Bloomfield High School - Tattler Yearbook (Bloomfield, CT)

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PROPHECY The atmosphere of the dock was strange and new to me, and I found it singularly exciting as I shoulder- ed my way through the crowd that was shouting last- minute good byes. It occurred to me that I was late, so I hurried up the gangplank, shuddering at the terrifically loud sound of the ship's horn. As I step- ped aboard the beautiful ship Cnamed the U. S. S. Small Honk j the obliging and friendly captain approached me, holding out his hand. It wasn't until he smiled one of his famous grins that I recognized Jim Ventref. After kindly requesting my presence at his table for dinner that evening, Captain Ventres called a steward to show me to my stateroom. Well, my goodness! Who should the steward be but Sailor Carl Sealnnd! After exchanging a few witticisms about the good old days , Carl left me at my state- room where I was made to feel comfortable by the ship's charming hostess Cynthia Barnard. Cynthia informed me that Joan Flynn, now a world-famous socialite, was on her way to the French Riviera to join her husband, Baron Webb von Christianovsky. She was accompanied by her two French poodles Oui Oui and Non Non . I hurried along to the dining room to a very delicious luncheon which I discovered had been planned by Evelyn Keene, the valuable ship's dieti- tian. I peeked into the shining and spotless kitchen to say hello to Evelyn, and who should I see with one of those big white chefs hats on but Alfred Forrter! Alfred explained that he'd been working as chief cook and bottlewasher on the ship for years. He'd started out to be an engineer, but he had a long talk with Miss Zabriskie, who assured him that cooking was his field. His assistant, john Norah, was in charge of washing dishes and seeing that there were enough onions in the stew. The only difficulty there, reported Alfred, was that john kept making sucker shots with the onions into a pot from across the room. After a long talk with Evelyn and the boys, I returned to my stateroom for a nap, when I suddenly felt a rather strange feeling coming over me. My stomach was rolling around and I felt rather woozy. I realized then that it was time for me to take one of my anti-seasick pills with which Dr. Alhert Nenhanrer, ship's doctor, had thoughtfully supplied each room. I woke up, three hours later, feeling as fresh as a spring morning. My first thought was of my din- ner appointment with the captain, but, looking at my watch, I discovered that it was yet a little early, and decided to browse around the deck. I noticed several people lounging in deck chairs, and as I passed them, who should look up but Catherine Politir and Shirley St. Pierre. There was a third per- son-a man snoring loudly and with his hat over his face. I recognized the snorer as being Orhurn Har- mon? C a throwback on the days when he used to sleep through Problems classj. I talked softly to Shirley and Catherine so as not to disturb the sleeper and learned that the girls are working together, de- signing clothes for RKO studios, and are taking a business trip to Paris. Indy Tull, they said, had plan- ned to go along, to do some buying in Europe, but Fox's couldn't spare her. Catherine had been reading a new book The Collateral Hyperbole of the jocundity As It Concerns the Mainspring by Roger Cowler. She suggested that I read it. I said good-bye to the girls and has- tened to the ship's library. Richard Miller, the kind- ly old librarian, said because it was so much in de- mand, that particular book was out, but would I care to read Escape Mechanisms-Their Effect on You by Thorna: Fenton. I thanked Richie and left, thinking how much he'd changed in the past ten years. I passed the game room as I left the library, and who should I see there but Bob Iorgenren, a suave looking fellow stroking a four inch handlebar mus- tache and chewing on a stogie while twirling the various roulette wheels. Chuck Hale seemed to be making quite a haul. I learned that in appreciation

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nard, Gloria Tinto, Elaine Quavillon, Jean Viseskis, and Herbert Holmquist. Those of us on the Student Council were Bob Jorgensen, Elaine Ferraresso, Pete Humphrey, and Pete Marshall. We were certainly well represented in the Busi- ness Club, for thirteen Junior girls were members. Having gone on trips to the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, St. Joseph's College, and best of all, a trip to Boston, we can honestly say we had a very active and successful year. The newly-organized College Club claimed six- teen of us as members. The year was highlighted by a trip to the University of Connecticut. To raise money for the club's treasury, the Echo , a national school publication, was sold to the students. Some of us served on the staff of the SALMON SHEET. They were Joan Nicolle, Elaine Quavillon, Gloria Tinto, Pete Humphrey, Ann Faulkner, Elaine Ferraresso, Margaret Blasig, and Herbert Holmquist. The club with most of us as members, however, was the Girls' Athletic Association. Just about every girl in the class was a member of that group. Our boys did quite well for themselves too. Those who played on the soccer team were Chris Webber, Roger Cowles, Bob Jorgensen, and Jimmy Ventres. These four helped to make it a successful year for Bloomfield. Five of our boys defended Bloom- field against baseball opponents. They were Chris Webber, Bob Jorgensen, Jimmy Ventres, Osburn Har- rison, and William Slamon. One of our boys, John Novak, was on the varsity basketball team. Others on the second team were Chris Webber, Jimmy Ventres, and Bob Jorgensen. Two of our girls were cheerleaders, Shirley St. Pierre and Nora LeHane did great work to cheer our boys to V-I-C-T-O-R-Y. With such a lot of activities to keep us all busy, is it any wonder that June came around before we realized? How wonderful we all felt, as we shut the door on that year, and prepared for an even greater year-as SENIORS! SENIOR YEAR-1948- 1949 As we started school in September for the last time, we suddenly realized the importance of being Seniors, and an aura of self-importance surrounded us. How strange we felt at first-almost like Fresh- men-for a new system was started making two sessions of school instead of one. We had to get used to the idea of conducting our activities in less time. But, despite all the protests, the system turned out well. As we all know, sadness accompanies joy. But sometimes, when everything is going along well, we forget this, and think that things will remain as they are. That is why we were so shocked when we heard of the untimely death of our classmate, Pete Humphrey, on September 29. At a hastily called class meeting, we decided to have an assembly in his honor the following day, and to attend his funeral. On October 5, after much campaigning, we elected our class officers. Jimmy Ventres and Bob Jorgensen were the two nominees for the presidency, and after heated debate and much voting, Jimmy was elected by a slim majority. Bob Jorgensen was elected Vice-President, and Almeda Duke and Roger Cowles were then chosen Secretary and Treasurer respectively. The Hartford Tuberculosis Junior Board of Direc- tors has representatives from seven schools of the metropolitan Hartford area. Our representatives were Judy Tull and Elaine Quavillon, We were fortunate to have one officer elected from our school, Elaine Quavillon, Secretary. Our next class meeting was held to choose our class colors, motto, and flower. The colors blue and gold were chosen. Three mottoes were suggested to vote upon. The most fitting was selected and it was, The surest way not to fail is to determine to suc- ceed . Having dispensed with class colors and motto, we proceeded to vote for our class flower. Four flowers were suggested, and when voted upon, the white rose won by an overwhelming majority. Fall progressed, and winter came. Before we knew it, the time to organize for the Christmas Prom was at hand. After much preparation, the big night arrived. One of our girls, Judy Tull, was chosen queen, and Tim Cronin, a graduate of '48, was king. Early in the year the Honor Society inducted new members. Although we already had eight mem- bers in the Society, a new member, Judy Tull, from the Senior Class was initiated. Our Student Council was an active group this year, for why should it be otherwise, with Elaine Quavillon, Gloria Tinto, Chris Webber, Herbert Holmquist, and Jimmy Ventres as members. Many of us served on the SALMON SHEET this year which was headed by Joan Nicolle as editor. The TATTLER started out with an enthusiastic, hard-working staff. A Juke Box Dance , a basketball game, sale of refreshments, TATTLER movies, a card party and a bazaar were some of the activities sponsored by the TATTLER in order to raise funds. The Ad and Patron campaigns made a splendid showing, and the Sales campaign drove on to a sweeping victory. Our class was well represented on the soccer, basketball, and baseball teams. Accounts of the play- ers and the games are given in the sports section. Bad luck came to us late in the basketball season. Our star center, John Novak, cracked his right ankle and was thus put out of action at a crucial time. Jimmy Ventres suffered an injury to his ankle also, and he was out of action for a time. The best times of all, those of Class Night and Graduation, we need not write about, for the memories of these two nights will remain forever in our hearts. Margaret Blasig Historian

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of all B. H. S. had done for him, he was building a thirty-five-story school since Bloomheld had grown so rapidly. Returning to the deck, I noticed a rather large group of people standing a small distance down the deck, and sauntered over to see what was going on. There in the center of the group was Herhert Holm- quist, standing on a soapbox, shouting and gesticulat- ing wildly over The Inherent Evils of a Two Thous- and Dollar Ad Campaign for Yearbooks . I was spell- bound by his wisdom and splendid oratorical talent, and couldn't help remembering some of those rugged class meetings we used to have! Also standing in the group around me, I noticed live other forty-niners . Joan Nicolle, nearest me told me that she is travelling abroad to gather mate- rial for a book she's planning to write. Gertrude Farrell and Dolores Petersen are both members of the Connecticut Symphony and were chosen to repre- sent the orchestra at a European Concert. jean Martyn, renowned ballerina, and her manager, Ellen Smith were travelling to Vienna for jean's perform- ance in the Russian version of the American Ballet. Ingegerd Larson, ship's nurse, was watchfully stand- ing near-by in case of any spell of seasickness. William Willis, the captain's righthand, rang a bell announhing dinner. Remembering my appoint- ment with the Captain, I hastened directly to the dining room. The gracious captain welcomed me to his table, and proceeded to point out celebrities pres- ent in the dining room. They included Donald Ander- son, whose specialty is painting pastels' on ostrich eggs. He says his best customer is jane Austin, who buys the eggs for her little cherubs Robbie, Bobbie and Clyde. Margaret Blasig the crack commercial illustrator for magazines was also on board. Nora LeHane, top-flight photographer was at a near- by table with janet Burnham, the international ten- nis champion. Nora has gained a reputation for her graphic shots of wrestling matches and is responsible for bringing Horrid Horace to the public eye. Elaine Quavillon director of Miss Dorde Janet's Exclusive School for Young Ladies' had a troup of debutantes in tow whom she was chaperoning on a trip to France. julie Wirsul, Gladys Watkins, and lean Viseskis travelling with their patent medicine show, were having a rollicking time at a corner table. Bill Slamon, the handsome movie actor, and his valet, Chris Web- her, could be seen across the room, and Elaine Fer- raresso and Almeala Duke, College Professors, were browsing through a couple of Brittanicas as they ate contentedly, blissfully unaware of the excitement going on around them. just then the orchestra started playing, and June Bjorndahl, glamorous songstress, warbled a torchy tune called I've Got My Glove to Keep Me Warm by Gloria Tinto, from her latest Broadway musical, Low-Button Gloves . Guest Pianist was the great concert star, Rachel Powers, and the festivities ended with a splendid number by the famous dance team Lou and Geo CLouise Rohichaud and George Brew- erb. I noticed that George still wore moccassins, even when dancing. The master of ceremonies, Pete-life-of-the-party Marshall announced a toast to the Forty-Niners . We all shouted approval, rose and sang lustily the tune and words of our good old Alma Mater's song- Let your name ring As we all sing Bloomfield High! Ann Faulkner