Honaker High School - Torch Yearbook (Honaker, VA)

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■’Sleep . While resting in my favorite chair one day. reading a very dull book, I surrendered myself to the mighty, yet gentle attack of that great conquer. In my slumbers I was entertained, much to my gratitude, by a most unusual dream. In this dream I was confronted by a lady wearing spectacles and resembling our good Miss Fuller, who professed to be a true sorceress. I challenged her to prove the power attached to such title by proposing that she show me into the future of each of my classmates. Very eager to prove here prowess, she set to work immediately, and here’s what I saw — thanks to her. I saw Margie Ball, rolling pin in her strong right hand, clutching a small wizened guy who, I gathered from the expression on his face, was her wayward life partner. I could see Lora Gay Ball busily taking off and putting on babies’ diapers. She W ' as in charge of a small nursery. Helen Belcher was engaged in the occupation of farming in the Little River country. Much to my surprise I beheld our sweet Delcie Boyd instructing a physical education class outside a lovely little red schoolhouse situated on the highest pine covered knob in Pine Creek, Virginia. Then I saw a tall domineering woman, who was determinedly shaving a medium-sized guy’s lip spinach . Taking another look, I saw that It was Bettv Cali — just as I suspected. Vernelle Call was clowning for the Mid-Night Ramblers on their Saturday night barn dance show in Gardener. Then I was admiring a pair of the prettiest underpinnings” a guy ever let his eyes feast on. Taking a higher view I was pleased to recognize Louise Combs, the most recently discovered talent in the art of modeling. Gladys Crouse was on an ocean liner bound for France. Her object in sight was to teach those French girls something concerning glamour. One of them had won the heart of Jackie Sutherland. Miss Anna Dye was owner of a grocery and tobacco store on Long Branch, Virginia. Our lovely Avalene Dye was strolling down Broadway with a sign on her back which read, For Complete Satisfaction in the Line of Eats and D rinks. Come to ' Bill’s’.” Miss Marie Elswick was successfully playing the most important role of her life — the role of Mrs. Dan Robinette. J. C. Franks, though not on the flying trapeze, was flying through the air with the greatest of ease. Then I saw a tall, athletic-looking man of perhaps thirty years, who was bossing a road gang. They were putting up sign posts and building fences. It was Rush Gent. Jo Ann Hart was managing a beauty shop on Big A. Mountain. Cleo Hawkins was successfully playing the role of a Cleopatra in a new stage production. Miss Patsy Hillman was selling strands of her beautiful sorrel hair to patriotic citizens at a minimum charge of at least one twenty-five dollar war bond. She was blissfully acknowledging the compliments paid her concerning her great patriotic spirit which prompted her to sacrifice that beautiful hair that America might live on. Then, to my amazement, I saw a tall, dark man standing before a microphone broadcasting the news of the day. It was Charlie Honaker who had taken Lowell Thomas’ place as the greatest news commentator of the world. Lois Honaker. garbed in blue denims with Rosie the Riveter” written across the seat of them, was busy at work in an airplane factory. Then I saw a man and a woman sitting ' neath a weeping willow. It was Mary Jessee telling a certain tall, light-haired man that she couldn’t see any reason at all why a couple who had been courting fifteen years shouldn’t marry.” Buster Johnson was sitting in a chair, especially designed for comfort, which was situated behind an impressive desk, on the front of which were these bold w ' ords; Henry Stuart Johnson. Jr.. District Attorney.” Madelene Lockhart was angrily spanking her young son for not making the required number of A’s on his report card. Sadie Lowe was the good wife of a certain Mr. High. As a result, she was at a normal attitude. I saw a woman emptying a bottle or can of something into a bean pot. Then I saw the “Skull and Crossbones” drawn on the bottle. All the while the woman was muttering something about it being the last of her fifth husband. With some difficulty I was able to recognize the woman as Margaret Martin. Then 1 really was amazed. I saw Treva Miller in the White House, and for a mighty good reason, too. She was the first lady of our fair land. She was calmly amputating a cur dog ' s legs so that he would look like Fala. I saw Victoria Miller sewing a piece of red flannel on a pair of faded overalls. Her husband was close to an open fireplace trying to keep warm. He wanted to know if there would be any difference in having that kind of pitch and having no patch at all. Suddenly I was watching a race. The athlete in the lead was a tall. slim, dignified fellow whose long legs were working like pistons. It was Ralph Reedy who was making Gunder Haegg look like a sucker. Lawrence Slate was blissfully enjoying his high office as the chief clerk in H. R. Davis’ Grocery Store and Feed Market.” Then I was a spectator at a mighty wrestling bout. It seemed to be a one-sided affair with the Mighty Midget, for that was the fighting name of the smallest gladiator, winning. Much to my surprise the Mighty Midget was Russell Starnes. Venna Steele, who we call Blondie”, was the chief attraction in a smooth floor show performance in Johnny Call ' s Cafe” in Richlands. Va. Ralph Steele was enjoying his Brown’s Mule tobacco while bis blonde haired wife was dipping her snuff. Oh Yeah! Six children were playing rag in the back yard. Leon Street was busy cutting a discouraging head of hair. Since he didn’t need his spectacles anymore, he was looking over the top of them. He seemed to run out of anything to cut before he got through. Howard Sykes was taking the place of Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys” on the Saturday night Grand Ole Oprey Show. Then I was entering a Greek restaurant. Helen Taylor met me before I got half way to the nearest table. She followed me ' till I sat down insisting that I should buy a bulla zoup.” I found myself suddenly situated in a barnyard. Miss Betty Lou Watson was gathering eggs while her tall. dark, and handsome husband was dutifully milking the cows. Miss Bee Welch was enjoying that bliss which comes with success — success by the name of Mr. John Wells. 1 saw Estle Wells shearing sheep on his Pine Creek sheep farm and trying to pull the wool over Helen Dixon’s eyes. Betty Jane Wright was sutstituting for Kate Smith. She was sing ng One Meatball” when I saw her. C. A. Whited was walking disappointedly out of a motion picture studio. His shoulders were slumped, and his head bowed since he had just failed a screen test which if he had passed would have made him the Clark Gable of the 1950’s. As my dream continued, I saw a handsome, red-headed man piloting a passenger plane. It was Jack Auxier and Banna Miller was an air hostess on the plane. The time was 1990. An old man was standing on the walk trying to make a living. He had a basket on his arm as if he were selling something. It was Bob Wysor selling Milk of Magnesia as an after shaving lotion and glue as an aid to people who have false teeth. Next. I was in Teddy Miller’s Jot-em-Down Store in Pine Creek. Virginia. Teddy, before he died, willed his place of business to Andy Robinson w’ho was carefully looking after everything, except the cash register — Maxine was taking care of it. Then I saw Professor Roy Sword. He was sitting ’neath a rose bush on the college campus with his heart throb”, Narcie Lee Wilson, who was a phvsical education teacher at his college. Oh yes, the moon was shining down through the thorns. It was in the middle of the 1950’s. There was Ruth Waddell, a cute little nurse, standing by a pleasant faced man’s bedside, holding his hand. The label attached to the foot of the bed said that it was James VanDyke who was quite lovesick. It was three o’clock Sunday morn-ing, and who should I meet coming down a dark street in Honaker but Dallas Starnes. He was keeping up his hobby of attending all, all-night square dances. Then there stood Clara Nell Owens with a big smile on her face. She was waiting on Red” who was getting off the train. Then a blur in the vision, and I saw four little girls in bell-bottomed trousers who Clara Nell was trying to teach to play basketball the way she did in her school days. There was a cozy little log cabin with a lawn of tree stumps and greenbriars. As my eyes wandered farther, I could see Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller, the parents of the three darling children. Mrs. Miller was the. former Miss Juanita Vance. Why, there was Idana Miller! Did she look cute in that army nurse’s uniform! She was very busy in an army hospital but always finding time to roll her favorite patient in a wheel chair. Douglas had been in the hospital for quite a time with a broken leg. Suddenly there was a blur in my vision and as it cleared, I saw to my surprise. Henrietta Davis just being crowned Miss America” of 1950.” What a sight! Then 1 heard sweet music. No, it was hotter than any jazz ever produced by Carmen Miranda. It was Harriet Anne Snyder, accompanied by her Snickle Fritzy Band. Next. I saw Betty Sample kneading biscuit dough in a neat little kitchen and at the same time posing for a picture for The Ladies ' Home Journal. ” She had become America’s typical housewife. Much to my sorrow these visions ceased completely and I was again in the presence of the sorceress. I asked her why she hadn’t shown me into my own future. Her reply was that she would advise me to buy some lollypops, for my future depended upon my ability to play the role of a sucker. — Dallas Dye,

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It has often been remarked that history has a peculiar way of repeating itself, and so to a certain extent the history of the Class of 1945 is much like the history of classes which have gone before, and of others which will follow. So, remembering that to many people history is a rather dull subject except to those who have taken part in it personally, the historian of the Class of 1945 will strive to be as brief as possible and to touch only upon those subjects which are of significance not only to the class but to others. In September, 1941, the doors of Honaker High School were thrown wide and a welcome was extended to one hundred twenty-five Freshmen. Thus our high school career began. As sheep follow their shepherd so we wanderd around looking to our superior classmates for help and understanding of the rules and practices of the school. We worked and strived — always ready to do our share — and achieved much in our days as beginners of a new life. From our days as Freshmen we advanced into still another stage, that of Sophomores. Many fell from the ranks because of a lack of zeal for knowledge but the more ambitious ones remained. Knowing that nothing is impossible and that one reaps for himself what he has sown, we aimed high knowing too, that labor conquers all things. Striving on — we completed another eventful link in our life. At the beginning of our Junior year we began to feel ourselves an important factor in school work. Of our class we are proud for having so many participants in the social life and organizations of the school. Members have entered into the various clubs, and activities offered to the students. It is with great pride that we look to this group who achieved a well-merited honor. We believe that the experience gained and the leadership developd will be of decided advantage in the years to come. Our dream realized — the crowning goal of our high school labor — we are Seniors. The Class of 1945 has decreased until we have only fifty-two of our original one hundred twenty-five members. Through working, toiling and persevering we have attained knowledge that will be distributed to our coming successors. We feel that with the experience gained we are able to take our places in the world as better citizens of the future America. On every sunny hillside we expect to find shrinking violets which must be looked for in out-of-the-way, shady spots, and we express our fondness for those of our number whose modesty and retirement caused them to leave prominence and honor to others. We are not unmindful that the cleverest and most skillful of generals could not win a campaign of any kind without the privates in the ranks, without those who, saying little, still do much to add to the comfort, success and happiness of those about them. Who shall say that their service is any the less if it is not emblazoned in letters inches high! The Class of 1945 has clearly held its place in the sun. It has been one of outstanding traits and deeds and will be long remembered by those following. Launched but not anchored. In the years ahead many of our number will appear and reappear, and without a single exception, will find the lasting satisfaction which a life well-lived is bound to offer. During the life here in the old halls, in the buildings and on our school grounds we have a soft spot in our hearts. To our teachers and principals, for their helpfulness and lasting interest in us, we express our gratefulness and gratitude. The curtain is going down on the history of the Class of 1945, but in reality the Big Parade is just commencing. — Clara Nell Owens

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JUNIORS CLASS OFFICERS Mildred Belcher President Jackie Miller Vice-President Josephine Sykes Secretary-Treasurer Frances Ball Mildred Belcehr Robert Bostic M. O. Boyd Nadyne Buskill Imogene Combs Phyllis Combs Marion Compton Marjorie Compton Lucy Mac Cox L. P. Crabtree, Jr. Pauline Deel Cleve Dye, Jr. Ethelbert Dye Harold Dye H. L. Dye Virginia Earls Betty Fuller Jean Gillespie Harold Gregory Mary Anne Herndon Ralph Herndon Martha Hess Oma Hess Edna Honaker Harry Honaker Imo Jean Honaker Dewey Hubbard Georgia Hubbard Reba Hubbard