1926 Cedrus Yearbook

rf;CEDRUS-1926 Cedar Day at Cedarville College This day was originally observed in the early spring of the year. One of the important features was the planting of a cedar tree some place on the campus. In 1920 it was decided that Cedar Day could not be conveniently held during the school term. It was then given a definite day in Cedar Week, and has ever since been observed on Wednesday of Commencement Week. Last year we were favored with ideal weather for an out-of-door program. The afternoon was given over to a baseball game between the College and Alumni. After the game a pageant, entitled "Springtime," was given. This old Greek myth of summer and winter furnished the background for the pageant. Ceres, the Goddess of the Seasons, has a daughter, Prosperpina. Cupid appears,shoots a dart at Pluto, who is lurking about, and another at Prosperpina. Pluto,God of the Underworld,seizes Prosperpina and carries her away to become his queen. Dances of sorrow and consolation are given by Grecian maidens for Ceres. Ceres will not believe that her daughter is gone until a water nymph enters carrying a green scarf of Prosperpina's., Ceres then believes that her daugh- ter has been swallowed up by the earth, and in anger pronounces a curse of deso- lation and winter upon it. Winter, North Wind and Snow Ball choruses depict this period of the year. A messenger from the Gods enters and tells Ceres that her daughter may return for six months of each year. Ceres then alters her curse, making six months winter and the remaining six summer. Summer immediately begins with a long,joyous procession bearing Prosperpina. She is declared Queen and is crowned by Ceres as Goddess of Spring or Queen of Cedar Day. Choruses representing flowers and sunshine dance before their Queen, concluding in the winding of the May Pole. Cedar Day at Cedarville College is a day of reunion; and an old-fashioned, quaint holiday for the College, town,and community. May it never become a day of the past. —A.0. Page Eighty-six