Editor:
Helen (Betro) Howard, '56

Managing Editor:
Patricia (Cashman) Tarbell, '61

Officers:
President:
James M. Brady, '72

Executive Vice President:
Peter Paglari, '52

Secretary:
Maura (Turco) Dwyer, '61

Treasurer:
Joanne (Dastoli) Forsberg, '70

Executive Director:
Helen Bickford, '53

Board of Directors

Clement Borgine, '46
Shirley (Carlson) Crown, '53
Gail (McAusland) Cunnane, '67
Gloria (Manocchio) Denneen, '59
Franics X. Foley, '56
Helen (Betro) Howard, '56
David Hutchins, '56
Lillian (Mackenzie) McNulty, '61
Gene Lavanchy, '82
Joseph Morgan, '49
Marlene (Matsropieri) Shields, '64
Pamela (Nordstrom) Snell, '64
Stephen A. Sprague, '72
Patricia (Cashman) Tarbell, '61

This newsletter is available semi-annually and will be mailed to all dues paying members of the Alumni Assoc. Annual membership dues. $15.

WHS Alumni Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization.

Comments about this newsletter or general question may be forwqrded to:
WHS Alumni Association Inc.
P.O.Box 634
Walpole, MA 02081
Tel. (508)660-7257, ext 178

This Newsletter is available semi-annually and will be mailed to all dues paying members of the Alumni Assoc. Annual membership dues: $15
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WHS Alumni Association, Inc.
P.O.Box 634
Walpole, MA 02081
Tel. (508)660-7257, ext 178

Comments about this newsletter or general questions may be forwarded to this address.

WHS Alumni Association is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization.

Walpole High School Alumni Newsletter
Volume 10 Issue 1
Spring 2010

President's Message

Dear Fellow Alumni:

In our ongoing efforts to provide enjoyable and attractive opportunities for alumni get-togethers, the members of the Board of Directors of your Alumni Association are planning an all new annual social for 2010. On November 6, 2010, we are sponsoring a Reunion Party to be held in the function room at Beckett's Pub Restaurant, 1065 Main Street, in Walpole.

The Party begins at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails, to be followed by a buffet supper. There will be open seating for all, except for guests who are attending their respective reunions. Those who are attending their reunions at the Party will be seated at designated tables with their classmates. A DJ will provide music for those wishing to dance. We anticipate that this less formal venue will appeal to alumni of all ages. More information will be forwarded in the coming weeks.

As always, we welcome input from our members regarding this and all other planned activities. We believe that as our Association becomes active, strong and productive we will be able to more readily fulfill our mission to support our alma mater.

We hope that you are enjoying our Alumnus of the Month feature in the Newsletter. These profiles and other information can be found in our on-line newsletter, also. To sign up, visit our website, Walpolehighalumni.com, and then click on the link, "Sign up for our email newsletter." To learn more about the Alumni Association, please contact Kristin Morrison at 508-660-7257, Ext. 178, or E-mail the alumni office at alumni@walpole.k12.ma.us.

Jim Brady

Alumni Highlights

Ellie (Radzwill) Lind, '55 (Palm Coast, FL): I continue to enjoy getting news about old classmates and the many students that I knew during our long teaching careers in Walpole.

Jean (Roundy) McDonald, '57 (Whitney Point, NY): I have enjoyed Colin Harding's item. I'm in awe that he can remember what he does.

Madeline (AKA: "Buzzy" (Young) McKenzie, '47 (Foxboro, MA:) Three daughters, seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Lost my husband "Mac" in 2007. Decided to keep on traveling. Italy, Mexico, Greece, Florida, the Caribbean and lots of places in between. Met a widower that loves to travel, and our next trip will be to Ireland. Our reunion committee still gets together often.

Betsy (Taylor) Noss, '69 (Huntington Beach, CA:) Betsy is happy living at the beach in CA. She lives alone with her cat and would like anyone from class of 1969 (or any other class from WHS) to email or stop by for a visit-so let me hear from you! bnoss5555@aol.com.

Joe Paquette, '52 (Villanova, PA:) Retirement is great! Spending winters in Vero Beach, FL. Enjoy watching 8 grand kids grow up - 3 now out of college. Still in reasonably good health. Brother Ed, '53, keeps me informed of Walpole activities.

Bob Piasecki, '53 (Middle River, MD:) 6 kids, 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Watch Red Sox faithfully with baseball pkg. Working one more, then will retire.

Sister Ellen Powers, '59 (E. Walpole, MA:) I have completed 3 years of a 6-year term on the Leadership Team of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston. My responsibility is that of a Major Superior for 200 sisters. I chair the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, Boston Unit and co-chair its Anti Trafficking Coalition, raising awareness of the tragedy of modern day slavery the sale of people for sex and work exploitation. For the past two years I have chaired LCWR Region I ICE Committee (Institute of Community Economics) which provides loans for low income housing in the New England area. After serving as a high school principal for 32 years, I am enjoying this new challenge in leadership.

Thomas Roberts, '51 (Livermore, CA:) Still pouring wine at the Steven Kent Winery. Livermore now has forty-four wineries.

Roy Mariner Springer, Jr, '45 (Ledyard, CT:) In November '08 spent a week in Kenya with a group of Compassion International sponsors. The main event was dedication of a Masai girls' school. It was a huge milestone in the modernization of their nomadic culture. Being the oldest in our group, I can proudly say I am an honorary Masai tribal elder. Also had the thrill of two days among the elephants, cape buffalo, giraffes, lions, cheetahs and many species of antelope - all viewed from an open vehicle! If class of '45 is having a reunion in 2010 I'd be glad to help.

David Stacy, '69 (Blaine, MN:) My wife, Leisel and I live in Blaine, Minnesota. I am an independent IT security consultant and she owns a small quilting related business. Our son, Pete is a sophomore at the University of Arizona where he is on the swim team. Our son, Greg, is a senior in high school and is also a swimmer in addition to playing baseball.

Bette Lou (Baldwin) Tibert, '56 (Rotonda W., FL:) Only attended WHS as a senior-however, I have good memories and I really will always love the town of Walpole.

Pamela (Calf) Travers, '68 (Walpole, MA:) ATTN REUNION COMMITTEE OF 1969. Pam has sent a new address for her sister Janice Calf. If anyone is planning a reunion please contact Kristin Morrison or Helen Bickford for the new address.

Carole (Taylor) Vernazzarro, '58 (Norwood, MA:) Had a wonderful time at the 50th class reunion. Looking forward to the next one.

Audrey Urquhart, '51 (Gainsville, FL:) Had a total knee replacement a few weeks ago. The last reminder of my field hockey days at WHS!!! After 37 years in nursing, I find myself coordinating a dental clinic. Of all things! Part of the services offered to the low-income folks in Alacheed County, FL. This is a volunteer position which I thoroughly enjoy. I still spend several months each year in North Carolina mountains as Gainsville in August can be brutal! Keep up the good work in support of WHS.

REMEMBER WHEN
(Continued from the previous Newsletter)
Part 4 of 4

Walpole Overview by Colin Harding

Question 6: What clothes were popular?
It depends - it certainly was not as casual as it is now - suits and ties for men, even boys - boy, did I hate them in hot weather. Skirts and dresses for wormn, even if you were going shopping. In school, I remember wearing khaki pants and sports shirts, and 'white buck' shoes - quite the 'in' thing.

Question 7: How did the people travel?
Most folks traveled by car - but there was usually only one car per family. My father, as a dental surgeon, had an office in Kenmore Square in Boston, so he commuted by car. We had two cars - can remember that my mother had a two-door 1932 Plymouth with a rumble seat - colored green - called it 'old green' - was great fun to ride in. Some people commuted by train to Boston and we also had a bus line that went from Boston to Providence. The MBTA, then called the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Company, only went as far as East Walpole - in fact, the buses used to turn around right next to where the Park Theater was. But for most people, commutes were short since most people worked in the town.

Question 8: What were the roads and streets like?
Most roads are like they are now, only not as wide. There was no I-95. Route 1 was the main road between Boston and Providence, and Route 1A was the alternate. Route 27 was always where it was - the route between Sharon and Medfield. My favorite road - and still is - is Common Street from the old railroad bridge to the town center.

Question 9: What town or towns did people travel to?
As I said, most people worked and lived in the town, and did all their shopping in the town. Even though my father worked in Boston, I don't remember going there too often except to go to Red Sox games. Probably the town most visited was Norwood.

Question 10: What grocery stores were in Walpole?
There were a number of grocery stores. There was a little variety store called Bendi's now Mimi's at the corner of Main and Common streets. Where the Barlecorn was - formerly owned by Robin Ellis, a friend of my brothers' - was a First National grocery store. Chris O'Neil was the butcher. There were two A&Ps - the first was where the Kahana was and a new one was built in the parking lot behind in what is now the CVS building - noticed the cupola on top - the A&P symbol. There was Andy's Market where Tee-Tee's is now - think it was run by Police Chief Joe Betro's father. (Ed. note: Yes, it was.) I can remember going there the day after VJ Day in August 1945 - it was the only market open - the line was into the street. Across the street from Andy's on Main Street was Hartshorn's Market - used to enjoy watching Mr. Shephard, the butcher, do his thing. In North Walpole, there was Schreiter's Market - mother always got her Christmas goose there - think it is a liquor store now. In South Walpole, there was an IGA market. Like most people, my mother went to the 'village' every day for groceries - it was the daily ritual.

Question 11: What king of cars were there?
Most families had only one car, although we had two because my father worked in Boston. Besides my mother's Plymouth, I can remember a series of Fords up until 1960 when my father bought his first VW. Most cars were standard shift, and didn't get a lot of miles per gallon - well, the VW did. There were two automobile dealerships in Walpole - Leard's on Main Street near the Blacksmith's Shop where the Mobil Station is now - he sold Chevrolets, and Fred Brown's, where the Bristol Square shopping center is - he sold Fords. Remember going to the blacksmith shop and watching Sam Bray shoe horses. My dad used to take his lawn mower to Staple's Garage - was just down the road from Fred Brown's.

Question 12: Who was the President?
Dwight Eisenhower was President. In fact, I can remember getting involved in his 1956 campaign against Adlai Stevenson. A few of us actually gave speeches for our individual candidates - when some of the school officials heard these speeches, they thought we were so good that we should speak at our high school graduation - we did - the tradition continues to this day - the speaker at graduations are students, not someone from the outside.

Question 13: What were the parks like?
Bird Park in East Walpole was the big park - still there. You could swim there too - understand you can't now. There was also Memorial Park on School Street - still there - also a pool. The Town Forest behind the high school was a great place to walk - still used heavily.

Question 14: Who were the town senators and treasurers in Walpole in 1957?
The senators I remember were Leverett Saltonstall and Henry Cabot Lodge, but Jack Kennedy was also a senator before he became President. The State Treasurer I remember was Francis X. Kennedy from Stoughton who got elected only because his name was Kennedy. Representative Joseph Martin (R) was our U.S. Representative and was also the Speaker of the House.

My favorite town official was Jack White - he was the Sports Editor for the Walpole Times, but was also the Town Clerk. He and his cronies would always sit on the wall that is in front of the current Police Station - it was the Town Hall then. They would always solve all of the problems of the day.

RAVE REVIEWS FOR DAILY PLANNERS

This past year, the Alumni Association donated money to buy calendar/planners for the freshman class. Students in the other classes remarked that they would like them too, so we recently asked for comments to see how they were received. Here are some of them:

"Live for my planner"... "Wish all grades had it"..."Love it"..."Would be great to receive one every year"..."A great tool", "I use it every day". I am lost without it"..."It helps me become more organized and I can know which class I have or don't have. I check what homework I should do tonight or the next day. Also, if I want to make plans or if there are special events I can make sure I have them in the planner"..."It keep track of what homework/test quizzes I have for the week"..."Very beneficial because it keeps me organized by having all of my short term and long term assignments in one place."

ALUMNI JOB BOARD

What a great time to find employment or to offer a position to a fellow graduate! So, if you are looking for a job, or have an employment opportunity available, this new feature will give you exclusive access to Walpole High School alumni. Why not connect with those with whom you share a common bond for career networking. Walpole High School is now offering a Job Board - through the online alumni community. This is a no cost feature that allows all graduates to post and view resumes as well as post and view job openings. The feature is very simple to use - with easy to follow instructions offered for both posting a resume and posting a job opening. This service is available to all alumni regardless of user status, basic or premium. We know you will find it most valuable in these tough economic times.

In order to use the Job Board, please access our online community at
www.walpolehighalumni.com and click on the link that says, "Online Alumni Directory." Log in with your user name and password, or register as a basic user if you've never visited the site.

Remember: Great professional relationships have been developed over time by connecting with those who have similar educational experiences.

As a reminder, please keep your information current by going to our website at
www.walpolehighalumni.com and logging into the Online Alumni Community. You are already a registered user and can log in with your username.

Alumnus of the Month-December

This month's Alumnus of the Month, Nancy Tarbell Farris, is known to her friends as a tireless worker and volunteer. Nancy has been a force in many areas of Walpole, including town government, the schools and her church.

Nancy is a Walpole High School alumnus of the class of 1964. She was graduated from Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio in 1968. Nancy and her husband, Ken, are the parents of three children: Leslie, Meghan and Matt.

She served as a Representative Town Meeting member for 23 years. Further, for over 30 years, she has been a member of the League of Women Voters. In that organization, Nancy worked on the Finance Committee. She was also an active component of Walpole's Grass Roots Recycling Committee. In that capacity, she could be seen directing traffic during Hazardous Waste Day!

Nancy is currently a substitute teacher in Walpole. Throughout the years, as a volunteer in the Walpole school system, she has been a member of the High School Governance Council since its inception in the early '90s. She has also served as the chairperson of the Old Post Road School PAC, including helping to run its Gingerbread Bazaar.

In continuing with her many volunteer endeavors, for years. Nancy has been the facilitator for the Apple Harvest Fair at the Union Congregational Church. She has served as the Superintendent of the church's Sunday School. Through the auspices of the church, Nancy has worked in missions in upstate New York, rehabilitating homes, installing siding, replacing damaged roofs, and doing whatever was required to complete the project.

Nancy is valued by her friends as one who is always ready to help. She offers unconditional support, and with a smile on her face. We salute you, Nancy, as our Alumnus of the Month for helping to make Walpole a better and friendlier town.

ALUM ENOTES

We are now sending out communications through e-mail. To sign up, go to Walpolehighalumni.com, and click on "Sign up for our email newsletter".

Deceased Alumni

The following lists recently deceased graduates of WHS, of whom we are aware. To include names of the recently deceased in the next Alumni Newsletter, please notify WHS Alumni Association, Inc., Box 634, Walpole, MA 02081, or Tel. (508)660-7257, ext. 178.

Gustav E. Pearson, '33; Eva Silvi DiAntonio, '45; Marget Burhoe Farris, '33;
Kathleen Forrest Moynihan, '60; Darrick Edward Bishop, '81; Kevin J. Clinton, '80; Richard Glebus, '61; Barbara Jean Ellison Carlson, '43; Lucy Giandomenico Metcalf, '33; Arthur MacBride, '52; E. Stanley Kelliher, '49; Timothy J. Carberry, '71;
Catherine Dalton Flaherty, '45; Robert F. Flynn, '55; Joseph J. Walsh, '38;
Carl S. Swenson, '70; Justin M. Flynn, '09; Joseph S. Gallo, H '87;
Daniel D. Daly, '67; John D. Murphy, '47; Thomas Curran, '52.

The following deceased attended Walpole Public Schools:

Edward Jackson Hawkins, age 82; Harriette Kenison Rockwood, age 84; Celia J. Thurston, age 93; John E. Coyne, age 84; Pauline Ransow, age 94; Geoffrey Michael Coughlin, age 49; William "Rusty" Roberts III, age 69; Thomas J. Montague, age 44; Wafaa Issa, age 24.

Calendar of Events
A reminder that the following classes will be celebrating class reunions in 2010. If you have information that would help locate your fellow classmates, please forward it to: WHS Alumni Association, Inc., P. O. Box 634, Walpole, MA 02081. The Alumni Association is happy to be a clearing house for such events.