TRANSIT IN THIS CUBBY HOLE THE W.A.A. COUNCIL LAY PLANS FOR MANY ACTIVITIES OF THE GYMBOREE. Left to right: MAXINE HEDGES, ASSISTANT INTRAMURAL MANAGER; VIRGINIA BIDDLE, VICE PRESIDENT OF W.A.A. COUNCIL; VIRGINIA NELSON, W.A.A. PRESIDENT; AVIS WOOD, PRESIDENT OF THE SWIMMING CLUB; AND CAROLINE HOBSON, SOPHOMORE SPORTS MANAGER - SOME OF THE GIRLS WHO KEEP THE GYMBOREE GOING. COEDS TRAIN WAR WORKERS "ONE, two, one, two," the women stretch and stretch as the Women's Athletic Association launches its latest brain child the gymboree. Each Thursday night from seven till almost eleven, the W.A.A. members are hostesses to the war workers of this area. The evening begins with warming up exer-cises which last for about forty-five minutes. During this time the women bend, roll, stretch, and do push-ups, coached by an officer or member of the Women's Athletic Association. By the time the exercising is over many retreat to the showers or into the steam room to ward off any stiffness that might make running for the bus in the morning difficult. Some of the braver ones go into the courts behind the main gymnasium and tire themselves with a vigorous game of squash. Here again they are coached by a W.A.A. member. Her job is to score, interpret rules, and stay out of the way of the players. The swimming pool with the ever-present smell of chlorine attracts the majority of the workers. For those who already have mastered the marine art there are games to play. The more timid, who close their eyes and daintily poke one toe into the water first, are encouraged by the W.A.A. members to disregard the temperature and "dive in all 18 WINTER, 1943 over". Later they are courageously attempting the Australian crawl. Of course there are some enthusiasts who follow the indoor game of the season. These stay in the main gym and play either badminton or basketball. With a W.A.A. member to umpire, score, and keep time, the games progress nicely. The "little room" down stairs where music can be played is the rendezvous of those certain ones who are anxious to learn the Virginia Reel, the Square Dance, the Rhumba, or the Congo. For the still more vigorous, a fencing class is taught. It is here that, when the excitement is high, the French terms are laid aside and American language comes into play. Ping-pong at the gymboree is by no means a game for the conservative. With scores close upon each other and balls barely hitting the edge of the table the players become "near contortionists" when they try to bat the ball at a new angle. INTRAMURAL MANAGER, MAXINE WHITTAKER, WATCHES THE "BIRDIE" WHILE BUSINESS WOMEN HAVE A GAME OF BADMINTON. BETTY GOVERN, SECRETARY TO W.A.A. COACHES TWO WAR WORKERS IN A GAME OF SQUASH. SOPHOMORE SPORTS MANAGER, GAE ROSE, REFERREES A BASKETBALL GAME AT THE GYMBOREE. 19