Wausa High School - Viking Yearbook (Wausa, NE)

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The month of May rolled around tor the twenty- fifth time since the twenty-seven seniors of Wausa had bid farewell to their Alma Mater and stepped into the wide, wide world. I, Sharon Johnson, was remembering that event- ful day in 1956, as I was flying over the Atlantic on the way to England, there to make a personal appear- ance with the renowned trumpeter, Mendez. He was retiring from his glorious career and I had been honor- ed by being chosen to step into his place. As soon as I arrived in London I hurried to a conference to be held with the director of the London Philharmonic Symphony. There, to my great delight I found waiting, Joyce Mattson. It seems she had married the president of the orchestra board, who had been extremely influential in the hiring of her for the position. During our conference we decided to go on a three week vacation following my perform- ance so I would be rested before embarking on my career in joint partnership with the London Philharmonic. The concert was a great success. Before we left the concert hall, we saw a figure riding swiftly toward us. He nimbly jumped off his bicycle and ran toward us. We immediately recognized the smiling face to be none other than Jim Peters. He set up his own messenger service and was making a small fortune on it too. He handed us the message and we eagerly opened it. It read as follows: Congratulations on the highly successful and enjoyable concert. Best regards, Charles Seagren, U. S. Ambassador to Russia. Jim told us that Charles had been very influential in bringing about the long looked for international peace. The next day we boarded the train to begin our trip. Our first stop was in a small English town where the big attraction was a spectacular lady wrestling match. As we settled ourselves in our seats, we glanced up only to recognize the referee as Kenneth Thorson. His wife, we learned, had risen to fame in the field with the aid of Ken’s unprejudiced refereeing. As the match began, we were conscious of a familiar voice coming over the loud-speaking system. Much to the annoyance of those around us, we jumped to our feet to see who the announcer was. We were greatly astonished to find it to be Dennis Swanson. We had never found him to be the talkative type in high school, but we found him to be quite the changed man now. Mrs. Thorson came out victorious again, much to Ken's delight. After the match, we learned there was to be a girls basketball game the next evening, and both of us being sport fahs, decided to stay over. We found it to be a tremendous game with the spot light always fixed on England's star forward, none other than June Newquist. She was spectacular, but later told us that she owed all of her success to her coach who had so diligently trained her. We found the face of her coach, at which all the girls were adoringly gazing, to be very familiar. He was then announced to be our former class- mate Gordon Carlson, now one of the leading sports men of Eurot)e. Our trip was interrupted by the sau news of our former classmate’s illness in the U. S. A. Dorene Shallberg had received many honors in the field of dramatics and had become one of America's foremost actresses. Her engagements had become so demanding that she was now suffering from a nervous breakdown. We rushed quickly to her bedside, there to be greeted by her attending nurse, Deanna Nyman. She was head nurse of this huge hospital and was in great demand from all over. During our visit she told us she had been correspond- ing with Bernice Moon who now was situated in Lapland. It seems her affections had turned from horses to reindeer. She was now lovingly raising them on the rich mosses of Lapland. We suddenly had the desire to see our old Alma Mater in Wausa. During our trip there we purchased a newspaper. The headlines read Seagren Runs Crocker Out of Business. ” Under this heading was the story of how Sherril Seagren cake mixes had become much more popular than the old Betty Crocker method, she also was giving Duncan Hines a run for it. Upon our arrival in Wausa we headed straight for the high schoul. It had tripled in size because of the able management of the principal, Floyd Hult. He also was the head of the geography de- partment and had written several best sellers on that subject. During our visit he told us that Terry Wacker now owned a large farm west of Wausa and was Nebraska’s foremost authority on the newest ag- ricultural methods. We also were told that Ronnie Beaudette was controlling the trap lines by the use of his newly invented guns and traps. He had gain- ed a large fortune and became known as America’s most eligible bachelor. As we walked the streets of Wausa we noticed a newly constructed building. Above the entrance the letters I. O. O. F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) were inscribed. The chairman of the institution, a tall man with light hair, was seated at the immense desk in his office. It was not until ’he lit his cigar that we recognized him to be Lyle Shallberg. As we entered the office a pretty girl quickly jumped off his lap. Lyle introduced her to be his secretary and her name was Mona Johnson. They made a very successful team. The next day we departed for Philadelphia. One of the first buildings off of the airfield had a large neon sign which read: Anderson’s Driving School, Learn to drive in 10 easy lessons. We were at once interested and went in. We were greeted by the owner and manager who introduced herself as Nancy Anderson, she was highly success- ful in her new business and she suggested that we have supper toaether that night at the Ritz Cafe. HULT'S CAFE Home Cooked Meals Phone 92 COUNCIL OAK STORE Phone 189 Stewart Chambers, Manager

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We had heard of the wonderful reputation of this spot and accepted the invitation immediately. As we seated ourselves for supper we were delighted to recognize our hostess and owner to be Vendla Burns. Her wonderful Swedish dishes had earned acclaim all over the east coast. During the course of the supper, the lights were lowered and the spot light was focused upon the featured entertainers. They were called Bill's Be-Bops. We knew at once the director was Bill Loennig who had begun a similar group during our high school days. Later that night, as we snapped on our radios, an announcer shrieked Hear the last minute gossip session brought to you by Loretta Erickson, famous Hollywood columnist. We certainly got the low down on everybody. One of her latest bits of gossip was that the wonderful model. Carole Plog, was now employed as modeler of fur coats in Siberia. On the side she was babysitting for Russia's Premier. The next day, as we were buying our tickets for Miami, Florida, we were recognized by the ticket seller, who was Norma Linquist. she told us she was married and lived on Independence Avenue. One of our first visits in Miami was at their famous art gallery. We saw someone dusting the different pieces of art and thought he looked famil- iar. It was Richard Juracek and he told us he was starting from the bottom to learn the art business. He had been dusting for 13 years, but he was learn- ing and soon hoped for advancement. Butch told us to be sure to listen to Auntie Louise of the Children's Hour. She was our former classmate, Louise Nelson, and her story was, My Experience While Having a Nightmare. We decided to kill some time by going to the beach. A large billboard greeted us. On it was written, Attention all millionaires, Contact the friendly Newquist Burying Agency at once. He will bury you in the shifting, whispering sands and has year around service. We understood that the reason for the decrease in Miami's population was due to Doyle's great success in business. As we walked along the beach we spotted a tall familiar figure. It was none other than Dick Gustafson, who said he was doing quite well. In fact he had already applied for membership in the Siltin', Starin', and Rockin'Club for retired millionaires. Our trip was over, but it had given us the happy assurance that each of our classmates had fared well and starred in his own way. Well might the school that harbored the class of '56 be proud of the success of its graduates. COLORS - Purple and White LARSON MACHINE SHOP ANDERSON FUNERAL HOME Blacksmithing and Welding Wausa, Nebraska SEHNERT'S BAKERY Walter Sehnert, Prop.