East Grand Rapids High School - Interlochen Yearbook (East Grand Rapids, MI)

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began to think high school might not be so bad after all. Ruth Kaechele came, her face buried deeply between the covers of a book: and one Iohn Nadler, lady-killer. During this time we organized a travel club labeled Mac Cauley's Rangers. In the eighth grade Mary Lee Barkman returned to the fold, having deserted us for East Paris School. loe Martin, bedecked in one of his less somber ensembles fthat's what you call diplomacy, Ioel splashed into our midst. lean Zagelmeier, a quiet and popular young lady, was our last eighth-grade addition. We promptly proposed a hayride which was joy- fully accepted and over before Mr. McBride quite had time to regain his equilibrium. The eighth-grade girls were repeatedly admonished to stay away from the Senior room, where football heroes could actually be viewed at close range. One Mr. Donald Wilber was afflicted with our youthful adoration. Again our dramatic urge rose to the top, and the girls of Miss Wright's American history class presented an original costume play entitled the Boston Tea Party. Doris Barnett made a lovely Lady Birmingham and Connie Cargill, a charming daughter of Arron Burr, especially at the climax when she dashed a cup fschool potteryl to the floor, passionately declaring that she would pay no tea tax. The boys, not to be outdone, retaliated with the Treason of Benedict Arnold, unfortunately, however, owing to a shortage of willing boys, the noble George Washington fBill Farrantl was forced to assist the fir- ing squad in its realistic attempt to do away with Bill Benedict Arnold Faust-no they didn't use a B.B. gun. There was a veritable avalanche of brains, beauty, and talent in the ninth grade. From East Paris we welcomed Dora Kay I-loven, Bud Bowles, lack Dinge- man, Agnes Kleimeyer, and Mary Iane Phillips. From various other points there were Chuck Betts, Al Ryan, Martha Pleasant, Dave Kelly, Ed Ransom, leanne Busch, Bob Gilmore, and Edwina Halliday. Again we organized a successful hayride - at Kelly's of course. Because of our seniority we inherited much of the responsibility for the Iunior Mixer. We engaged a violin and banjo operated by two gentle- men who called themselves the Horseradish Twins. They did an admirable job of converting die-hard jitterbugs into passable square dancers. That was also the year that Norma Wetherby, lack Kennedy, and Dick Ford won the traffic quiz contest and had their names inscribed on the biggest plaque in school for posterity ever to admire. As sophomores we welcomed two glamorous young ladies, Barb Borough and Mary Oostveen. Fuzz Cro- thers and Gordy Iohnson, effective apple polishers and study hall terrors, bounced into our midst along with Norbert Grotenrath and Elvin Harris. As for ac- tivities, we simply hibernated, storing up ideas and energy for those formidable Iunior and Senior years when lack Crothers and Bob Darrah entered the foot- ball hall of fame. Chuck Betts made track history, and Bob Bennett and Dick Ford starred in tennis. Dick Chapman, with his convertible and sail boat, Io Ann Krieg with her red hair, Marjorie Schmidt with Bob Gilmore, and that glamorous, dark-eyed Betty Haynes came to add their talents to the ranks of the Iunior class. Miss Chase drafted practically an all-Iunior cast for the Christmas play, an act which we egotistically believed was in preparation for that great event, the Iunior Play. With blind faith in Gordy Iohnson's ad- vertising ability and the all-star cast, we left the raising of the Iunior-Senior reception funds entirely to the presentation of Seven Sisters. Rehearsals were frequently interrupted by Tom Rose appearing at the stage door to yodel, Gar-toon-ia, a battle cry which seemed to strike a responsive chord in the hearts of all the Iunior males. Nancy Ellett, under the impossible appelation of Mrs. Gurkovyks, began the harrassing but never dull job of marrying off the first three of her brood of seven. This was ef- fected through the aid of Barb Borough's strapless formal and three rather surreptitious kisses-remember Sally? Then came the Iunior-Senior reception, with a bar- rage of balloons, clusters of palms and tropical flowers, dainty corsages, and delicious cakes and ices. I hope you Iuniors are taking this all in. In a breath, we were Seniors. Immediately we were confronted by the terrifying prospect of having two principals for teachers. However, Mr. Ellett soon put us at ease with such legal sounding terms as habeas Corpus and ex post facto , Miss Waterman did the same with something from Chaucer which sounded like Dinah Shore's rendition of Deep in the Heart of Texas with her mouth full of potato chips. Straight from Fifth Avenue for was it Brooklyn?l came lane Clark, and from Kalamazoo, Ginny Bliss. Dorothy fMrs. Orcuttl Mills was the last 12-1 arrival. The battle cry changed from Gar-toon-ia to the more streamlined Gus or Zeke -Gordy Iohnson set up a booth in the library where for a nominal fee he exhibited his black horse-Dick Ford was presi- dent of the Student Council-Ralph Colorado joined the Navy-the B.B. Gun was published-there were snowball fights outside 301 the sixth hour-then came that super-colossal Chase production, Stage Door. The actors were sustained throughout r e h e a r s al s with cokes, candy bars, and hamburgs furnished by angels of mercy in trousers. Ieanne Busch contracted to have a potluck spread for the cast, and Al Ryan gave a coke party. Incidentally, we did give a play. At Christmas we adopted a family upon which we lavished our cobweb-cloaked tops and those which we had smuggled from our infant brothers and sisters. We also had access to Mr. Ellett's supply of confis- cated water pistols and yo-yo's. As the new semester began, we welcomed back Francis Baker, who returned to graduate from East. Earl Hickman promptly earned his ticket to 201 by designing the best Interlochen cover yet to appear. Our last addition was a genial chap, lim Burton. lack Kennedy and Bob Darrah deserted the class to enroll as Freshmen at Michigan State where we hear they are doing justice to their Alma Mater. Quite suddenly and frantically we were presented with the Interlochen budget, A cursory glance at our bank account revealed the ugly fact that we were not plutocrats. The fertile brain of Betty Haynes suggested a style showy another suggested a carnival. Again the class of '42 rolled up its sleeves and plunged its hands into the frenzy of preparing for these projects. Then we found ourselves autographing Interlochens. cramming for exams, and whirling on the receiving end of the Iunior-Senior reception. On a warm Iune evening eighty-five Seniors, fear- fully balancing mortar boards, marched up the aisle of the East Grand Rapids auditorium to the tune of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance. The empty chairs on the platform enfolded the finished products of thirteen years on East's campus.

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The next year Mrs. Weil with visible relief delivered The History of the Class of '42 The Lovett Barnard building shuddered, and Mrs. Weil gasped as the Fall of 1929 ushered in wave after wave of 1942's Seniors. There was wee Connie Car- gill staunchly stationed behind a huge doll buggy while Mary Lee Higgins, Marjorie Thomas, Nancy El- lett, and Dorothy Pierce gaped respectfully at the contents. Betty Lesley took one scornful glance at this domestic scene and joined a violent game of tag, much akin to football, with Tom Rose, Billy Faust, and Bob Darrah. Duncan Willey soon collared Dale Van Otteren and Ken Nickel to ask them frankly what they thought of this man Einstein. A group of thoughtful young gentlemen squatted on the floor, kindergarten fashion, happily building blocks while being harangued by one Everett Berg, who even then was the master of several three syl- labled words. They were Iimmy Snow, Dickie Sayers, Donnie Morgan, Donnie Clark, Bobbie Currier, and Kenny Hicks, who had fastidiously thought to spread a handkerchief on the floor to save the appearance of his trousers. Marcia Goetz, Ruth Rich, Sally Petter, Dorothy Marsh, and Mae Adele Wagner, lamented together the mornings they would, from this day on, spend in bondage, however, their countenances brightened as they viewed the concentrated group of eligible males. Clark Caskey organized an exploring expedition of Iimmy Drummond, Fred Gygax, Bob Behnke, Martin Sprite, lack Kennedy, and Henry Koopman. Mrs. Weil hauled them off the fire escape where they had met Franny Whitfield and Dick Petter, each trying to outshriek the other with Soldier Boy. February came and with it the announcement that we were promoted to afternoon kindergarten, we were no longer East's babies. Margaret Nichols, her curls banging against her forehead, proclaimed officially that, although she had omitted the first semester, she would pass to first grade anyway. us to Miss Snauble, who introduced us to Mr. Richard Ford, then a confirmed misogynist, a dark handsome chap, Allan Parrott, a demure miss, Barbara Iarnac, an athletic young gentleman, Wayne Williams, who was protected from fights not only by his own biceps but by those of his big brother, and two quiet lads, Ierry Lugthart and Bill Poisson. We were also intro- duced to a shy, curly-hair was galloping up the aisle my dolly, which was held also a new-comer. It was Q ed child who at the time screeching, Gimme back in captivity by Iim Boon, Mary Lee Barkman. The second grade brought us Bill Farrant, another woman hater, and lack B for the continual stack of around the wastepaper ba the Soldiers' Home shoul dramatic efforts. Master I labeled, made a delight rie, who,was responsible aper airplanes near and sket. It was decided that be the recipient of our mes Drummond, properly ful woodpecker, and Boh Behnke flapped like something akin to an eagle. The Veterans, thumping our collective skulls benignantly, were politely complimentary. Mary Edison, the lone new-comer, graced our pres- ence in the third grade. The authorities decided that year that the class of '42 should be schooled in the ways of agriculture. Thus planted, the crops flettuce a vegetable garden was nd radishesl duly reaped, and the harvest celebrated? by a picnic on a bring- your-own-bread-and-butter basis. In the fourth grade we who had not had the who sen with peculiar journali - we'll - furnish -the - rest greeted Iohnnie Bushnell, ping cough, Iackie Iacob- tic talents, and a lovely lass, Norma Wetherby. Ag in the authorities thought we needed instruction, thisitime it was in the art of butter making. If we didn't!benefit from the domestic value, we did from the diversion it offered. The fifth grade proved un ventful, except that Sally Petter replaced Connie Ca ill as teacher's pet. We began the sixth, however, y welcoming Stuart Foote and Stuart's camera. The lclass was divided, some having Miss Lee, others h ing Mrs. Lair. The femi- nine contingent of Mrs. Lairs room with a wistful eye toward the glamorous carders of Helen Hayes and Katherine Cornell agreed td devote their recesses to rehearsals for a magnificent production of Cinderella. Poor Ella found herself reclihing on the cinders of the school driveway where we play without scripts. We fore an audience of hilario guffawed in derision at our but we noticed that they geography just the some. Six-two brought us a da more, Doris Barnett, a giga nergetically rehearsed the ave the performance be- us sixth-grade boys, who earnest histrionic efforts, were glad to get out of l l zling blonde from Balti- tic hair bow perched di- rectly atop her golden curls. As the seventh grade a selves at the portals of high preached we found our- school, reluctantly saying good-bye to our dolls, teddy bears, erector sets, and scooters, not even any recesses in this new institution of learning. Because of our Knot apple-polishl and a w teacher, we began the ye Cauley with a fruit roll. earnest desire to please rm affection for our by pelting Mrs. Mac ur efforts were well re- ceived, future seventh grad rs could profit by doing the same. The spirit of the class of '42 arrived in the person of Bob Bennett, who had tho ghtfully parked his drum outside 201. Sally Berry als? made her debut in the seventh grade, reviving the, spirits of the boys, who

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Prophecy of the Class of '42 The corpse of the beautiful showgirl, Fleur de la Rue, lay outstretched on the white bear rug of her penthouse apartment, her bejeweled right hand tightly clutching a small object. Beside the lifeless figure a small, pearl-handled revolver lay smoking. The inter- nationally celebrated sleuth, Lt. Everett Berg, crouched beside the silent form and removed a tiny gold class- pin, inscribed with the letters E. G. R.-'42, from the clutching fingers. Turning to his assistant, Detective Al Ryan, Lt. Berg commanded, Call the coroners, and get me the list of the Class of '42 of East High. That evening a silent group moved uneasily about the inanimate form of the showgirl as doctors, Wayne Williams, Fellow of the Rockefeller Foundation, Betty Lesley, President of the American College of Surgeons, and Robert Currier, new president of the American Medical Association, worked over her. At last one of the doctors removed a small bullet from the skull of the victim. Lt. Berg seized the missile cmd passed it on to Detective Ryan, growling, Exhibit A. Take it to the ballistics experts and see what they can find. As Ryan started out, his chief stopped him. Hold it. Lt. Berg paced the room peering intently at the blood-stained rug. Finally, he snapped his fingers and strode to the closet door opposite the body. As he threw open the door, a small, scarred bullet fell to the floor. Unperturbed, Lt. Berg delicately picked up the cylinder with his Nylon handkerchief and silently offered it to Detective Ryan. Take this along, too.' It might come in handy, he added. Lt. Berg then turned to the coroners. Well, doctors, what's the verdict? Silence enfolded the group as they breathlessly awaited the coroners' decision. Without looking up the coroners gravely replied in unison, This young woman has been shotI Now we're getting somewhere, Berg replied. The evidence points to some member of the famous East High Class of '42. Ryan, call the first suspect. A poised, glamorous beauty stepped into view- the stage star, Sally Petter, now starring on Broadway in The Little Wolves and How They Grew. The star, as usual, was accompanied by her press-agent- manager-body-guard, Gordon Iohnson. Miss Petter, growled Lt. Berg in his best detective manner, Where were you on the night of the murder? None of your business, the beautiful actress re- plied. Oh, all right, then if you don't want to play, growled Berg peevishly. You can go, whined the Lieutenant, looking appreciatively at his first suspect as she strolled out followed by Mr. Iohnson and a pet Pekingese. Next suspectl bellowed Berg. Two s u c c e s s f u l , sophisticated men-about-town slouched forward-the Messrs. Richard Ford and Iames Snow, owners of the Ford-Snow Engineering Com- pany-now at work on their biggest project, the Mary- Ellen Memorial Seminary. Berg eyed the sophisticates suspiciously and then in an attempt to trap the two startled the whole gathering by barking, l-low well did you know the victim? Mr. Ford suddenly stopped twirling his diamond- studded watch fob. Are you kidding? he asked in- credulously. Snow looked blankly dazed. Lt. Berg, although somewhat distracted by this reply, refused to let himself be baffled by these suave char- acters and called for the next suspect. A stunning, superbly-tailored creature strolled out- Iacques from the House of Drummond. Well, lim, began Lt. Berg jovially. Monsieur Iacques, if you please, requested the gentleman. Lt. Berg looked amazed, but drove on. Is is true that Miss La Rue frequented your establishment- the Drummond Salon? Oni, Miss La Rue was one of our best customers, returned the gorgeous Iacques. She not only got her perfume from you, but also had her hair done there? suggested Lt. Berg. Jacques looked uncomfortable, but finally declared, We furnished Miss La Rue's, perfumes, but, unfortu- nately, she patronized our coh1petitor's beauty salon -the Barkman's Bureau for Beautiful Blondes. Lt. Berg smiled knowingly and growled to Detective Ryan, Next witness. Two well-known career women stepped forward- the Misses Edwina Halliday, advertising magnate for the Barkman establishment and Mary lane Phillips, inventor of the marvelous, infallible, new Shur-Blink, automatic eyelash winker, which has taken the coun- try by storm. Lt. Berg was abnut to question the two when one application of Miss Phillip's miraculous in- vention changed his mind. No more witnesses now, he barked, but everybody be here tomorrow at ten sharpl The slightly anaemic smile of old Sol fell listlessly on the several mournful groups the next morning as the class gathered for further questioning. The num- ber oi world-famed celebrities in the gathering was astounding. Lt. Berg seemed to be having some diffi- culty getting proceedings started, for he conferred long and earnestly with his assistant. Meanwhile, the famous Wall Street tycoon, Harry Bowles, stood listening blandly to the latest exploits