Agawam High School - Sachem Yearbook (Agawam, MA)

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TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CUSS OF I93I School day ties are treasured things and far though we may roam, The tender bonds with those we knew still pull our hearts toward home! We, the Committee, have found our olarming the reunion most rewarding. Each bit of correspondence brought with it a kind of magic—the sight of those we haven't seen for so long—remembering their smiles, their school activities and the count- less infinitesmals of pleasurable and genial feelings . It was our hope that we might get a bit of news from each and every one of the fifty-four surviving members of the Class of 1931. Although we are disappointed that everyone did not respond, it is with pleasure that we submit the following: CATHERINE ASHE: - Until 1968, I was an executive secretary, first at Van Norman Machine and then U. S. Envelope. I then changed my career to journalism, becom- ing Editorial and Advertising Manager for two weekly newspapers in Manabawken and Tukerton, covering the Long Beach Island - Mainland resort areas. In 1978 the papers ’were sold to a national chain and I retired. I live in Bamegat, New Jersey. In a few words—if I had to choose a high school and teachers all over again, it would be Agawam—Miss Button, Miss Miller, Miss Ward and on and on. We were most fortunate to have had such dedicated teachers and such a fine educational system that resulted in literate graduates. MILDRED BITGOOD HAFF - After working for the Springfield Armory for about 17 years until it closed down in 1968, I moved to Burlington, Vermont where I continued working for the government in the IRS office. Three cold winters in Burlington were enough, so in 197? we moved to Largo, Florida in a mobilehome. I worked three years as a secretary for the State of Florida in the Health and Rehabili- tative Services office and retired in 1976. Now we live in Mainlands , a con- dominium development of individual homes. We contracted to have a new house built in this development two years ago and took possession in February, 1980. We keep busy with our bowling and golf leagues, swimming, card playing, trips, plus attending some of the activities at the Clubhouse, such as twice-monthly dances, bingo, bridge parties, dinners, etc. Mainlands is located just off High- way 19, between Clearwater and St. Petersburg. Please stop and see us if you are in that area. FLORENCE BRADFORD - It will be a joy to hear about the reunion and the members. 1 was married, unmarried and have no children. I'm a graduate of the University of Chicago—Seven years teaching in the graduate school of Social Work at the Universitv of Washington. Did two years of research—seventeen years in Child Guidance Clinic of the Los Angeles schools and eleven years of part-time private practice, including one day assisting school personnel. My therapeutic work is here in a home I designed and had built twenty years ago. It snuggles into a hillside of granite overlooking Pasadena and the San Gabriel Mountains. I enjoy Los Angeles Philharmonic seasons, growing Eiffel Tower Roses—spend time at the beach in the summer and traveling and seeing friends. Come and visit when you are in California or traveling to far places. School will keep me in California until July 1 and then I will be off to Scandanavia. HI IDA BRIGGS RILEY - I regret that I will be unable to attend. In 1979 I was de- clared legally blind. I no longer drive or read. In the past I enjoyed knitting, sewing, rug-braiding and gardening. Now I do loom weaving for the New Hampshire Association for the Blind. From 1951» through 1961 I did office work. When I

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Gertrude Belyea in bookkeeping I would especially like to thank Nellie Irene Button who taught us to express our thoughts on paper, Eleanor Smith who made mathematics invaluable to my later life, Marjorie Ward who made history come alive, Ruth Perry who opened up the world of music to us all and Allan Hadley in Science as he courted Katherine Phealan who taught History and English. Other fine teachers were Mary Crowley in Art, Fred Dacey taught manual training before advanoing to greater things. We remember with gratitude Marian Edgell and Harmon Smith in Physical Education, Elaine Mansfield and Miss Jacques in French, Clara Mclntire in typing and shorthand. We salute Eleanor Miller in Latin and Geometry. Latin may be a dying subject but it wa3 darned useful in learning other languages, reading foreign menus and solving each Sunday Times crossword puzzle. We recall John Quirk in Science. These were an unusually capable and dedicated group of people. They were handpicked by Ben Phelps with hi3 always smiling moon face and continual enthusiasm. We thank you all. I suppose we were a “depression class . 1931 was in the middle of that 1929 i93k period—about the worst in U. S. History. A plate of spaghetti and bread cost 25 cents at Tinti's; Ford s best car cost a little over $500.00 Each of us present here tonight hopes that we have contributed our little bit to the society in which we live, that we have enhanced the reputation of Agawam High School and partially repaid the large debt we owe the taxpayers, school administration and the faculty of this fine high school. Thank you all and my especial thanks to Edith for her research. BION T. WHEELER, JR.

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2. became bored, I gave it up for working on our chicken farm which I found much more pleasurable and interesting I had no family of rry own but in 1956 I took in a homeless boy He is now married and has three children who have made us a very happy Gram and Gramp. ALICE BAL30NI ZAVARSLLA - We live in Agawam. Our son, Ralph, is a School Counselor in Agawam Since we are going to Bermuda, we will be unable to attend the reunion. SYLVIA E4RDWELL NELSON - My working days were in an office with an Insurance Agency, I have one daughter and two granddaughters, one twelve and one thirteen I enjoy gardening both flowers and vegetables. BEATRICE CASANOVA PLOWER - I was married and had no children. I lived in New York until 1971 when ny husband died. I then returned to Agawam. Since then I have traveled to Greece, the Greek Isles, Turkey, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Japan, China, Bangkok, Singapore, South America and the Canadian Rockies. In 1979 I lost both my mother and my sister Helen. I look forward to more travaling. JOSEPH CHAGNON - Married and living in East Longmeadow. I was a cabinet maker and carpenter and for many years until retirement worked as superintendent of construction jobs. I am enjoying such hobbies as gardening, nature stucty, Rock- hounding, making silver jewelry and cutting and polishing rock. JULIA CHRISCOIA CRAWFORD - After forty-two years in the field of Education in Agawam, I retired in 1976 from my final assignment as principal of the James Clark Elementary School. Presently Jack and I are enjoying the winter months in Port Orange, Florida, the summer months in Agawam and we are doing some traveling. NATALE V. CIRILLO - I have retired as of last September from the James River Corp. where 1 was employed as a chemist in charge of Quality Control and R. D. I have been married for U3 years. We have three children, all married and five grandchildren. My hobbies are golf, fishing and all sports. Good luck to all. ALMA COLSON BOYNTON Have traveled a great deal. Have most recently been to Australia and New Zealand. Travel to enjoy the Springfield Symphany. ANY'COTE SURPR5NANT - Harry and I.have three children and three grandsons. We own the Bay State Advertising Co., Inc (Outdoor Advertising - Billboards) and I still do the office work for this company. We also own the Safeway Signs, Inc. of New England (Directionals - Overhead Highway Signs. I do not work for this company. Both companies are located at 231 Western Ave., West Springfield, Mass. In my spare time I do knitting and play bridge. NELLIS DAVIS - I didn't go to business very long. I kept our home for my aging parents. I enjoy gardening and reading. VSRDA FITZGERALD BURKE - Widowed. Spend much of the winter at a friend's Chalet at Ski Country in New Hampshire and to the Islands and the shore in the summer. DOROTHY HASTINGS MARTIN - Taught Physical Education at Agawam High School for forty years, retiring in 1976. Since retiring tiave taken up needlepoint, work one day a week at the church and am a member of the Board of Trustees of the Cantain Charles Leonard House. ORPHA HASTINGS BIAISDELL - I had been looking forward to our $Oth reunion and had planned on coming but it is a conflicting day. I'm very active in Rug Hooking and will be teaching a Seminar in Tennessee. My class there finishes the day of our reunion. I graduated from Springfield Hospital in 1935 and was married