There should be some oases in this country where the love of tradition is fostered. Avon shall be one of these oases where, when Avonians return, they will find at least a semblance of permanence.
-Theodate Pope Riddle

Friday, November 19, 2010

Welcome

Welcome to Semblance of Permanence.  I am setting up this blog primarily because I have recently agreed to write a history of Avon Old Farms School.  I was approached with the idea by The History Press, and Ken LaRocque, the headmaster, has expressed enthusiasm for the idea, so I have reason to hope/believe the project will go forward.
The title Semblance of Permanence refers to a quotation from Theodate Pope Riddle, the school's founder who saw her school as, among other things, an oasis where the love of tradition would be fostered.  A Semblance of Permanence is also the working title of the book, if a book of which not one word has yet been written can even have a title. 
The idea of this blog is to reflect on and write about the project and perhaps to tell some stories that will not make it into the book.  I do not, though, suffer from many delusions about the entertainment value of the rantings of a harried history teacher in the throes of a book project.  The purpose of the blog is also to learn about blogging itself and the technologies associated therewith - in the hope and expectation that I might be able to apply what I learn to my teaching.
So welcome to the blog.  There will probably be long stretches of postless time (during school), and there will probably also be posts that do not relate directly to the book project.  If you have found your way here, you are probably related to me, or you know me really well, or at least you have a strong interest in the school and its history.  Whatever the case is, I hope you enjoy.

1 comment:

  1. I will follow and enjoy reading your posts as you write the history of Avon School. It is difficult to imagine one better qualified than yourself to write a history of the school. How you are able to fit the writing of this book into your current workload will be a model for time managemant. I look forward, with great anticapation, to a read of the first edition.

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