6p, one sided pages, mimeograph on matte off white paper. Includes Molly Gregory's report on the Community Work Program. Faculty present for work camp: Harald Yanage, for American Seminar: Emilio de Hoffmansthal. Students present for summer school: Larry Fox. Visitors- Mrs. Anthony Tuve (mother of Rosemond), and Emely Larsen (Rosemond's aunt), Mr. and Mrs. Michael Higgins. Staple in top left corner, one horizontal fold.
BLACK MOUNTAIN COLLEGE COMMUNITY BULLETIN
College Year 10 Summer Bulletin 6
Monday, July 19, 1943
CALENDAR
Henry Adams will begin this evening at 6:45 o’clock, on the lawn in front of the Stone Cottage, a series of Monday evening news summaries and commentaries.
There will be a meeting of the Faculty and the Student Officers on Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 o’clock in the Kocher Room.
The Board of Fellows will meet at 5:00 o’clock on Thursday afternoon in Study 10.
The Lion’s Club of Black Mountain will have its annual dinner at Lake Eden on Thursday evening, July 22. The American Seminar and the other members of the College Community will have a picnic supper somewhere on the College grounds.
The Class in Drama since Ibsen will read aloud Pirandello’s “Naked” in the Bentley Apartment on Thursday evening, beginning promptly at 7:15 o’clock.
On Friday evening, July 23, at 8:00 o’clock C.K. Robinson, an editor on the staff of the Asheville Citizen, will “offer some remarks on the South, with politics somewhat involved in the subject.” The meeting will be held in the Dining Hall. (The Class in Dramatic Production scheduled for Friday evening, will meet instead, this week, on Tuesday evening).
There will be an all-Beethoven Concert on Saturday evening, July 24, at 8:00 o’clock. The musicians will be Trudi Straus and Frederic Cohen. The program will include the Spring Sonata and the Sonata Opus 30, Number 2.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Larry Kocher has been granted, by the Board of Fellows, a leave of absence from Black Mountain College for the duration of the war.
Betty Brett has just been informed that she has been appointed to the staff of Dalton School, in New York City, for the 1943-1944 session. She will be “an assistant in social studies and history under the direction of Mrs. Mukerji in the middle school.”
The Office has just sent to the printers a supplement to the College Catalogue and a booklet. The supplement will contain complete list of the present faculty. The booklet is entitled “Concerning Graduation at Black Mountain College” and contains excerpts from examiners’ reports, letters from officials of other colleges expressing their approval of the academic standards of Black Mountain College and comments by prominent people throughout the country who have expressed enthusiasm for the College program.
WITH FORMER STUDENTS
New Addresses: A/C W.C. Berry
Class 44 A
52nd F.T.D.
D. A.R.R. AeRO Tech.,
Albany, Georgia
Corporal R.L. Bliss
Co. A. 373 G.S. Regiment
E.U.T.C.
West Camp Clairborne
Louisiana
COMMUNITY CULLETIN – Summer Bulletin- page 2
New Addresses (continued)
Lieutenant Thomas Brooks
Co. F. 20th Armd. Regt.
APO 444
Camp Campbell, Kentucky
Nancy Farrell, Ens. USNR (Waves)
B.O.Q.A. 54
N.O.B.
Norfolk, Virginia
Frances Kuntz
Care E.S. James
Ranchos de Taos
New Mexico
Bill Berry is now at “Primary School” in Albany, Georgia. She writes, in part: “a good advertisement for the South. A model little town of about 19,000, with wide, clean streets with palm trees lining the sides. The population is about half negro, from what I’ve seen they get along fairly well. From what I heard before I joined the Army, most cadets were strongly anti-negro. I haven’t noticed it particularly. Partly, I guess, because you don’t seem to think about things not immediately concerning yourself in the Army. Especially in an accelerated Course, where there’s plenty to think about anyways.
“I haven’t had much time to myself; even an open post spur actions are pretty well pre-ordained. The choice seems invariably to be among a show, a date or a binge. Probably because the last two, after a tough week, seem to be the height of relaxation or something, and you can always fall back on the first. “I’m taking two ground school courses, in Theory of Flight (aptly mispronounced “Theory of Fright”) and Airplane Engines. Most of the courses I had at Maxwell were either dull, like “War Department Publications” or repetitions, like Physics. I’d probably prefer something else if I could get it but they don’t seem to have any elections here… The post here… more closely resembles a country club than an army camp. We fly in the morning and have ground school and physical training in the afternoon. We don’t drill much, the food is good, we are treated like gentlemen, or at least like men.”
Corporal Bob Bliss writes from West Camp Clairborne: “No one knows what we are doing down here, but they manage to keep us working- I’ve been out cutting grass under the Louisiana sun all day.”
Lieutenant Thomas Brooks writes from Camp Campbell: “I just finished a most excellent 10 days vacation. I saw a goodly number of people, namely, Mendez, Will, Connie, Fernando, Poco, Barbara Pollet and her sister “Polly”, Leslie Cynthia, and Suzie. Most excellent… I have been assigned to a tank company in a tank regiment otherwise known as an armored Regiment to us. By the time I finish a summer in those vehicles in this climate I’ll be completely dehydrated.”
Frances Kuntz writes from New Mexico: “I am now breaking near Taos, New Mexico, which is delightful. I needed a rest badly so I’m not working as yet on a thing. Of course, I’ve only been here a few days… I live in an adobe hut with Guthrie McClintock’s secretary. We have a charming sun baked patio, where grow husky hollyhocks (the only flowers that can withstand the cruel dryness) and I look out on flat semi-desert, other adobe villages and great craggy mountains. This pleasant interim lasts until the end of August.”
One of the Frances’ drawings for a production of “Frogs” by Aristophanes appeared in the July issue of Theatre Arts.
BMC COMMUNITY BULLETIN- Summer Bulletin 6- page 3
WITH THE 1942-43 STUDENTS
New Addresses: Shirley Allen
Care Worldover Press
Hotel Marik
Cueravaea, Mor. Mexico.
Betty Kelley is spending a few days at Lake Eden before reporting for study and work in the Plymouth Drama Festival in Massachusetts. She is helping Mrs. Rice in the library.
Isaac Nakata left Lake Eden yesterday for Fort Bragg for processing, and for assignment, ultimately, to the Japanese-American Combat Team.
Ruth O’Neill writes from Milwaukee, Wisconsin: “The excitement is over, Paco has returned to New York, and what promises to be a very uneventful summer is underway… Paco came out to Milwaukee to spend his two-week vacation, and while he was here we announced our engagement to friends of the family who were invited to an open house on Sunday, June 27… Two hours of my time every morning are spent at the Milwaukee Vocational School learning to type.”
WITH THE TEACHERS
Anni Albers left on Friday afternoon for New York City for a short vacation. She and Mr. Albers will return to Lake Eden the last week in July.
Edward Lowinsky writes from Berkeley, California: “Gretel and I had a very good trip and.. a very interesting one. Most fascinating was the view on the Salt Lake which we crossed before and during sunset. Very strange was the desert landscape of Nebraska and Wyoming with its peculiar stone formations… We enjoy Berkeley, its amazing views on the bay, the cool climate, the beautiful weather very much and, of course, I enjoy the splendid library of the University and work hard to finish the book and meet my publisher’s deadline…”
Frances de Graaf writes from the campus of the University of Wisconsin: “It is interesting to see the reactions of different people here when you tell them you come from Black Mountain. An amazing number of people have heard about the College. The two most frequent misconceptions about us are: 1) that we are a College for poor and illiterate mountaineers, and 2) that we have a very exclusive group of rich students and that it is very expensive to go to BMC. The most difficult question to answer in a few words is in what our “experimental-ness” consists. When I have tried to explain it as best I can many of them say: “How I would love to be in a College like that!” It may just be politeness but it is certainly nice to hear it.
“My Polish Is coming along nicely and I am learning a lot about the Intensive Language Program.”
Molly Gregory’s Report on the Community Work Program
Summary of work accomplished since June 12:
The vacation period was one of rather frantic desperation. Torn between the encroaching weeds and the approaching summer population, our few workers and the few remaining members of the community worked hard and accomplished (if not everything) a surprising amount.
Both lodges are in better shape than previously- there was a badly needed general clean-up. The bathroom floors and the beds have been painted. Partitions (which can be moved easily) are in the attics of North Lodge. New curtains are up, and most of the bent nails have been removed from the walls.
The Jalowitz Cottage now has a new hot water heater. The kitchen ha a pressure reducer and a new boiler.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN- Summer Bulletin 6- page 4
Several bars (*handwritten word written above, in pencil) have been patched on various roofs.
New shelves are being constructed for the library.
In spite of the rains, that have produced a heavy crop of weeds, and a period of two few workers we can say that the tide has turned on the farm and things are going ahead. The arrival of students and work campers (who are good workers) has made this possible.
The major proportion of the vegetables we are not eating are our own.
All our milk comes from the farm. We have enough to drink three times a day, besides have been able to make about fifteen pounds of butter a week.
Eighty-three number 10 cans of beets and beans have been put up for us at the Farm School with the help of our students. By continuing on arrangement with the Farm School we can expect to prepare a large percentage of our own vegetables for the winter.
We are eating our own beef and pork and chickens.
Recently a fleet of small ducks (14 now) set sail on the lake; they had been hatched somewhere on the Lake shore. Six more pigs, numerous multi-colored chickens and a calf have also arrived.
A bull pen, now under construction and nearly completed, will make strolling around the farm safer.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
The Lecture Committee, composed of Henry Adams, Henry Black, Bob Kumabe, Herbert Miller and Nell Rice, has planned a summer schedule of talks that includes the following:
“Some problems of the South”, by C.K. Robinson, an editor of the Asheville Citizen. July 23rd
“Modern Architectural Problems” by Lawrence Kocher.
An address by Dr. Frank Aydelotte, Director of the Institute for Advanced Study.
“Nazi youth and the underground movement” by Karl Obermann, a member of the American Seminar.
“The Jew in Central Europe” by Victor Ornstein, a member of the American Seminar.
“Russia” by Mark Vishniak and Lily Koerber, members of the American Seminar.
The Concert and Entertainment Committee, that includes Eric Bentley, Frederic Cohen and Heinrich Jalowitz, ha made plans for the next four Saturday evenings:
An all-Beethoven Concert by Trudi Straus and Heinrich Jalowitz—July 24.
“Why I’m a Bachelor” a one-act farce enacted by the students in the Dramatic Composition Class—July 31st.
A Song Recital by Radiana Pazmore of Converse College—Aug.7.
REVIEW OF LAST WEEK AT LAKE EDEN:
The weather all week was a disagreeable mixture of morning mists noontime sultriness, and afternoon downpours. Saturday was the only day entirely free from rain.
BMC COMMUNITY BULLETIN- Summer Bulletin 6- page 5
On Monday and Wednesday morning Kenneth Kurtz discussed with his Summer School students and the American Seminar the influence of Benjamin Franklin upon American Life. On Friday he discussed with them the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States.
On Monday evening the Summer Quarter Chorus had its first rehearsal under Heinrich Jalowetz. Students, work campers, members of the American Seminar, teachers and faculty wives sang Bach Chorales. “From the Realms of Souls Departed” from Gluck’s “Orpheus”, and Mozart’s “Ave Verum Corpus”.
The Kochers returned to Lake Eden on Monday evening.
Eric Bentley addressed his Dramatic Literature Class and visitors on “The History of the Theatre”, emphasizing influences and innovations in modern stage design.
On Tuesday the students in Dramatic Production selected Seiler’s “Why I’m a Bachelor”, a farce, for their first summer project.
There was a General Meeting in the evening. At this session the community decided: 1) to have partially skimmed milk and homemade butter instead of full milk and no butter; 2) to divide the community work for the summer by assigning each area of work to a committee. (The new Committees decided upon were: Lecture, Concerts and Entertainment, Rooming, Fire Prevention.) 3) To request Barney Voigt to acquaint them with the flora of this region by putting exhibits in the Dining Hall, marking the trees near the campus centre, and planning occasional hikes.
At the weekly Faculty meeting on Wednesday
There was a discussion on the Student Self-Help Plan, suggested by Gorman Mattison and Bob Orr. A committee was named to draw up details of the plan, taking into account the suggestions made at the meeting.
The teachers approved, generally, the Summer Quarter registrations for classes of students and work campers;
Granted Ruth O’Neill a leave of absence for the 1943-44 session.
Accepted Jane Stone’s Upper Division Plan.
A mid-afternoon downpour drenched the members of the Seminar who had trusted the noon sunshine and started to the Pasture.
A number of people went down to Black Mountain after supper to see the movie “Bambi”.
Eric Bentley’s dramatic literature students read aloud Pinero’s “The Second Mrs. Tanqueray.”
Several people went down to Black Mountain on Friday evening to see a showing of the film “Yankee Doodle Dandy”.
Ted and Bobbie and Quintus Dreier returned to Lake Eden on Saturday morning.
Trudi and Erwin Straus had a tea for the American Seminar and the Faculty on Saturday afternoon.
Barbara Payne left for Knoxville to see Herbert Oppenheimer, stationed on the University of Knoxville campus.
On Saturday evening the Community gave a farewell beer party in the Dining Hall for Isaac Nakata. Accompanied at the piano by Frederic Cohen, the Community sang folk songs of many nations. Dr. Hansgirg then showed his technicolor movies of the California country-side, the World’s Fair and the Ice Carnival.
BMC COMMUNITY BULLETIN- Summer Bulletin 6- page 6
At a meeting of the Board of Fellows on Sunday afternoon:
Larry Kocher’s request for a leave of absence was granted.
The Board appointed an Executive Committee to handle “emergencies” during the Summer Quarter when it is difficult to assemble a quorum of Board members. This Committee will be composed “of all Board members present at Lake Eden and a representative from the Student Body.”
The tutors and the members of the American Seminar were Sunday evening supper guests of Herbert and Bessie Miller and Nell Rice on the porch of Black Dwarf.
Gwendolyn Currier, after a week of fever, was taken to the Mission Hospital in Asheville for examination and observation.
GUESTS:
From Washington, D.C., Mrs. Anthony Tuve, mother of Rosemond and Miss Emely Larsen, Rosemund’s aunt.
EXPECTED GUESTS:
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Higgins. Mr. Higgins is an Englishman working for the Indian government.
NEW ARRIVALS:
For American Seminar: Emilie de Hoffmansthal, an international lawyer, an Australian by birth, a citizen of Chile, now a resident of New York City.
Mrs. Helene Reiche of New York City.
For Work Camp: Harald Yanage, an architectural graduate from Illinois Institute of Technology- from Honolulu, Hawaii.
For Summer School: Larry Fox
NOTE:
THE LION’S CLUB ANNUAL DINNER, SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, JULY 22, HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL AUGUST 12.
