Page 55 - 1913 May - To Dragma

214 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

G A M M A , U N I V E R S I T Y OF M A I N E

March winds are fast blowing vacation and home thoughts into
the heads of Gamma girls. But looking back to our last vacation,
although time has passed very quickly, we think of many delightful
happenings in which our faraway sisters may be interested.

Shortly after Christmas we gave our annual "at home" for all
the girls in college, but especially for the freshmen. Everybody
had the jolliest kind of a good time, and certainly our freshmen en-
joyed it. As we talked it all over afterwards we were surprised at
how much better acquainted we were with some of our girls.

Early in January, at the beginning of the new year, a great sorrow
came to Gamma girls in the death of Mrs. Balentine. Mere words
can never tell what Mrs. Balentine meant to her friends, and to the
university, but above all to her little chapter sisters. For us, she
was the loyal older sister and wise judge, the tender mother and
loving comforter, and the firm, steadfast friend. To her, we carried
all our joys, troubles, and sorrows, and received in turn, her sweet
word of praise or comfort, or her always just word of correction.
As the days go by, we realize more and more what her loss has meant
to us, and in time of perplexity, we often find ourselves turning in-
voluntarily toward the office where we were so long accustomed to see
the cheery, smiling face of our dear, white-haired friend.

With grief saddened hearts we made our plans for our annual
initiation and banquet, for we knew that Mrs. Balentine's first wish
would be that nothing should be interrupted for her sake. On the
evening of February 28, we held our initiation and banquet at the
Bangor House. Our ten new girls are true Alpha O. girls, we are
sure, and we are so happy to have them all. The new little sisters
are Imojen Wormwood, Elizabeth Hanlv, Muriel Colbath, Doris
Currier, Mildred Dow, Edith Flint, Florence Greenleaf, Helen
Norris, Sibyl Russell and Evelyn Winship. The banquet table was
gay with softly glowing red candles, and golden menus and place
cards. At the head of the table Tony was hidden by a great mass of
red carnations, and at the place of each initiate was a Jacqueminot
rose. Alice Harvey, as toastrnistress, was a great success, and each
little initiate responded bravely and brightly to her toast. Mrs.
Schoppe spoke briefly on "What Mrs. Balentine has meant to A O
n," and Helen Worster read " A Toast to the Red Rose." Many
of our older sisters were back and we had a jolly little reunion after
the banquet. Tired but happy, we boarded the last car for Orono.

Next Saturday the "Brown sisters," Sarah, Florence and Arline
will entertain us all, and we are looking forward eagerly to that day.
We were planning to have a grand sleigh ride this month, but alas,