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

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business. The colorful, sporty -looking bikes on the streets of Tradesville are something to see. Bigelow - Best Bicycles sells them all. Richard and Archibald even have a bicycle built for two which is a model with a basket where baby rides while mother pushes the pedals. At this progressive store, Robert Symonds is head salesman, and Marilyn Batchelor struggles with the cash register and the books. William Blum, the ex- Marine, at least keeps the name in front of him. At Blum’s Marine Equipment and Supplies, the stock has every thing needed for bwoat- ing and fishing. William Flood points out the good quality boats, Francis Crowley sells the best fishing bait (no crawlers), Leon Holman and Walter Dulski test all the boats for easy sailing and no tipping, and Bruce Strange tells fish stories to induce prospective custom- ers to try their luck. Around the corner on Brunton Street is the Fast Service Electric Company, owned by Robert Black and John O’Connor. All types of appliances, electrical in nature, of course, are sold by Joseph Wright and Richard Bilton. The service department is the business of Ray James and David Roche who still make a good team. Another unique idea, which was Harold Potter’s brain child, is Traders’ Trail where customers travel from one booth to another to buy various necessary articles for the home. First is Kiddies’ Korner where Alex Fearn, manager and salesman, entertains the little tots left there while their mothers shop. Alex enjoys demonstrating the toys (he never really grew up, you know) and occasionally he sells a few of his choicest, tricky toys. Patricia Mulvaney is on hand to tend to the children, and after shopping hours she maintains a baby sitting service. There’s a booth along the trail for pins, needles, thread, and such, managed by Janet Hoar; another for pens, pencils, and paper supplies is in charge of Russell Frame who should have an ample personal supply of pencils now; then the booth where Grace Dimauro helps one select cards, magazines, and books; The Practical Home Supplies section has Virginia Provost demonstrating correct use of booms, mops, and brushes; the Make-Life-Easier area exhibits paper cups, plates and napkins, and here Robert Harington holds forth (must be his wife makes him do the dishes at home); one of the last booths sells bolts, nuts, screws, and tacks, and Jack Simpson keeps this section together; and finally the Lending Library where Edward McDonald and Robert Melcher take turns in helping one select a book (they read them all, especially those on the shelf labeled Books You Should Re-Read which naturally features Arrowsmith, Silas Marner, Macbeth, and other classics). John Skala runs a popular Letter Service. He told us that his staff will write, type, stamp, and mail a letter to anyone, anywhere. Their slogan is, “You tell us, we write, you take the consequences.” Up Skelley Avenue, Pat found the more elite shops. At Dearborn’s Bridal Shoppe, Joyce helps the younger set choose wisely for the grand occasion. Joan Potter assists with fittings and alterations. The L.M. Dress Shop caters to the many types and tastes. Constance Ryan and Corrine Meade are the ladies who manage this shop, with Carole Bacon and Nancy Coles doing the tucks, seams, and hems behind the scenes. Dorothy Sahovey runs a high class Gift Shoppe. Elaine Auger sells the expensive gifts, and, for a slight charge, Sue Webb wraps them. Next door is Bettie Ford’s Florist Shop where Richard Misco takes the orders and cash, Linda Wilson keeps the flowers looking fresh, and Edward Smart and Lawrence LaClere make all the floral arrangements. Girard and LaFlamme (they’re Ronald and Lorraine) own a music Store. Carmela Santaniello sings and then sells sheet music, Lawrence Ross keeps the record play- ers in repair, Rogers Hill specializes in piano sales, and Marvin Waxler sees that everything is waxed and tuned to go. By using speedy equipment with the latest devices and short cuts, Dorothy Collins runs a Deluxe Beauty Salon. Marion Settle and Jeannette Severns have become expert operators under Dorothy’s guiding hands. Most of the town’s families do their own cooking and eat at home, but a community must have at least one restaurant. Leave it to Rosemarie Puzzo and Mary Thompson! They saw the need and filled it. Their G and C Tea Room (Gilson and Carlisle, Good and Clean, Glamorous and Classy —any and all would fit) often has a waiting line of hungry guests. Gagnon’s Optical Company had such an astonish- ing ad in the window that we had to investigate. Albert certainally pulled a new stunt with glasses. His helper, Gino Vignato (still liking to fool people), demonstrates the Dark and Rose Double Lens Glasses - dark ones for too bright days, flick an eyelash and it’s rose colored lenses for the dreary days. So, Gino says, “Wear a pair and your day can always be just right.” On our way out Richardson Drive, we saw men from the Donald Lesiege Excavating Company just start- ing the Drumheller T. V .Station and Studio for which Edward Irwin and Robert Crane drafted the plans. Lawrence, owner of the Spinks Lumber Concern, was happy to have another big order as business had slacked off considerably. Edward Szlachetka and Stuart Wahl- berg were to take over the construction job for V. Bortolussi, Contractor. Phillip had already hired one important member for his staff, Roger Bourcier, pro- ducer, who was vacationing after a strenuous season in Hollywood. Edward Lambert, who you will remember talked in flowery language, is saying it with flowers in a big way today. He is president of the Floral Export Company. Norman and Richard Henry really run the outfit (their boss is very interested in water skiing) with the expert aid of Dona Cote, secretary, and Elaine Gravel, her business office manager. John Kennedy heads the Orchid Department (you may expect a ship- ment of rare blooms anyday now); Donald Fadden is supervisor of the greenhouses; Joan Severns, botany enthusiast, spends night and day in the laboratory per- fecting seeds, bulbs, and plants; Ralph Meyer is general caretaker of the entire grounds; Edwin Pagnoni and Norman Grise have charge of all the shipping details; and Walter Graham is chief packer. Seeing the beau- tiful display of flowers and meeting the several 1955 grads who were employed there made our tour of this establishment highly interesting.

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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

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Orlando Mirolli, Harold Davis, and Harry LeMay have a flourishing pineapple business. They grow beautiful fruit, but Harry is. still trying to polish a pineapple as he could an apple. You should see Center’s Cabana on the beach where Richard and his partner, Joe Sieracki, offer delicious dining (the chef is Edward Rossmeis]); delightful dan- cing to soft music by Alfred Serra and his Serenaders with lovely lighting and sound effects by Charles Bell- rose and Foster Turner; and elegant entertainment by Dorothy O’Connor and her Hula Dancing Girls with the singing star, William Brigham. I thought for a few minutes that Pat was going right onto the floor and join those swaying beauties. The hosts told us the elaborate designing was done by Robert Johnsen and James Cowles with the admirable interior decorating completed by Robert Moore. Guests are invited to wan- der outside under the tropical moonlight, to sip William Lemon’s famous lemon and pineapple drink which is served in a coconut shell, and to buy cigarettes from the attractive little lady, Antoinette Remillard. During the afternoon, Daniel Cheney attends to the guests’ beach comforts, supplying cushions, chairs, and beach umbrellas while the water skiing experts instructed by the champion David Connelly, put on a breath-taking exhibition. This sport satisfies several of our former athletes, Leonard Madison, Sherman Davis, and John Hurley. Down the beach and around the cove where ordi- nary bathing is enjoyed, two life guards, Richard Houde and Howard McGrath patrol the beach and rush any emergency case to the First Aid Station where Jane Dougherty and John Krokos take over. Children are amused on the beach by games planned and supervised by Lucy Walter. Popular with them is the Popcorn, Lolli- pop, Soda Pop, and Popsicle Stand managed by Bernard Popp. Equally attractive is Robert Colapietro’s selection of Gum, Peanuts, Candies, and Potato Chips. At the Snack Shack, Arthur Pennnington serves Jeanne Frech- ette’s fresh doughnuts. We wish we could write you the many interesting stories we have heard during our pleasant visits with our 1955 classmates and repeat their many messages to you in Springfield. By the way, Pat wants me to assure you that many of the girls from the class are married although I have used their maiden names in this letter. And now for our news! We have so thoroughly enjoyed our two weeks here that I have sent in my notice to the Daily News, and we are going to stay right here with our Tradesville friends. Are you envious? How about coming to join us? ae Oe enorme ye 6 oe Oe