Westerly High School - Westlyan Yearbook (Westerly, RI)

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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 “

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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 Senior Year Book — 1945 Joe Murray, Harold West, and Russell Perry, all happily married, decided they were so happy they would begin a “Cooperative Society for the Love-Lorn,” so that everyone else could follow their formula for happiness. Tampa, Florida: Marion Cillino and Gilda Nardone set up the “Cilldone Availability Date Company.” specializing in all phases of blind date situations. Philadelphia, Pa.: Simon Majeika, writer, actor, and producer, established a “Little Theatre” here for young students interested in dramatics. New York City, N. Y.: Shirley Sisson, one of the famous Powers models, designs dresses as a mere sideline. Edith Whiteley and Adele Eusebio are exclusive perfume buyers for Town and Country Shop now run by Louise Ligouri and Barbara Rathbun. Margaret Pickering is the matron of the Y. W. C. A. center in New York City. Westerly, R. I.: Joseph Keegan, Max Factor’s representative, canvasses White Rock and Dunn’s Corner for possible new skin types. Governor of Rhode Island, William Reil-ley, maintains a summer home near the Westerly High School, where Dorothy Tate is a teacher in the business depart- ment, Ray Turco manages the school cafeteria, and Lawrence Matarese is the musical director. And so the story ends; my quest is completed. It does feel good to settle down beside the fireplace in this easy chair, with my trusty pipe at hand. Guess I’ll take a snooze. There’s just one thing I’d like to know—I wonder what I’m supposed to be? Ho, hum, maybe I’ll find out sometime; must remember to get more sleep now that I'm back. Thus, Alex Houston wrote the last line in his “Adventure Book,” laid his pen aside, and let himself succumb once more to the inviting recesses of the chair. Once more he fell asleep, and once more the sparks began to play tricks with his imagination. At long last, the chief question in his mind came to the fore. You have shown me what happens to the others ten years from now, but what will happen to me? What am I to do when the others are having their adventures?” he asked the sparks. “You, Alex,” replied the sparks, “you will be sitting in this same chair, smoking your pipe and dreaming a little perhaps. There will be plenty of girls to swoon over you and you will be happy. You will have reached your goal, Alex, for you will be the celebrated Matron of Oak lawn! The End MARY TOSCANO JOAN CLARKE MARILYN FRECHETTE DORIS BRADSHAW JANET HOUSE The “Sparks” - it 20