Conshohocken High School - Echo Yearbook (Conshohocken, PA)

Page 32 text:

TIIK clay of tile class reunion had finally arrived. The date was June 2, 1959. Fifteen years ago, back in the year 1944, the senior class of Consho-hocken High School handed down their upperclassmen honors to the succeeding junior class. Amid tears and heartbreak each member of the senior class vowed to meet fifteen years later in a class reunion at Matricar-di’s,” one of our school-day haunts. Raymond Matricardi, our popular humorist in the Class of ’44,” has developed his father’s business from a drug store to a leading night club (now known as “Club La Zonga”) in Chonshohocken City. Matt’s pleasing personality and assumed Spanish accent add an air of Latin-American splendor to the club. Strolling down Fayette Boulevard on my way to the office that morning, I recalled the days when Conshohocken City was a small, typical town, unlike the busy city that it is today, with its tall skyscrapers that seem to merge with the heavenly bodies above it. In this leading metropolis, I am a moderately successful newspaperman. My offices are located in the Herb-Gregorv Institute, named after those two great architects and engineers, Herbert McCurdy and Gregory Mazzochetti. This building is a tall, magnificent structure about twenty feet high and looks more like the leaning tower of Pisa. Similar shacks like this one have been built throughout the country. As I entered the building, I was happy, for alter fifteen years, I would again see all my fellow classmates that night. Dame Nature carved Norma Rein into such a fascinating character that I engaged her as my private secretary. As I seated myself behind my desk, Norma informed me of a tough, impudent, young man waiting for me in my outer office. I immediately summoned him to come in. I beheld William Hart-sell. the wandering cowboy. 1 knew William was in town because I had seen him the week before riding through the streets on a horse shouting, “High Ho, Silver.” William immediately asked for refuge from the officers of the law, who were hot on his trail for disturbing the peace. Before I could utter a word, an energetic young man burst into the room. It was none other than “ Elementary Cassev,” the great criminologist. Roy had put on some weight since I had last seen him, and it was now possible to see him without the aid of high-powered binoculars. He took us to the courthouse, and as we went through the rogues’ gallery trying to find illiam’s police record, I recognized a picture of Nunzio Giandonato. He wore a plaited white beard and a slick mustache and was wanted for throwing the overalls into Mrs. Murphy’s chowder. We finally found illiam’s criminal record. I le was indeed a menace to humanity. Aside from taking lollipops from children, he was also wanted for shooting peas at the mayor of Conshohocken City. As we proceeded I tripped over a bewildered looking chap who was being dragged by a tall brunette, whom I recognized as Lillian Matteucci. They stopped at the marriage license bureau; and, as the young man arose, I recognized him as Casimir Grayaus-kie. My companions and I immediately congratulated them, but they only blushed and said they were employed at this bureau. Casimir was always late for work, and Lillian, fearing Casimir would lose his job, dragged him to work every morning so that he would be on time. A kind woman. G£a A Jixap lecy, By Edmond Opelski 26

Page 31 text:

WHO MOST AMBITIOUS: Carmella De Santis Leroy Schlagei. furniture Builders—Edgar De Haven Casmir Grayauskie Herbert McCurdy Last 1.an ( her—Nancy Guarino Harry James’ Jan—Bertha Hall Class Typists-—Elizabeth Patzuk Jennie Sacks Class Bowler—Joseph Jaworski MOST HUMOROUS: Lillian Matteucci Raymond Matricardi Work Done Promptly—Margaret Vandegrift Iams Clark Artistic Ability—Mario Martinclli Class Superman John Krcasky Youngest Boy—Jerome Kopensky Hair-do—Marjorie Brown Unofficial Basketball Playa—Edmond Opclski Tallest Student-- Charles Pet tine BEST DANCERS: Lois Moore Stephen Jablonski Carefree Manner - Sylvia Cardaiuone Elizabeth Hastings Determined Students - Betty Vagnoni John La Penta The Average Girl Student Eva VV’eidner Class Skater—-Lois Frith BEST ATHLETES: Phyllis Fabrize Paul I’ilecki Quiet Girls - -Evelyn N i. on Clotilda Peltinc Class Villain— Lewis Isaacson frank Sinatra of 1944 — Kenneth Eastlack Baseball Player Joseph Nanasko Easy To Get Along With Rose Sutera Anna Zocco Homeroom Helpei— Frances 1 liggs MOST HELPFUL: Virginia Parker Julius Dachino

Page 33 text:

Wc left them, and as we entered the courtroom, I noticed a familiar figure pleading his innocence to the court. His broken-down appearance and starved-looking anatomy almost disguised my old friend, Kenneth East-lack. After retiring from the Naval Air Corps, Kenny took up flying as a hobby. He invented a rocket ship that would go eight hundred miles per hour in the air. The only set-back was the fact that Kenny couldn’t make it fly. One day Kenny’s invention exploded and hurled him into the air and he landed, dazed, on a telegraph pole. Thinking Kenny to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, a passing policeman took him into custody. Kenny’s sincere pleas finally convinced the court of his innocence; and, as I nodded to him, he fainted. (He had won his case.) Over the courtroom was presiding the honorable judge, Donald Champagne. hen he was in Conshohocken High School, Donald possessed the largest vocabulary. He was so brilliant that he revised the standard Webster Dictionary. The words were too limited for his brilliant mind, and he had to originate new ones. I always knew Donald would succeed in life because of his great ambitions and high ideals. His persistence and ability to solve Dick Tracy stories had secured him an important position in this notable metropolis. After the hearing in which William Hart-sell was proclaimed innocent of the charges against him, Donald and I, realizing the time for the class reunion was near, hailed a taxi and rode over to Club La Zonga which was already crowded with all the members of the Class of “’44. As we entered, Raymond Matricardi greeted us, and we were escorted to our table. The club was decorated in a brilliant array of dazzling splendor by those two noted interior decorators, Lee Schlagel anti farnes Gunning. Lee and Jimmy got their start in school where they carved beautiful designs on their desks in history class. Their desks are now in the Conshohocken City Free Library as a memorial to be admired by each succeeding generation of high school students. a truly great tribute to these two remarkable men. To our right were seated Miss Hedwig Hylenski and Dr. Donald Earle, two representatives of the Conshohocken City General Hospital. Donald began his medical career in the United States Navy. After a fierce Naval battle in which one of his crew members received a broken toe, Donald applied splints and gave him artificial respiration which saved the man’s life. In recognition of this unusual feat, the Naval authorities awarded Donald a doctor’s degree. He is now a renowned surgeon in the Conshohocken City General Hospital, where Hedwig I lylenski is Superintendent of Nurses. The show' of the evening, managed and produced by that leading director in Hollywood, Julius Dachino, was to include all members of the Class of ’44. Jul's popularity and remarkable intelligence were the chief reasons for his brilliant success. hen we finished our meal, the lights faded and Antonio and his String Beans began beating out a melodious tempo. Antonio was none other than Anthony Pagliaro, the leading bandleader of the nation. As he played his theme song, Who Threw the Overalls Into Mrs. .Murphy’s Chowder, a loud applause reverberated throughout Club La Zonga’s vast ballroom. 'I he spotlight penetrated the darkness and focused on a dazzling creature who drew the admiration of the whole audience. Her melodious voice poured out a heart-gripping song entitled, It’s Three O’Clock in the Morning, and the Wash Is Still on the Line.” It was Frances Higgs in person. After Fran-nie’s | erformance a brilliant array of dancers appeared on the stage. In their midst I recognized Evelyn Nixon, Constance Raymond, Mary Marcucci, Betty Vagnoni, Olive Minnick, Ann Zocco, and Jennie Sacks, all popular 1 lolly wood starlets. Evelyn Nixon was the only dancer in step, but it looked as if she was the only one out of step, which added to everyone's enjoyment. At the height of this utter magnificence, the dancers disappeared behind the curtain and the tempo of drums increased. The 27