Wilton High School - Wiltonian Yearbook (Wilton, WI)

Page 13 text:

OW phecy, 52 The year is 1962, and I, Beverly Farmer, am walking down a crowded street in La Crosse, trying to finish my Christmas shopping. Suddenly I am startled to hear someone calling my name. Turning around I am pleasantly surprised to see one of my old classmates, the former Clara Devine. She is happily married and is doing sorhe shopping for her two little girl’s; so we decided to try our luck together. The first place we went was Flo's dress shoppe. It was a lovely shop, and I soon found the perfect gift for my mother-in-law. The price tag was marked $9. 95. Thoroughly irritated I insisted on seeing the manager. Clara and I were both startled to see the manager was our old classmate, Florence Brehmer. We were surprised to see each other and we all forgot the incident of the price tag. It was almost lunch time so Florence decided to come with us. She mentioned a pleasant eating place not far away owned and operated by Ruthie Winchell. After we had arrived at Ruthie's cafe and had ordered, Clara noticed a big sign on the wall announcing the arrival of a new TV comedian in La Crosse that afternoon. We de- cided we would go down to the airport and watch his arrival as we had nothing else planned. As we were eating, Ruthie came out to visit with us and we began to wonder where our other classmates were, so we decided to try and locate them. Ruthie had a wonderful idea, she said we should plan a banquet to be held at her restaurant and invite all our classmates and teachers from 1952. Clara knew where Isabelle Dougherty was so we called her. She was working in an office at LaCrosse and said she would have time to notify all our old friends. We set the date for the following Thursday and told her we would see her then. After lunch we all went down to the airport. Thousands of people were gathered anxiously waiting for the arrival of this star. We were curious as to who it could be. When the plane landed and with a fanfare of trumpets the star came down the ladder. We were happy to see that it was our old friend and classmate, Jim Green. With him was his agent Ray Steinhoff. We shoved our way wildly through the crowd to get up to talk to Jim. He was as surprised to see us as we were to see him. He told us he was stopping at La Crosse for a five day run of his show. Of course we invited him and Ray to our reunion. Jim told us he would be delighted. Then they told us the stewardess on their plane had been Donna Stark. We waited for her and learned that she had a three day leave and would still be in town at the time of our reunion. I invited her to come home with me until % Thursday so we said goodbye and all went away looking forward to the banquet. On the appointed Thursday Donna and I were the first ones there. We were soon joined by Florence, Ruthie, Isabelle, and Clara. It wasn't long until Mr. Berg appeared, prompt as usual. He is now directing a New York Symphony Orchestra and has given up teaching. He said Mrs. Schwartz had ridden up with him as he had stopped in Tomah on his way out. She was out in the kitchen interested as always wherever any cooking was going on. It wasn't long until we heard a car stop outside. The radio was tuned to some old time music so we knew it must be Dick. He had just gotten out of the army and was operating a service station in Sparta. He said he was plan- ning a wedding and we were all invited to his dance. We were just standing outside talking when with a mighty roar a hot rod came to a screeching stop. Of course it was Uldis and with him was Jim Creviston and Carl Arndt. Jim is happily married to his old high school sweetheart and operating Creviston's Dairy which supplies the entire Tomah area with fresh Dairy supplies. Carl is running a little farm of his own right outside of Wilton.

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CiaaA Jtcem Here is all the Senior Class Portrayed in a poem; We will always remember them Wherever we may roam. Carl Arndt, a country boy, In studying finds no joy; He will never cause you harm And soon he'd like to run a farm. Florence Brehmer tajl and thin, Always has a friendly grin; To work at Hrv's she's always ready Even though she's going steady. Beatrice Cox, who's very shy, Has a diamond from her guy; A fall marriage is her plan Dick Will's the lucky man. Jim Creviston, handsome and tall Is handy with a basketball; A Junior girl has caught his eye, Everyone knows he's Marion’s guy. Clara Devine, full of fun, Is a friend of everyone; A school teacher she'd like to be. But we'll have to wait and see. Isabelle Dougherty an Irish miss, Thinks that Sparta boys are bliss; President of our Senior Class, She really is a friendly lass. Beverly Farmer, full of pep, Keeps our marching band in step; Will a career be hers for life? Or will she become a soldiers wife? Jim Green, a friend of all; Teases girls in study hall. Basketball's his favorite sport, Even though he's rather short. Uldis Grosgalvis, our Latvian friend Seems to enjoy himself to no end; Making noise is his aim And he always gets the blame. Genevieve Meseberg, short and sweet, Always has her hair so neat; She would never miss a chance To go to Cashton to a dance. Lillian Nauman the blond of our class. Is a carefree country lass; Helping others on her way, She was Daphne in the class play. Everett Reineke is okay, He's an active member of the FFA, Prom King of a year ago, He is swell, we all know. Darlain Schindler, who likes to sew, Is always up and on the go; A business career is her plan Until she finds that lucky man. Jean Shie, a sailors girl. Always has her hair in curl; She came from Kendall a year ago. We find her very nice to know. Dick Sommerfeldt, who likes to dance, With his girl will take no chance; He's a dark and handsome lad. And leaving school makes him glad. Donna Stark, who likes to cheer, Was the Prom Queen of last year; Varsity cheerleader with lots of pep. She thinks the airlines are really hep. Ray Steinhoff, who's very smart, Of the girls wants no part, Valedictorian of this year, He'll succeed far or near. Ruthie Winchell who's very quiet, Never would start a riot, It is hard to find her smile, But when she does, it's worth while. We have chosen as a motto Not finished-just begun We will always remember this. In sadness or in fun. Our High School days are over now, Our High School nights are too, Teachers, friends, and class mates, We bid farewell to you.

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We had all gone inside when we heard someone coming down the street followed by a crowd that were shouting and cheering. Of course that was without a doubt our TV star Jim Green. We had quite a time getting Ray and Jim in the cafe without being mobbed. Suddenly we heard someone pounding on the door, unintentionally we had locked out Lillian and Beatrice. Lillian had driven up. She said she had quite a time getting away from her household duties but wouldn't miss this for the world. Beatrice is now Mrs. Will and is living at BadgerVil- lage with her husband and several little Wills. They both are making good use of their Home Economics practice. Mrs. Schwartz came out just then and said the former Jean Shie had just called and was coming right over. She is also married and she and her sailor husband are operating a resort down in Florida. While we were waiting for her Genevieve Meseberg arrived. She is a music teacher and has just flown up from New Mexico. She says she met Darlain Schindler at the airport. Darlain is teaching Home Economics at Menominee and is doing very well. Jean and Darlain arrived. Now most of our classmates are here but where are the teachers and Everett Reineke? Usually it was we who were late to classes. Someone dropped a nickel in the juke box. It turned out to be a recording of a chorus directed by Mr. Valesh. His chorus is now next to Fred Waring's. It wasn't long until he came in. With him was Mr. Loff, Mr. Chinnock, and Everett Reineke. They explained they were late because Mr. Loff had been on a fishing trip and they had to wait while he changed his clothes. Mr. Loff is still teaching at Wilton but is now a leading authority on World History. He says he may retire and make maps for future World History students. Mr. Chinnock is a National Livestock Judge. Everett works with him, but is also President of the National FFA Council. They told us Mr. Cady is coaching for Notre Dame and seems to have a winning team as they haven't lost a game for four years. Soon the coach himself appeared with Mr. Mongue. Mr. Mongue is now the Superintendent of Schools and head of all Phy Ed. Departments. Not only has our class gone far in theworld but our teachers as well. After talking for two hours we set a reunion date for ten years later, and wondered what changes they would bring.