The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

toacur'srliahtst-dweuvethotlytolovarrte m.Annewaildhsveths‘irlsinthekitchentodo me“hshin¢nndmin¢,whilelhsdthe bortsinthet-ith-dd-ferrateseintrgrain, [Injectwu V e . y so "rtotuiaui-r_dortochrtutye'ther kidsthought ithugreittodothisinschool time. It wnslikennoutintr. Between Anne end myself we unused quite a work load, it was a hands-on 'sxehanger-ideats kind ofdsy. Workintrtusagrouphelpiettreachotherthebrryt' cle-dtruitnndvetretableeoodrnadetstoragearoas. The girls in their colourful aprons, prepared flour, madedoutrhforbremdnndukimr,uaesdpestervodfruit sndbsked nuke. They particularly enjoyed Anne's strict but friendly approach, she never took preparing food lightly, but had the patience to help the helpless understandthewondersdcooking. Outinthebaruwewou1dhearthegirustringing togetherinthehousenndshriehsollsughterend dismey at their efforta. It was a roaring success, but then the kids behaved themselves, I was still their WMAKWMCh-cm. 'tA-tBiddu.mtimdthhr.lTutAer. ‘Mothersaidlhadto’aothekidahelpedwiththe dishes and some parents dropped by to pick them up. Anne saw to it that all the kids went home with some goodies after a lot of good natured tasting and comments. A project well conceived and executed. he Monday following I planned to follow up with I a talk on how plants and animals propagate. Bees and pollination, producing seeds and fruit, and animal breeding. All the students were familiar with chicks, puppies, kittens, lambing, calving. This was not new to them, nor were growing families for that matter. -i.-ti-tex_o-ur-sthar. uwM-mmdwm div-sit-rar-log-Hee-tmath. ummwmmmhmum ther-Frith-dn/tttalt-mia-tOve. Atsehoolthemslratoeowerudekruatiatg rathertunotmbug ie,tl'Sttf,il'ff,rt m touphinnho‘npmurvin‘ bakutr,andrmaddud throqht-tieamld, I did not go into the techniques of insemination, but I was rather engrossed answering questions on thor- oughbreds and crotwbreeding when Mrs. Mable Clay- more, a pillar of the community (to use her own words) and one of the school board trustees, along with Mrs. Symons from the IODE, paid one of her unannounced personal visits. This time excusing herself as the ladies were wanting to raise money to buy a piano and wanted to see where it might be kept. "We won't disturb you, Mr. Biddle." "No trouble ladies." They had come in by the girls entrance and stood at the back of the class. A visitor is an object of attention. The fimt graders sat wideeyed, silent, swiveled in their seats. The worldly wine seventh and eighth graders turned their attention to the intruders behind their backs grinning with joy at the distraction. "We're learning sex and breeding," miggem a male voice, breaking with puberty, and whose head would probably be joining his voice if I had been close enough. "Be quiet. . . ," I started, only to be interrupted by Mrs. Claymore. "You are not teaching that kind ofthing to our children" disbelief quickly changing ttthe haughty Symon, “this is the difference between the truth and untruth." "No, that’s propaganda," I said. “This is propagation _...youknow ...topropagate ... multiply ...you look of the pure. “Upon my ua. Never héaril anything like it. It is certainly not in any of your “Wehaveheendincunngthembjectforye-n. Mn Claymore." “Never in our day," any: Mrs. Symon. "It’s the duty ofthe pom." "Come, cane, ladies, I think you misunderstand, this is education. Here at least we can study the basics and tttalt""""""""""""'""'"""'""' m ." "Myths indeed, Mr. Biddle . . . not underatand," snorted Mrs. Claymore. 'Tm most surprised at you. I shalltakethiamatterupwiththeboardundthe imqtectnr.'Nerewil1beatrtoPtothu."'roMm. Symon, "Do you mind ifwe (license the piano later? . . . . good day, Mr. Biddle." “Very well, ladies, good afternoon . . . oh, Merry Chm.” AndtheruR.Ltokiug thewindowluwtwo finger vegging, very 'g2ttg',e,",g; walking any. a.emmruteirforrrotuubrttsetimeicio-isetrool andmthome. ldidn'tmmention ittommife who 1Tdht for}; everetiuggrruttttonmatestintrof Agrieul t My ,tthesehoolhoune.Marqrnrotcmiecaludntthe 1tmtsenmltheandAnnemuudovirt-ther.rud I walked to the back. "What were you teaching?" ventured Mm. Claymore. "Social studies on propagation," I said. “In that something to do with water?" asked Mrs. "No, mr, (loan? Mrs. Claymore oorrectedVMrs. tsmilrinttheemeounteenmidumi-tditfrommr -utal.oomnmvmam better things to do than worry about a Christmas party tutdwhowasgoingtojudgethebakingthitryear.As they left I could hear them talking about having those miserable kids over on Friday. Mrs. Claymore was already at the school with John Cook, another trustee. We learned Inter she had already been leading off about me teaching sex in school and how horrified she had beers, with a visitor and all, to learn of my conduct. The meeting, sensing scandal, were really taken up with Mrs. Claymore. 'caught in the act,' she said. it was a disgrace and I had to be held accountable. Whatever that was. The group who were gathered were a bit shocked to say the least, but they hung on every word. With arms folded across her chest, Mrs. Claymore was enlighten- ing Mrs. McAndrew, wife of the Presbyterian Church minister (in a voice that would ensure everyone hearing) ". . . .and furthermore I strongly object on religious and moral grounds. . . .” It was at this point that Anne and her friend arrived. She was immediately questioned. Not knowing about the subject under discussion she was to happily compound the situation. Mrs. Claymore, now supported by Mrs. McAndrew, opened the floodgtttets. talking about having the kids over and preserving fruits and vegetables and gleefully admitted to aiding me with a 'handtron' demonstration at the house which everyone enjoyed. “Mrs. Biddle, I'm surprised at you, I had at least hoped that you. . . ." "Oh, no." beamed Anne, warming to the subject. “I do believe all children should learn all they can. It comes in handy when they marry and settle down." "Oath awful," said a flushed Mrs. McAndrew, "they should at least wait until they are adult and even then be counselled.” “The younger the better, Mrs. McAndrew, start them young, then it becomes natural and they don't have to be pushed into it later." "Your huband has a lot to answer for," admonished Mm. Claymore. "Oh! he can't take all the credit," smiled Anne, "I did most of the demonstrating." "You did what?" choked Mrs. McAndrew. , "Oh! My goodness . . . you were involved with Mr. "Well, Mrs. Biddle, your husband is certainly taking a lot on himself giving talks that are not in the curriculum." Mrs. Claymore was, of course, talking about teaching sex in school, trouble was Anne thought she was Biddle," said John Cook. "oh,-hethomstlMrbortrhowtornahethernoatof thinclinthebemsndldoeverythinginthehotue. Sometimes it’s a little different to what their parents do, at least that's what the girls tell me. But, sharing ideas and s little practical experience nukes it far more interesting. Fundamentals are alright but experi- mentingputs a little spice into life." “In "Gouing! ... 'you take this a: lightly. You certainly, opened my eyes. There are going to be some "Oh, come In. Claymore. I'm pleased my hulbnnd thinks enough of my talenta to get me involved with theioeaiehiuren.Hewt-timrMimrriattertogo into the school to do it before." In. MdAodr.w colhpood into a chair. “In the school. I've never heard of web I thing." "Oh, you, but it doesn't work out there too well. you and a little room to do it well." to bother." ventured Anne. 2&.tt,t/,'gghtt behalf. "I'htt’sunmhble. .. did . Robinm know about this?" her voice choking up an octave. “He's a former nhool trustee. I should remind you." “Roan indeed. . . ," darted Mm. Claymore. "Old In. Robinson used to do it, but she got too old Mm. Robin-on." fluid Mm. Claymore, The Subject for t,v1h,tit'ie, Today Ignorance is bliss. "Of course he knew, but he always arranged to be away when they went there." "A likely story . . . can you imagine," Mrs. Claymore was at a loss for words. "We shall certainly put a stop to this." . 1 I at Anne. Anne looked at Margaret. Margaret looked back. "I don't know what all the fuss is about," said Anne, "You can always learn something from the young people . . . showing them what to do and then let them try. There are going to be mistakes I'm sure . . . I know I made some." ThEt's rsghting talk to someone who spends her time cooking and baking for, thetse_people't' kids: _ _ "Really," said Mrs. Claymore. "I had no idea your bsikgrpund, was so guestionable." - _ _ _ "Now just a minute Mrs. Claymore, you're quick to criticize . . . I understand from Mr. Claymore that you're pretty good around a hot stove when youve in the mood, especially when there’s more than one to take care of. So, why don't you stop fussing and get involved and do it yourself and then we might see if youire rpt to judge othersf - .. -- "Good day yourself," steamed Anne. "My, what a misery today ... is she mad because she was not invited?" Most of the women who had their husbands along left. In fact the meeting was breaking up. "What was that all about?" asked Margaret. "Dunno," replied a fluahed Anne. "But I think we and friends. he MacDonalds are old friends of the family and I the old man always liked Anne. He left his wife, squeezed his way through the desks to her side. "You're a one Anne Biddle . . . a real smarty pants if ever I seed one, . . . now explain to me why you confessed to having those kids over at your place." "Well, we did Mr. MacDonald, I was showing them how to do some cooking and baking and. . . ." “Is that what you were talking about?" "Yes, weren't you?" "No. We was talking about teaching sex in school." "Oh! My God." MacDonald fell over a desk with laughter, tears rolling down his cheeks. his wife cried with relief, Margaret was hysterical. Some friend indeed " she pointed to Anne, “look at you blush." Anne was beet red, her lanky to her the. "What on earth will Robert say?” “I'm damned if I know," MacDonald said, "but I have the key to lock up this place. So, everyone out. I'm going over your place to ftnd out. l was sitting reading the Telegram when they all hooped in, all talking at the some time. I thought they were about to announce the oeeond coming they were having such a time. tetr: a tiuiud hnne. "Willi on earth did you dB to __ .qunnpetodart" - - _ -- “Yes, she did come to the school today . . . something shout s pisno." "But what were you tooching?" we'p,u"'udi""thi"--""ion"""t"- y I They explsined. Tsking turns to queue the facts. It was obviously funnier the second time wound. It wss 'mrtainiruturthnnther-orgutoutnttottuot Christmas wine and we talked sud laughed lste into the night. 1tweOpetatarttotuChrisrtPetey '.' P.utl - did iind out who wu coin; to judge the baking "Good day," Ma. Biddle," and off went Mrs. Claymore he room was quiet, evgryoqg looking tride-eyed