April - Tourtellotte Memorial High School Alumni Association

hilltopper
Tourtellotte Memorial High School Alumni Association Newsletter
Volume 2 , Issue 4
Happy Spring!
April 2009
45th Reunion
Celebrated by Class of 1963
Memorable school events:
1907 CORNER STONE PROGRAM FOUND!
BY: Reunion Organizing Committee
Photos by: Jim and Carol Lane
Left: The 102year-old Laying
of the Corner
Stone program.
This program is
one of the oldest
known
Tourtellotte
Memorial High
School
documents
found to date. It
was found in the
TPS
Superintendent‟s
vault located at
the 1909
Tourtellotte
building.
The Alumni Association was presented with a
rare find this past week. Danielle Pederson „00,
Executive Administrative Assistant, Thompson Public
Schools, found an original 1907 Corner Stone Laying
program. The small four-page pamphlet was printed for
the December 14, 1907 corner stone laying event. The
pictures of this event can be found in previous
continued on page 2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Class of 1963
3
10 Things You May Not Know About TMHS
4
Teddy Vriga
5
Tourtellotte Trust Update
7
Mary Monahan Zorola „84
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Memorabilia displayed at the 1963, 45 class reunion held at
J.D. Coopers Restaurant on July 19, 2008. The 1963 class
is one of those classes that has done an excellent job
keeping connected. Photo compliments of Jim and Carol
Lane.
A special time was enjoyed by all when
members of Tourtellotte Memorial High School‟s “Class
of 1963” gathered with their guests at J.D. Cooper‟s
Restaurant on Saturday evening, July 19, 2008.
Classmates had traveled from Ohio, Georgia, South
Carolina, Florida, Massachusetts, and various parts of
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Connecticut to celebrate their 45 reunion.
The evening began at 6:00 p.m. with punch
and appetizers, followed by a sit-down dinner at 7:00
p.m.
Red and black bows accented the floral
centerpieces that were provided by the restaurant.
Favors were red pencils engraved in recognition of the
occasion. Miniature Tourtellotte pennants, replicas of
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the ones sold by the class in the 11 grade, decorated
the tables.
During the course of the evening, classmates
enjoyed listening to music of the 1960‟s and testing
their skill at remembering “The Boys & Girls of ‟63.”
Messages were shared from classmates unable to
continued on page 3
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continued from page 1
Hilltopper editions. This program makes special note of
the “Placing of the box in the stone,” which of course,
raised our curiosity. The next group of people to see
the contents of the box, will be those community
members present when the TMHS building is finally
razed, and that hopefully will not be for a very, very
long time.
The TMHSAA is planning its own time capsule
to be sealed at the end of the June 20, 2009 Alumni
Banquet. The box will be placed in the future archive
room for opening in the year 2109. Alumni members
will be given an opportunity to place small items and
letters in the box for future generations to open. Forms
are available on the TMHSAA web site.
It was at the 1907 corner stone ceremony that
the Lewis Iron was first used as a piece of block and
tackle which lowered the large limestone corner stone
into place. The corner stone is easily identified by the
large “1907” carved on the front face of the stone. It is
located to the right of the Tourtellotte Memorial High
School front entrance. The TMHSAA has located the
Lewis Iron and has uncovered the reason it was
awarded to students. The reason the award is called
the Lewis Iron remains a mystery. If anyone has any
ideas please contact the TMHSAA.
Below: Pages two and three of the 1907 Corner Stone Laying
ceremony. It is interesting to note that the ceremony featured
the French and Swede Bands. We suspect it was musicians
made up of locals from Swede Village and Three Rows. If you
have any further information, please contact the TMHSAA.
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
Initial membership due at time of application, yearly renewals due
January 1st of each year
Regular Membership………. $15.00
Senior Citizens (65 and older)………. $5.00
Graduating Class………. Free
hilltopper Staff
Editor: Joe Lindley „74‟
Staff Members: Jim Sali „51‟ - Gladys Tucker „52‟ - Jane Ellison
„61‟- Eileen Deary ‟77‟ – Sandy Becker „79‟ – Rachael Johnston
„75‟ Alex Kirkland „08‟
Archives: Gladys Tucker „52‟ and Rita Rohr „56
If you would like to contribute short stories to the hilltopper
please contact Joe Lindley at [email protected]
Right: In 1907, when the TMHS
corner stone was laid, the Boston
Red Sox did not exist. The Boston
Americans however, did, and their
roster included one of the game‟s
very best - Cy Young. According to
Baseball-Almanac, “Cy Young was
born on Friday, March 29, 1867, in
Gilmore, Ohio. Young was 23 years
old when he broke into the big
leagues on August 6, 1890, with
the Cleveland Spiders.” In 1907
Young was one of Boston‟s starting
pitchers. Major League Baseball‟s
Cy Young Award is named after
him.
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continued from page 1
Visit the TMHS Website at:
http://www.thompson.ctschool.net/TMHS/index.html
10 things you may NOT know
about TMHS
1. The Banker‟s Panic of 1907 left many Thompson
2.
3.
4.
5.
citizens wondering if the Tourtellottes would make
good on their promise of a free high school.
N.H. Arnold, of North Adams, Mass, a relative of
Harriett Tourtellotte, placed a time capsule in the
1907 corner stone.
According to the Encyclopedia of Connecticut
Biography, Genealogical Memorial of the
Tourtellotte Family, published in 1917, the red and
black school colors came from the two prominent
colors of the Tourtellotte family crest.
According to Luva Mead Hoar ‟38, Captain of the
1938 TMHS girls basketball team, the girls‟ team
went undefeated in 1938. A high point of the
season was defeating Bartlett in a 42-2 rout.
The old track in the 1909 building was 1/32 of a
mile. Thirty-two times around equaled one mile.
6. At the 1907 stone-laying ceremony the
musical entertainment included the Swede
Band and the French Band.
7. In May 1954 TMHS conducted an operetta
called the Belle of Bagdad. It contained 12
songs and a cast of 60 Members. Marilyn
Bayer starred as the “Belle.” Mrs. William
Fisher and Mrs. Alvin LaChapelle were codirectors.
8. Stage lights during the 1954 operetta were
located on the flip-up trap doors located in the
front of the stage. These doors still exist.
9. The remnants of the old spiral staircase used
as a fire escape for many years can still be
seen at the TMHS 1909 building back stair
case.
10. Districts school were part of our community up
to 1960. Here‟s the villages:
attend, and a time of reflection was held in honor of
classmates who have passed on – Carl Anderson,
Robert Hopgood, and Darcy McSparron Berger. A
special highlight was a DVD presentation, set to
music, of classmates‟ photographs from early school
days to the present. Duplicates of the DVD were
ordered for classmates‟ home enjoyment.
At the conclusion of the reunion, each
classmate received a scrapbook of news items and
photographs from high school days, as well as a
“Directory” of current addresses.
The
reunion
organizers
were
Judy
Jamrogowicz Campbell, Joyce Jewell Cormier, Carol
Peters Lane, and Peter Vanghel. In addition, the
following classmates were in attendance: Norman
Boutin, Edward Fournier, Claire Gagnon Fafard,
Conrad Goernert, Bruno Kitka, Suzanne Langlois St.
Onge, Roy Norman, Paul Piette, Susan Rivers
Wyman, Diane Shooter Anderson, Robert Svenning,
Herbert Sward, Louise Vriga Pavlech, Avis Willett
Larsen, Shelia Willett Berkowitz, and Robert
Wojciechowski
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Above: Members of the class of 1963 during their 45
class reunion. Photo compliments of Jim and Carol Lane.
We want your old pictures!
We are looking for articles of past
classes! Send them to:
[email protected]
2009 THS calendar error found!
The printer of the 2009 Historical Calendars
made an error for the month of August. In MidApril the Thompson Historical Society website
will have a downloadable page that can be
used to correct the month of August. The
website is: www.thompsonhistorical.org
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Jacob Francis Tourtellotte (left) and Harriett (Arnold)
Teddy, a four-year varsity starter set records
in Tourtellotte basketball that exist to this day. He
and his brother both signed professional baseball
contracts after high school and from there both
served in the service and went on to live full rich
lives, Teddy becoming a well-known basketball
coach in the Worcester area and Tasi becoming the
State of Connecticut Deputy Commissioner for
Veterans‟ Affairs.
According to brother Tasi, Teddy had the
incredible privilege of gearing up and catching
against the one and only Ted Williams.
Both Ted and Tasi are part of the upcoming
book about Jim Canty and the Cantymen.
Photos from the past:
TEDDY VRIGA IN THE NEIGHBOR
Jane (Jewell) Ellison ‟61, one of the top
contributors, found the following article. As far as we
know the Neighbor was a newsletter that existed in the
early 1950‟s and ran for several years. The February
1954 edition of the Neighbor featured one of
Tourtellotte‟s very best athletes, Teddy Vriga.
Ted and his brother Tasi was part of the State
Championship teams that so dominated high school
basketball in the 1940‟s and 1950‟s. Teddy and his
brother were multi-sport athletes who played for Jim
Canty during the school‟s athletic heyday.
Annual Alumni Banquet Update
Tickets are going fast!!


Reserve your tickets by contacting:

Rachael (LaFleur) Johnston ‘75: 860-923-3377,
or Email Rachael at: [email protected] or
stop by Rachael‟s office:
Johnston and Associates Real Estate
447 Riverside Drive,
Thompson, CT 06277




Eileen (Boutin) Deary ‘79: 860-928-2154 or Email
Eileen at: [email protected]
Deb Spinelli: 860-923-2350 or Email Deb at:
[email protected]
Joe Lindley ‘74: 860-928-5527, 860-428-4154 or
Email Joe at: [email protected]
June Duclos ’72: 860-923-9772
Jane (Jewell) Ellison ’61: 860-928-7125 or Email
Jane at: [email protected]
Andy Morrison at WINY RADIO: Stop by the station
or call Andy at 860-928-1350
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Tourtellotte Will Update –
Alumni Association Looking for
Long-Term Commitment
Above: The large copper-cladded doors that have nobly
guarded the Memorial Room and its contents. Photo
compliments of the TMHSAA.
FUTURE PROJECTS LISTED
In February 2009, the term language of the
1914 Tourtellotte Trust fund expired leaving the Town
of Thompson with a challenge - How do we move
forward honoring the wishes of the Tourtellottes?
The funds were established by Dr. and Mrs.
Tourtellotte in the early 1900‟s for the care and
maintenance of the 1909 Tourtellotte Memorial High
School Building and Memorial Room. The will also
directed the town to use any excess funds for the
extension of the educational work, so important to the
Tourtellottes. According to several town sources, the
trust was the main source of revenue for TMHS for
more than five decades.
“As the 1909 building ages, the need for
special care and restorative work increases. As a
community we need to create a means by which the
fund can feed an annual budget specifically created
for this purpose,” states Joe Lindley „74, President of
the Tourtellotte Alumni Association.
Over the past six months the TMHSAA has
solicited the help of several art experts to establish an
information baseline from which a care and
restoration direction can be established. All the
experts agree that we are sitting on one of the
greatest treasures in Southern New England, a
treasure that requires extensive attention and work.
“What you have here is a wonderful example of
philanthropy, one that the Town of Thompson should
be proud. The unfortunate side of a gift of this nature
is the work and money necessary to maintain it,”
stated Nancy Brinley, a Wadsworth associate. Other
art and museum experts included Linda Roth,
Curatorial Chairman of the Wadsworth Atheneum,
and Cheryl Robertson, Independent Art Scholar,
Curator and Museum Consultant.
“The art work, for the most part, is in pretty
good shape, but it is in need of cleaning and minor
repair work. The textile pieces are in need of
immediate attention. Several could be lost if we don‟t
act soon,” states Joe Iamartino, president of the
Thompson Historical Society
The TMHSAA is organizing a Memorial Room
cleaning in May, with much more extensive work
planned for July.
Items currently on the Alumni‟s short-term
projects list include:
 Repair and repainting of the Tourtellotte Room
 Cleaning and repairing the art work and restoring
the textile artifacts
 Constructing historical display and archive cases
for existing historical documents and artifacts
 Completion of the old auditorium restoration and
refitting project
 Establishing an academic, arts, and athletic Hall of
Fame
 Pictorial inventory and valuation of the Memorial
Room
 Establishing an alumni office
 Pictorial archive of the clock signatures
Items currently on the Alumni‟s long-term
projects list include:
 Interior column restoration
 Restoring the old gymnasium
 Restoration of the front entryway stone railings
 Replacing the entrance lights above the front
entryway
 Restoring the interior railings and iron work.
 Restoration of the Terrazzo floors.
 Restoration and refitting of the library
 Replacing the auditorium seats with circa 1909
looking seats
 Removal of the trees
Anyone wishing to contribute to these projects
can contact Rachael (LaFleur) Johnston at 860-9233377.
The TMHSAA has also submitted its second
iteration of the State and National Historic Register
application to the State of Connecticut, Commission on
Culture and Tourism. The eventual approval of this
application will place the 1909 Tourtellotte building on
the State and National Historic Registers allowing us
to access resources not currently available to the
alumni.
While it‟s a real stretch, we hope to have the
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State approval by the June 20 alumni banquet.
Anyone wishing a copy of the application can contact
the alumni office.
Last, the Thompson Board of Education
recently expressed to the Board of Selectmen their
desire to move the trust to another irrevocable trust
fund that would perpetuate the work of the
Tourtellottes. Options are currently being investigated.
Stay tuned!
hilltopper 5
Future Alum Voice Their Opinion on
Current Environmental Issues
Pictures from the past – and the present
The Kyoto Protocol is a highly debated and
contentious topic with the U.S. Government. One
TMHS class was tasked in writing their thoughts in
letter form to Senator Chris Dodd. Here are excerpts
from two letters. The first is from Elizabeth McKinley,
the second from Olivia Rossetti. Enjoy!
Dear Senator Dodd,
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty that
amends the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change. Its major purpose is to bring countries
together to decrease global warming and cope with its
effects, such as temperature increase. Countries that ratify
the Kyoto Protocol agree to reduce emissions of six
different greenhouse gases by a 29 percent cut. The US
should ratify the Kyoto Protocol because it is only right. The
US has a responsibility to help reduce global warming, as
human products and activities cause the majority of it. It
would be beneficial to consider alternate energy sources,
since most of our energy is produced by fossil fuels, such
as oil and gas. Some might argue that ratifying the Kyoto
Protocol would hurt our economy, however the result will be
the total opposite.
Nuclear plants, wind, solar, geothermal, smaller
hydroelectric facilities and biomass are just some of the
many different forms of alternate energy that the US can
use to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear
plants produce a lot of electricity without producing any
greenhouse gases. As a Senator, you have the opportunity
to represent your voters‟ and their opinions on serious
matters, such as building alternate energy sources. This
would be highly beneficial, and Connecticut would flourish
in its economy and independence. Some rivals may argue
that global warming produces independence by keeping
their money in their pockets, instead of in the oil
companies‟ pockets, therefore not being as dependent on
oil as the companies would like. The truth is, however, that
the US will only become independent when we no longer
need oil. This can happen when we start using alternate
sources for our energy instead of fossil fuels. Also, the US
cannot support itself with energy from fossil fuels, since we
do not have much of our own to use. We import most of our
energy sources from overseas. If we had alternate energy
sources, we would no longer be dependent on other
countries‟ fossil fuels and could instead focus on exporting
goods made with “clean” energy. Also, alternate energy
sources increase our scientific knowledge and technology,
in addition to transforming the US into a major exporter of
goods and services, as well as a lure for employment.
Olivia Rossetti had a different opinion. She
writes:
Dear Senator Dodd,
As a representative of our state, it is in your power
to vote on proposals from the United Nations and make
new laws. I am writing to you, as a constituent of
Connecticut, to appeal to you about the Kyoto Protocol.
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty intended to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the effects
Above: South-side first floor staircase in the 1909
Tourtellotte building. The stairways, while needing some
work, remain the way they were when they were installed
in 1908. Photo compliments of the TMHSAA.
Above: An example of the ornate molding located on the
second floor of the Tourtellotte building. The above photo is
one of the many used for the State and National Historic
Register application. Photo compliments of the TMHSAA.
of global warming. To meet our projected target of a 29% cut
of emissions, we would be required to restrict and manage
major polluters and find alternate sources of energy. George
W. Bush rejected the protocol, and his decision was and still
is supported by many. There are some who would argue that
ratifying the Kyoto Protocol would help our economy and
allow us to take action against global warming, but this is not
true. I believe that we should not ratify the Kyoto Protocol
because global warming is not as severe as scientists claim,
our economy would be in danger, and the protocol is flawed.
The hilltopper staff would not be so
presumptuous as to render an opinion on this very
difficult topic, but we do feel TMHS is well represented
by both Elizabeth and Olivia.
hilltopper 6
TNEW
2009 TMHS AUDITORIUM
1984 Alum
Mary
(Monahan)
Zorola
Mom, Veteran,
Teacher
Above: The new 650-seat 2009 Tourtellotte Memorial High
School auditorium. This new facility is equipped with a
state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. Photo
compliments of TMHS.
LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO STAY
DURING THE ALUMNI BANQUET??
Mary Monahan
November 7, 1984. Photo
compliments of The Times.
In February of 2009 we
st
ran a story on 1 Lt.
Dan Zorola, class of
2003. Dan is currently a
U.S.
Army
platoon
nd
leader with the 82
Airborne now serving in
Iraq. We recently found
this story on another
Zorola.
The Hilltopper staff recently found this article
written by Marguerite Boutin on November 7, 1984. It
reads:
Private Mary Monahan has completed her
training with the United States Army at Fort Jackson,
S.C. She is currently stationed at Goodfellow Air
Force Base in San Angelo, Texas where she is
attending Intelligence School. Upon completing her
course at this post she will be stationed in Hawaii.
Monahan is a June graduate of Tourtellotte Memorial
High School. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Monahan of Wagher Road.
Mary is currently a teacher at the Mary Fisher
Elementary School. She and her husband Israel,
along with their daughter Brianna reside in Thompson,
Connecticut.
SO WHO’S COMING???
The Holiday Inn Express in Dayville, Connecticut is
only a short few miles away from Tourtellotte
Memorial High School
Phone: 860-779-3200
Address: 16 Tracy Rd. Dayville, CT 06241
DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT
Want to play a round of golf while you are here for
the banquet? Call Dave at the Raceway Golf Club
at: 860-923-9591 or check the Raceway Website
at: www.racewaygolf.com
HERE’S JUST A PARTIAL LIST OF WHO WE
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HEAR IS COMING TO THE JUNE 20
BANQUET. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW !
SEE PAGE 4
Donna Lindley Brown „82
Pat Lindley Chadbourne „76
Karen Lindley „80
Eileen Boutin Deary „77
Paul Deary „77
Romeo “Mush” Blaine „72
June Duclos „72
Alex Kirkland „08
Paul Ryscavage
Jerry Ryscavage
Gladys Tucker „52
Rita Groh Rohr „56
Mike Hair „87
Hilltopper 7
Mabel Green „58
Beverly Valade Negip „59
Ed Negip „59
Jane Ellison „61
Joyce Jewell Cormier „63
Joe Lindley „74
Sally Matteau „94
Luva Mead Hoar „38
Jim Sali „51
Mrs. Carol Delage
Mr. Ed. Devlin
Rachael LaFleur Johnston
„77
Tourtellotte Memorial High School Alumni Office
785 Riverside Drive
North Grosvenordale, CT 06255
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
PLEASE SEND US YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO:
[email protected]
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