May 2006                                                                The Megaphone                                                                    Page 7

Megaphone Memories

  This month begins a new series called “Megaphone Memories.”  We have a collection of old and older Megaphones on our bookshelf. One day I asked myself, what use are these old newspapers, just sitting there where no one ever sees them? That doesn’t seem right. Occasionally we’ve taken them to Panther Den or Elwood events and a few people look at them. However, when you are in a crowd of people it’s hard to read articles. It’s just not the right time or place. So . . . what to do . . . ??? 

  I will take one edition of a former Megaphone edition and feature it in our own magazine every month. The order will be non-chronological. Although we do have quite a few papers, I would like more. If you would donate or loan yours to our collection, we all will benefit and be thankful for your generosity. I expect that someday the collection will be given to another caregiver, maybe the Elwood Public Library. After carefully looking thru all the issues, the following headline grabbed me. It seemed appropriate to start this new venture with the following:

VOL. V, No. 1                                                Tuesday, January 30, 1945                                              10¢ Per Copy

"PANTHER DEN" READY TO OPEN

Long Awaited Youth Center Ready Today

The “Panther Den” is really opening this week!!!

  The drapes are here and the furnishings are being put in their designated places. Booths are on the side, a pool table at one end of the dance floor, and ping pong tables on the sidelines. The lounge room, with its soft cushioned chairs, looks inviting indeed. It looks as though it will be a real recreation hall with fun for all. 

  The following are the more important rules and regulations for the Youth Recreation Club: Membership will be the students of Willkie high school, students of St. Joseph Parochial school and graduates of the high school of Elwood up to 21 years of age. 

  Membership cards are $1.00 and are good for Youth Recreational center only. Membership cards may be revoked by court or high school principal. Courtesy cards may be issued for 10 cents per night. Courtesy cards may be issued to out of town guests of members and to husbands and wives of members. Service men and women are welcome at all times. 

  1. No smoking.

  2. No drinking of intoxicating liquors.

  3. No profane language.

  4. No gambling or betting.

  5. All games are for both boys and girls.

  6. No games shall be monopolized.

  7. No writing on walls. Autograph board is provided.

  8. Games are to be checked in and out with monitor.

  9. Monitors are to be on duty each night.

10. Rules and regulations may be changed by those in charge of Youth Center.

11. Court decisions are final.

12. Concessions are the charge to “Trays and Buckets.”

13. Music equipment is the charge of Projection Club.

  Contributions from outsiders have been very generous. Let’s show them that we appreciate it by taking care of the furnishings as well as attending the Club.

  I’ll see you at the “Panther Den.”

  Another headline in the 1945 edition said, "Welcome, Freshmen!!" Oh, how times have changed. Remember the date is January. 

A list of servicemen seemed appropriate for that year.          

Service Survey

by Lois Thalls 

  Well, here it is another new year-we hope a year of victory and peace. There have been several service men home during the holidays.

A small poem appeared that seemed timely to the year, 1945 goes . . . 

Day After Christmas

To market, to market

To make an exchange

On gifts Santa brought

That are useless and strange;

But the counters are empty --

The war makes that clear,

But at least I have plenty

Of gifts for next year.

Swengel’s Super Salesmen Feted

  Members of home room 305 who won the contest by selling the most bonds and stamps during the sixth war loan were entertained by the senior class with a banquet in the Mangas Cafeteria annex January the 15^th. 

  The tables were attractively decorated with red, white and blue, accented by soft candle light.

  After the dinner, group singing was enjoyed by all. The victorious home room came forth with their talent when Earl Boyer playing the trombone, Eugene Durm singing, and Rosemary Bell accompanying at the piano, gave their version of “Stardust,” “Melancholy Baby,” and “Say a Prayer for the Boys over There.” 

  After the program, the seniors adjourned to the Panther Den where a dance was held in honor of the victors.

These two businesses were across the alley from each other . . . Harry's later became Falvey's.

Let me know if this slightly old news is of interest to you 2006 Dennies. Do we want more or less news from an older and sometimes forgotten era? 

Julie (Stout) Crim ‘57

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