Staples 55

Clifford

The Dutchess Years… (Weeks…?)
One day in the mid-80s I happened upon an old camera at my folk’s house in Greens Farms. I recognized it as a camera I had in high school. I’d forgotten all about it. On closer examination I discovered that it contained a roll of film. Carefully rewinding it, I then sent it off to a film developer.

And what to my wondering eyes did appear, but two photos of my old high school true love, Dutchie Norris! The film had been in that camera undeveloped and forgotten for 30 years! (Dutchess also appears as a Bedford Elementary 3rd grader in Noel’s photo archives.)

I met Dutchie (she spelled her name with a ‘T’) for the first time at a Wilton operetta production of Pirates of Penzance in the spring of ‘55 as we neared graduation. At the behest of John Ohanion I joined the group. I think Bruce Wilson and the Malkins also signed up. It was love at first sight. (Not with the Malkins; with Dutchess…!) For me, anyway. We dated for most of the summer, and then broke up. In the photos it looks like we were off to our (Staples) senior prom in one, and graduation ceremonies in the other.

Dutchie graduated, I believe, from Bedford Elementary but then went off to a private school. I always assumed it was the Bolton School for Girls, but I learned otherwise at the last reunion. Joel Boland also dated her whilst in high school. Sitting in the Sheraton bar in Norwalk on Saturday night after the Red Barn dinner, Joel and I hoisted a couple of cocktails in her memory. Joel told me she went to a private school for girls in Greenwich, probably beginning with 7th grade.

I’ve never forgotten Dutchess and I wish I knew what became of her…

All-State Orchestra

This photo of the All-State Orchestra (we played in Hartford) was from 1952 or 1953, I believe. I’m in the third row near the middle (I deserved to be in the last row). I had qualified for All-State each of the three years I was eligible, but—as a violinist—I was never in the league of, say, Carl Harris (class of ‘53). I simply wasn’t into it and seldom practiced. I just couldn’t see, for example, how violin playing was “cool”, or would be any help in picking up girls…

I think the fellow fiddler’s name was Alan Hale (maybe class of ‘56). One of those years while rehearsing in Hartford for the all-state concert, I developed a case of acute appendicitis. I was operated on in Hartford and I remember receiving a gigantic get-well card (I still have it, I think) signed by every single member of the Staples music department.

Little League

I played Little League ball for awhile—in my early twenties, I think…:O). Pitcher. Once threw a one-hitter throwing nothing but heat. Not a single curve ball or changeup. Dumbass right-fielder let a blooper land right in front of him—ruled a single.

First Car (to Pass Inspection)

I bought this ‘39 Pontiac coupe with the external windshield visor from Geoff Bullard. Forgot how much I paid for it. It was my first roadworthy car—a car that could actually be driven on roads. I had earlier purchased a late-thirtyish Merc coupe from Fran Bennett for $25. It was sitting on blocks in the woods in Weston, obviously begging to be hauled to the junkyard. I have no idea why I bought the thing.

Cub Scouting, Long, Long Ago…

I recently found this gem in a long-forgotten photo album. Nearly faded to black, but with the magic of Photoshop I was able to lighten it up sufficiently to make out some of the faces, barely. Definitely a Greens Farms “den”. As best I recall, clockwise from top left:

• No idea
• David Brubaker
• Frazier Smith
• Graham Hotchkiss
• Mel Halyes
• Jim Burke (class of ‘54?)?
• Lyle Hayes (class of ‘53)?
• Yours truly
• No idea