Reading Memorial High School - Pioneer Yearbook (Reading, MA)

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19 40 The Pioneer Gregg Brewer Gregg came back after an absence of eight years to rejoin our class and liv¬ en up our history periods. Where would Mr. Dixon be if it weren’t for Gregg’s helpful and timely remarks? He is a member of Hi-Y and the “Pio¬ neer” staff and is interested in pho¬ tography and the South Sea Islands. He adores tomatoes and can’t stand people who recite in low voices. (Speak up, girls!) Next year he’s going to bowdoin, where he’ll pursue his fav¬ orite sports, skiing and swimming. If Gregg ever gets to England, they’ll make him poet laureate; he can toss off a ditty in no time at all, at all. George Bridges Well—at last we have found a lad who claims that wo men don’t faze him — much He hasn’t the time, any¬ way, for the opposite sex (that’s what he claims) as he is preparing to be¬ come a doctor. George’s desire is to be just like his father; you certainly can’t go wrong with an ideal like that, His favorite pastime would be driving if there weren’t any women drivers (and he doesn’t like the girl who in¬ sists on narrating her latest escapades at places like the Ritz Roof, either). George is going to spend some time at his camp this summer, before start¬ ing to work at the Shawsheen Mills, prior to prep school and then college. Some future, “Doc”! Kathleen Browne Wherever you see “Katie”, you see Bette, her pal and confidante. Natur¬ ally, “Katie” has a soft spot in her heart for Kimball’s “Dude Ranch”, since it’s a great place for having fun, and who doesn’t like a lot of fun? She’s gone out for the swimming, bas¬ ketball and tennis teams and has pur¬ sued the Secretarial Course. Much credit is hers for the splendid work she did on the Ticket Committee for “June Mad”. Franklin Bryant One of the muskiest of “The Three Musketeers” is “Frankie”. (We don’t know what “muskiest” means, either, but if it fits “Frankie” it must have something to do with being happy-go- lucky). Even when he hounded those of us in Room 1 for class dues, he kept that cheerful disposition. As a member of Hi-Y and Student Council. “Frankie” had a finger on the pulse of all social affairs. His ambition is to own a car of his own. (We think self¬ protection may have something to do with it). He heartily endorses Gracie Allen for President. Here’s hoping he gets as big a kick out of life when he’s ninety as he does now. Gilbert Camp If you want any electrical appliance repaired, just get in touch with “Gilly”. He knows electricity from A. to Z. As the electrician, he made good behind the scenes at the Senior Play. “Gilly” works hard at his Scientific Course, but finds time to be faithful to Hi-Y and on the go as business manager of the “Pioneer” and president of the Young- People’s Society at his church. He cannot abide the 25 and 30 m.p.h. speed laws in many towns. “Gilly” will re¬ turn for a P. G. next year, but his goal is to become a second Thomas Edison. The wizard was a busy man, but then so is “Gilly”. Barbara Cleveland “Becky” is a member of our famous A Capella choir, a Rainbow girl, and a member of the Junior Woman’s Club. She has pursued the Classical Course, although she preferred lunch period s, chemistry, and the choir. “Becky” is averse to “men in general”, except, of course, Don Ameche, who is her ideal. Her ambition is to be a singer. (We think she is one now.) She will attempt to realize her ambition by en¬ trance to a conservatory of music. We’ll be front row center, “Becky”, when you make your debut. Betty Coan Here’s a girl who likes to enjoy her¬ self. When we say that dancing is her hobby, we’re putting it mildly. Betty belongs to the Junior Woman’s Club and Rainbow, and has recently been an officer in the latter. Carole Lom¬ bard seems to her to have achieved near perfection (could that be because of Clark Gable?). Since wind is Bet¬ ty’s pet peeve, we wonder what she did on the night of September 21, 1938. Betty has had the good fortune of doing office work during the summer, and she plans more work or prep school next year. Mr. Businessman, here comes another secretary. Evelyn Comey Evelyn is the cheerful little miss who makes up a big third of “The Melody Gems”, both singing and play¬ ing the piano. She has had a speak¬ ing part in various assembles and has been a soloist in the A Capella Choir. She definitely plans to make music her life. If she doesn’t broadcast, then she’ll be Music Supervisor in a high school. “Evie” has enjoyed R. H. S., its Glee Club, and its dances—so much that she plans to take a P. G. in preparation for B. U. Conservatory of M usic. Seven

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The Pioneer 19 40 Dorothy Barstow Who could forget “Dot”? She’s the girl who’s just crazy about Glenn Mil¬ ler and his “moonlight serenade” mu¬ sic. She’s been busy this year ar¬ ranging the programs for “June Mad , doing write-ups for the “Pioneer”, and going to Junior Woman’s Club. “Dot hates glasses and people who say “up Maine” instead of “down Maine.” But in spite of her being a “Maineiac”, we all think “Dot” is swell! Arthur Batchelder Whenever there’s a cross country race in Reading, you can almost al¬ ways depend on “Batch” to break the tape first. He is one of the best run¬ ners R. H. S. has ever had. He as¬ pires to be either a musician or a salesman, and says that Harry Janies is his ideal. His business acumen was revealed in the Saturday night dances he and his partner ran with success. Next year, “Batch” will study radio and machinery. Keep running, “Batch”, on the road to a successful life. Bette Beaudry Bette is the North Reading part of the firm of Day and Beaudry. (These two are as inseparable as cornbeef and cabbage). Bette has spent her three years at R. H. S. in eager pre¬ paration for her future as a student nurse and then an air stewardess. She has found time, in addition, to be a member of Glee Club and of the bas¬ ketball and tennis teams. However, all visitors to Central Street would vow that swimming is her favorite sport. Bette thinks taking chances is fun, but just for luck she’d better keep that ’chute handy. Allie Benton We don’t need a picture of Allie to tell who she is because she’s a very familiar figure about school. Many of us have bought our Christmas cards from Allie and all of us associate her with the Glee Club. Perhaps someday, she’ll be known as a second Amelia Earheart, for she says that she wants most to learn to fly . Just at present, though, Allie is looking forward to business school. She, like the rest of us, says she’s going to miss dear old Reading High very much, and we are certainly going to miss her. William Birkmaier Ship ahoy! “Bill” is about to sail the seven seas with the U. S. Navy. He has a very wide grin for everyone and he maintains that the most event¬ ful day in his life was the day he was born. Can anyone top that? Despite his nautical tendencies, it’s known that “Bill” is an automobile racing fan. Stick to the sea, my boy; life preserv¬ ers don’t help in a racing car. In the words of the immortal Birkmaier, “Shanghai, here I come !” Elizabeth Blaikie Bashful? Quiet? Mistaken identity! “Betty” is a member of Junior Wo¬ man’s Club and treasurer of “Clique”. She was working at her future posi¬ tion several months before graduation. We hear that there is definite con¬ fusion about her social life, but the outcome usually depends on the one who telephones “Princess” first. “Bet¬ ty” thinks “it’s a wonderful world” just at present. Grace Bowers “Grade” is a pursuant of the Col¬ lege Course and is planning eventually to enter a normal school and train for the teaching profession. But she ad¬ mits that her ambition is to enter into matrimony and “live happily ever af¬ ter”. (We don’t need to ask with whom, do we?) Her qualifications for this are of the best, because she is a connoisseur of home-cooking, has tak¬ en care of young children, and has a grand sense of humor. Incidentally, her ideal is one “Half-Brush”. She dis¬ likes boys who bite their fingernails; so watch out, “Irv”. Janetta Boyd Janetta is going to fill many rooms with sunshine as she flitters back and forth answering the calls of her many patients in future years. She has been active in Rainbow and has filled color stations in this organization. This sum¬ mer she plans to have a good rest and prepare for the long years of learning to be of service to mankind that are to follow. Janetta, we hope you attain your worthy goal. Six

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The Pioneer 19 40 Tom Connelly Tom, more intimately known as “The Rabbi”, has been president of Hi-Y and a member of Student Council and the Service Squad. We can well un¬ derstand why he was given a post on the first floor. We also understand that Tom has recently bought a new car (it is a car, isn’t it?) and was surprised to find the gas tank much larger than he had anticipated. More than once, Tom and a certain red¬ headed fellow have been seen tenderly pushing this vehicle toward an un¬ known destination. Tom wants to be a successful financier; it ought to be easy—he dresses and looks the part right now. William Connelly Of course, this is our football cap¬ tain, “Speed”. He was always one of the hardest players on the squad and one of the best when it came to sports¬ manship. “Speed’s” injury during the football season made him one of the few of us ever to have a dance held in his honor. He has been a faithful member of the Student Activities Committee and the A Capella Choir. Speed” is taking the Civics and Busi¬ ness Course, but hasn’t decided what he will do next year. However, this summer he will go to C. M. T. C. at Fort McKinley. “Speed’s” ambition is to make good, and we know he will. Kathryn Conron Kathryn is that quiet young lady whose uncanny way with poetry has had Miss Devaney’s first period Eng¬ lish class wondering whether she would surpass Browning or Milton. Kath¬ ryn, who also answers to the appela- tion of “Spiffy”, plans to trudge the boards of Ye Olde Highe Schoole again next year before departing for Wheaton. “Spiffy” confesses that her greatest thrill (Att. Mr. Spencer) was translating the “Aenied”; that her most boring times were at assem¬ blies on jobs. She has belonged to the “T. N. T. Club” and has played basketball for three years. Marcit Courossi “Meg”, with the classic features and copper-colored hair, aspires to be a model, or to work in a department store. She’s expert at ping-pong, has been on the basketball squad, and en¬ joys tennis and bicycle riding. Her favorite spot is beside a radio, but she emits an “Oh, phooey!” when there is too much advertising on a good pro¬ gram. She likes boys that are tall, dark, and not too handsome, and good dancers that are not conceited. Does that describe the one and only, “Marg” ? Barbara Currie “Strip Tease” Currie she was called in those days! (Honest, “Barb”, it was just to see you blush!) She’s a member of Junior Woman’s Club and goes for anything in the line of sports. She’s been on almost every R. H. S. team, from field hockey to bowling. Cdby Junior College is waiting for “Dynamite” at the end of this year, and after college, she intends to be a big-time buyer. She loves assemblies that run over time and hates boys who debate in history. Another pet aver¬ sion is remembering dates, and off¬ hand, we’d say she’d rather dance than eat. Betty Dalton Remember “Bets”, that flirtatious }roung lady with the long lashes and flashing smile? She’s a member of Junior Woman’s Club and is secretary of the one and only “Clique”. Lately, although her hobby is dates, her inter¬ est seems seriously concentrated. This summer Betty plans to mix work and play, and next year she’s going to Westbrook Junior College to prepare for life as a designer or as a model. Here she’s especially enjoyed dances, most of which she’s helped run ! Stanley Davis “Stan”, better known to friends as “Red”, is the leading exponent of the “Jazznocracy Club.” He claims that he’d rather be in the company of his “sax” than anyone else. (Appearances are deceiving; at least, we’re sure that his favorite hangout is Walnut Street!) “Stan” hasn’t any particular ambition as yet, but he dreams of becoming a success in the musical world. We un¬ derstand that your ideal is Jimmy Dor¬ sey, “Red”, and that you want to be just like him. Well, remember your old school friends when you’re passing out autographs! Lorraine Day Lorraine will never be forgotten as Milly-Lou, the brat in the Senior play. “Rainy” enjoys her school work, es¬ pecially chemistry, but could get along without homework. Glee Club certain¬ ly will miss her! This summer she is going to recuperate from the hard task of keeping up with life. The majority is always right, so when “they say” that Lorraine’s hair grows redder every day, it must be so. Don ' t worry Lor¬ raine, most great people have red hair. (Editor’s note: Now which member of our write-up staff could have written this ?) Eight