Westerly High School - Westlyan Yearbook (Westerly, RI)

Page 14 text:

The Senior Year Book. — 1937 (Class Jlraylimi I awoke on the morning of June 25, 1950, feeling so .:ick I feared I was about to cross the Great Divide. I rang for the butler, John Warden, and ordered him to call a doctor—anyone—for one saw-bone is as bad as the other. In about ten minutes the doctor was ushered into my room, and, lo and behold1 it was none other than Frank Turco, an old classmate. He took one glance at me and told me I was suffering from Ascaris Pyloris Lum-bricoids, and that an immediate operation was necessary. I finally persuaded him to examine me and in the final analysis it turned out that I was ailing from Stenosis Meningoencephalocele, a disease caused by overwork and not enough recreation, so he ordered a long vacation and a change of atmosphere. I had my butler ’phone my private secretary, Sara Iacoi, to prepare to accompany me on my vacation and to arrange all details. She left Miss Lillian Ruisi in charge of the office girls. Some of the stenographers are Elvira Faitani, Josephine Mooney, Constance Antonino, and Abby Babcock. I left my business in the hands of my General Manager, Albert Boumenot, and his assistants, Clayton Arsenault and Leon Perkins. Soon everything was in readiness. My chauffeur, Hawley Mapother, had driven my new Zyphercar to the door and we were off. This Zyphercar, one of the newer modes of travel, was invented by Michael Taras-evich, the most prominent inventor of our time. The metal contained in this machine is compounded so that it is lighter than air and can be made to fly by dropping the weights contained under the running boards. The three eminent scientists who amassed a fortune from the sale of this metal are Alexander Cruickshank, Joseph Gavitt, and Donald Sheldon. After a hard day’s journey, we became rather hungry. A brilliantly lighted sign over a restaurant attracted our attention, so we stopped there. The sign announced Kenneth Gould’s Orchestra with Roger Mason as Master of Ceremonies. Surely they can’t be our old classmates! As we enter, the orchestra is playing dance rhythm. While the waiter leads us to our tables, we encounter several familiar faces. Among the dancers are Josephine Bevacqua and Helen Pasetti. All eyes follow Rose Sposato and Frank Perra as they master several intricate steps with ease and grace. During the floor show the Master cf Ceremonies steps to the center of the floor; I see that it is the Roger Mason we knew in the Class of ’37. I also notice several of my talented classmates in the orchestra. These include Girard Nardonc, James Banker, William Richmond, and John Maines. The vocalists for the orchestra are that famous trio, ‘‘The Three Bars,” Helen Slattery, Ida Rose, and Mary Santoro. Roger announces the Ardu Sisters, and two pretty young women appear. As they start to sing, I have a vision of two very much embarrassed and angry girls standing on the platform at W. H. S. trying to sing to an empty hall. Why, of course, I knew I recognized the voices of Virginia Arnold and Evelyn Dufour. They must be grateful to Mr. Paterson for starting them on their successful career. The Tapping Twins are next announced. As the two go through their act, and each does separately a step that is harder than the last until it seems that their feet hardly touch the floor, I seem to remember some such competition outside of Room 9 at school. I know now; they are Nevina Arn.one and Florence Grinsell. I should have recognized them before; they haven’t changed a bit. A magician’s act is one of the attractions in the floor show and who do you suppose the necromancer is? Of course, it is our own Hazel Clemens, who amazes us with her bag of tricks. While we are seated ir. the restaurant, our attention is drawn to a small, darkhaired girl who looks very familiar. Yes, of course! It’s Edris Barnes, who is the center of attraction of a swarm of men, among whom are Peter Emanuel, James Salimeno, Cosmo Chiaradio, and Raymond Howard. And we mustn’t forget to in- -••sf 12 -

Page 13 text:

The Senior Year Book — 1937 Prof: Shame on you, Chauncey. Axel: I know, teecher. Prof: I doubt it Axel, but you can’t be any wronger dan der odders. Axel: William Cornell. Prof: Veil, Axel, dat vaa vorse dan I expected. Veil I shall haf to tell you. Dey vas—dey vas—hrump (looks in book) dey vas (children chime in) Dory Panciera, Vice President; Louis Capalbo, Treasurer, and Herbert Broadmeadow, Secretary. Prof (looks up : heepishiy): Close your books. Now let us see vat else you don't know. Come, Aby, see if it gifs a correct for you. Aby: Veil, esk me a kvastion. Prof: Jah. Maybe you know vat iss der N. E. S. P. A. Aby: Sure, now especially sale of pents at Aby's. Prof: Cut oud der advertising, Aby. Cherry, I think you know. Cherry: Yes, Professor, it was an as-so-she-ashun of school papers and magazines in New England and the kids on the Senior Board went to it ’cause they were members, and the R. I. A. S. C. was an as-so-she-ashun of Student Councils in Rhode Island and Elmer Cornell was President of it. Prof: Veil, ve haf anodder shining poo-pul mit us today. Jah, Cherry, das iss kvite right. Und now, Axel, do you know sombtink of der entertainments, perhaps? Axel: Sure, Professor, dey vere all very gude, and Louis Capalbo and Leon Perkins and Frank Perra made a lot of people come to see dem. Prof: Jah. but vat vere der tings dey vent to see? Yes, Aby? Aby: Dey gave six vun act plays in two nights and vere dey a bargain, almost as good as at Aby’s. John Nichols, Virginia Archie, and Barbara Campbell vere peaches actors! Prof: Jah wohl. Und don’t forget dat der best play, der vun in vich was Virginia Archie, entered der State competition. Veil, how vere der dances. Cherry? Cherry: Oh they were all right, Professor, only the Prom was the only one they gave, but everyone had a good time. Prof: Und so ve come to der finish. (Chauncey raises hand) Veil, Chauncey, don’t tell me you know sombting der book forgot ? Chauncey: No indeedy, Professor, but you seem to be slipping too lightly over the parting. It was history itself, for the doors of the dear old building were to be closed that year never to open for educational purposes again, for a fine new edifice had been erected to succeed the Broad Street High School, and thus when the Class of ’37 passed over those noble thresholds on their way to Baccalaureate, it was a solemn caress of farewell. (All look tearful and woebegone) Prof: Jah. Chauncey, look vat you haf done. Next ve vill haf a flood if you don’t cheer dem up. Chauncey: Well let us then all join our harmonious voices in the rollicking song of the Class of ’37, which, by the way, was composed by one of the members of the Class, John Maines. Stand and Sing Prof: School iss dismissed. Chorus: Rush out yelling. Curtain HELEN LEON MICHAEL TARASEVICH ALDEN NICHOLS

Page 15 text:

Tin: Senior Year Book — 1937 elude George Howard in this group! He always did have a way with the ladies. It is too bad I must leave before the show is over; I might have seen some more of my old friends. When I call at the check room I notice a new girl behind the counter. She smiles, and. as she gives me my hat, I recognize Dorothy Heath. As I am leaving, I am stopped by a tiny blond cigarette girl, Isa Card. The next day we attend a baseball game between the Yankees and the Bees. Who knows but that some of our W. H. S. baseball stars may now be playing in the major leagues! While buying our tickets, I recognize Annie Moffitt in the booth, still at her old familiar job of ticket seller. Another surprise awaits me when I find the ticket collectors to be Rose Nardone and Rose Priz-ito. My guess about baseball talent was right, for whom do I see?—our popular star second baseman, Elmer Cornell of the Yankees. Richard Walthers, who has played 2000 consecutive games, plays center. Stationed at third for the Bees is Angelo Capizzano and at short is that speed demon, Frank Resico, both former W. H. S. stars. The battery for the Yanks is Carl Myllymaki, pitch, and Herbert Broadmeadow, catch, both of whom have been in the big leagues for many years. After having dinner, we are all exceedingly tired, so we leave in search of a place to sleep, but, finding no quarters near at hand, decide to get some information from the nearest policeman. Fortunately, he is right on the corner, and, upon drawing closer, we recognize Russell Rae, a typical husky guardian of the law. He directs us to an inn a few blocks distant, where we register. The night clerk, Fremont Burdick, gives us the key to our room and beckons two porters to get our baggage. More surprises are in order for us when the porters turn out to be John Garafolo and Fred Rodgers. The Zypher-car is stored in a garage owned by Anthony Vocatura. Benny DeMario, and Ernest Grenier. The next morning I send a telegram to my New York office. During my short stay in the telegraph office, I am confronted by Quentin Desimone and William Brown, who are in charge there. While passing through the heart of Boston, my secretary calls my attention to a large poster announcing Mademoiselle Tetlow’s Fashion Parade. She is now one of the country’s foremost style authorities. She also employs the nation’s most beautiful and famous models, Ruth Hunter and Dot Stelljes. We always suspected that Winnie would make herself famous as a result of her flair for dressmaking. As we are leaving the outskirts of the city, I order my chauffeur to drop the weights so that he Zyphercar may take off. We are soor. flying on our way to Hollywood, little realizing the surprises in store for us there. After two hours of fast flying, we sight the Conklin flying field, dedicated to the honor of that great aviator who was killed after circling the globe three times without stopping. Upon landing, we are greeted by the field superintendent, John Roan. During our brief chat with Mr. Roan, he informs us that three of our classmates operate from that field. They are Margaret Greenman and Carmella Rizzuto, air hostesses, and Alexander Thompson, famed air pilot. He then orders two greaseballs to put new weights on the Zyphercar, that we may ride on terra firma into Hollywood. As they turn their heads, we recognize them as none other than Eric Keskenin and Pat Capalbo—still as inseparable as ever. The first place we visit while in Hollywood is the Eckhard Studio, where we meet Charles Eckhard, owner and producer. He takes ns on the set to see a new picture being made. The picture is an up-to-date version of “Murder at the Opera,” starring Mademoiselle Bertinette. The cameras grind, I hear a beautiful voice singing, and the opera star appears. Her ash blond hair strikes another chord in my dull memory and I recognize Ruth Blackler. Unfortunately, Mademoiselle is murdered in the picture by those two scoundrels of the stage and screen, Alden Nichols and Virginia Archie. The scene is so realistic that I contract a bad case of nervitis, but I later have the pleasure of shaking hands with the three stars, just to prove to me that Ruth is still very much alive, and Alden and Virginia are not real scoundrels. While Mr. Eckhard is showing me around the set, we meet Barbara Campbell -4 3 )►—