Enfield High School - Echo Yearbook (Enfield, CT)

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8 The Enfield Echo CLASS PROPHECY OF 194G Part I (By Lorraine Tanguay) Ten years ago, we of the class prophecy committee had planned to hold a reunion at the Midnight Spa. After an absence of nearly nine years, I returned home to keep this appointment. To my utter amazement, I discovered that I didn’t know my way around my own home town. 1 had expected changes to take place, but not such overwhelming changes, which in ten short years, had made our little town of Enfield one of the leading metropolises of the world. This, of course, was due to the fact that I had underes- timated the enterprising qualities of one, Frank Jakubiec, whose foresight and determination wrought these miracles. I had pre- dicted that he would hold some judicial position in the future, but I had no idea that he would ever become our “Little Flower” of Enfield. Getting my bearings at good, old Enfield High, I headed north- west to the locality in which I believed was the Midnight Spa. I had to cross through Manischalchi Park, which extended from En- field High down to Main Street. As I walked along, I stopped to read a plaque which verified my suspicions that the park was named in honor of the illustrious composer, Vencenzo Manischalchi, a for- mer classmate, whom I had prophesized would be the owner of the chain grocery stores of Manischalchi Sons. I slowed down a bit to appreciate the beauties of this park. What was once the mill pond was now a winding brook flanked on either side by sunk- en gardens. It was like a horticulturist’s dream, and upon further investigation, I learned that the horticulturist was none other than Mabel Norman, the former supervisor of the Mossing Department at Enfield Gardens. Leaving the park behind, I stood in awe as I viewed the beauti- ful edifice which supplanted the Midnight Spa and all the other lit- tle stores in the vicinity. The ground floor was used as a hotel, in the lobby of which I expected to meet the prophecy committee. As I entered, I had anticipated being greeted with shrieks of laugh- ter and much back-slapping, but to my surprise I was met with warm dignity and poise. As we stepped into the elevator, I noticed that it was operated by Jimmy Ragno, whom I had said would come up in the world. forces are Mr. Russell, Mr. Ricci, Mr. Fowler, and Mr. Angelica. Yes, as you can surely see, we have had four never-to-be-forgotten years at Enfield High School. With this Class History, we lock many memories in our hearts, and the key to them will always be near by.

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The Enfield Echo 7 won first place in the American Legion Area Contest, placed third in the Hartford County Oratorical Contest. Ramona was chosen to represent Enfield at Laurel State Camp held during the summer. She came back to us with the honored title of “best all-around girl.” Frank Jakubiec was chosen to represent Enfield at Boys’ Camp. In April, “Rose of the Danube,” the school operetta, was presented under the supervision of Miss Antrinette Roach with Roland Gagne in the leading role. Frank Gracewski was chosen from forty-two other boys to be awarded the Rural Youth Award. Governor Bald- win presented the award and all of us were thrilled that Frank had won it. With the Victory in Europe coming on May 8, our junior year drew to a close. Every one of us felt that it had been a grand and successful year. In the fall of 1945, as peace once again surrounded the earth, we entered the portals of Enfield to take our place as seniors. At last the cloak of dignity had descended. We hoped we would wear it well. Our Senior-Freshman Reception remains clearly in our minds tonight. It turned out to be a gala affair. Yes, the fresh- men eyed us with awe and we were in our glory. In October, we held Class Elections and once again Richard Vining assumed the role of President with Bernard Santenella, Vice-President; Wanda Mastalisz, Secretary; and Herbert Davidson, Treasurer. In November came the Hi-Y Minstrel, “Happy Landing” with our own Richard Vining as Interlocuter. Our principal, Mr. Hassett, left us during the winter to take up his new duties as Superintendent of Schools in Woburn, Massachusetts. We welcomed as our new principal, Mr. Harry E. Tatoian. In December, our school De- baters under the direction of Mr. J. Hesley Lyons, trimmed the Rotarian debaters on the question concerning military training. Those taking part were James Jackson and Richard Vining. The American Legion Oratorical Contest took place this year with Dorothy Bridge winning the area, county and state contests; thus having the honor of being sent to the regional contest in New Jer- sey, competing with New York and New Jersey Contestants. In April, the school play entitled “Spring Green” was presented. Among the seniors who participated in the production were Marie Binnenkade, Richard Vining, Helen Javorski, Lincoln Fuge, James Jackson, Richard Shields, Charles Alaimo, and Thomas Mailloux. Our happiest and most recent memory is our class trip. We were able to travel to Washington, D. C., where we spent many exciting hours. We profited greatly by this trip not only as a vacation highlight but also as an historical pleasure. Our country means so much more to us now. Tonight, as we close this history, we remember those who are not with us on this Class Night. Among those missing are “Frosty” Ferguson, the popular janitor, who was forced to leave last year because of illness; and Ray Tanguay, who has joined the service. Faculty members, who have returned after service in the armed

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The Enfield Echo 9 We stepped out at the 86th floor where a dainty little hostess showed us to the dining room. She looked very familiar and upon inquiry, I learned she was Leona Gourinski. Anxious to discover how many of our class prophesies had materialized, we got right down to business and began to discuss the information which each of us had accumulated. While in the lobby, Anna Marrochini, the hotel receptionist, told me that many of our old classmates are working here; Johnny Morrison is operating a helicopter service on the roof and June Lesniak is managing a beauty salon on the 18th floor. June’s manicurist, Nellie Nabonzy, and her hair stylist, Claire Cormier are the only two of their kind in the world. Eileen Babonas and Linda Leginza, the owners of an exclusive interior decorating shoppe on the second floor, have just returned from Vienna where they designed the dancing studio of A1 McBride. Anna related that there is a broadcasting station in the east wing of the building, where many of our classmates can be seen. The electrician there is Joe Skarzinski; Mae MacWilliams, our Luella Parsons of today, is now giving the nation its news about the great stars, including Doris McGarrett, who has just finished the picture, “Gone With the Last Winter’s Snow.” To advertise her lonely heart’s bureau, Roz Furey is sponsoring Joe Annis and his accordion in a 30-minute program. At 7 :15 every weekday morning you can join the battle of the bulge by exercising to the rhythm of Connie Bosco’s 1-2-3-4— 1-2-3-4. I hear that she is also teaching physical education in the Enfield schools to all those who manage to survive her previous lessons. Say, remember Kenny Bohannah, whom we predicted would be a bookkeeper? Well, he’s working in Liggett’s Corner Drug Store keeping a million funny books in their specified places. That famous fashion designer, Rose Wojnar, is now planning Vogue’s special design patterns. Did you know that Ginny Green has been elected the first woman dog catcher of Scitico? On many a dark, gloomy night she can be seen walking the lonely street of Scitico singing, “Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?” Margy Bushey and Bunky Larabee are now singing stars with Joe Garder and his Elastic Band. Bob Rossi, the leading trumpet player of the band, has just won a national award given by the Tall Tales Association for telling a yarn in which he referred to his car “Bessie” as having surpassed the speed of 15 miles per hour. After winning this award, he made a small fortune on the sale of his car to the Museum of Natural History. Derb Halpin, the famous motorcyclist known as “Dare Devil Derb,” is now featured in the obstacle races at Madison Square Gar- den. He certainly has come a long way since he met his first obstacle—our high school’s gymnasium door.