The
Piney Woods School’s
voice for over fifty years has been The Pine Torch (cover page above).
The paper, now an
annual publication for friends, donors, alumni, and students, has been a way
to share information about the school‘s philosophy, activities, programs,
students’ work, letters from friends, notes about visitors, and ideas.
|
Dr. Laurence C. Jones, Piney
Woods’ founder, saw his philosophy reflected in the idea and name of The
Pine Torch. Here
are Dr. Jones’ own words describing how The Pine Torch was named.
"Over fifty years ago
when I came from Iowa to Mississippi, there were no flashlights in the rural
districts among the colored people. We walked several miles to church at night,
through the deep piney woods, by the light of a pine torch — the [person] in the
front holding it high above his head and the rest of us trooping along behind.
"Pine torch is made up
of slivers of fat pine— that is pine that still has rosin and turpentine in it.
Some called it lightered — I guess a contraction for light wood — not in weight
but the possibility of making a light. I discovered that two slivers would not
burn but created a coating of carbon. But three or more pieces would make a
torch — for the air circulating between the slivers would mean no carbon. So I
got to thinking that I and my faculty could not do anything by ourselves to
create light in these piney woods. However, with the help of the northern and
southern friends I could make, we would together create a light — throw the
torch to others. With that in mind I thought it a good idea...to call our school
paper “The Pine Torch.” |
|
Home
