In Pat’s March 16 “Ball Hall Memories” post, she talks about drying clothes on a rack next to the sink in the bedroom area of her third floor, Ball Hall room. “When we left that year there was a big mess under the tray we used to catch the drippings,” says Pat. “Oops!”
Pat’s post got me reflecting on the old Ball Hall and how, because it was old, we accepted its flaws and imperfections as part and parcel. I know for us down here in our permanent new space, we’ve spent a lot more time thinking about how we want to decorate than we ever did upstairs, in our old space. Basically, whatever “artwork” covered up the walls in our old space would suffice. Down here, however, we are focused on the place looking neat, tidy, and professional. Upstairs, things got kind of sloppy and I think that’s because the walls, floors, and ceilings surrounding our stuff was less than appealing. I mean, walls can only be painted so many times and that shag carpet had certainly seen better days — but there weren’t enough funds available to replace it. And, we didn’t have storage upstairs; so, extra Keuka magazines would often spill into our waiting area. Down here we have a storage closet and it is certainly being utilized. We’re really taking pride in our new space, and that’s how it should be. I hope that the students are taking the same kind of pride and care in their new rooms.
-Tanya
