Westerly High School - Westlyan Yearbook (Westerly, RI)

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Tiif. Senior Year Book — 1945 tell me about her recent experiences. “C. T.” Barber, her perfect secretary with the ever-ready pencil, suggested we all go to the “Nangpoo Roller Skating Rinky,” established by Donna Brown and Mary Champion. Though it is the first one ever to be established in China, the girls feel confident it will be as prosperous as any in America. It was at the rink that I met Joseph Delaney, who has promised to pilot me to Italy. July 1, 1955: Italy. “Joe,” whose unequaled taste has not failed him through the years, pointed the way to the “Italian 21,” which is ably run by that trio of nonsense, Jean Stedman, Betty Stewart, and Mary Geary. The girls, who “just thought they’d take a little trip to Italy” a couple of years ago, found their powers of organization proved quite profitable. “The Trio” let me look in on Madeline Gouvin and John Grossomanides practicing new dance steps to the tune of Peggy Dawson’s sax; then promptly sent me otf to find John Lathrop, who is studying music at a fine-arts conservatory. Johnny, on learning my mission, took me to the art department, where, as may be expected, I found Sue Murphy, Camella Pellegrino, and Pauline Dinwoodie. This bevy of girls escorted me to my train and sent me off with many words of encouragement. France in the morning. July 2, 1955: France. Oo-la-la! France in the morning indeed! Jeanne Rainville, to my surprise, met me at the station, telling me she was acting as a committee of one to show me the sights. I was beginning to think my prowess as a “Romeo” was really coming to the fore, when she disclosed the fact that Sue, Camella, and Pauline had notified her of my coming. Jeanne, true to her promise, took me to a Paris fashion show, where she pointed out Constance Coon as one of the foremost models. I noticed Thomas Jursa, a representative for “Vogue” magazine, and Dick Owens, who is writing a book of eti- quette, were deep in conversation as to how much changing styles were affected by modern manners. Lucille Shader, accumulating data for her sketches on French society, was also there. No sooner was I through with this smart set, than I was whisked away to see Eileen Rea, a bacteriologist, reveling in the old haunts of Louis Pasteur. From there we dropped in to the Surete to meet Hercule Poirit’s new assistant, Esther Turco. Tonight I went to the opera to hear Angelo Urso sing Bizet’s “Carmen.” Joyce Woodfield, whom I discovered sitting beside me with her French count husband, pointed out that the pianist was Bob Beattie. I chartered a plane for England and have already seen the pilot, Esther Brown. July 3, 1955: England. Margaret Wilson was “Johnny-on-the-spot” at her landing field control tower. Yes, sir, “Willie” sure can bring ’em in on the beam. I started off on a walk through rural England and was promptly invited in to have a spot of tea with Perry Crandall, who is running a cozy little inn. Oddly enough he has on his register Robert Glazier, a teacher in history at the local school; Jackie Fox, who is gathering material for his series of short stories on girl escapades; and Hope Knerr, who is coining words for a new dictionary. This assorted company got their heads toegther and decided I would simply have to go to a basketball game. When I looked askance they said, “Why, haven’t you heard?—Sally Briggs is managing an international basketball team of which Mary Grasso is the captain. They’ve been making a tour and have introduced it to countries all over the world.” To add to the surprise of seeing a basketball game in England was the appearance of Frances Salisbury with her troop of cheerleaders clad in navy blue and white, reminiscent of the good, ole days. (Need I add that Mary’s team won the game?) Seeing that I was in such fine spirits after “our” victory, the boys thought it 18) --

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The Sexior Year Book — 1945 out on a world tour. She took me to a chewing gum factory on the outskirts of town, where Jean Phillips is the president, Shirley Campbell is the treasurer, and Stella Gencarelli is the secretary. They recently employed Gladys Ralls as a tester for their product. This afternoon I took advantage of the glorious sunshine and drove down to the Brazilian Golf Course. The first person I met there was Vera Parry (now a big politician on vacation here), who comes down to play a round every afternoon, i started a game with her, and though it was a fairly exciting one, she stopped every other minute or so to shout a newly conceived idea to her secretary, Robert Ulles, whose job it was to follow her very heels. Tonight I went to the “Chic-a-Boom Chic Club,” where Shirley Palmer and Lane Krause are dancing partners. Saw Theresa Slattery there with her newly acquired husband. I have a reservation on an Africa-bound plane. Sherry Taylor, the pilot, tells me there are several of our class members flying at the same time, so perhaps I can add to my “collection.” June 25, 1955: Africa. On the plane over I met Caroline Bis-vvurm, a “Good-Will” worker between America and Africa; her secretary, Robert Rathbun, had taken the previous plane. When I arrived Sherry took me to an MGM location where a tropical picture is being filmed. Ellen Wilcox, adorned in a sarong and what have you, was an eyeful playing opposite Shep Disillier, who reminded me of a second Sterling Hayden. I found Jane Balentine strolling around the set with her interpreter, Catherine Greene, close behind her. Seems she’s working over here in the interests of the American people, too. This afternoon Jane took me over to watch Florence Caswell painting tropical flowers. She has quite a distinctive style with the brush and plans to publish ail her drawings in book form. Lois Clarke’s publishing company has already paid royalties on the coming project. June 29, 1955: Persia and India. After visiting Africa, I went by train up into Turkey and down into Persia, where, I had heard, Sarah Maggs had recently become a Shah. I tried to get into her court, but to no avail. (She must have thought I was another suitor for her hand because she merely said, “Pooh! Off with his head!”) Rose Fusaro, correspondent for the “Westerly Moonbeams,” met me just as I was retreating from that inopportune spot, and obligingly gave me a list of old class members to look up in India and China. Thankful for this bit of information, I squired her to a concert (she had passes) by the renowned Mademoiselle Marie Fer-endo. Arriving in India this morning, I proceeded to the Baroda Public School No. 54, where I found John Gomena teaching from the new World History” book by Dorothy Grispino. More in my line was Virginia Tyler’s radio station, to which I was directed by Richard Maines, whom I engaged in conversation when I saw him hanging little sailor suits out to dry. June 30, 1955: China. My first ride in a ricksha reminded me a little of a wheelbarrow being run backwards: but at any rate, it got me there— “there” being Dot McClure’s Hospital. Dot, who didn’t in the least object to my not being used to calling her doctor, took me on a grand tour of her hospital. First she had to show off her charming secretary. Hank Nowak. Then she let me catch a glimpse of Doris Payne and Priscilla Pine, deep in concentration over a new chemical to cure spring fever diseases. Thomas Salimeno, the dietitian, let us have a taste of the nutritious lunch he was preparing, then shooed us out into the corridor, directly in the path of Mary Toscano, the head nurse. Some of the nurses under her supervision were James Sposato, Eugene Turco, and Merton Matthews. Oh, to have an ailment! Doris Wood, a Wave doing peace-time work in China, popped up unexpectedly to 17 £• -

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The Senior Year Book — 1945 was only fitting for me to go to a program given by those two up-and-coming concert pianists, June Charnley and Pearl Maki. Well, Diary, it's certainly been wonderful seeing all my classmates “over here,” but tomorrow it will be back home for me. It's going to feel pretty fine to see the Land of the Free once again. July 4, 1955: America (New York). Whiz bang! ! Today—being July 4th —has definitely lived up to its reputation. No sooner had 1 settled myself in my room at the Hotel Commodore, than Dorothea Harman, President of the United States, phoned and said she would pick me up in her helicopter on the way to our class reunion in Westerly, Rhode Island. “But, listen,” I protested, a little dumbfounded, how did you know about—that is—well, where did you—?” However, by that time she had hung up—and by the time I had collected my thoughts and belongings she was there. Dot (as she insisted I call her) told me that one day she just up and took a notion to have a reunion of the Class of '45, so she passed a bill whereby all the members still living in the United States were to “reunite” once more at good old W. H. S. “Of course,” she added, in her most pompous manner, “I had to appropriate a little extra money and send out a dozen or so helicopters for transportation, but I figure it will be worth it to see some of the gang again.” I agreed with her and then took up the subject of how she ever located me. She side-stepped that issue by telling me not to be so modest, so I decided maybe we were both wacky and gave it up as a bad job. When we landed at the high school, things began to happen. I shan’t list the details, but needless to say, we did justice to our celebration in honor of the day. It’s rather uncanny, but everyone seemed to know I had been tracing members of the class all over the world. Nothing would do, but I had to sit down and relate every detail of my entire trip. In return for this favor they told me all about their experiences and invited me to visit them whenever possible—(pure formality, you understand). I found the “kids” were scattered all over the country, so I shall set them down in a geographical manner. Traveling from West to East of the United States I discovered in: Hollywood, California: Corinne Palm has become a sensational singing star and has made five pictures. Al Perkins is making a series of “he man” pictures with Eleanor Rathbone as his leading lady. Mary Reardon is a woman’s physical education director at a local high school. Santa Fe, New Mexico: Joe Siciliano is a news reporter for the “Wilcox Tribune” edited by Robert Wilcox, whose efficient secretary is Barbara Flynn. Near San Antonio, Texas: Hazel Webster is the owner of the giant Bar W-H Ranch. Des Moines, Iowa: Alice Woodmansee has set up a dog hospital and has won the award for the year’s most successful veterinarian. St. Louis, Missouri: Billed as the “Two Dots,” Dorothy Murray and Dorothy Hurtado are singing stars at a St. Louis night club. New Orleans, Louisiana: Jessie Culver and Hope Dove, Hope happily married, spend their spare time chatting over the back fence about the affairs of state. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Janet House has taken up wiring homes through the knowledge acquired in the Fundamentals of Electricity class. Here I found Rose Gengarella owns the Gengarella Insurance Co. Her secretary, Elinor Gray, is so well trained that upon spotting me, she launched into a detailed selling talk on the wisdom of taking out insurance. South Bend. Indiana: Claire Klemish is the new football coach at Notre Dame U. Atlanta, Georgia: Joe Holliday, Mary MacKenzie, and Leo Manfredi are organizing a hair-dressing establishment where the latest Parisian coiffures will be produced. 9 )s “