Old Town High School - Ye Olde Towne Crier Yearbook (Winston Salem, NC)

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GEASS ARO rin cene It is nearing midnight of Christmas Eve, 1952, and I find myself amid a clutter of wrapping paper, ribbon, and Christmas stamps. All the presents have long since been wrapped and placed under the tree, with the exception of the gift I have purchased for Bettye Davis. This item is a little tea-pitcher which is a replica of Alladin’s Lamp, and because of its odd shape it is affording me a major problem: how to get it wrapped. Noticing a dirty smudge on the side of the pitcher, I grabbed a piece of tissue paper and began rubbing vigorously, Suddenly, there was a big puff of smoke, and POOF There in front of me was the Genie of the Jug (alias Don Whelan) who bowed low (or as low as Don can bow) and said: “What is it you wish, your highness?’’ “Now just a minute,’ says I, ‘‘just what are you doing in my little lamp?”’ “Well,’’ stammers the Genie, ‘‘I was at the last Stag Club party and got my regular jug broken. (You know, the one with the X’s on the front). Calvin Cox and Max Briggs had a small dispute and indulged in throwing things.. It’s a good thing I wasn’t in it at the time or I might have been seriously injured!’’ The Genie scrowled. “Listen, you big figment of my imagination, what is your purpose in this visit?’’ I demanded. “Why, to take you on a cross-country tour in my little car. We're going to see what our classmates will be doing in 1963!” “A tour in your little car? I don’t see any car. Where is it?” I asked. “Give me that jug!’’ Taking the small lamp in his hand, he began rubbing the sides, and once again, there was a puff of smoke, and then the materialization of ‘Lizzie’! The next thing I knew, we were pulling into Times Square in New York City. “Will you look at that flagpole sitter up on top of the Empire State Building! Why, it’s Clyde Fine! Well, no wonder! He was strung up enough times on the flagpole in front of the school back in '53 to be very talented!”’ “Where are we now?’ I asked the Genie. “We’re on the Astor Roof,’ he replied, ‘‘and if you look at the floor show I think you’ll see some familiar faces.”’ “Say! Look at the chorus line! There’s Barbara Branson doing her famous ‘Ballin’ the Jack’. Seems as though she’s really made good with those cute routines. Here comes another act. It’s Shirley Comer! I hear she’s taking Betty Hutton’s place in show business. Guess she’s been blowing off all that steam she held back, during schooldays. “Now, let me see if I recognize anyone in the audience... Who is that lovely lady in the mink coat? It looks like... It is! It’s Frances Ronk! She’s now the wife of a notorious lottery king. Well, that always was her ambition.”’ “Who’s having that big party in the private dining room?” “That’s no party,’ replied the Genie, ‘that’s the Cartwright family. Mrs. Cartwright was formerly Carolyn Young of our Senior class. It seems that they were endeavoring to raise a girls’ basketball team and wound up with an eleven-man football squad!’’ “Oh, look!’’ I exclaimed. ‘‘Here comes Bill Kurdian and Kenneth Blakley, the famous magazine illustrators! I always thought they would make good, because they certainly did a beautiful art job on our annual back in ’53.’’ Suddenly, the Genie raised his hand, and all at once we were back in ‘Lizzie’ traveling across the continent. “Gee whiz!’’ this must be Death Valley!” I said. “You’re right,’’ answered the Genie, ‘and if you’ll look up ahead, you’ll see a familiar sight.’’ “Well, cut off my legs and call me shorty! It’s a drive-in theater! And look, the sign says . . Owned and operated by Gene Jones and Betty Whicker! They couldn’t have picked a more secluded spot for a drive-in! “Hey, what’s that roaring noise? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it Superman?” “No,” said the Genie, ‘it is neither. It is Professor Harvey (alias Harry Lineback) in his newly developed ‘‘souper-souped”’ flying saucer!” “Well, I hope he runs out of gas after he hits Mars so we won't be bothered with him anymore,” I replied. “My, my! We’re coming into the desert! And look, Genie, a mirage! It’s the first one I’ve ever seen! I’m so thrilled! Let’s get a little closer!” As we drew near, I saw that the mirage consisted of a basketball game, which was starring Charles Posey and Dan Goldner, All- Americans, who had just racked up ninety-nine points apiece against their opposition. Now the girls’ game is starting. Will you look at those two forwards go! Say! That’s Iris Shore and Jackie Davis! As I remember, they were the two best athletes in the country. Always knew they were good ball players. Oh, Phooey! There went my mirage! Well, Genie, let’s move on to that big city up ahead. Isn’t that Los Angeles? It is! Now we're inside the city limits. Look! There seems to be some kind of convention going on!’’ “There is,’’ said the Genie, “it’s the W.S.P.C.H. convention.” “What in the world does W.S.P.C.H. stand for?’’ I asked. “The Wives Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Husbands. It’s a cooking schooi,’”’ he replied. “Oh, I understand now. Genie! There’s Bobbie Comer in that crowd! Isn’t she looking grand! But I wonder what she’s doing at a cooking school?” “She’s not attending,’ said the Genie, ‘‘she’s the instructor.” “Well, I knew she was a good cook, all along!’”’ I replied. “Hey, Genie, the city’s changing! It’s not Los Angeles anymore!” “Of course not,’’ said the Genie, “it’s San Francisco. And if you'll look towards the Golden Gate Bridge, you’ll see David Jenkins embarking on an ocean liner for China. He’s one of the world’s greatest missionaries now. You remember that was his ambition back in ’53. Whiie you’re looking at that ship, do you recognize that saiior swabbing the deck?”’ ‘Now that you mention it, he does look familiar .. . I know who it is! It’s Grady Clifton!’’ I exclaimed. “Right you are,’ said the Genie, ‘‘you remember the Army turned him down, but the Navy eas desperate!’’ “While we’re in San Francisco, let’s go to another night club,” I suggested. ‘“‘Maybe we will see some more of our pals.”’ No sooner had I made known my wish than we were standing in the foyer of a lavish night club and what I saw nearly made my eyes fall out! There performing in the floor-show was Betty Davis and me! Our greatest ambition was realized! We were both dancing behind the same bubble! Can you imagine!! “Look who just passed us,’’ said the Genie, “it’s Hazel Doub and Meiv.n Walker, the best dressed man and woman in the United States!” “And Genie,’ I exclaimed, ‘‘look who just came in! It’s Sir Garland Cartner! I hear that the Queen of England knighted him as a reward for saving the English people from starvation by sending them the products of his largest dairy farm!”’ “Yes,’’ replied the Genie, ‘‘and here comes another familiar figure. It’s Ted Foster, the millionaire car dealer. You remember we aiways did think he had an eye for business when he purchased that T Model Ford back in ’53.” “Who’s playing that piano?” I inquired. “It’s Peggy Ritchey,’’ replied the Genie. “It seems that she decided on a musical career after all, and she is doing quite well with it!” As I was listening to the wonderful music, I saw the manager of the club pass by and I was astounded to see that it was Ellen Nixon! It’s no wonder she made good in that field, because she aiways was good at helping to plan our chicken-pie suppers.” As I looked around, I saw that the Genie was getting ready to transfer us again to some other interesting place. I shut my eyes tightly and when I opened them, I was quite surprised! We were at M.G.M. studio in Hollywood! And who should be coming out of the ‘‘Big Bosses” office but Ann Hill and Betty Flynt, now employed by Mr. Mayer and Mr. Goldwyn as script girls. “For gracious sake, Genie,’’ I exclaimed, “why is everyone fainting and gasping?’’ “Look at that big handsome man coming down the hall from Studio One, and you'll see!” he replied. “Wow, Boinggg! It’s... It’s Dean Gough! No. 1 heart throb of American women!’’ I squealed. “Sure,’’ said the Genie, “‘he’s right on top in the movie business, now As the Genie said this, I saw him point towards a bill board advertising the latest M.G.M. release, ‘‘Einstein’s Little Helper.’’ The story of Margaret Vaughn Einstein when she passed away 7 years ago. Margaret has been proclaimed the most intelligent woman in the world, along with her able assistant, Alice Jeune. Suddenly, the room where we were standing began to spin around, and all at once we were back in ‘Lizzie’, heading home. Home! I was contemplating a good hot cup of coffee and a nice warm bed when I saw that we were approaching a very sharp curve at break-neck speed! Only ‘‘Lizzie’’ can travel that way! “Genie!’’ I screamed, ‘‘Slow down! We're going to....... I looked around, and my heart jumped up and lodged in my upper plate! The Genie was gone! He had disappeared. Just like Don Whelan! Never there when you need him most! And wow! How I needed him now. I was coming upon the curve now and there was nothing to do. but go over the side of the cliff! EEEEEKKEEEEKEEEEEE!!!!!! “Jo Anne! Jo Anne! What has come over you? Does Christmas always effect you this way?” I opened my eyes to find my mother standing over me holding the alarm clock which informed me it was 2:00 in the morning. “What is the matter with you,’’ she asked, ‘“‘you’ve been throwing tissue paper, and you have broken Bettye’s little pitcher!’’ “Well, it serves him right. I see now he’ll have to find another jug! HA!” “Who? What are you talking about?”’ ventured my mother. “Why, the Genie, of course!’’ I replied. “Genie? Jug? Heaven forbid! My own flesh and blood! Intoxi- cated on the glue from a package of Christmas Seals!’’ Mother began to tear her hair, but I just relaxed on a pile of tissue paper and replied: LELLELALLLL LLL Cee JO FOWLER, Prophet.

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Gta lel Gladis As we look on our past and our long climb up the ladder, we suddenly realize that we have at last reached the goal of our childhood dreams. In remembering the laughter and tears that have marked our way, we must go back to the very begin- ning of our school life here at Old Town. Early in September, 1941, an eager group of boys and girls, with their faces beaming and mischief in their hearts, met for the first time in Miss Trivettes’ and Mrs. Flynt’s rooms. Barbara, Billy, Max, Bettye, Harry, Garland, Hazel, Bobbie, Iris, Bettie, Carolyn, Dean, David, Bill, Frances, and Shirley were introduced as the first grade classes of that year. We struggled through our first grade year with measles, chicken pox, mumps, tooth-aches, but none of these hurt us as much as the very day routine of “Mac and Muff,” and 2 plus 2 equals 4. In the spring of this year and every year to follow we looked with great pleasure to being in Miss Hale’s operettas. My, how cute we looked with those whiskers and long bobbing tails. After it was over I remember how dirty all those tails were from being dragged over the floor. We really made a fine group of cats. Up the ladder we kept climbing, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, Peggy Ritchey and Bobbie Comer entered our class in the fifth grade, and Charles Posey and Dan Goldner, in the sixth. We were excited to have someone new in our toom. These years were highlighted with fights, spitball shooting, and of course a few spankings now and then, along with the other things neces- sary to our growing up. Mrs. Higgings and Miss Mullican were in charge of our seventh grade classes. Mrs, Higgins room was transferred to the high school side. This was the year Calvin Cox threw caster oil all over the room, and Miss Mullican pounded arithmetic into our heads with the assistance of her green ruler, “Charlie.” Our eighth grade year started off with a bang. Remember how thrilled we were every day when we changed classes? Mrs. Badoert taneht science and Miss Scott taught math. Jo Fowler and Margaret Vaughan entered our class this year along with Clyde fine. We were especially eager for our freshmen year to arrive. We soon fell into the swing of changing classes and adapted ourselves to all the new ways of doing things. We had our pet peeves, chiefly last period study hall. It was early summer this year that death reached out to take one of our classmates, Basil Long, from us. His sudden death threw a shadow over the following year and left a sadness in 25 IN HISTORY each of our hearts that we shall never forget. The shine wore off our happy days as wa entered our sopho- more year with Mrs. Pratts’ book reports and Mr. Williams’ ar- thoropods and tree samples. Ball games, parties, hayrides, and dances gave us our pleasure after long tiresome days of reciting “The Ancient Mariner” and 2x plus 14x—3b plus 8c equals (who knows?) ‘Mac and Muff” was never like that! Jackie few that we as seniors know and share, our secret dreams and ambitions. Our help and guidance has come from none other than Mrs. P. R. Newman, our homeroom teacher, Mr. R. L. Blevins, our principal, and Mr. G. G. Lemly, our assistant principal. We are forever grateful to you for your inspiration and friendliness. Today we grasp that to which we have long aspired and since we know ‘tis education that forms the common man,’ we trust we are just commencing our life as we put one phase of it behind us. Davis entered our class this year. At last we were juniors! Taking on new responsibilities, we now ordered our classrings, planned and gave our Junior-Senior Banquet at the Hotel Robert E. Lee. Anne Hill entered our class this year. Once again death left sadness in our hearts. Mr. Eugene K. McNew, our principal, died in February. We will take his teachings with us as we leave the place he loved most. We have reached the top rung in our ladder and our goal is in sight. We are “dignified” seniors. All but a few of these exceptions make this word “dignified” seem almost true, One of these exceptions is the newly formed Stag Club. We get a lot of laughs when Harry, Don, Dean, Calvin, Clyde, Max, Gene, Ted, Billy and Dan tell of their experiences at their meet- ings. Alice Jeune entered our class this year. With graduation in sight we begin thinking of our future, without our close friends beside us. Friends that have been with us since our first grade year and friends that have joineu our class all the way through school. As we leave there are a few cherished memories we will take with us—our graduation, the Junior-Senior banuet, and just a BETTYE DAVIS, Historian

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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT We, the graduating class of Old Town High School, in this year of Nineteen Hundred and Fifty-three, being of worn mind, do. hereby bequeath the following possessions to those poor souls who follow in our illustrious footsteps. ARTICLE I SECTION I To our faculty we leave our most grateful appreciation of all their understanding and kindness. We sincerely hope they will forgive our monkey shines and remember us for a little while. I am sure we shall not forget them but hold them always in fondest memory. SECTION II To the juniors we leave our expert understanding and pro- found knowledge of all things. To the sophomores and freshmen we leave two very large and extra strong paddles. The ‘accessories that go with these objects are the right arms of Mr. Harris and Mr. Scott. Use these with all discretion. ARTICLE II SECTION I INDIVIDUAL BEQUESTS 1. Kenneth Blakley wills his expert driving ability to “Hotrod” Patterson. 2. Barbara Branson leaves her exceptional wit to Susie Cooke who can use it well. 3. Max Briggs wills ole “33” to some poor soul. 4. Bill Buie leaves Rupert Bowen his ability to get out of classes. 5. Dean Gough wills to the aforesaid Rupert, all his old excuses, so Rupert will be able to get back into the classes Buie’s ability got him out of. 6. Garland Cartner leaves all his cat britches to Arnold Myers. (The cows at State will not appreciate them.) 7. Shirley Comer leaves her to Mona Arrington. quiet disposition 8. Bobbie Comer leaves her ability to get a man to Betty Zachery. She will be needing a replacement next year. 9. Calvin Cox wills his height and tobacco chewing to Deo Smothers. (Guard them well, Deo.) 10. Bettye Davis wills Mr. Harris her old joke book. (Handle with care, some of the jokes are growing old and feeble. ) 11. Jackie Davis leaves her fine speaking voice to EDtio. Graham. 12. Hazel Doub leaves Everette Moore her old trusty pack of matches. 13. Clyde Fine wills all his muscle to “Zippo” Hemrick. He also leaves to “Zippo” his bolo punch which was effective against Dan Goldner. 14. Betty Flynt wills her physics book to Larry Mink to use as a pillow. 15. Ted Foster leaves his beautiful singing voice to Melvin Hunter. (Wow! That’s one for ‘the crows! ) 16. Jo Fowler wills her tongue to Claudette Belton. Claudette doesn’t need it, but two tongues are better than one. 17. Dan Goldner leaves his push shot to Jimmy Shropshire so that Jimmy can also become a star. 18. David Jenkins wills his football playing ability to “Duck” Norman, who needs a little push. 19. Gene Jones hasn’t much to leave but he does will his ability in French to Andy Oberhofer, 20. Billy Kurdian wills his mechanically inclined brain to Max York. Max needs it with his car. 21. Harry Lineback leaves to the whole school building some peace and quiet, which it rightly deserves. 22. Don Whelan leaves to the juniors—not the Stag Club— not “Lizzie,” but absolutely nothing. 23. Ellen Nixon leaves Old Town forever. 24. Charles Posey wills Gayle the radiator up in the hall. Stay warm, kid. 25. Peggy Ritchey leaves all her troubles as secretary of the class to the next holder of this tedious task, 26. Frances Ronk wills her chattering ways to Dot Smitherman. 27. Iris Shore leaves Deo the same as Calvin did, with one exception. She doesn’t chew tobacco. (I don’t think.) 28. Carolyn Young wills to Jaybird, nothing; but to Sanford— Wow! 29. Margaret Vaughan leaves her ability to play the bass fiddle to Roger Scott. (Maggie really doesn’t play a bass fiddle, she plays a tuba.) 30. Ann Hill leaves “Spook”, Kyle’s dog, to somebody. The darn critter is always in the way. 31. Grady Clifton wills his skill at seal calling to Mary Snell. With her voice she shouldn’t have to wait long for some- body to throw her a fish. 32. Alice Jeune leaves Loretta Disher the Army, Navy, Marines, and all the reserves. P. S. Likewise the Air Force. 33. Bettie Whicker wills everybody free passes to the drive-in. 34. Melvin Walker wills all his fine, goodlooking clothes to me, I hope. We, the Seniors, in this, the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hun- dred and Fifty-three, do declare this will valid as of the first day in the month of June, 1953, and hereunto set our hand and seal. Senior Class of 1953 DON WHELAN, Testator The Old Rebel Claude (No-name)