Frankfort Community High School - Red Bird Yearbook (West Frankfort, IL)

Page 14 text:

How Dear Was My Hometown Homeward bound to an Old King Coal Festivall Just as though the clock had turned back its hands to several years ago, I would once again be a child, joining the gaiety and merriment of the townspeople, frolicking at their annual festival. The very thought was exciting. Now I was drawing nearer. I had just passed the delightful Benton creek, so typical of Benton. Familiar sights, sounds, and smells were helping me remember the good old days. A lady hitch-hikerl It couldn’t be, but it was—Ernestine Cox. who had run away to become a torch singer. Well, here we were at last. My own town. But it was changedl Different. All I could see were skyscrapers—four stories high The sign on the building said, Martin Martin. Attorneys at Law,” and under that, We handle divorce cases, but delicately I Paul and Bill Martin, of course. Who else would try to make W. F. another “big little city' like Reno? But wait! There was a commotion in the street. It was friend Dayton McReaken trying to arrest three women for stealing fireballs. Looked like Ruby Matthews. Esther Stacey, and Marcella Willard Well, time changes everything. Passing Barrett's, I noticed a sign, Eat Jam and Jelly with Paul Margelli.” My old enemy had done well for himself. I parked my Hudson and went in. A tall, thin gentleman came forward to greet me. It was P. M. He was so pleased he ordered my dinner ‘’on the house.'' Imagine! An all-girl orchestra, with Mary Lou Hudgens conducting, then came on the platform. Mary Lou sang the theme song. “Elmer's Tune, and I could see Willie Lois Perkins tootin' the trumpet, Jane Swofford beatin' on the drums, Aileen Chamness swingin' on the sax, Edith Thompson giving the piano the boogie-woogie, and little Alice Thompson hittin' the big bass viol. What was the world coming to? I sauntered down the street casually. A tinkling chime caught my attention. It was the Good Humor Man, Wallace Reid. Jr., decked out in white, and selling ice cream. Half a block down, I espied John Thomas Rowles, uniformed in the same way Walking past the State Theatre, I observed the ad: Bob Rawson and His Swinging Cowgirls in “Rawson Rides Again starring Betty Johnson. Helen Foder. Mary Henderson, Ruth King, and Evelyn Burpo. Passing the popcorn stand, I heard Dorothy Tweedy's voice crooning, “Popcorn, 10c a bag. tax included! Eating popcorn, I continued down Main Street. Attracted by the lovely clothes in the window and “Bob Burg, Mgr ‘ I entered Burg's just in time to see the fashion show. Tall, beautiful girls were gliding past, among whom I recognized Pat Sadnavich, Lizzie Mae Hughes, Evelyn O'Neil, Margaret Short. Imogene Will, and Pearl Crow Local beauty wasn't bad at alll Across the street at the Strand Theatre the bill-of-fare shouted: “See Glamour King and Queen of the Movies, Hezzy Hindman and Eva Mae Rennie, in ‘If I Could Only Dance Like Louie.’ Looking in the Rosalie Shop, I saw Maurice “Seabiscuit” Holland washing the windows. He told me he'd made a career of it—even had seven assistants: Joe Falletti, Wilbur Nickelvich. Bill Moore. George Iubelt, John Parkhurst, Garldine Rose, and Bennie Roe. I detoured to the city hall to get a drink of water, only to find Clarence Freeman vigorously sweeping up the dust. He had been elected janitor unanimously. Hearing violent language. I walked past the bars and saw Frankie Bataitus sitting therein. He was in for bigamy, for marrying Rosemary McCloskey and Mary Millikan. His companion in misery, I noticed, was Tubby Tefft. whose reason for being there was too. too obvious. Back to Main Street. I saw that Mason Willmore had betrayed his own by going over to the American Brokerage to buy some work socks. Lee Nestler had become famous on the Nestler-Newberry, Inc. sign. The Dimmick Hotel was featuring a famous orchestra from Hollywood, “Moan Groan” with Walter Stone and his Thirteen Little Rocks. For curiosity's sake, I went in. First. I saw Lulu Levanti shining shoes, and second. James Avery, sitting majestically at the clerk's desk. In the ballroom, ostentatiously done in cardinal and grey, an act was going on. Gene Glenn was giving his rendition of “Mammy” with a sob in his voice, and a teardrcp in his eye. But touching! Next came a tap dancer who looked very much like Harold Eldridge. and then the Four Glammer Gals, Oralene McReaken. Corine Hudson, Mary B. Sumner, and Jewel Wall, sang “Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat.” The band then struck up a fanfare and a flock of lovely chorines began a ballet dance. Among them I saw Anna Lee Taylor, Eloise Munsell, Marilyn Miller. Margaret Ruscin, Imogene Russel, and Helen Rymza. The show was over and people were dancing again. I especially noticed Connie “Krupa” Smith, Darrell “Dorsey” Wearmouth, and Matt Miller” King, and their cute featured singer. Jinny “Simms” Wilkinson. Louise Vineyard and Allan Edmonds were celebrating their wooden wedding anniversary, and at the next table I heard Pansy Jo Moss announce her engagement to J. B. Willmore Bill Childers and Hugh Gifford had eyes only for two—. I went out for a last general glimpse of the merrymaking, and looking over the scene, realized that forever and always, natives of West Frankfort, would return—again and again to the land of Old King Coal. 10

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Frankie Savs: The whistle blew and 200 workmen enrolled as Rock Pickers in one of the largest coal mines in Southern Illinois. They contributed their bit for the good of the F.C.H.S. mine, and the following year proudly took their places as Shot Firers. The next year they did their part and this time were raised to Trip Riders. Many is the trip they rode for the good of the mine. Their goal was in sight. And now it was there—they were Track Layers. Bob Minton took over as general superintendent to begin the year right. The mighty football machine of '42 provided them with foreman, Heza Hindman and his husky aides, George lubelt, Earl Martin, with John Gouse coming over from the basketball division. Miss Betty Turner ruled as Queen of Beauty with Geraldine Fife and Pansy Jo Moss as her beauteous attendants. Their activities were directed by Mrs. Winifred Henson and Mr. R. L. Crowell. American Passport directed by Miss Alice Hoye, was a smash hit, and proved their dramatic ability. Neva Woolard completed a successful four year career as cheerleader. The football and basketball teams were sprinkled generously with Track Layers. They had enjoyed a glorious four years, and now, equipped with all the experience the mine could give them, they prepared to continue laying tracks in the outside world. Track Layers (Seniors) 9

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Row I: John T. Anderson Dude' . . I belong to Kelley; Emma Antoline “Emmie Big Eough; James Avery Jim abbreviated; John Bckon Fitch . bringin' home the bacon; Vivian Barnett Squirt trim and de- mure; Thomas Barnard . . . Tommy . . . reserved. Row II: Velia Bartolotti Squeaky . . . fancy free; Dorothy Barty . . . Dot . . . de- cidedly talkative; Frank Bataitis Big Boy'' . . . distinguished; Wesley Batteau . . . Short Stuff . . snazzy gum-chewer. Inset: Heza Hindman, class prexy, Co-captain of '42 Football and George Iubelt, vice-prexy both killer-dillers in athletics. Row III: Ervie Beers Kokomo Astaire in the making; Arthur Benedetti . . Art shocked (by electricity); Gordon Benningfield . . Jay mechanic; Ted Bernhard Teddy tall and easy going. Row IV: Russell Bolen Rusty Matador de maujeres; La-wana Book Pasa . short and happy; Yolanda Borrelli Yollie . full of pep; Robert Bowen Bob good looking; Pauline Bozic “Whiskers . queen of the kitchen; Joe Bruce . . . Joe . . . slow and sober. II