Deerfield Academy
Deerfield, Massachusetts
Spring, '92
To paraphrase J. P. Morgan: If you
have to ask how much is the tuition for this lovely private high school in the
Berkshires, then, you cannot afford it, peasant! Despite dormitory living, the
environment was so lovely, the food so good and plentiful, I felt, temporarily
of course, that I was related to the Czar of all Russia!
Imagine analyzing Beethoven's
Pastoral Symphony, Number 6, and looking out the window to a bucolic scene of
green fields, brilliant nodd
ing sunflowers, and grazing black and white cows.
The young woman who taught Beethoven and the Romantic Age was very
conscientious, inspiring, and funny. Her husband, who taught the Poetry of
Robert Frost in this setting, was just as talented. I cannot say the same for
the third teacher whose subject was World Religions. He was not prepared at all.
It was a little embarrassing when fellow students turned around to me for
answers to questions about Judaism and Islam instead of asking the teacher. On
the other hand, I did not mind "playing hooky" and hiking around
beautiful Old Deerfield instead of attending this class.
Deerfield is known for its twelve
historical colonial homes and their furnishings. It was also the site of at
least two fierce Indian raids in the 17th and 18th
Centuries. I was surprised to see, in the main square, a very interesting
monument to the local Civil War regiment and all the battles it fought. There
was a very pleasant lady also admiring the structure, and we had a conversation.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man suddenly materialize as if out of the
air. I was in the middle of a word, such as…Gettysb…when the woman turned,
and walked away with the man. "A bit rude, eh?" I thought to myself.
Later, one of my classmates explained that the gentleman flew down from Canada
every year, and the statue was the location of their tryst. It was "Same
time, next year." Thus I learned some of the ways of the Elderhostelers.
Yes, Virginia, there is love after 55... or 65... or 75?!?
