The_Rambler_1953-12-21

              THE
LONG ISLAND AGRICULTURAL AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
FARMINGDALE, L. L, N. Y.
Vol. XXIV, No. 4 * December 21, 1953
SEASON'S GREETINGS
THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
"THE NATIVITY SCENE"
by Claire Berg
This year, for the first time, the
Institute is celebrating Christmas
with a manger scene. There is
a rustic stable approximately 12
by 20 feet with figures of the
Family and other participants in
the Holy Nativity. These are life
size papier mache figures. Separated
by a fence, from the manger scene,
are .live animals from the Insti-tute.
When historians £et down the
attributes of these times, they may
say that it was a period of marked
commercialism of spiritual things,
including the spirit of Christmas.
We make such obvious and con-trary
efforts to dignify and to
cheapen, to exalt and to degrade.
Gifts in the original instance
were simple ones. They were tokens
of mutual rejoicing and love.
People were not dollar conscious.
The central fact was that a great,
new hope had come to men.
That hope has not been lost.
Often submerged and overwhelmed
by events of the day, sometimes
misdirected, it lives on.
It lives because men find in it
something that they will not let
go. It comes again and again in
the quiet hours to sustain and give
new courage.
Soon the Christmas lights will
shine on this campus. In addition,
we are symbolizng the event in a
different way this year and hope
that you will like it.
Soon, too, it will be quiet here
because most of you will have
gone to your homes or to visflt
friends and loved ones. May it be
a Good Christmas for you and
for them in the original and true
meaning of the term. May it be
a Good Christmas for the World.
Halsey B. Knapp
Director
'WHY STUDY DANCE"
by Judy Goldenblum
The stable is located about fifty
feet from Melville Road on the
lawn area in front of the Admini-stration
Building. During the even-ings
until taken down, the scene
will be spotlighted and people
traveling on Melville Road will be
able to stop and enjoy it.
We want to thank members of
our faculty and students of both
campuses for the work they did
In making the Nf.tivity Scene a
success.
All the confident, brave souls
who didn't feel they needed the
extra night of study and went to
the "Why Study Dance" had a
swell time.
The Senior class can chalk up
another success. Paul Hubell's five-piece
band supplied the music and
entertainment, and the specialty of
the evening was the bunny hop.
Dick Marshall got the lucky bal-loon
and won a ticket to the Snow
Ball. (Dick, what were you looking
for on the floor)
The refreshments, cider and
cookies, were enjoyed by all.
Special thanks go to Mr. and Mrs.
James, Mr. and Mrs. Dougher, and
Mr. Lewis for chaperoning the
SNOW BALL
by Jac Smit
During the past five years, the
educational facilities of LIATI have
trebled. But during this rush to
answer the demands for education
by young America, the social func-tions
Eo essential to a complete
college life have grown very little.
Two months ago the N. A. G.,
the most active club on campus,
decided to do something about this
Eiituation and bepan plans for a
really big college dance with all
the trimmings. There were, of
course, conservatives who said,
"Let's keep it small and be safe."
But the overwhelming opinion pre-vailed—"
What the school needs is
a Big Dance." Today, just one day
before the orchestra begins to tune
up, the plans are complete. Whit-man's
Ballroom, a few steps down
from the famous Picture Lounge,
has been hired. Eddie Abrams and
his "Velve-tones", after many fran-tic
long distance phone calls, has
agreed to play.
A professional' photographer has
been contacted to cover the crown-ing
of the Snow Queen and also
to take photos of any of her loyal
subjects, at their request. Debbie
Hazzard, with a tremendous crew
of loyal NAG'S, have completed
negotiations to convert the Ball-room
into a veritable "Winter
Wonderland".
John Kinney is preparing mouth-watering
refreshments inconceiv-able
east of Park Avenue. Space
has been assured for a thousand
coats; seating provided for more
than twice as many couples as
ever crowded into Knapp Hall.
Even ashtrays have been secured
to assure a clean dance floor.
This is the dance the N. A. G.
started for your holiday season
and may well be one you will tell
your kids about when they ask
you about your college life. Don't
forget!
SNOW BALL—with the Crowning
of the Snow Queen, December 19th.
Dancing from 8:30 to 12:30, to the
music of the Velvo-tones, in the
beautiful Whitman Ballroom. Only
$2.50 per couple—Sem'-Formal.
dance. Everyone had a great time!
P. S. We don't think anyone felt
any pangs of guilt about leaving
the books behind,