John D Bassett High School - Timber Tints Yearbook (Bassett, VA)

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SENIOR CLASS HISTORY Commencement time? Why it can’t be true! Yet here we are the seniors of ’50 putting the final touches on a most beautiful melody. Shall we relax and sing our song again to hear how it sounds? In the first and most exciting verse there are one hundred and twenty-five green students entering the doors of Bassett High. Divided into three groups we chose Annabel Gusler as our president. Typical of Freshmen, we hated being called rats” and dreamed of the day when we would be seniors. The second verse was sung with much anxiety. Sophomores! Divided into two groups we began to join clubs and get the hang” of things. We seventy-six, under the leadership of Joyce Johnson had a wonderful year. We really strutted our stuff” when Paul Wampler and Rhona Weinstein won the Latin tournament. Our dream of being seniors was nearer realization when the Junior-Senior banquet was held. Some of the girls were complimented by being asked to serve while the rest waited until next year.” The song goes on and we are entering the new school building as juniors. The sixty- nine of us wer e again divided into two groups under the presidency of Choo Choo” Lawson. We entered more activities and felt as if we really belonged. We were thrilled immensely to have the high privilege of giving the Seniors their banquet. The year passed quickly and the ’49 seniors graduated. Tears filled our eyes to see them go, but our hearts rejoiced to think we were the seniors. For the last and saddest verse! The one for which we have waited so long and now that it is here, we wish we could wait just a little longer. Our president, Ralph Nash, helped store happy experiences for our memory book. We all burst our vest buttons when the football king and queen were chosen from the senior class, Becky Adams and Choo Choo” Lawson. Our band was organized and held a grand performance the night of our last football game. The S.C.A. was organized and did splendid work the entire year under the sponsorship of Miss Ethel Stone. And then our class rings came, football season ended, the senior play and banquet just a memory; all chains broken, all sports gone and four beautiful years gone with them. We find ourselves in caps and gowns with the congratulations of the teachers and friends filling the air everywhere. Soon the sobs and laughs with all the hustle and bustle will be over. And all is quiet until the next autumn when the doors will swing open again and the class of ’50 will only be a memorv. But from this class to all the seniors in the future we say, We hope your song will be as beautiful a melody as ours has been. 4 20 } — Ruth Howell

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PROPHECY They told me I must prophesy; that should be the work of a sage, but I, a fool more than a sage, will try to reveal your future in our next imaginary age. Standing on the corner of something new — but in 1959 it is a streamlined avenue — whom should I see but Nancy Byrd with some gigolo trying to let everyone know that she has inherited enough money to get herself a beau. Smiling sweetly she passes on. Looking across the wide avenue a humorous sight meets my eyes, Mary June Moore running a beauty stand. Beside her stand is the new Radium Theater owned by Eugene Hodges. Stopping at the theater I hear roars and hisses. It is Jessie Hill and Ralph Nash making their screen debut in Love and Kisses, and oh, I do want to see that heart- stirring drama performed on the stage featuring Stella Walthall and Nancy Martin in Act Your Age.” Passing a very stately marble building I met a small, well-dressed woman whom you all know as June Turner, who from many hearts takes thorns. She ' s famously known as an authority on Advice to Lovelorn. Doretha Stone waits patiently in her office for a love test ( not a blood test) to find out which of her boy friends she loves best. Suddenly I hear a terrible yell — it ' s Bobby Prillaman, the great comedian that can ' t last; for now he has fallen and his leg is in a cast. Oh well with Romaine Simpson as his nurse— don ' t be stingy Bobby no leg is worse than no purse. While contemplating Bobby ' s condition, I suddenly hear poppings and smackings and my what a sight! It is Rebecca Adams and June Grogan competing for fastest chewing gum queen. Deciding I better get away from Bassett before I go com- pletely berserk, I go in the station and buy a ticket for Collinsville, the city about eight miles from here. I sit by a very friendly girl who tells me she is Mrs. Dalmation, the wife of a deceased multi-multi-millionaire. We become very friendly and since we have beauty parlor appointments for the same Beauty Salon ( it is the new Orchids Beauty Salon), she for a manicure and I to get my hair fixed, we go together. This is my first time to visit the new beauty shop and I am completely bewildered to find that Juanita Bennett is the attendant there. Before I have time for introductions Juanita is about to smother Mrs. Dalmation with affections. (You know we were always an affectionate class! ! ) I just stand and goggle when I learn that Mrs. Dalmation is the former Miss Rhona Weinstein. Before there is time for more ado I am rushed in to fill my ap- pointment. The hair styler, oh, I can’t believe it, but it is true, for there before me is Monsieur Ross with a little black mustache and a cultivated French accent. But of course women of our day and age couldn ' t be really chic if we didn ' t have men hair stylers, could we? Rhona is waiting outside my booth and asks me to accompany her to the new Science Hall to hear a Chemistry lecture. I always liked Chemistry so I readily agree. For two hours I am bored by Professor Paul Wampler telling of his new invention the atom smasher which if not watched carefully would completely disintegrate the smasher and if watched too carefully the person watching would undergo a physical and chemical change as our teacher of many years ago. Coach Lemons, used to tell us. Rhona and I had planned to attend a football game but we had to go first and get Rhona’s car, a ' 59 ford con- vertible. At the garage we are met by the General Superin- tendent Burin Stone who said he would bring the car out at once and this he did. We started off at a very rapid pace and behind us we heard a siren. With a dejected air, Rhona pulls to the curb. State Trooper, Junior Jones, gets chickenhearted when he sees who we are and we escape a ticket. We finally arrive at the field where the Green Devil Varsity (coached by George Wade) and the Black Dragons (coached by Junior Lawson) are about to get under way. Each side are very sure of themselves as they boast such famous coaches, but the game ends 6-6. Wearily we make our way across the street to Bonnie’s Grill where Margaret Byrd cheerfully serves us sandwiches and cokes. We start towards home but we will never get there for Rhona must stop tnd see a new business concern. It is an unsmearable lipstick factory owned by Harold Haynes. We find Nancy Dodson in an office pounding on the type- writer and evidently she isn’t the only one who likes the product for we find Dot Bennett working there as an as- sistant superintendent and in another spot we find Ida Lee Meade. So it must be a very good product. We start peacefully on again and what should we have but a flat tire. We walk to a house a little way up the road taking time only long enough to fuss at a couple of kids for putting nails in the road. The door is opened by the former Mildred Foley (I can ' t remember who they are all married to ) . Mildred has as her guest overnight Harold Scarborough, the great prize fighter, and very willingly ( it seems from all outward appearances) he agrees to fix our flat and I as in the days of long ago and being a gad about (a New York Gossip Strip) I suggest that we women catch up on our gossip. Did you know that Douglas Martin is teaching History IV back at Dear Ole Bassett Hi. And that Nellie Joyce is half owner of the famous dress shop for Exclusive Women, and I saw in the paper where Ralph Mason is a partner in that outstanding law firm Green and Green and of course you have heard about Joyce N. Johnson having to help support her husband by designing bathing suits for plump women. Isn ' t it wonderful that Etholine Sink after working al l these years as a model has finally achieved her goal, Miss America of 59 and Mary Ann, you remember Mary Ann Thomasson, Woman’s Private Detective (unable to find a man she has decided to trace one). Edna Wood is really showing her brain as greatest Mathematician known and Larry Thomasson has got brains too, as President of the Better Farmers Association. Opal Roberson, get a load of this will you, inventing a new kind of powder which you b ow on. I heard she wasn ' t getting rich very fast because all you have to do is blow and it comes off the same way, (Whew it must be light as hydrogen) and did you know that Alice Jefferson tiring of wasting her time is now ha ' r styler for men only. Bobby Oliver, the dear old boy as Miss Norvell, one of his English teachers, used to say, is owner of the Youth Center. Unable to stand the thought of getting old he has joined a youth group. Can you believe that Ann Stone has written a new book on Why Should Women Learn to Cook? Poor Annie Mae is looking for a job for she is married now and will become domesticated. Betty Helms is assistant to the President of the Atomic Studios, and dear, dear Annabel Gusler has written a new book which is just simply famous on How to Keep From Being an Old Maid. Speaking of being famous, Eddie Bassett is too. He makes all those improvements on the airplane and what do you think of Louise Foster coaching gjrls in basketball when her girls still have one more foot- ball game this season. Betsy Smith, Secretary of Labor — I knew she must have something in mind for all that hard studying and Peggy Thomasson, she was formerly, is married and now buying economy size garments. Who would have thought that Ezra Dalton would be a minister? I ' ve heard that his favorite from the Bible — especially when he is broke is — If God Wills It, It Must be Thus and Edith Fulcher and Mary Ruth Stone after working for Women ' s Rights are known as first women legislators. Mary Pedigo has gone to the deepest jungles of Africa as a Missionary. Yancy Stafford crooning Beautiful Dreamer in Holly- wood while Ruth Howell tickles the ivories and Robert Stout modern composer of love songs. Bill McDonald writes dreamy music to go with those magic words Robert composes. Thomas Martin, State Champion at billiards and shooting pool and Ellis Stone is America ' s greatest acrobat and clown. Bobby and Gene Webb are well known as drum majors in the United States Band. Virginia Mullins, an efficient bookkeeper, and Frances Shelton, dietitian at Bassett High School. Everybody knows that Darrow Jarrett is one woman’s man and Thelma Cassady and Mary Ruth Stone reporters for the newspapers The Star” and The Moon” respectively. Our tire has been fixed ages ago but we gossip on; when suddenly we hear a low exclamation of surprise, Harold reads from the Society Column where Rachel Spencer is getting married way out in Calamazoo Canyon — imagine such a thing? Oh, gracious 1 can ' t believe it, but if I don’t get to the twins they ' ll find me first and goodness I gotta go. Written by — - Myrtle Nolen

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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT As, we the Senior Class of 1950, see the old master clock tick away the few remaining hours of our high school career, we realize it to be the time to make our last Will and Testament to our fellow friends, classmates and teachers dear. Therefore, to Mr. Hoover, our ever patient principal, who has seen us through 4 of the best years of our lives, we leave to him 3 future secretaries from the class of ’50 to help with the affairs of Bassett High. To our coaches, Mr. Bailey and Mr. Lemons, we leave these brushes so the scrub team can start early in foot- ball practice next year. To Miss King and Mrs. Bailey, our beloved Senior sponsors, we leave a carton of Stanbacks” to clear up those headaches we have caused them so grievously. To the faculty we desire to leave a place in our memories for their never ceasing helping hand. To the student body, we will Rooms 21 and 23 as home- rooms when each class has reached their final years of high school career. 1. Junior Lawson wills and bequeaths to Bobby Young his title Choo Choo.” 2. Ralph Nash wills and bequeaths to J. C. Turner his handsome mug. 3. Myrtle Nolen and Joyce Johnson will and bequeath to Geneva Ashworth and Libby Martin their ability to find and hold (?) their man. 4. Bobby Prillaman wills and bequeaths to Gary Lee Carter and R. J. Frye the ability to be class nuisance number 1. 5. Mary Ruth Stone wills and bequeaths to Nancy Holt and Lucy Ruth Sink her freckles which she dislikes so much. 6. Betsy Smith and Douglas Martin will and bequeath to Ruth Johnson and Esther Lawson their ability to be faithful Betas. 7. Ralph Mason wills and bequeaths to Wallace Hatcher his short statue. 8. Nancy Byrd and Nancy Martin will and bequeath to Jean Curry their ability to outlaugh anyone. 9. Peggy Thomasson and Thomas Martin will and be- queath to Violet Turner and Stuart McGhee their ability to be the neatest seniors. 10. Annie Mae Johnson and Jessie Hill will and bequeath to Lucille Hall and Frances Edmonds their success in the field of love. 11. Larry Thomasson wills and bequeaths to Bernard Martin his place in chow line in the cafeteria. 12. Stella Walthall wills and bequeaths to Kay Belcher and Martha Sue Turner her driving permit. 13. Betty Helms wills and bequeaths to Barbara Moran, Jewell Hall and Helen Ramsey her secret for expressing much through silence. 14. Ann Stone wills and bequeaths to Jean Turner her crocheting needles. 15. Billy McDonald and Bobby Webb will and bequeath to Taylor Fulcher and Donald Dyer their bass voices in the Glee Club. 16. Burin Stone wills and bequeaths to Ellsworth Haley his artistic ability. 17. Rachel Spencer wills and bequeaths to Hilda Bradner her ability to be Senior cutie. 18. Rebecca Adams wills and bequeaths to Mary Jane Austin her white cheerleader sweater as football season rolls around again. 19- Ezra Dalton wills and bequeaths to Billy Byrd and Jimmy Shelton his shy way with the girls. 20. George Wade wills and bequeaths to Everett Whitlow and Jesse Frith his athletic ability. 21. Edna Wood wills and bequeaths to Joy Lee Prillaman her seat at the receptionist desk. 22. Mary June Moore wills and bequeaths to Peggy Philpott her desire to be a model. 23. Ida Lee Meade and Etholine Sink will and bequeath to Marie Oliver and Ann Philpott their ability to be seen together at ail times. 24. Gene Webb wills and bequeaths to Bobby Wright his place in the band. 25. Harold Scarborough wills and bequeaths to Jack Allen his manly physique. 26. Ellis Stone wills and bequeaths to James Statzer and Bill Law ' his love for himself. 27. Paul Wampler wills and bequeaths to Dennis Case his ability to be known as the Brain.” 28. June Grogan wills and bequeaths to Roger Hylton and Anton Gibbs her method of getting others into trouble. 29- Eddie Bassett wills and bequeaths to Norman Haynes that Senior dignity which he does not have. 30. June Turner and Nancy Dodson will and bequeath to Dorothy Turner their ability to raise a commotion in English class. 31. Annabel Gusler wills and bequeaths to Mona Lee Martin her ability to catch the eye of every wolf” by her beauty. 32. Doretha Stone wills and bequeaths to Doris Jean Young her ability to be the skinniest” senior girl. 33. Rhona Weinstein wills and bequeaths to Mary Swain her ability to captivate many friends by her friendly dis- position. 34. Margaret Byrd wills and bequeaths to Mary Boone Williams her ability to keep up on the latest jokes. 35. Bobby Oliver wills and bequeaths to Marvin Hall his love for ’40 Fords. 36. Bobby Vernon wills and bequeaths to J. E. Swain his place on the bench in Mr. Hoover’s office. 37. Louise Foster wills and bequeaths to Delois Boyd her ability to take Mr. Bailey’s place in the Mock Football Game next year. 38. Opal Roberson and Frances Shelton will and be- queath to Louise Adams, Ella Pendleton, and Joy Osborne their Senior books with their best wishes. 39. Ruth Howell wills and bequeaths to Cleo Agee her place on the basketball team for ’51. 40. Mary Ann Thomasson wills and bequeaths to Joan Prillaman and Myrtle Sigmon her cooperative spirit in all she does. 41. Romaine Simpson and Robert Stout will and be- queath to Dorothy Setzer and Adron Stone their lady-like and gentleman-like abilities. 42. Junior Jones wills and bequeaths to Ray Turner his patrolman’s belt and badge. 43. Juanita Bennett wills and bequeaths to Lorena Bennett and Clara Bryant her ability to smile at everyone at all times. 44. Virginia Mullins wills and bequeaths to her sister Betty Ruth Mullins her seat in Miss King’s homeroom. 45. Ronald Ross wills and bequeaths to Bernard Joyce and Lewis Wayne Thomasson his love for the shop. 46. Darrow Jarrett wills and bequeaths to Roy Wail and Versil Washburn his shyness with the opposite sex. 47. Mary Pedigo wills and bequeaths to Pauline Spencer her ability to get all A s on deportment. 48. Dorothelene Bennett wills and bequeaths to Lena Jefferson and Mary Ruth Prater her seat on the second row in the Glee Club. 49- Edith Fulcher wills and bequeaths to Nadine Franklin and Ronald Myers her ability to blush when one of the opposite sex let out one of their wolf calls. 50. Thelma Cassady wills and bequeaths to Virginia Ingram and Dorothy Cassady her corner in the library. 51. Harold Haynes wills and bequeaths to Raymond and Bernard Stone his corner in the Bird Cage. We hereby declare ourselves witness to this, the Last Will and Testament of the Class of 1950. Rebecca Adams Rhona Weinstein Ann Stone 4 21