Ionia High School - Ionian Yearbook (Ionia, MI)

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1932 THE IONIAN Class Prophecy I had been thinking of my old classmates for some time, and wondering where they had all drifted to since Graduation Day, away back in 1932. A solution to my problem came from a most unexpected source—a long-forgotten, dusty volume of my treasured “Sherlock Holmes” stories, which, in a reminiscent mood, I had taken from the book-shelves of my spacious library. Settling comfortably in a huge armchair before a warm and sparkling fireplace, in the soft glow of the early evening, I started to read. Choosing a chapter at random, I had read only a few pages when the idea occurred to me—my perplexing puzzle was answered; now I should know where all my old classmates were! In a moment I was at the telephone, calling to my assistance a certain young man whose name 1 found in the telephone book. He arrived ten minutes later, so silently that I did not know that anyone was in the room until a voice directly behind me inquired softly, “What can I do for you?” When I revealed my plot to him, the young man nodded wisely and said, “Woman’s curiosity.” Perhaps I should confess that it was a bit of that, but I shall always say that I would never have thought of it if it had not been for the reading of that chapter from the adventures of that unforgettable character, Sherlock Holmes. If it was “woman’s curiosity,” then it was entirely satisfied, several weeks later, when the young man, with a triumphant smile on his face, returned one rainy night, this time announcing himself by the loud slamming of the library door. Hanging his dripping raincoat in the corner, and sitting down before the fire, he began his tale. Here is what this mysterious person, of whom you shall hear more, told me, in his own words: “I am really proud of my work this time. It was hard work, but I found them all, scattered all over the country. Some of them are in New York, some in Chicago, and some remained to seek their fortunes in Michigan. Raymond Cuttle was my first “victim.” In high school, Raymond’s ambition was to become a cheer leader in a deaf and dumb institution, but when I peeked in on him, in New York a few days ago, he was picking at a typewriter with one finger, and there were a lot of wrinkles in his forehead. He was a good imitation of the “Thinker.” I soon learned that he was writing up his next week’s radio program. Raymond would tell you that a radio comedian’s life isn’t so funny, after all. Evidently he gained neither ideas nor inspiration from the numerous office girls hovering about. The young lady who had been powdering her nose ever since I had come in, turned around, shifted her gum from one side of her mouth to the other, and said, “Yes, sir.” It was Winona Wandall! In the next room I found Ruby and Coral Gleason and Neva Haddock in a whispered discussion of Winona’s new boy friend. Ruby and Coral maintained that he was good looking, but Neva didn’t think so. The subject was suddenly changed to a certain young lady whom they called “Dewey,” and from the ensuing conversation I gathered that Leola LaDue and Ardis Rumbaugh were highly successful business women, as private secretaries to George Estep and Pitt Galloway, whose famous “The Friendly Corner Drug Stores” you see advertised every day in the newspapers and magazines. Thus I had a clue which led me to the imposing offices of Estep Galloway. I found Leola and Ardis counting their change and wondering if they could afford to buy Floyd Gunning’s new book entitled “Philosophy and Poetry.” At this point Chrystol Miles, dressed in a bright blue suit, dashed into the office, breathless and a half hour late. She declared that she enjoyed the poetry, but that she couldn’t understand the philosophy. Chrystol yawned, and explained the yawn by saying that she danced to the “Templeton-Snell Orchestra,” the night before, down at the Stanton Stevens Ballroom. She saw Rosamond Patterson and Jessie Moore in the orchestra, and the drummer looked a lot like Irven Burgess. Chrystol was trying to figure out how it happened that Bill and Dick would allow so [25)

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THE IONIAN 1932 History The making of all histox-y involves a certain period of time. Thus, the revelation of our high school history began when we started as Freshmen four years ago. At that time, this day seemed an interminable age away. Now, in our reminiscence, it seems but a short time since our high school days began. However, in each of the four years of our high school experience, there have been certain “highlights.” In our Freshman year all classes were divided into three groups, and the year passed rather uneventfully. However, much enjoyment was derived (by those who participated) from the Junior High Dramatic Club, which is very prominent among the extra-curricular activities of the Junior High School. The class as a whole brought the school year to a close with a picnic at Woodard Lake. Our entrance, the following September, into the Senior High School was accompanied by the same confusion that greets all Sophomores—no one knowing what to do nor when to do it. Finally, out of this chaos, a class was organized and we elected Maxine Callow as our President; Luther Lawrence, Vice-President; Doris Kendig, Secretary; Raymond Cuttle, Treasurer. Our Sophomore year finished with the usual picnic, this time at Baldwin Lake. After a seemingly short summer, we resumed our work as Juniors. Then the much-coveted title of “dignified Seniox s” was really within our scope. During the first few weeks we selected our officers: Pitt Galloway, President; Kathex-ine Bensinger, Vice-Px-esident; Roberta Zibbell, Secretary, succeeded the second semester by Katherine Benedict; Eax'l Dunnett, Treasux-er. From this time on, every effort was concentx-ated on raising money for the ex-owning achievement of the yeax-—the Junior-Hop. Before we knew it the pax-ty was over and we were receiving many compliments fx-om those Seniors wlxose positions we so much desix-ed to hold. Last September we returned to the Ionia High School as Seniors. Immediately we elected our class officers, for there were many things to be accomplished. We chose as President, James Barkdull; Vice-President, Kathex-ine Benedict; Secretary, Earl Dunnett; Treasurer, Kathex-ine Bensinger. Early in the second semester, work was conscientiously begun on the 1932 Annual. Through the unceasing effox-ts of the students and teaclxers, our Annual proved to be a success. Also, about this time, the class honors wex-e awarded. Katherine Benedict was Valedictorian and Doris Kendig was Salutatorian. The next big undei’taking was the presentation of the Senior Play, “The Nut Fax-m,” under the direction of Mr. Smith, Miss Bui’ke, and Mr. Harx-is. Like all preceding Senior Plays of the Ionia High School, it was very successful. The outstanding event of every Junior class, the J-Hop, proved itself this year to be a most delightful pax-ty for the Seniors, and it was thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed. Now as these activities are becoming only memories and our high school life draws to a close, we are thinking of our fax-ewell Senior party and our last class picnic. Our class has been well represented in many activities of the High School—athletics, debating, oratory, and music. Our ox-ator, Luther Lawrence, won first place in the local and sub-district contests. Thus reads our past. For the futux-e we must turn for enlightenment to our Class Prophecy. [24] Maxine Hutchins

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1932 THE IONIAN many women in their famous orchestra. Not at all like them! Esther Mitchell was there, too. Esther is the private secretary for Harwood Hass of the famous Hass Hamblin Chain Stores. Chrystol said that Esther had let her in on a big secret; Harwood was bald-headed! She’d seen the wig fall off once in the office. Of course, Leola and Ardis wouldn’t tell a soul. Oh, no! Half an hour later, I discovered Ardis whispering the fact into Joyce Piper’s ears at a lunch counter. Shadowdng Joyce for a few blocks, I found her, just ten minutes later, eagerly passing the word on to her business partner, Dorothy Petty, in the privacy of the “Piper Petty Beauty Shoppe,” spelled with two p’s, as Dorothy proudly explains. At this time it was necessary for me to take a hurried trip to Chicago, by airplane, where I found Maxine Hutchins entertaining some old schoolmates in her penthouse. Maxine is a leading society woman in Chicago, and is very happy, living “up in the clouds.” When I found a place where I could observe without being observed, I discovered Maxine Callow showing a letter to Katherine Benedict. The letter was from Helen Holbrook. You see, Maxine is a famous author of a newspaper column wrhich is giving keen competition to the famous “advice” of Dorothy Dix, and which had almost put the well-known Miss Fairfax out of business. Maxine thoroughly enjoys her position. She then frankly told Katherine that as a lecturer she was fine, but as the author of “Essays on Studying”—well, she just couldn’t become interested in it. Dorothy Hoy, who had just come up, confessed that she couldn’t even understand the thing, but that her radio engagements as a popular pianist had kept her rather busy, anyway. Hearing the soft strains of a piano issuing from another part, I followed the sound, and found George Shean playing. George is a successful concert pianist now. When I saw him I had a suspicion that the dizzy height was doing George no good. No doubt this was George’s first experience in a penthouse, and he was unaccustomed to the joy of living on top of a skyscraper. I don’t need to tell you that Harry Campau is one of America’s most famous lawyers; he has never lost a case, and he loves to argue more than anything in all the world. When I saw him he had cornered James Bark-dull, who is also famous as an engineer, and was working hard, wagging his forefinger under James’ nose, and talking so fast and so excitedly that I couldn’t understand a word that he was saying. Every time Jim opened his mouth to say something, Harry started shouting at him. Finally Jim gave up, and Harry stood grinning triumphantly. Jim was the loser— another score for Harry Campau. Jim grinned when he saw Harry corner Luther Lawrence, another politician, and Harry was off again! I heard a familiar laugh and turned to find Louise Winchell, who is a well-knovcn authority on child care, laughing at something that John Wort-man was telling her about his new play. John is very popular as Chicago’s newest “find” in comedians. Listening, I heard something like this: It seems that John Danner, curtain man at the theater, had become so excited when Adelaide Scully walked in the other night, that he had pulled the curtain up too soon, revealing the stage-struck workers. Clinton Sible, the director, was jumping wildly about the stage shouting last-minute orders. Stuart Billings calmly tapped him on the shoulder and they walked off the stage together. Harold Whitlock and Herman Shadier were so frightened and surprised that they just ran off the stage, running into Earl Dunnett, who, unaware of the great tragedy, was walking out onto the stage with some vases in his hands—the vases landing on Donald Bliss’s feet. Bruce Setchfield and Gerald Tingley, the only ones who considered it a joke, stood in one corner and laughed at the facial expressions of the others. John’s description, punctuated by an abundance of “gees,” “goshes,” and gestures wrhich were meant to mimic the actions of the unfortunate people who had been in this sad plight, was putting Louise into convulsions of laughter. John suddenly became serious, telling Louise that, believe it or not, Doris Kendig and Gladys Fehrlen had made the scenery for his new play, [2 6]