Conshohocken High School - Echo Yearbook (Conshohocken, PA)

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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

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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

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famous dance team of America, Jerome Kopensky and iMarion McLean, emerged on the stage and went through their number, which was called The Dance of the Crossword Puzzle.” The dance was so difficult and Jerome became so entangled that a prize was offered to the man who could undo him. This fascinating spell was broken bv the wail of a baby. Looking to the source of this disturbance, I beheld Lewis Isaacson with his eighteen-months-old son. Lewis was standing on his head trying to comfort the wailing infant. After his fatherly comforting the show went on. Antonio and his String Beans next presented their popular singer, Charles Swoon-atra” Pettine, and as his enchanting voice held the audience spellbound, his upper plate slipped and he began coughing and stamping, which threw the audience into hysterics. Just then I noticed a red glow in the darkness. Immediately taking out my binoculars, I beheld Betty Patzuk, Alice Grain, and Ros-lyn DubrofT, the leading beauticians of New York City. They were the creators of luminous make-up, which was the sensation of the year. After the show I went over to a familiar figure who wore boots and a ten-gallon hat, whom I recognized as Bernard Solonika. Bernard developer! Cedar Heights into the leading cattle-raising district in the East. When I approached him, he was lighting a cigar with a one-hundred-dollar bill. I laughed, pulled out a one-thousand-dollar bill, and lighted my cigarette. (Little did he guess the bill was counterfeit.) With Bernard was June French, star of the Metro Lot. She was recently featured in the picture, Gone with the Snow,” which was a huge success. Also present were Margaret Vandegrift anti Betty Hastings, the popular Hollywood columnists. Everyone’s attention was drawn to the table where Stella Sikorski and Rose Sutera, the famous fashion experts of Conshohocken City, were seated. They were busily cutting out a new creation from the table cover. Stella and Rose invited me to sit at their table and from them I learned that they had intentions of reviving the old-fashioned dress,” which went out of existence entirely after World War II, and was superseded by slacks. They asked for my opinion on the matter. Not wishing to get involved, I faked a spell of unconsciousness, a trick which I found convenient, to escape expressing my opinion to a woman, which usually ended in disaster on my part. Immediately on the scene was Abbie Vinson, the airline hostess. Before I could explain, 1 was treated for every injury known to man. Coming to my rescue was Joseph Camaioni, who dragged me to a table in a far corner of the ballroom where I was content with being an innocent onlooker, enjoying this fascinating confusion before me. Joseph informed me that he was a connoisseur of wines. He traveled abroad to test wines—a truly odd profession. His was the profession I envied, above all other of mv fellow classmates. At the next table I beheld John Gambone busily engrossed in reading a book on Einstein’s Theory on Relativity. Upon closer observation I saw that John had a comic magazine concealed inside the l ook and only used the book as a “front,” just as he used to do back in our good old school days.' I le retired after graduating from high school and devoted all his time reading educational literature.” With John was Jean Redington, his faithful secretary. Jean always carries a dictionary with her in case John becomes puzzled over the meaning of a word. The climax of the party was reached when Joseph Jaworski, the star of the Metropolitan | era Company, jumped upon the stage and began singing, Auld Lang Syne,” with everyone present soon joining in. I’ll always remember Joe’s tear-filled babv-blue eyes with their expression of commiserate sorrow. Thus was fulfilled my greatest wish, that of seeing all my fellow classmates ami l eing assured that each member is successful in life and contributing his part to this freedom-loving country America. 28