Nearly a year ago, old pal Dave Hardt and I were invited by the lovely Emily Johnson to film a short segment of the show, "Once Upon a Time in Attleboro." For those who are unfamiliar, the show appeared on DoubleACS, Channel 15, and if you click on Double ACS, you will see video on demand featuring brief interviews with local personalities, from which to choose.

In the course of the show, the name of the late former principal, Paul F. Whitten, came up. Both Dave and I were taken aback at our lack of knowledge of the man, and actually, we knew more than most. Today's column seeks to remedy that just a bit with this offering from May 1960, which would have made it during our final year of having the dapper Mr. Whitten as our principal.

LOCAL PRINCIPAL TO PUBLISH NANTUCKET GUIDE

An Attleboro elementary school principal and a South Attleboro woman artist have combined their talents to produce an illustrated guide to the island of Nantucket for youngsters.

The 79-page booklet with soft cover, entitled, "Adventures on Nantucket Island for Boys and Girls," was written by Paul F Whitten, Bliss School principal. Whitten is also author of a storybook for children, "Janie Finds Buried Treasure on Nantucket Island."

The majority of the black and white sketches in the guide were executed by Mrs. C. Baker Rowse of 60 7 Mile River Drive, South Attleboro, under the pen name of Sybil Rowse.

What is remarkable about her drawings, besides their excellence, is that she did them all from colored slides owned by Whitten. Mrs. Rowse, who has never been to Nantucket, said she hopes to visit the island this summer with her family.

The other illustrations in the guide were done by Sheila Jelleme of Nantucket, who was awarded a prize for her card commemorating the 300th anniversary of the founding of the ocean community.

Why a child set down on an island paradise with a summer season of play ahead should need a guidebook seems a valid and reasonable question for the reader to ask the author.

However, the author answers the question when he wisely explains in the foreword, "Some day when you don't know what to do and you feel just a bit restless, open this guidebook. Look through the pages and see if you can't find something you would like to do."

That bit of advice to youngsters should strike a responsive chord with parents and other guardians who know just how long a summer vacation can be at times. When and if the strike over the boats that ply between Nantucket and the mainland is settled, adults would be wise to tuck a copy of Whitten's book in the baggage before setting out for the island.

Whitten writes in a clear, easy-to-read style and has a good eye for the details which usually only children and poets notice.

The guide has the flavor of the smell of salt, the feel of sand under foot and the sight of the full moon on the moors.

It describes such activities as hiking over the old sheep commons; lolling and playing on beaches; crabbing in Long Pond Creek, fishing in the surf at Smith's Point; visiting places of historic interest on rainy days, and how to go about digging quahogs.

Routes are drawn or described so youngsters should not get lost while looking for desired places.

Whitten, a former teacher on the island, and his wife, the former Helen Coffin of Nantucket, continue to spend their summers on the island. Mr. and Mrs.Whitten make their permanent home at 28 Mechanic St., this city.

Mrs. Rowse, who has resided in Attleboro the past eight years, attended the Rhode Island School of Design. She is currently employed by a greeting card firm in Dedham. She does oils for her own pleasure and presently has one on exhibit at the Attleboro Museum as well as one at the John Brown House on Benefit Street, Providence, and one is on display at the Preservation Society House on Meeting Street in Providence.

She has two daughters, Gladys, 17, who hopes to go to Rhode Island School of Design next year, and Patricia, 9, who shares an interest in art.

Closing thoughts

I want to remind everyone in the class of 1966 that our first night of 50th reunion revelry at Ralph and Joan Arguin's Countryside Gardens on Tremont Street, Rehoboth, gets underway at 5 p.m. this coming Friday and continues at the Elks on South Main Street at the same time the following night. In the words of Charles Lamb, "looking forward to seeing all the old familiar faces."

Masterful telling of the life and character of the late Clara Horton Beechey, a kind and compassionate soul who left us recently, appeared in The Sun Chronicle under the gifted George Rhodes' byline. Clara was a daily sight and ray of sunshine to all those who got to know her.

Rest in peace, dear lady. Attleboro and the world need more like you.

If sweet Clara were to leave us with a single word, it would probably be - peace.

Thomas McAvoy looks back at the past each Tuesday. Contact him at [email protected].