Wilcox High School - Echo Yearbook (Wilcox, PA)

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Class Prophecy of 1942 It was a bright, beautiful day in June. Nearly eight years had elapsed since the day of my graduation from Wilcox High School. I, Mrs. Smith, having been married for two years, decided to visit my old classmate, Bar- bara Brechtel, who is now Mrs. Kilmer. Bar- bara was then living in Denver, Colorado, 300 miles from Cheyenne, where my home is lo- cated. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by Jack and Barbara. After spending a few days with Mrs. Kil- mer, she decided to accompany me on a tour of the United States. We boarded a train in Denver, and started on our long-to-be-remem- bered trip Our first stop was in Kansas City, Kansas. We were walking along the street and came upon a fresh-fruit and vegetable market. We especially noticed the large lovely strawber- ries. So we decided to purchase some. Sudden- ly, Barbara looked surpr sed and I heard her say, Why Ernie Allegretti, is it really ygu? Yes, it was Ernest, and we later learned from him that he owned a large farm on the out- skirts of Kansas City where he lived with his wife and three children, and he brought his fruit and vegetables daily to sell to passers-by at this roadside market. Bidding goodbye to Ernest, we traveled by bus to St. Louis, Missouri, where we stopped to have our dinner. Upon entering a hotel we were very much astonished to see the name, Powell's Hotel, above the door. Upon enter- ing, we were greeted by none other than Nor- bert Powell, our old classmate of Wilcox High School and his charming wife whom he had met and married in St. Louis a short time ago. After dinner Norbert and his wife invited us to stay with them for 3 few days, at least until Saturday. We readily agreed. Norbert in- formed us that he had a wonderful Surprise for us on Saturday night. He called a taxi, and his wife, Barbara and I rode along the crowded streets until we came to 3 large night club. We still couldn't guess what the surprise was. But once we were inside, who did I notice in the orchestra pit but Edward Drostl After an exchange of surprised and happy greetings, Edward told us that he was now the leader of this large orchestra, 6 Drost's Smoothies as they were called,J which played every night at this club. We had 3 marvelous time here, and Ed promised that he would try to come to my home town to visit me and my husband. Departing from St. Louis, we boarded a plane bound for Chicago. Barbara had a ter- rible headache, so when we were on our way I called the Stewardess to see if she could give her something to relieve it. When she finally did come, we were astonished to find that it was Dorothea Johnson. You should have seen the expression on her face when she saw us! And I must say that we were just as surprised, if not more so, than She. We learned from Dorothea that she Hn- ished her nursing course in 1946, and decided she would like to become an Airliner Hostess, so she filed an application for a position. She had already been working on this plane route for four years. Upon arrival in Chicago, we bade farewell to Dorothea. Because Chicago was such a large and strange city io us, we de'iied to go to an in- formation bureau to discover where we might find a place to entertain ourselves for the even'ng. We walked along the street until we came to a large building, wh'ch had Informa- tion written above the door. We entered, and you will never know our astonishment when who should we see at the desk but Kathleen Bowley, our old schoolmate. She related to us briefly how she went to business school, and upon completirg her course was promised this positicn. She told us that she was married but that her husband was a bus-driver so she was working to take up her leisure time. After she told us where we couli spend the evening, we departed and decided to walk down the street to window-shop. We saw a very nice looking restaurant across the street, and as we felt rather hungry, we decided to go in and have something to eat. Above the door it said. Paul's Restaurant, open day and nite. So we went in and who do you think we saw at the manager's desk, but Paul Steve, our class- mate. Of course, right then and there we expected to get a free meal, but-. We talked awhile and then he directed us to an excellent table where we could see the Hoor show which he told us would begin in fifteen minutes. So we ordered up a large meal, as we were now starved. Then the floor show began. They announced that the first number would be a couple doing a t'ballet dance. To our amaze- ment we noticed that the couple was Mary DeChano and Edward Dill. Mary was a class- mate and Edward was a very good friend of all of us. We enjoyed their number very much, and after they finished they came over to our table and told us how they happened to be there and also that they were married now. They said that they dance there twice a day at 12:00 and at 5:30. As they were to go on again, they left, asking us to come and see them, but of course our time was limited. We had seen a lot of friends there. We returned to our hotel and prepared to leave on the next train for Richmond, which was due at 9:15 that evening. Arriving in Richmond, we called a cab and went to a beautiful hotel to check our baggage. We had lunch about 2:30 and then decided to do some window shopping. While passing along the many beautiful shops we noticed one which said Loraine's Fashion Shop. There was a beautiful dress in the display window and Page 9

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Class We, the class of 1942, of Wilcox High School, having reached the end of our happy school days, do hereby give and bequeath the following: To the school we leave our excellent grades so that other classes may follow our example. To the faculty we leave our patience and co-operativeness so that it will be easier to teach the class of 1945. To the Junior Class we leave our money- making ability so that the school library may be greatly increased. To the Sophomore Class we leave our good grades so that they will have an honor roll. To the Freshmen Class we leave our ambi- tion so that in three years they may be digni- fied Seniors. WE HEREBY WILL THE FOLLOWING: Elizabeth Olewinski's happiness to Derma Murray to make her remaining school days seem brighter. Betty Buller's athletic ability to Frances McMahon so that she may participate in ath- letic activities. Kathleen Bowley's long, curly hair to Hazel Severance to make her more alluring. Patricia Huson's good humor to Bernice Donahue to enable her to enjoy the sunnier side of life. Henry Feikls' mathematic and scientific ability to Jack Bryington to make simple problems easier. Edward DrosL's neatly arranged hair to Gale Furlong to make him more intelligent looking. John Foulkrod's manliness'l to James Servedio to bring him up into the world. Paul Steve's imaginative words to Thora Peterson so that she may express herself more easily. Norbert Powell's t'Iilibustering in class in PIT 4-8 Will order to postpone tests to Eugene Brechtel so that he will not have to study so hard. Ernest Allegretti's curly hair to Paul Nit- sche to rumple up that smooth look. Raymond Andrus' generosity and helpful- ness to James Smith to keep the class advanc- ing. Frank Chubon's athletic ability to John Orolin to make him more graceful. Carl Johnson's come hither looks to Ley- den Anderson just to keep it among the Swedes. Robert Simons ability to write poetry to Jack Kilmer to entertain on basketball trips, assemblies, and so forth. Vivian Von Arx's dramatic talents to Irene Powell so that she may participate in next year's plays. Helen Pretak's quietness and studiousness to Vincent Chubon so he will be seen and not heard. Barbara Brechtel's piano-playing ability to Janet Mines so that she will be able to use two hands rather than two fingers when play- ing for her music class. Herbert Johnson's timidness to Herbert Damier just to keep it among the Herberts. Harriet Larson's leadership and willingness to help to Mary Kearney so that she will have an interest in school other than Jack Brying- ton. Pauline Nitsche's slenderness to Vivian Hanson so that she will enjoy her gym classes more. June Bryington's dancing feet to Phyllis Smith to keep the high school dances rolling. Mary DeChano's pretty smile and curly hair to Laverne Johnson so he won't have to waste so much time in front of the mirror primping. Lora'ne Yonker's place as Valedictorian to whoever is smart enough to get it next year. Dorothea Johnson's inquisitiveness to Rob- ert Fowler to increase his knowledge.

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Barbara thought she would like to purchase it. So we went in and who did we find ready and waiting to help us but Loraine Yonker, who was now Mrs. Ray Toll. She related to us how she had married Ray three years ago and had settled in R'chmond, where Ray was em- ployed as the manager of a large airport. She told us also that she had one child, who was now a year old. We chatted with her for nearly two hours and then explained to her that we must be on our way once more. So we departed for Philadelphia. We decided to stay for just a few hours in Philadelphii, as we did not expect to see any of our classmates there. When we left the station we walked up to the busy section of the city. People seemed to be in such a hurry. We stopped to look at some delicious bakeries in the window when somebody said, Pardon me. We turned around and had the surprise of our lives! It was June Bryington, one of our fellow graduates from W.H.S. After exchanging greetings and telling her how glad We were to see her, she asked us to come and see her Beauty Shoppe, where she was now a beautician. We agreed. Her shoprpe was situated in a very suitable place, and was very beautiful. She showed us her place and then as she had some people wait- ing we left and continued on our stroll. We then went to the station and waited for the train. The route we had chosen passed through Wflcox, our old home town. We went to see our parents first and we found out the news of Wilcox, and inquired if any of our class- mates were still there. They informed us that Helen Pretak was still living in town and that her husband now owned the large gro- cery store between Arthur Johnson's and Vir- ginia's Beauty Shoppe. We decided to go visit the store and Helen was very glad to see us. Ae we had only a limited amount of time to spend in Wilcox we bade all our friends fare- well once more and departed on the train that was leaving at 9:28 that evening. As we boarded the train a very Willing and able conductor took our bags. He looked very familiar. After we took our seats, he came around and took our tickets. Who was it but Raymond Andrus, of the Wilcox High School graduating Class of '42. After he had finished his duties he came back and talked to us. He informed us that he had been working on the railroad for about six years. His home town was in Erie, where he lived with his wife, Elveretta, and their daughter. We told him that we were getting off at Warren. He thus informed us that Frank Chubon lived in War- ren. So we inquired as to where he lived, and planned to visit him right away in the morn- ing. We said goodbye and got off at Warren. We went to the hotel and stayed over nightg then we got up bright and early and started for Frank's home. Who should greet us but Frances McMahon, his wife. She was very surprised to see us and told us that Frank was an airplane pilot, but she expected him to Paar' 10 came back from his trip to Toledo at any mo- ment. He soon came and you should have seen his face when he saw us there! We vis- ited for a couple of hours, and then Frances and Frank asked us if we'd like some lunch. Of course we readily agreed. We stayed there a while and then decided We'd better leave if we wrentei to get the next bus for Jamestown, N. Y. Upon our arrival in Jamestown we were greeted by Harriet Larson, who was then an editor for one of Jamestown's largest news- papers, The Jamestown Tribune. She pub- lished her column daily, on world events and had alrfady won much favor and recognition from the people of Jamestown and vicinity. Frank had wired her that we were coming to Jamestown, so she came to meet us. She in- vited us to her apartment. After getting set- tled, we talked over old times. She gave us some startling information, telling us that Patty Huson was now nursing at the James- town Hospital and lived two blocks away from her apartment. So that evening we had an old get-together-Harriet, Patty, Barbara, and I. We talked about our old school days and the tricks we used to play on our classmates and others. Before we knew it, it was after mid- night and the bus was scheduled to leave at 1:57 a. m. Bidding them adieu, we continued on our trip, now going to Endicott, where we knew we would be able to see our happy-go- lucky Elizabeth Olewinski, who was now Mrs. Edward Readmond. We went to a public telephone booth, and looked in the directory for her address, as we didn't know the exact location of her home. We soon found the address and were on our way to her home. We rang the doorbell, and who appeared but Bitter, QElizabethD. Upon seeing us there, she exclaimed, Vivian and Barbara, what are you doing here ? After tell- ing all our past experiences and the adven- tures of our journey, we left to continue our tour. From .Endicottl we went to Erie. While in Erie we decided to go through the General Electric Plant as neither Barbara nor I had had the opportunity to do so. On our way through, we heard a very familiar laugh. We stopped and listened. Then all of a sudden who should come walking down the hall, but Herbert Johnson. He told us that he had been working here since the day of his graduation and that he was now the head of this certain department. As he had to get back to his worvk, we left and continued on our sight-seeing trip. Since we had to catch the next bus out of Erie, we had to cut our stay here short. We then went to Cleveland. Knowing that Pauline Nitsche was a physical education teacher in the city, we planned to look her up. We left our bus and started our search. But first we dec'ded to have some lunch, so we went into a nearby restaurant. Suddenly we both stared at each other, and then again at the girl who was sitting in the adjoining tContinued on page 231