new numbers.  Mr. Gorokhoff looks more hopeful than earlier in the season, except when he is looking at the sopranos.  He threatens to withdraw our beloved Palestrina number "Tu es Petrus" unless the sopranos increase in number and precision.
Among the visitors seen at rehearsals are Mrs. Stokey, Miss Munro and Miss Margaret Stokey.  Miss Margaret Stokey is toujours faithful; her attendance is a model for the temperamental sopranos.
----------------------
Arts and Crafts
There has been a revival of the art of knitting.  If the RAINY SEASON continues, the whole editorial staff may become expert in the art of knitting.  The most junior editor has offered to the most senior editor a contribution for her African (Rogerian for "Afghan").
Fernbank possess one and a half pairs of knitting needles.  In the emergency, lead pencils, orange sticks, and lollipop sticks have been substituted for the conventional needle.
- - - - -
There has been a revival of home dressmaking, also.  Some of it is at present in the state of intention, but some is visible.  Miss Margaret Stokey has been seen at work on a dimity dress.  Miss Alma Stokey is thinking of making a green challie dress.
(Ed. note: she thought better of it; she made a skirt instead, being less exhausting.)
(page 6, version 1: column 1)

Reflections on a Golden Bantam Supper at Fernbank, August 23, 1927.
"Rise from the table
If you are able."

Please, dear Aunt Eva
These we have eaten:
    Hot macaroni,
    Peppers, tomatoes,
    Cheese and potatoes,
    Corn of the freshest,
        Mellow with butter
    More corn to follow
        Spread with more butter,
    Corn for a third time,
        Tender and juicy,
    Scones in the plural,
    Hot from the oven - 
    (Pause here for breathers
        Then onward who can)
    Blueberries luscious
    Cream flowing freely.

Would we like tea tonight?
Tea holds no further charm.

    Cheers for the Bantam
    Short, sweet, and golden;
    Would that it ripened
    Far off in England.
M.M.

- - - -
Roger's Tooth.
Roger's Tooth has come out
And he's so proud he walks all about.
His tooth came out without him knowing it.
And he wasn't even blowing it.
It worked loose the night before
And came out at twenty-five minutes before seven the next evening.
You'd better believe it's just been leaving.
It came out without me making a sound
And he didn't even look like a clown.
My tooth is going to be in by the time I'm back.
He might carry his old one back in a sack.
He goes around and shows it to everybody
And asks whether he looks better or worse.
He is six years old and doesn't have a nurse.
​He took one bite and then a few more.
And he made it loose with all the four.
(Dictated more or less antiphonally by R.P.S. and K.S.)
page 6, version 2: column 2

FRIDAY EVENING AT THE M.B.L. CLUB HOUSE.
Picture a room having a smaller portion (A) abutting on the street, a large central portion (B) occupied by 4 rows of chairs, and a still more spacious rear portion (C) with a bench and other seats for guests, who may descend from the upper floor or pass unnoticed to the street by a side door.
People C with a shifting audience and three constants, one of these having recently arrived from the other side.  Let these face A from 8 P.M. till 9:30 P.M.
People B with a goodly number of earnest men and women scientists and near-of-kin.  Let them face A.
People A with a pianist seated at a piano and a conductor of sturdy build, long-haired, deep voiced, keen eared, with roving eye, persuasive, eager and compelling -
Seat yourself among the constants - 
​Now watch and listen - 
[I'm only transcribing the conductor's side.  You should look at the actual page for the choir's side.]
CONDUCTOR
Awright!  (pp staccato)
Awready!  (pp staccato)
Pom. Pom. Pom. (Basses)
Pom, Pom, Pom, Tenors (ff) 
Pom, Pom, Pom, Altos (fff)
Pom, Pom, Pom, Sopranos (ffff)

Sh Sh Sh Sh (f)
Awright    now
Pom, pom, pom
Basses, that's better
Pom Tenors, that's right
Pom Altos, crescendo
Pom Sopranos, watch me.
I
lof
my
lof
be
​cause
my
lof
lofs
me
That's enough
Sh Sh Sh Sh.
Once more from the beginning.
(Da Capo)
     continued on page 7, 1st column
(page 7, column 1)

       Continued from page 6.
By dint of enthusiasm, criticism, encouragement and more criticism the new song was given shape and tone till the audience felt constrained to cheer, but cheering must be reserved for the concert of 1928.
In the meantime hearty congratulations may be offered to the conductor and choir for their rendering of Purcell's "With Drooping Wings," and Gevaert's "Coletta" and the Cornish folk-song referred to above.
From the back of the room, looking across the rhythmically heaving forms of bases and tenors, and the pulsing heads of altos and sopranos, only the supradiaphragm levels of the conductor could be seen.  The idea that he was an expert equestrian leading a cavalry charge was only strengthened by the remark of a pedestrian passing along the street - "I didn't know there was a stable right here."
Other rehearsals on Tuesdays and succeeding Fridays.  Ask your friends to invite you to the M.B.L. whether you are a scientist or merely an observer of human nature and achievement.
M.M.
----------------
Thursday Aug. 25.  Master Roger Stokey announces that his tooth is still out.
----------------
Thursday.  Aug. 25th.  PERFECT WEATHER.  It is a pleasant day - a most pleasant day.  (The Rogerian definition of pleasant is used in these columns "It is a nice fine day and Mother says you ought to go out of doors and enjoy it.")  The Fernbankers accept that definition and act on it, so we are off for GAY HEAD.
(page 7, column 2)

Music notes.
The Choral Club will continue its rehearsals through August, in preparation for the concert of 1928.  They are working on eight new numbers.  Mr. Gorikhoff looks more hopeful than earlier in the season, except when he is looking at the sopranos.  He threatens to withdraw our beloved Palestrina number "Tu es Petrus" unless the sopranos increase in number and precision.
Among the visitors seen at rehearsals are Mrs. Stokey, Miss Munro and Miss Margaret Stokey.  Miss Margaret Stokey is toujours faithful; her attendance at rehearsals is a model for the temperamental sopranos.

- - - - -

ARTS AND CRAFTS

There has been a revival of the art of knitting.  If the RAINY SEASON continues the whole editorial staff may become expert in the art of knitting.  The most junior editor has offered to the most senior editor a contribution for her African (Rogerian for "Afghan.")
Fernbank possesses but one and a half pair of knitting needles.  In the emergency lead pencils, orange sticks, and lollipop sticks have been substituted for the conventional needle.

- - -

There has been a revival of home dressmaking also.  Some of it at present is in the state of intention, but some is visible.  Miss Margaret Stokey has been seen at work on a dimity dress.  Miss Alma Stokey is thinking of making a green challie dress.
(Ed. note: She thought better of it; she began a skirt, instead, as being less exhausting.)
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1.
This is a stop in the Tour of the nineteen editions of The Fernbank News that were published over the course of nearly 40 years.
​The brochure for this Tour is at: ​
​2.
This dock in importance rivals the famous Million Dollar Pier of Chicago.
Google's AI says:
The term "million dollar pier" likely refers to Chicago's Navy Pier, which was completed in 1916 at a cost of $4.5 million. Originally called Municipal Pier #2, it was built for both shipping and public recreation as part of Daniel Burnham's Plan of Chicago. It was renamed Navy Pier in 1927 to honor naval personnel who served there during World War I.

3.
The number of nails used in its construction is a guarantee of its permanence.
I am reminded of my father (Roger) enthusiastically using tape when wrapping Christmas presents.  When I was four years old, I asked my mother what I should get my father for Christmas.  She suggested Scotch tape.  It wasn't until years later that I realized that this Scotch tape would have been a joke.

4.
Another important engineering feat of the past week was the rebuilding of the drive between Fernbank and Neuveannée.
I gather from other references to Neuveannée that it was the house to the left of Fernbank as you faced Fernbank from Gardiner Road.  I can't figure out if this drive was a driveway shared between the two cottages or if there was a pathway running between the two cottages.

5.
There was an informal musical at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Meyer, Saturday evening, Aug. 20th.
​The Meyers are in the Non-Family page for Woods Hole folks on this website.

6.
Dr. Lenette M. Rogers, who has been working in Botany at the University of Louvain returned to this country this week.  Her parents have bought a cottage on Gardiner Road, just beyond the marsh.  Miss Rogers has been a frequent visitor to Fernbank since her arrival in Woods Hole.
Lenette Rogers Atkinson is on the Non-Family page for South Hadley folks on this website.

7.
Miss Madeline Munro, of London, is visiting at Fernbank.  She arrived Friday from New York.  All the Fernbankers, Mr. Rogers, and Miss Rogers were at the boat to meet her.  Miss Munro visited at Fernbank in 1924.
Miss Munro is on the Non-Family page for Woods Hole folks on this website.

8.
WOOD HOLE NEWS.  Woods Hole is like Venice - we have so much water.  It is raining to-day and I think it will rain all the day.  Pretty soon we will have to use Miss Clapp's boat to go out.  Water is inside the Fernbank breakwater.
Cornelia Clapp is on the Non-Family pages for both South Hadley folks and Woods Hole folks on this website.

9.
Mr. Stokey got a new car and it has little seats and is an open Buick and it is second hand.  The old Buick this is its 13th year.  The old car was an open Buick, too.  He was going to trade it in but he found out he wouldn't.  He keeps the new car in the garage and we don't know where he keeps the old car.  Roger thinks he keeps the old car in the back yard.
The old Buick was bought in 1915 - see:​ ​This newly purchased Buick must be the one that later made Kay shudder see: ​
There's more about both Buicks in:
10.
We are much interested in the appearance of a new southern journal - the esteemed "BUNGALOW BREVITIES."  It met with a favourable reception and was eagerly read and re-read by all the residents of Fernbank who are able to read, and it has been read to all who are not able to read its elegant verbiage.
We have a couple of issues - probably the only two issues - of Bungalow Brevities.  So far I've uploaded the first one:
11.
​Scientific Items.
A case of Emergent Evolution has been reported from Atlanta.  A certain well-known Lobster has been reported as making progress towards a higher state.  Others have suggested that his handling of checks, or rather the omissions in his checks, suggest that he may merely be headed towards the Prawn stage, or perhaps the Crab.
There are family jokes here.  I do not know what they are.  It seems to be about Will sending checks to Woods Hole, but more than that I cannot say, except: What a lot of checks Will sent in his life!

12.
It is a pleasant day - a most pleasant day.  (The Rogerian definition of pleasant is used in these columns "It is a nice fine day and Mother says you ought to go out of doors and enjoy it.")  The Fernbankers accept that definition and act on it, so we are off for GAY HEAD.
Fred expressed approval of this definition in a letter home, which I don't think I've uploaded yet.  I read the letter before I read this definition.  It was very frustrating because Fred didn't tell what the definition was, and I wanted to know what cute thing my six-year-old father said!
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