White swans! Are these the swans of Stratford on the Avon that we read about in high school English? Or is this a dream? Can they be from Swan Lake or Lohengrin? Tell me, upper classman, where does yonder grace and beauty have its beginning?

Aye, freshman! Spoken like a budding Cardinal! This tradition had its beginning at Veishea festival in 1935. Climaxing the festival program , a huge swan float glided out of a smoke screen at the west end of Lake LaVerne. Four beautifal Iowa State coeds dressed in white and carrying flowers, rode between folded wings of the swan. As the swan float drifted to the center of the lake, for live swans, presents from Veishea Central Committeem were released from it.

Pray tell me, wise one, who built this floating fantasy?

It was built under supervision of the Architectural Engineering department and was 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 14 feet high.

Do those beautiful creatures have names, sir?

Yes, frosh, they are called Sir Lancelot and Elaine and were named in a special contest held prior to the original presentation. A coed, John Nesinwancer, suggested the name and won the $10.00 prize.

Are the two geese who play follow-the-leader with the swans wild?

Rumor says they are, and you might think so too if you could hear them honk back and forth with the wild ones when they pass over on their way south. Actually, they are not. These two were among four hatched by a pair of Canadian Honkers owned by Dr. Paul F. Romberg, associate professor of the Botany Department. Dr. Romberg says he hears quite a number of interesting versions from time to time as to how these geese came to be on Lake LaVerne.

What happened to the other two little ones?

One was allowed to go free and the other one ended up on the Romberg family's Thanksgiving table.

Do the gesse have names, too?

Yes, they are called Ruben and Rachel. They, too, recieved their names in a contest. This one was sposored by Tomahawk, independent sophomore honorary at the 1958 Veishea festival. Women of Roberts Hall won the contest.

Why don't the swans and gees fly south when winter comes?

They are pinioned so they cannot fly. The cord in the wing joint is clipped so they cannot straighten out their wings.

Since they can't fly south, what about the winter?

The Poultry Science Department keeps them on the college poultry farm during the winter season. They are put on the lake just before Easter and taken off after Homecoming in the fall.

Are there the original Sir Lancelot and Elaine?

No, there have been several pairs since then, but there have always been white swans on the lake since 1935.

How about their love life?

In this respect the Family Relations Department might well lay claim to them. Both the swans and the Canadian Honker geese mate for life!