Springfield Trade High School - Beaver Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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1955 Class Have you ever heard about the town called Trades- ville? It is an average sized town, not too large, not too small, but just about the right size for its inhab- itants, many of whom graduated from Springfield Trade High School with the Class of 1955. Tradesville, located on an island not far from the Hawaiian Islands, started, developed, and grew because of a group of the 1955 Eager Beavers who found life dull and work slow in 1962. This energetic group — Richard Decker, an architect always ready to try some-- thing new; James Bernardo, head of a construction company anxious for bigger and better building jobs; Francis LaCroix, a banker with what it takes to finance a new project; and Leonard Patrie, champion talker and seller of any idea — persuaded most of their Trade classmates to leave the U.S.A., to go to the Pacific, and to start a brand new town where the prevailing slogan was, of course, “Doult. Y ourselt.” Now, just thirteen years later, in this year 1975, Tradesville is a booming town which is attracting many newcomers and arousing much interest here in Spring- field. Especially interested are the administrators and syaff members of Trade High. Yes, Trade is still in existence with Neil Degon as principal, Ronnie Rogers as assistant principal of the Boy’s Division. Sandra Heineman as assistant principal directing the Girls’ Division, and Kenneth Burns in charge of attendance and detention problems. The Guidance Counselors, Roger Tessier and Patricia Blanchard, have just re- ceived a glowing account of Tradesville, the town which Trade built, from Richard Gregoire, newspaper report- er and his wife, the former Pat Freeman, who vacationed with their most contented classmates. Victor Artioli, head instructor of the Printing Department, has pre- pared several copies of the newsy letter which is being read in an administrative conference. Shall we join this group of 1975 Trade officials and hear all about Tradesvilie? Sunewlowl oto This spring when Pat and I were due for a vaca- tion, naturally our thoughts turned to Tradesville. And now we are glad we went ahead and planned a trip to this beautiful island town where so many of our classmates have made good. We thought you would like to hear about them, too, and perhaps have the latest information for your Placement Follow-up File. The Pacific Islands Travel Service in Los Angeles, California, has a Tradesville representative, Eileen Cote. Knowing how thoroughly she would arrange all details for our trip, we relaxed and let her make our plane and hotel reservations. Eugene Baker greeted us at the airport, handed over our tickets, and made sure that Philip Risley loaded our bags onto the Super Pacific Plane which was piloted by the Terzi boys, Peter and George. The Navigator, Benny Contrino, seemed to have checked everything carefully. Our stewardess for the flight, Patricia Martin, seated us, made us comfortable, gave us the necessary instructions (she came back later Prophesy to really talk), and we were ready for the great take- off. Phillip Drumheller, looking rather pleased but full of business, boarded the plane at the last moment. Later he told us he had just completed plans for his own T.V. Studio. The flight. was pleasant, but Pat and I anxiously waited to land at Tradesville Island Airport. The day was warm, the sky and ocean were very blue, and we knew we were to be treated to a pleasurable two weeks. The first person we saw at the airport was Anthony Messina, the official greeter, who quickly escorted us to one of Martone’s Taxi Cabs. We were amazed to find two drivers, Carmino Longhi and Stanley Grabowski, for the one cab. Later we learned that Leonard wants to be sure of one wide awake driver at all times for each of his taxis. We were driven along Dreyer’s Drive to King Avenue where we soon saw the Maloof Hotel which proved to have very deluxe and swanky accom- modations. William Flanders, the manager, made us feel most welcome, and the desk clerk, Patrick San- taniello, checked our reservations while the bell-hops clicked under the directive eyes of Raymond Hayward. We have a delightful view of the ocean from our room, and the head housekeeper, Hazel Baidy, certainally sees to it that her staff give us all the comforts of home and with a smile. Ruth Lyon is the hotel hostess, and at the head of the bakery staff is good natured Joseph Loglisci whose baking specialty is Hawaiian Coconut Cake. The Chamber of Commerce, under the able direction of Robert Berselli, maintains an Information Booth of which Margaret Lambert is in charge. John Harrington assists in answering questions, gives out maps of the town which Asial Burgess prepares, makes sure each tourist has a copy of Russell’s Preview, Charlie’s week- ly publication of coming events, and suggests a tour in Richard Stolpinski’s Sight Seeing Special with running comments by Richard Nelson. When we stopped at the booth, Vin Del Negro was giving out free passes for the Tarr Community House Concert featuring the Island’s Symphony Orchestra directed by Robert Wright. At the concert, we were delighted to find several of our musical classmates included on the program. Verna Cod- erre and Priscilla Stahovich had important clarinet selections, Bernard Yarmitzky played the violin superbly, James O’Neil made himself heard in the percussion section, and, of course, Mabel Hewson was the soloist of the evening. Elva Stronberg was in charge of the usherettes, and Edward Benson made sure that all who entered had tickets. We saw and talked with former friends who were in the audience. Seated in the front row were Superintendent of Schools, Robert Ferris with his blonde wife, Lucille Kratochvil; Jack Moriarty, who jetted right into the Town Water Department as direc- tor; and Philip Del Negro, who serves as Tax Collector for the community. Naturally a trip to Town Hall Center gave us a chance to see several ’55ers in action. The mayor is Robert Hersey and with his most efficient, political-

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f£10NoOr pociety ee ————E—————== SC rr — The Honor Society is composed of those students who have achieved a scholastic average of B or above, who have a fine attendance record, and who are above average in citizenship ratings. These students have also made contributions to the various extra-curricular activities at Trade High. Membership in the Honor Society is approved by a committee of teachers on a yearly basis. The members of the society meet from time to time throughout the year for the purpose of will benefit the school. Honor pins are awarded each September based on a student’s record for the previous year. Eligible seniors, however, receive their pins at their Class Day exercises. promoting activities which Front row, left to right: Dr. William J. Sanders, superintendent of the Springfield schools; Marie Cato, Beauty Culture, receiving her honor society pin from Dr. Sanders; Dona Cote, Power Stitching; Sandra Heineman, Beauty Culture; Doris Col- lins, Trade Dressmaking; Dorothy Collins, Beauty Culture; Mary Thompson, Bakery; and James Cowles, Drafting. Back row, left to right: Ronald Rogers, ‘Cabinetmaking; Victor Artioli, Printing; Thaddeus Wnek, Drafting; Richard Pie- chota, Machine; Andrew Lind, Commercial Art; William Kneeland, a post-graduate, Cabinetmaking; Stephen Kowal, Printing; Jos- eph Loglisci, Bakery; and David Chandler, Patternmaking. Thomas Sheehan, Drafting, is not in the picture. He is in the army at Fort Dix.

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minded secretary, Sheila Bryant, we found one answer to why Tradesville is an up-and-coming place. The government, democratic in form, has several live wire Council Members — Richard Fluke, who never passed up a chance to argue; Ronald Keeton, who always insisted that his way was the right way; and Ronald Moody, another spark who was ever ready with the answer, “Here”. Superintendent of Streets and Engineering, Robert Trainor, explained that it was his idea to name some streets and buildings in memory of the good old days at Trade High. Robert employs Gerald Buoniconti and Leonard Michaelson as his head engineers. Pat and I were not at all surprised to read Joe Piteo’s name on the Treasurer’s door. Nor did we expect to see anyone else but Thuryle Allen assisting him with the financial accounts. in 1955. Carol De Maio is putting all the rules for sanitation into effect in her Health Department Office. We couldn’t find a speck of dust there. Believe it or not, Robert Cipraini is the Chief of Police. George LaBombard, Traffic Bureau Head, working with Robert, is doing his best to promote law and order. We were guests for luncheon at the Hersey’s home on Sherwood Avenue. Yes, you guessed correctly, Jean Gendreau is Mrs. Hersey. As we approached the house, a crew from Jackson’s Landscape Gardeners was work- ing on the grounds. Robert King and David Smith, joint owners of the coneern, make sure that their em- ployees — George Smith, Clifford Madison, James Tipton, and Fred Eldridge — pick up all papers, stick , and stones before starting on their real floral assignment. Bob and Jean were a delightful host and hostess and told us of the co-operative spirit which prevails through- out the city among the former Trade graduates, their families, and friends. Carol Toulson and Maureen Pur- cell are in charge of the housekeeping at the Hersey’s. The food was excellent under their supervision, with Gerald Legare at the range. Carole Bryden is governess for the three very polite Hersey children who were seen but not heard. When the schools were being built, the community voters decided to have all their juvenile problems in one area. We visited Sullivan Square where the only three schools of the town are to be found. Superin- tendent Ferris appointed the principals—Carl Boyer for the Fitzgerald High School, Richard Smus for the Thompson Junior High, and Ronald White for the Hol- land Elementary School. Not many of our graduates are serving as teachers, but we did find Charles Mirolli at a school desk instructing in mathematics. Elizabeth McCarthy was: putting the junior high girls through the paces in some strenuous gymnastics, and Jeanne Duquette had her twenty third graders doing their spelling lesson. Shirley Bourdon is in charge of the lunch department for the combined schools. Not far away we saw the unique Plumb Recrea- tional Center, a place for old and young with Roger Denault as the general sponsor. Edward Briggs was checking the outside bowling greens; Leo Barbee and Charles Warner are co-owners of the LaBroad Better Bowling Alleys; William Tupper was supervising the tennis courts; William Frangie was running a marble tournament; the swimming pool for adults was being watched by Stephen Kowal; Hubert Provost was super- vising the children’s wading pool; James Clune was con- They were a pair hard to get ahead. of.-back .. ducting a series of softball games; Mulcahy’s Theatre was offering several current hits; anc John Rommel- fanger was supervising the Chess Corner and suggesting helpful moves. As we drove along the main street, which is Garvey Street, we saw many former classmates con- ducting businesses which seem a far cry from their trades learned back home. Peter Green has a chain of grocery stores with Robert Charron managing the largest one. Peter said that the Johnson Street branch was the responsibility of George Townsley, and Kenneth Gregory took care of the one on Brown Street. The D and D Drugstore, owned by Robert DeMaio and Richard Dumas, employs Andre Fournier as pharm- acist with Thomas Ashe, another Auto Body graduate, helping to mix up the prescriptions. Store there were many Trade-ites working for Daniel. Browsing through the store, we found Marianne Schlitt, who still has that school girl complexion, selling cosmetics; Charles La- Plante, who always had his hand in affairs, showing men’s. gloves; David Fish, that good-looking, dark haired boy, modeling what the best dressed man should wear; Lucien Michaud, the necktie fanatic, selling neck- ties; Gloria May measuring off yards of cloth goods to sell; and Frederick Serra on the third floor, as usual, a floor walker in the Teen Age Girls’ Department. In Isham’s Department Lyle Akers’ Jewelry Store features pearls rather than the usual diamonds. In fact, Pearl Allen is his best saleslady. Jay Chartier manages one section of the store, the Watch and Clock Department. He is still doing an excellent job of watching the clocks. Alfred Adams and John Allen own the Ace Window Display Service. When business is rushing, John Walsh speeds in to help Roy Woodward arrange displays. This concern and many others use Neon Signs from Richard Grumt, who advocates that it pays to advertise. Rich- ard always liked to be heard, and now everyone can almost hear his flashy signs. Charlotte Severns and Raymond Colson have an Ice Cream Bar. They advertise, “Our Ice Cream has no ice, no cream, no calories-—is served in cones, dishes, bulk, or down your back.” White’s Cleaning Establishment has the reputation of cleaning clothes, furniture, or houses, cleaner than ever. Raymond, Florence, and William guarantee “Satis- faction or your money back’, on the expert cleaning performed by Earl Royce, Richard Sabadosa, and Russeli Morgan. We saw a very prosperous looking office with gold lettering on the door, “Real Estate and Insurance. Til- man Legere and Andrew Lind. Office calls by appoint- ment only.” We wondered how and where these two spent their leisure time and money. With but little need for cars as there really is no place to go, the auto mechanics had to turn to other means of making a living. Ronald Adams, Raymond Bednarz, and Otis Bruce service the several busses, taxis, and the few cars, but they specialize in repairing bicycles at the O.B.A. Bicycle Company. As every family owns at least two bicycles, this is quite a