Port Jervis High School - Victor Yearbook (Port Jervis, NY)

Page 33 text:

.f :5 !l! The Prophecy of the Class of 1931 By MARION QUINN At first, it seemed to me the golden light gleam- ing through the cool shadows of the forest was simply a ray of sunshine: but, as I drew nearer, the light shone brighter, and brighter, until even the dark recesses of the wood were bathed ln its radiant brilliance. Suddenly, it moved towards me and before my eyes, began to take a definite shape. A golden creature, truly, gleaming with the mistiness of the unreal: in one hand, a golden rod: in the other a golden roll. I knew then, what pres- ence was before me,-The goddess of Fate: she who possessed the power of life or death. And so, when sne beckoned lu me, I followed. Wie spoke no words, nor did she give me any further sign of my presence: until, after many minutes we reached the clearing and stood forth on the summit of the hill. Then she stretched forth her staff, and mo- tioned me forth towards the gleaming city that lay far below. With hesitating steps, I began the descent, and then as I turned to seek her aid, I found her gone. Thus it was that I found myself by mystic fate within the gates of the dream city of 1941. The first thing that caught my eye in this mys- tical city. was the old high school of my youth. It seemed to call to me, and so, with a sense of ad- venture upon me I entered its doors. It seemed ap- propriate that the first person I should meet should be Matt Curtis, the president of the class of 1931. Of course, he had fulfilled our expectations and had become the great gymnastic coach. He had taken the place of Mr. Chase with fitting dignity, and after greetings were over, he offered to show me the main office. As we started forth, he told me that the previous month Anne Jones and Dor- othy Bierlein had left for the wilds of Africa hoping to bring the light of gospel to the savages there. They had taken Florence Broadhead with them as secretary, and Donald Hyatt had also been one of the company. The purpose of his going was that he might charm the natives by the lively strains of his melodious banjo. By this time, we had reached the principal's of- fice. and to my surprise, I found Douglas Buchanan seated behind that desk, his head bent studiously over a pile of History C papers. Miss Carroll's place had been taken by Miriam McGrail who had become a brisk and efficient secretary. It was from her that I received the news that the Por-Je was still edited by Laurence Rockelein, since the school had discovered it could not get along without him. In due time, after a friendly visit, I left the school and progressed towards the main part of the city. My first stop was at the newspaper office which had been taken over by Marjorie Raynor, now Hayseedette, and which had been made successful by Tom Birmingham's daily column Town Gos- sip. Marjorie told me many interesting things about the members of the class of ten years ago. It seemed that the decrease in the population of New York State had been flue to the tyrannical rule of Bevere Crane, the new governor. The op- pressed people had migrated to Matamoras, Penn- sylvania, which was under the rule of the almable Ray Spangenburg. I also learned that James Hol- den had taken over Jenk's stand on the Huguenot road and that through his magnetic personality, he had attracted many new customers to his home- made soft drink. Pleased with all this news, I wandered forth again down the busy street. An attractive florist shop window caught my eye, and then as I stopped to admire the beautiful flowers, I recognized the owner as Edward VVestbrook who had finally accomplished his ambition of cultivat- ing lillies. In the few minutes chat with him, I .learned that in his spare time he composed many Christmas Cartrjolls which were published every year in connection with Oscar Faller's poems on The Beauty of Life as Seen Through the Eyes of a Thoughtful Man. After questioning him further, I discovered the destinies of several other classmates. Edward Nilan was posing for illustrations for WVilliam Red- dington's new book entitled Her Man. Jesse Mortimer had run far ln the world of entertain- ment as a graceful bareback rider, having made appearances in numerous circus rings of great size. Irene Middleton, assisted by Arlean Cooper, was rushing around the country delivering spirited ora- tions in behalf of the new bill abolishing all home- work for students, which was recently proposed by Congressman Crissman. It seemed that Helen Schleer had taken the place of Floyd Gibbons on the air and had broken that gentleman's speed records for broadcasting. Just at this time, we were interrupted by a great uproar, and stepping quickly outside I saw that the Salvation Army had chosen this time for a meeting. Mr. VVestbrook, who was still with me explained that Tom McAndrew was now captain of the local band and had inspired many to enter the fold. A man was speaking now, and looking more closely towards him, I recognized Jack Drake, who was telling the story of his salvation. After he had finished, the band struck up, and the whole com- pany lead in song by Helen DeBevoise, marched off with Emily Forbes bringing up the rear. After the tumult had died down, I said good-bye to Mr. Nvestbrook and resumed my interesting walk. The day was rather warm, so when I spied a cool, inviting drug store, I stepped in for a re- freshing drink. To my surprise, I found that the two proprietors were John Osterhout and Louise Lehn, who had profited from the experience of their high school days, and had gone into partnership. Louise provided the loquacity so necessary in a merchant's success. I spent a few minutes in a spirited conversation with her, and when I left I NXENXGDRI ES

Page 32 text:

Q 1 E ll.2.lI l '-l 5 l ...U .....,...... Lrrr 'l'1cori:ANo Pm just as jolly as can be, Why isn't everyone like me? Lucy should have lived near the school instead of in Sparrow- lmush. As it is, she's been wearing herself thin catching the 8:01 bus to school every morning. Excluding French Club, the one thing Lucy likes better than laughing, is more laughing. linwanp XVES'l'llllUOK The world knows nothing of its greatest men. This is the picture of our handsome classmate, lidward. Al- though he is very fond of playing tennis and baseball, his hair is always in place. Perhaps this explains his frequent absence from the room, or is he out in the hall practicing Carrolls'? We have our own idea and we will let you figure it out for yourself. ICDNA NV1i.soN I can a-Ford anything. This quiet looking miss with a. winning smile comes to P. J. H. S. every morning driving her own car. She has many friends who are confident that through her persistent work she will gain success. ludna s chief aim in life is to become a farmer, raising oats Or, XVheat. And by the way, Edna's hair is naturally curly. Si'1.v1A ZIl'l'EN A quiet girl with winning ways, Prizes, honors, words of praise: A nicer girl you'll never meet, Gentle, charming and petite. Our Sylvia is one of those, perpetual motion girls. During her four years in High School, she has made an enviable record. She is a hard worker, a lover of fun and is always willing to help on any committee or special group. VVe understand Sylvia intends to study law and we feel sure her success in public speaking will help greatly in her career a. modern Portia.. The good will of the class goes with you, Sylvia! NXENXGDRI ES

Page 34 text:

I if THIS l'H0l'Hl'ItlY UF THE UL,-XSS OF 19251 fCOIltlllll9l1J knew much more about several of my old class- mates. Louise confided to me that Mary Cole had reorganized the whole Grange movement, and had been elected the president of the Farmers' Union for the Abolition of Weeds. l-Ier friend, Elizabeth Armstrong was her chief mainstay, for it was through her vigorous speeches that the farmers were moved to donate necessary funds. The moth- ers of 1941 were given much aid by the two noted lecturers, Harriet Penney and Alice Taylor, who advised them on the rearing of children. Lillian Carroll was in charge of the social element of these meetings as beiitted her position of her high school days. During this conversation, I happened to glance towards a shelf of books nearby, and Louise, not- ing my action, offered to sell me a new book which had gained much popularity recently. It was en- titled Adventures in a Turkish Harem and had been written by Oliver Gemmill and Gerard Gal- vin. However, feeling that this was a trifle too ex- citing for quiet amusement, I accepted instead the wise experienced advice of Elizabeth Pippitt in her latest production, Advice to the Lovelorn and then made my way across the street to a large theatre. Entering the vast building, I found that the principal attraction was Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet with Arnold Briard and Francis Foss in the leading roles. Their acting was very realistic and they 1'eceived much applause. The next scene was a dancing act which was done very well by Lucy Tropeano and Edna VVi1son. This was followed by another dance with Dorothy Rothschild as the queen of fairies and with Marion Delaney as a little brown elf. They were very well received, especially by a lady sitting next to me, and, my attention attracted by her unusual vigor, I leaned forward to investigate. Thereupon a cheer- ful meeting ensued, for it was none other than Mary Ioppolo. VVhile we were waiting for the cur- tain to rise again Mary explained to me some de- tails of the next scene. It seemed that there was to be a chorus number from the Follies and that it was through the effort of Joe Leavy and Ran- dolph Ijil'Og3.Il that it was being produced at this theatre. They had full charge of the selection of the cast: and thus it was that when the scene ap- peared I found tl1e three leading ladies to be Mur- lean Bowley, Alice Cahill and Mildred Newman. After the show, Mary and I walked down the street together. She told me that Margaret Bell ami Doris Joyce were active members of the S0- ciety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, their work being to provide shelter for worn-out weather vanes. As we passed Jones' window, I saw Gerald Jaques still hanging around as of old. However, his position had changed. He was now full owner and had founded a very successful do- mestic establishment. The owners of the next store were Helen Fetz and Marjorie Earle who of- fered for sale children's bob sleds and teddy bears. Mary told me that Anita. Codichini and Hilda Lybolt who had tied for the title of Miss America in 1941 were both in Hollywood signing contracts to appear in talking pictures opposite the leading man of the day, Paul McGrail. Irene Nor- man had secured fame as the writer of popular thrilling murder stories which were read all over the world. Lief Lange had also become famous as the man who disproved the great Einstein's theory, while the musical world had written in the Hall of Fame names of the two greatest opera stars of the day, Viola Cordisco and Millicent Lamb. Olive Kent had become a social butterfly, while on the contrary Eleanor Cuddeback had devoted her youth to the development of a noiseless typewriter. This was in use in Harrison L'oleman's oflice, for his typewritten booklets, distributed monthly in high schools were very popular. Mr. Coleman'S subject was Charms of Florida for Young People. Mary also told me that Port Jervis had just wel- comed back the two competitors in the recent Olympic games, Elizabeth Hoare and Genevieve Hawker, who had been judged winners of the high speed races. Other members of our class had also been feted grandly by the people of the city. They were those who had been the chief factors in put- ting out the cinder fire which had been raging since 1931. Sylvia Zippen, the clever lawyer, had com- pelled the railroad to employ VValter Lefferts, the fire chief, and his entire company for six months of steady work. Their efforts had finally done away with this nuisance and Port Jervis had re- sumed its fresh fragrant air. Mary and I parted at the great gates by which I had entered and then, with one last glance over this etherial, fateful city, I walked forth through the great stone door. Fate had shown me the futureg but it is not for a mortal to vision that, and least of all to make it known to other mortals. And so, perhaps, in her displeasure, the goddess shall in- scribe upon her golden roll not the vague, unim- pressive words that have been uttered he1'e, but rather those that may secure for the class of 1931 supreme, victorious destinies. Prophecy on the Prophet BY ELIZABETH PIPPITT I was included in a crowd of approximately 15,- 000 people who were herding over the undulating fairways to watch Marion Quinn's third big victory of 1941 in golf at Pinehurst, North Carolina. Miss Quinn's career as a golfer had begun upon her leaving the Port Jervis High School. and now at the age of twenty-six she was standing above all former golf giants. NXENXGDRI ES