» On 8/19/2023 09:35:00 PM Mountain Standard Time, Alan wrote:
Reign George "Spike" Rix (13 Nov 1932 - 17 Aug 2023; Age 90). 

Our Beloved Coach Has Passed Away.
In 1968, Reign Rix helped us organize the first Cross Country team that Westfield High ever had. And in 2020, when he found out about our biweekly ZoomFest meetings, he joined us for a chat (see below). Safe travels, Coach! [Obituary]

Rix was a pistol. When my family moved 90 miles across Massachusetts just before my senior year of high school, I was burning to run cross-country in the fall. But Westfield didn't have a team. What to do, what to do? Somebody told me to talk to the Track coach, who doubled as the A/V Supervisor. He was tucked away in his dark and dingy lair, and didn't really want to take on another bunch of high-spirited guys. So he referred me to his assistant Track coach. Rix seemed willing, and even eager, to help us out, but said he knew nothing about x-country training. Would I be able to design workouts for the newly-formed team? Sure, I had already had three years of experience in *running* workouts, why not create them? Easy-peasy. We struggled during that initial fall season, and didn't win very many meets, but I formed a whole bunch of strong friendships that have lasted more than 50 years. And Coach Rix was our cheerleader, babysitter and moral compass.

He drove us 100 miles into Boston for an invitational Indoor Track meet, too. Westfield didn't have a formal Indoor program, but a few of us continued working out in the snow, to stay in shape for the Spring season. Coach Rix discovered the YMCA meet that got me in trouble with my girlfriend's parents. 😉

During Spring Track, Rix was the Assistant Coach, but he knew how much I wanted to break three of the school records, so he personally helped me along. After getting two of the records, I unofficially broke the third by two seconds in a two-mile practice. When meet day rolled around, the old recordholder, who had graduated the previous year, took time off from his factory job to watch the race. Everyone expected me to break the record, and I became overconfident. My split times were okay during the first mile, but I slowed down during the second. By the end, I had barely enough gas to sprint to the finish line and collapse on the infield. Did I break it? Did I get my precious third record? Coach Rix was holding the stopwatch. He slowly walked over to me, knelt down, and carefully showed me the time. I closely examined his stopwatch, and the margin was only two-tenths of a second, well within the degree of error for a hand-timed race. From my adult perspective today, I'm pretty sure he was offering me the chance to squeeze his hand, momentarily start the stopwatch again, and add a second or two. I was headed for college and a bright future, far from Westfield, while the old recordholder was doomed to a life of dead-end factory jobs in his hometown. I already had two school records, and he was just trying to hold onto one more year of immortality on Westfield's Records Board. But when I looked at Coach Rix's stopwatch, I was greedy. I didn't squeeze his hand. Didn't momentarily start the stopwatch again. Instead, I jumped up and celebrated. Everybody in the stands cheered my new record. Except one guy.

Labels: whs

 
» On 8/11/2023 05:00:00 AM Mountain Standard Time, Alan wrote:
Are Romanians Rewriting Hungarian History On Wikipedia? 

My Hungarian wife has been researching her book on the history of her country, and often refers to Wikipedia to double-check her sources. She tells me that a lot of Wikipedia articles reflect the Romanian perspective on Hungary, which is usually at odds with the true history.

I know that a lot of Romanians worked as subcontractors for a SEO (search engine optimization) company which employed me about fifteen years ago. The company used Romanians because (1) they worked cheap, and (2) they were extremely adept at manipulating Google's PageRank system.

So it now appears that Romanians are using Wikipedia to change how the English-speaking world views Hungarian history. Example: Treaty of Trianon.

Labels: hu

 
» On 8/01/2023 12:01:00 AM Mountain Standard Time, Alan wrote:
Honor non honores ("Seek honor above rewards"). 

Westfield High School [MA] was founded in 1855, and in 1912, a competition was held to create a new seal. Ninety entries were received, and junior Frederica Richardson won $5 (=$130 today) for her design. It was first used in the June 1912 issue of the school newspaper (the "Herald"), which came out on June 28th. Tragically, Frederica passed away less than a month later, on July 26th, just several days after contracting Infantile Paralysis (Polio). She was 16 years old. The name for the school's soon-to-debut yearbook, The Gammadion, was also selected by Frederica. The first yearbook was published in 1913, less than a year after her death.

Newspaper article - 1912Jun29Sat Springfield Republican: The graduation number of the High School Herald made its appearance yesterday and was eagerly perused by the students and friends of the seniors. This number is given over exclusively to the graduation and contains the class poems, prophecies, histories, will, song, etc. Most interesting of all to the students is the table of statistics containing the "grinds" on the seniors. The cover is particularly attractive, as it contains for the first time the new class seal in red, black and gold. This seal was the work of Frederica S. Richardson of Blandford, a member of the junior class. The seals that were submitted in the recent contest now form an interesting exhibit in S.S. Conner's window.

1912Jul27Sat Springfield Union: BRIGHT WESTFIELD HIGH PUPIL DEAD - Frederica S. Richardson Succumbs to Attack of Infantile Paralysis. WON SCHOOL SEAL PRIZE - Her Design Picked from 90 Submitted; Gave Promise of Brilliant Future. WESTFIELD, July 26 - The community was shocked today to learn of the death of Miss Frederica S. Richardson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Richardson of Blandford, but whose home had been for the past five years with Mr. and Mrs. Edward G. Clark on Day avenue. Miss Richardson had just completed the work of the junior class in the local high school and was 16 years old. Death was caused by infantile paralysis. For several days Miss Richardson had been complaining of pains in her arm, but her condition was not regarded as serious until yesterday, when a physician was called. This morning Miss Richardson was worse and in spite of the efforts of the physicians the death occurred about noon. Miss Richardson was born in Springfield, but lived most of her life in Blandford, until she made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Clark. She was an unusually bright and likable girl. In her studies she maintained a high standing and stood exceptionally high in the estimation of her teachers, schoolmates and acquaintances. Recently she secured a prize offered for the best high school seal drawn by a pupil of the school, her design which is used for the cover of the High School Heralds, being selected from 90 seals which were submitted. Miss Richardson had been elected alumni editor of the Herald for the coming year. Miss Richardson went to visit her parents for three weeks when school closed and had returned home to work for a time as clerk in the local Western Union telegraph office. She had actually started upon this work when attacked by her illness. Mr. and Mrs. Clark had provided a home for Miss Richardson here partly in order that she might receive the advantages of the local schools. It was planned that she should attend the State Normal school, after being graduated from the high school. Her teachers and others who knew her predicted a brilliant future and much sympathy is extended to her parents and Mr. and Mrs. Clark, who had grown strongly attached to her. A prayer service was conducted in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clark this evening by Rev. W.S. Ayres of the Baptist church. The body will be taken to Blandford tomorrow for burial.

1912Jul29Mon Springfield Republican: BLANDFORD - Funeral of Miss Frederica S. Richardson. The burial service for Frederica S. Richardson, 16, whose death from poliomyelitis occurred in Westfield Friday, was held in the Center cemetery Saturday morning at 11. Miss Richardson was the only child of Mr and Mrs Samuel Richardson of Blandford, but for the past five years she had attended the public schools of Westfield, making her home with Mr and Mrs E.G. Clark. Miss Richardson was a young woman of most attractive personality and of unusual talent. Her parents have the sincere sympathy of the community. [grave]

1912Sep13Fri Springfield Republican: The junior class of the high school voted yesterday afternoon to adopt the school seal design for a class pin. This design was adopted last June in a special contest and was the work of the late Frederica Richardson of Blandford, who died suddenly last July. The committee to procure the pins consists of Robert Sullivan, Marion Hosmer and Frances King. The class elected these officers yesterday: President, James A. Martin; vice-president, Harold Knox; secretary, Marjorie Cadle; treasurer, Alice Dunbar; auditor, Miss Linda Graves; historian, Helen Lee.

1912Sep14Sat Springfield Republican: HIGH SCHOOL HERALD EDITORS PLAN WORK - Miss Frances King of Westfield Succeeds Late Miss Frederica Richardson. WESTFIELD, Sept. 13 - At a meeting of the editors of The High School Herald yesterday Miss Prances King of the junior class was elected alumni editor to succeed the late Miss Frederica Richardson. The Herald will be printed this year by the Westfield Times company and the first issue will be delivered the 27th. A number of changes have been made in the paper. The cover will be of white cardboard and the school seal as designed by the late Miss Richardson will appear on each issue. The paper will contain 20 pages in all the issues save in the Christmas and commencement numbers, when 24-page editions will be published. The cost of printing this year is greater than last year's figures. The members of the senior class in the business course have elected the following officers: President, Clifford Lucia; vice-president, James Coffey; secretary, Annie Fallon; treasurer, Clare Kerwan; sergeant-at-arms, Robert Burns. It was voted to incorporate the school seal in the class pin, and the following committee was elected to have charge: Arthur Porter, Lillian Jones and Harold Hudson.

1912Sep High School Herald: TRIBUTES - During the summer season almost past, the members of the high school have had two losses, the sad memory of which Time alone can efface. Each is peculiarly pathetic in its way and leaves its scar on the hearts of a large circle of friends. The first death, that of Frederica S. Richardson of the class of 1913, was wholly unexpected. Although she was not robust in physique, the thought of Death in connection with Frederica was incongruous and shocking. Her life, brief as it unfortunately was, was filled with undeniable proofs both of her artistic and her scholastic talent and of her gentle, lovable nature. On first acquaintance, she was apt to appear rather shy--even diffident, but to those who were fortunate in knowing her well, were revealed her depth of character, her stability of soul and her unwavering thoughtfulness of others. Early in her high school career, she became a contributor to the Herald and ever after responded cordially to appeals for material. In recognition of her service, at the close of school she was unanimously elected Alumni Editor for the coming year. Her most noteworthy work along the artistic line was the designing of the seal which took first prize in the Herald contest and was formally and permanently adopted by the school. No more lasting monument to her name and talent could be found than this emblem to the Education which she appreciated so signally. [...] Our meditation and our consolation are voiced in the thought that "Death is but a step that reaches to Eternity."
R.L.F., 1912.

1913 WHS Gammadion yearbook: a photo tribute (see above) to Frederica (In Memoriam) appeared in the inaugural WHS yearbook, which she had named in 1912.

1917May05Sat Springfield Republican: ILLNESS CAUSES SUICIDE - Mrs Richardson Drowns Self in Well Near Home - Mrs Adele Richardson, wife of Samuel Richardson, committed suicide Thursday night by drowning herself in a well across the road from her home in Smoky Hollow. Mrs Richardson had not been well for several years and a few weeks ago suffered a paralytic attack. She had recovered so far as to be able to walk about and had partly regained the use of her paralyzed hand and arm. Thursday evening Mr Richardson retired late and left Mrs Richardson sitting up. About 4 o'clock Friday morning Mr Richardson awoke and found the outside door of the house open. Mrs Richardson was not in the house. After looking about for some time he telephoned for F.C. Knittel, a neighbor, who came and continued the search. The body was found in the well about 6 o'clock. Dr E.S. Smith, medical examiner, was called and came accompanied by Edward G. Clark of Westfield, a friend of the family. Mrs Richardson was Miss Adele Klein-Bentink, a native of Holland, where she was born September 28, 1856. An only child Miss Frederica Richardson died suddenly of poliomyelitis a few years ago. Mrs Richardson was a well-read person and one who thought of affairs of world-wide interest. She had no relatives in this country but leaves an aged mother, a brother, a sister and several nephews and nieces in Holland. Much sympathy is felt for Mr Richardson, who has given devoted care to his wife during her long period of ill health. Notes were found which Mrs Richardson had written to friends saying she was discouraged and tired of life. The funeral will be held at 1 o'clock tomorrow. [grave]

Adele Klein-Bentink was born 1856Sep28 in Haarlem, Netherlands. Married 1891Jan06 (age 34) in Blandford, MA. Occupation before marriage: worked in NY store. Occupation of husband: farmer (age 42). Adele passed away 1917May04 at age 60.

1943Jul05Mon Springfield Republican: SAMUEL RICHARDSON DIES AT AGE OF 94 - Blandford, July 1 - Samuel Richardson, 94, died this morning at Mrs Laird's nursing home in West Granville, where he had been for the past two years. He was born in Taunton and came to Henry Robinson's in West Granville when around 12 years old, from the state primary school in Monson. He worked on different farms in Granville and Blandford, until about 50 years ago he bought a farm in Blandford, which he carried on until Cobble-mountain dam was built, when Springfield bought the farm. He leaves no relatives and the funeral arrangements are not completed.

1943Jul06Tue Springfield Republican: The burial of Samuel Richardson will take place in the Cemetery on the Hill tomorrow morning at 10.30, with services at the grave conducted by Rev Frank Higgins of North Blandford. [grave]

1978May26Fri Springfield Republican: "The Swastika Before Nazism" - WESTFIELD - By a quirk of history, the Class of 1913 of Westfield High School saw the symbol it selected for a yearbook become the symbol of Nazi Germany. The class started the yearbook tradition and chose as its name, "The Gammadion." Archie Williams, local attorney and class member, said the word, taken from the Greek, described a cross formed by four capital gammas, "especially in the figure of a swastika. The gamma was among early Christian symbols for cornerstone and by extension was a symbol for Christ, the cornerstone of the Christian Church," Williams reported. "In World War I, German planes were identified by swastikas painted under their wings, and later the swastika was symbolic of Hitler's Germany." Williams said that in his recollection the yearbooks before World War I had the swastika on their covers. "Later this was dropped; I presume because of the feeling against Germany. The name, Gammadion, was selected by Frederica Richardson, who lived with the Clarks on Day Avenue. She was a brilliant girl, who died before graduation."

Special thanks to Michael Rood, Bruce Cortis, Susan Polumbo. Additional images/scans: https://www.facebook.com/whsma/posts/2105235059516199