Leominster High School - Magnet Yearbook (Leominster, MA)

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THE MAGNET 1938 “Where are they going? Should we go, too?” queried Buchan, who was answered by the thundering voice of Francis White from the first float. “Ladeez an’ Genteelmen, why go on having depressions? Why stand fer this out- rage? Are you going to let yer children suffer as—?”’ Although he was at this point inter- rupted by “Cynthia” Johnson, Frank Bartimo, and Maurice McDonough, he kept right on speaking. These four orators were all at ease on artistically designed soap boxes on the first float, which was attractively decorated and designed by Irene Menard and Mabel Oozoon- ian. (May it here be said that White did pause once during the whole parade to let “Cyn- thia” take the floor.) The next float consisted of the business office of the organization. The head of the business department was Arthur Bourgault, who had for assistants Howard Craig, Albert Tisdale, Harold Gleason, and Clarence Veasey. The secretarial staff consisted of Phyllis Lovelace, “Peggy” Flynn, Anita Cabana, Minnie Weston, Anna Rudnicky, and Marjorie Firmin. The plan had to be advertised and ‘‘Joe’”’ Goodhue was on hand with a printing press to print pamphlets for distribution by his three assistants: Raymond Freel, David Whitney, and Herbert Plastridge. Money matters were ably taken care of by the three bankers and their secretaries: ‘‘Joe’? Coleman, Maurice’ Desrochers, and Howard Hirst, with Thelma Rand, Aline Pinard, and Frances Smith as their assistants. On the next float several artists, with the customary satchels, easels, palettes, and berets, were painting their versions of the Utopia for which the parade was headed to be- gin its work. Ruth Marcy, duly inspired by “John”, who sat at her side, Ellen Edstrom, and Lucille Rice were also hard at work on their pictures of the destination. There was also a group of dancers on this float. Janet Cook was dancing with great genius until she saw Murton Bush in the crowd with Janice Howe, when she promptly proceeded to faint and, consequently, was rushed to the next float, the traveling hospital, where she was treated by Dr. Mager. Dr. Peterson, a brilliant toxicologist, headed the staff and was ably assisted by the Drs. Mager, Moulton, and Barriere. The dietician was Barbara Dormin, and the nursing staff consisted of Frances Barr, Ellen Berg, Dorothy Clark, Helen Ringer, Olive Edis, Martha Aleson, and Dorine Such. Following the hospital was a travelling kitchen for those in the parade, built by “Bernie” Lagoy and “Bob” Tyler. The kitchen was kept in order by Helen Love, Vera Noak, and Prudence Welch. ‘“‘Hoppy” Haskell supplied flowers for both the hospital and the kitchen. Gay tap dancers performed on the next float, which was driven by Ernest Mercier, who had Albert Latini as an assistant. The group of dancers consisted of Kitty McGillen, Irene Mahan, Marguerite McGowen, Eleanor O’Brien, and Mildred Davis. Selling peanuts, candy, and popcorn along the way, Barbara Willard tried her best to make money. And how she succeeded! People couldn’t resist, and she had to enlist Elizabeth Pasquerelli, Theresa Petricca, and Mary Scully as aides. Walking behind the last float was our carefree friend, but in a new role. ‘“‘Joe” Serafini was playing a hand organ and had an adorable little monkey (?) running around collecting money. Beside “Joe” walked another ‘‘Joe,” who was having a grand time selling balloons. Yes, ‘Joe’ Regan was in the height of his glory, but he had a hard time keeping John Saladini from sticking pins in them. Following the two ‘‘Joes” were many supporters of this unique money-raising plan. Inspired by the up-lifting characters of “Charley”? Gamblin, “Betty”? Holbrook, Mabel Gurney, and Mildred Johnson, they plodded wearily along. Here and there we saw more members of the class of 33, Margaret Grimley, Elsie Scoponi, and Arlene Sawyer, doing their best to console those who were downhearted and low in spirit. It was a difficult task keeping this last group together, and from time to time it was necessary to send No rman Connolly, “Ernie” Pelkey, and Fred Person, our Boy Scouts, 20

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was. THE MAGNET We owe much to Miss Weckbacher and Mr. Broderick, our class advisors, who have guided our footsteps along the paths of greatest accomplishment. CoRINNE JOHNSON BERNARD LaGoy Jack KavANAGH The March of the Class of 1933 On returning home on the Graf Zeppelin from a long stay in Berlin, I found myself greeting Marion Safford and Norman Clark, who were also returning from a long sojourn abroad. Our greetings over, we started for the dining room and were soon seated at the Commander’s table. As we sat waiting for him to arrive, three waiters—to our surprise they were Marrama, Cocci, and Gilberg—came and took our orders. At last the Com- mander appeared. Why, it was none other than our red-headed friend, Earl Barlow! After a bounteous repast we strolled around the giant airship and found the Misses Palumbo, Montagna, and Moran, doing their bit as hostesses. Roy Miner was hard at work sending messages all over the world by wireless. That evening we talked over old times and to my increasing wonderment I learned this interesting news: The Class of °33 had planned a campaign to end depressions and had joined together for the purpose of making enough money to create a reserve fund which would make future depressions impossible. Each member of the class who could possibly do so had joined the leaders, Nilo Tocci and “Libby” Gaetz. To provide an incentive for others who desired to try this amazing experiment, the ingenious leaders had grouped their followers together in the form of a parade in which most of the class participated. Norman, Marion, and J arrived home to find that the parade had left Leominster quite some time before, and that it would on the following Sunday be in Jonesboro, North Carolina. Chartering a special plane, we arrived there in time to hear and see all the pro- ceedings. “Who disturbs us in our rest?” drawled out Lanza, who was gracefully adorning a park bench quite near his old pal, “Andy” Buchan. The cause of Lanza’s discomfort was the blatant blare of a brass band somewhere in the offing. The noise (as they called it) was too much for the two old cronies, who deserted their benches and hurried, as did we, to see the cause of it. “Well, for—th—the luvva Pete! Look!!” The reason for their sudden exclamation was good old “Jud” Foster, swinging a baton and, with the aid of “Dot” Pierce and “Marge” Harris, leading a snappy brass band. That wasn’t all: floats, people, colors, children, sparkling instruments, and snappy uniforms— it was—a—a parade! That’s what-a parade! Behind ‘“‘Jud”’, a carefully painted sign informed us that this was the “Parade of 1943.” This sign was held high in the air by “Bussy” Bascom and ‘‘Mitch” Lemoine, and thus was quite visible. Then those melodious strains of the band! But, how could they be otherwise with Louis Simard, Leonard Strang, Nicholas Mascis, Phyllis MacMackin, and Eldora Morse doing their best to guide the other members? 24

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was THE MAGNET out after the various members who would go roaming off. “Jimmy” Gardner was perhaps the worst offender and would continually go off in search of game. Charles Allen and Raymond Temple stopped at all the farm houses on the way to seek employment, and Norman Gamache, too, was usually off fishing. Burton Ellis was another offender. His love for botany lured him into some strange places if the word of ‘Ernie’ Pelkey can be relied on. However, they actually did lose Wilbur Rhodes, who basely deserted his group to join the Navy. Betty Pillsbury dropped off in New York, and Alice Houde just couldn’t resist settling down in Albany when she learned Ed T was in business there. A little further along the way the Parson, none other than the Rev. Donald Cook per- formed a ceremony. Alma Gagnon, in a fit of absent mindedness married Leo Lemire, who was now a professor of French. Nevertheless, those walking had one thing they could enjoy—the never ceasing con- versation between Janet Murphy and “Dot” Worthen, who kept us posted as to the ‘‘miss- ing links” of our class: — “Oh yes, ‘Blondie’ Walker is running a shop in Paris and Elaine Burnham is running a book store where you can buy some of Beverly Hart’s latest novels.” “Junior Gay? He’s manager of a Red White Store back in Leominister, and he has Signe Johnson and Karl Letters working for him.” “Chet”? Letters? Let me think, what is he doing? Oh I know! He and Picucci are playing in the big league. Dick O’Toole is coach of the University of Southern California football team, and he has Howard Wiley assisting him.” At this point they were rudely interrupted by some one falling in their midst. Who should it be but Ricardo Cavioli, who had for a while, anyway, come back to earth via a parachute! He told us that Howard Cook was the pilot of the plane from which he so un- expectedly dropped. It was not long before he was up in the air again because someone failed to appreciate his unique mode of arrival. “Vallee?” continued Janet, as soon as the excitement had died down. He’s peddling milk.” “Sure, and Lillian Morey and Belle Dunwoody are on the stage in New York and are fast becoming famous,” interrupted ‘“‘Dot.” “Tom Reiner is still breaking records ski jumping in Switzerland where he has re- mained since the Olympics,” said Janet undaunted by the interruptions, “and ‘Ed’ Coty and Mary Wheeler are giving concerts in England. Emilio Iacoboni is running a large poul- try farm in Fitchburg, and Harold Beaudoin is running a beverage plant. Edna Blake, ‘Dot’ Brown, and Rita Burns are all doing secretarial work at the Viscoloid.” But at last, the parade passed by. But no—along came “Johnny” Josephs, Gerard Scanlon, and Norman Foster, trudging slowly and wearily along the dusty road. So the Class of 1933 had all gone by and were on their way to a final Utopia! ROBERT ERICKSON MARION SAFFORD NORMAN CLARK 26