EMAIL ADDRESS: tglover320@optimum.net
On May 20, 2006, Ms. Sue Proulx, Hamilton West Vocal Music teacher extraordinaire, once again brought her incredibly talented choral group to the annual Armed Forces Day ceremony at Veterans' Park. Unfortunately, I had a former commitment and could not attend. However, having experienced the affair in the past with other of Ms. Proulx's choral groups, I would bet that there were a number of misty eyes and a proliferation of goosebumps!
Here's a vignette photo from the HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL folder in the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection. The operetta that year was Victor Herbert's "Red Mill," presented on February 15, 1946. One of the main songs, "Look For the Silver Lining" is still heard on occasion today.
Alice Wilhelm was one of the original faculty who began teaching there when the school opened. Over the years she made it a point to follow the progress of her students. Alice was a dear friend and neighbor prior to her move to Florida. She knew I was preserving HHS and other local history and left her collection to me. Alice's dedication to her craft can be seen in the graphic. She followed her students as they embarked on their careers, and dutifully recorded their deaths when they passed away.
This ambitious journalistic undertaking was short lived. It is speculation on my part, but I would bet that the budget for this high quality paper, printed on enameled glossy paper, was strained to the limit. Remember, we were in the depths of "the great depression" in the early 1930's. Within months, the "Criterion" was born. It was mimeographed, and a sad replacement for the flashy "Flash."
This graphic took quite a bit of "touching up" to clarify the faint memeographed text. However, it is bright and clear, and gives in interesting insight into the early years of HHHSW.
