Dear Girls, old and new:
You wouldn’t believe it, but all summer long Salem has been getting ready for you. And now she is scrubbed and swept and varnished and made comfortable and opens her beautiful old hospitable doors to you.
For so many, many years Salem has been the tender and careful Mother of thousands of girls, and in just this spirit she opens her arms to you this year and bids you a motherly welcome—your Alma Mater.
We have been thinking of many little things which we hope will add to your happiness and comfort.
There have been arrangements made for more and better hot water, and I can hear you all say—“GRAND.”
There are electric connections in all the kitchenettes just yawning to receive the plugs of sundry percolators and toasters and fudgy chafing-dishes. Even Society Hall has a little private kitchenette corner all its own; and room 201 in Main Hall has deftly transformed itself into another kitchenette.
The new Infirmary is all ready to receive you, and our only fear is that you will get sick on purpose just because it is so pretty and attractive with its sunny yellow curtains, and cozy white beds, its charming diet kitchen in shining white porcelain and the bright little sun-porch and sitting room. In spite of the fact that it is so alluring. I am devoutly hoping that Dr. Pfohl will have scant business this year.
You will be glad to know that Miss Heath will be in charge of the infirmary. She has already endeared herself to many of the girls. Miss Daisy Bacot of South Carolina will be her assistant.
Mr. Tally has successfully placed (and only he could do it) a lovely old fountain in the Infirmary grounds. This will make a particularly pleasant outlook for the girls who room on the south of College Extension and on the west of Society Hall. We have flowers in the campus this summer,--a new thing. Mrs. Hampton and Mrs. Orrell, who are both born gardeners and love flowers, have scattered seeds here and there and made many bright spots in the habitual campus green. Some of the flowers are still blooming for you.
Mr. Tally has made a new path down into the Pleasure Grounds, which as you all know is the lower campus—I just love to use the grand old name. It is a gently graded path with two easy resting places,--two cozy seats for chatting. I feel sure that this new path will lure you down oftener into the companionship of the tall old trees and the myrtle covered slopes and the glinting little stream. The Swimming Pool has been open all summer for the Salem girls in town, the Alumnae and their children and other invited guests. We have had lots of fun in it and it has been most refreshing all thru the hot days. Mrs. King has capably managed it and is still in charge. You will all like her so much. Dot Frazier, Pearl Fishel and Barbara Heath have been the swimming supervisors for the summer. I know that you are all eager for your first dip.
One of the delightful features of this year will be that we will have all the women faculty living on the campus. The second floor of Main Hall has been given over to faculty rooms. This will bring them more than ever into our college family, and I know that you will welcome their presence heartily.
For the first time we will be living on the campus when you arrive. The beautiful new President’s House is yours as well as ours, and we went you to know that you are always welcome there. We want to know you each one, and you may often long for a little bit of home atmosphere when dormitory life becomes overwhelming.
Our latch-string is always out for you.
Most Sincerely Yours,
Katharine B. Rondthaler
From the front page of The Salemite, the Salem College Student newspaper, Winston-Salem, N.C., Sept. 12, 1925. To see a photograph of Bahnson Memorial Infirmary, go to:
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/2015236777/1925-09-12/ed-1/
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