The Knockout II

Transcription

The Knockout II

The Knockout II
THE PACIFIC GROVE HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
" It’s the L Glue 7 that keeps us together "
December 2009 ! Page One
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE:
Winding Down, Gearing Up!
wife's heart (mine
too, as they all
did).
Now we are on
the adventure of
cat introductions.
This looks to be
fun for a few
Kylie Fink
weeks while the
strangeness,
newness and shock of finding out that he, (Little Guy) is a cat wears
off. If you are in town and thinking you might like to be owned by a
cat or dog, stop in and see who's there. The AFRP makes sure all
animals have visited the vet for their shots, microchips and
spay/neutering. Adoption fees and donations help take care of
expenses of the animals.
Year end also means it's time for me to figure out how I wanted
to decorate the outside of our home for Christmas. Every year's
lighting project is slightly different from the previous because I find
new items to display or can't remember just what the heck I did
before. This year, I have gone mostly to LED's, because I can do
much more without causing PG&E or my house to black out. The
only drawback is that the dividends from PG&E will be smaller this
year because I am not using the incandescent lights...wink, wink.
Look for more information on the 2010 Annual Reunion Dinner
and Brunch in the next issue of the KOII! In the meantime, I hope
everyone has a great Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year.
Here we are, winding down toward the
end
of the year. Elections have been held
PGHSAA President
Terry Fink ‘69
for the Board, the Annual Reunion Dinner
and Brunch are over, time to sit back and
relish the big turkey dinner coming up.
You'd think so, but no, that's not how the Association operates.
Once the Annual Dinner is over, it is time to take stock of the
cost and all that went into making the event a success. Not to
mention, it is time to start the planning and preparation process for
the next year's dinner. The way things are gearing up, it looks like
we will hold next year's dinner and brunch at the Elk's Lodge.
Everybody seems to enjoy that venue and we are working hard to
line that up for you and to maintain a reasonable cost. Quite a
balancing act I can assure you.
Speaking of balancing acts, you may remember how I had
spoken about developing the Alumni's own (permanent) website
when I first came on as President. Well, time has shot past and I
haven't fulfilled that goal. The Board has now created a
subcommittee for this concept and if you are interested in helping to
bring this goal to fruition, please contact Joanie Hyler or any of us on
the board and we'll pass that information to her.
If you saw the last issue of the KOII, you know we (my wife and
I) got owned by a new kitty, Little Guy. But, he seems to miss us a
lot when we are at work, so we decided to get a companion kitty for
him.
Meet Kylie, we adopted him from the Animal Friends Rescue My very best to All SQ
Project (www.animalfriendsrescue.org) located downtown. My wife
took me there on my birthday and we spent a few hours playing with
all the cats and kittens looking to own a permanent heart. Too many
for us, but we were found by this guy and he immediately stole my
Terry Fink
0001 Presidents Page 1209.wpd
December 2009 ! Page Two
THE KNOCKOUT II
PGHSAA Newsletter
First:
Second:
Third:
Fourth:
Published: Quarterly
Spring Issue
Summer Issue
Reunion issue
Winter Issue
Roster: New Roster every other year
Update Roster: On Years In Between
Both issues published in Spring
O U R S TAFF
Joanie Hyler ‘68 Editor Knockout II
<[email protected]>
Bill Hyler ‘39 Columnist
<[email protected]>
Dixie Layne ‘66 Columnist, Proof Reader
<[email protected]>
Phil Bowhay ‘47 Columnist
<[email protected]>
Jayne Dix Gasperson ‘49, Mail Coordinator
<[email protected]>
Susan Taylor ‘68 Obituaries, Columnist
<[email protected]>
This Issue
Copied and Mailed: . . . . . 773
Emails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
File Copies . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Total Alumni Membership 986
Total Print Copies . . . . . . 803
Pacific Grove High School Alum ni
Association, Inc.
A Non Profit Public Benefit Corporation
Founded June 2, 1899
Re Activated April 1, 1962
Incorporated Sep 27, 1995
PGHSAA
PO BOX 51396
PACIFIC GROVE, CA 93950-6396
<info@ pshsaa.org>
OFFICERS and BOARD MEMBERS 2009
DUES RENEWAL MAILING
OFFICERS
Terry Fink ‘69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . President
Edie Adams MacDonald ‘56 . . Vice-President
Ruth Grooms Matthews ‘64 . . Recording Secty
Mary Jane Dietl Colletto ‘48 . .Correspond. Secty
Joanie Hyler ‘68 . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer
COMMITTEE CHAIR PERSONS
Rob Lee ‘94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Auditor
Dixie Layne ‘66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . By-Laws
Jennifer Kren Ross ‘64 . . . . . . . . . Disbursements
Ruth Grooms Matthews ‘64 . . . . . Events
Jayne Dix Gasperson ‘49 . . . . . . . Event Reservations
Sydney Berg Tabler ‘64 . . . . . . . . Historian
Joanie Hyler ‘68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Knockout II Editor
Jayne Dix Gasperson ‘49 . . . . . . . Mail Coordinator
Joanie Hyler ‘68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Membership-Dues
Wynette Walker Cowen ‘41 . . . . . Membership-File
Sandy Selbicky ‘55 . . . . . . . . . . . . Nomination
Dixie Layne ‘66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parliamentarian
Sherry Welsh Gruwell ‘56 . . . . . . . Publicity
Lillian Griffiths ‘70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scholarships
Lillian Griffiths ‘70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Class Liaison
Wynette Walker Cowen ‘41 . . . . . Web Page
Board of Directors
Serving through December 2009
Bill Hyler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wynette Walker Cowen . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sandy Selbicky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dolores Soares Silveira . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mary Ann Meagher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sydney Berg Tabler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Beth Penney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
‘39
‘41
‘55
‘59
‘61
‘64
‘73
Don Gasperson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jayne Dix Gasperson . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Margaret Selbicky Stewart . . . . . . . . . . .
Jennifer Kren Ross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carmelita Garcia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
‘47
‘49
‘54
‘64
‘72
Mem bership Dues
January 1 st — Decem ber 31 st
$ 15 per year/Single or couple
W eb Page:
h ttp ://w w w .p g u s d .o rg /a lu m n i
Volume 20 Winter Issue
Richard Stillwell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Richard Goblirsch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sherry Welsh Gruwell . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dixie Layne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lillian Griffiths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Donna Murphy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cate Goblirsch Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
###
‘50
‘51
‘56
‘66
‘70
‘79
‘94
Our 2nd annual dues reminder
mailing has been mailed. We
mailed 507 renewals! The Board
hopes that everyone renews their
dues, and if possible, contribute
extra for the alumni associations
operating costs and more
importantly our disbursements to
PGHS and her students.
As always, THANK YOU !!
Contents:
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
1 .......
2 .......
3 .......
3 .......
4 .......
4 .......
5 .......
6 .......
7 .......
8 .......
9 .......
10 . . . . . .
11 . . . . . .
11 . . . . . .
12 . . . . . .
13 . . . . . .
14 . . . . . .
15 . . . . . .
16 . . . . . .
17 . . . . . .
17 . . . . . .
18 . . . . . .
19 . . . . . .
19 . . . . . .
20 . . . . . .
21 . . . . . .
22 . . . . . .
23 . . . . . .
23 . . . . . .
24 . . . . . .
Presidents Message
Officers & Directors
Returning Members
Contributions
Corrections
Letters to Editor
Letters to Editor
Obituaries
Obituaries Continued
Obituaries Continued
Obituaries Hall of Honor
Alumni Tidbits
Hall of Honor
Mayor Carmelita Garcia
Aunts & Grandmothers
1949's 60 th & Kris Cowen
Letters to Editor
Letters to Editor
Letters to Editor “PGPD”
Letters to Editor
History of PG T. Gould ‘20
PGHS Grads NOW
Remembering Sharon Rose ‘61
Reservation Form
Clyde Shifley ‘46 Speech
Annual Reunion Dinner Brunch
Annual Reunion Dinner Brunch
Hall of Fame Inductees
1974's 35 th Reunion
Editor’s Message
This Knockout II is published with everyone in mind.
As some of our members enjoy finding fault with
other’s work, intentional errors have been placed
throughout the newsletter for there enjoyment !!!
0002 Masthead 1209.wpd
December 2009 ! Page Three
A Friendly Welcome to:
O UR N EW M EMBERS:
‘61 Jack English ~ Blackmans Bay, Tasmania, Australia
‘74 Cheri Fisher Schmidt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hollister
‘76 Joanne Imai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tujunga
‘80 Sara Henderson Higman . . . . . . . . . . . Carmel
‘92 Kathleen “Katie” Kelley Selfridge . . . . . Monterey
Glad to have you back!
S CHOLARSHIP F UND :
1950 Richard Mattos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashland, OR
IMO: Richard “Dick” Milton Cropley ‘50
C ONTRIBUTIONS :
1947 Carolyn “Honey” Harris Pere . . . . . . .
1950 Sue Hinman Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1951 Juanita Harris Mehringer . . . . . . . . . .
1955 David Richards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1959 W. Erika Meyer Weitzeil . . . . . . . . . .
Federal Way, WA
Pacific Grove
Kirkland, WA
Eagle River, AK
Irvine
O UR R ETURNING M EMBERS:
‘37 Mary Hufford Beach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
‘55 Zoe A. Hill
....................
‘70 Don Fry
....................
‘70 Jeanne Kallerup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
‘70 Joan Pennisi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
‘73 Stephen Fry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Monterey
Santa Fe Springs
Seaside
Santa Cruz
Pacific Grove
Phoenix, AZ
IN M EMORY OF:
1938 Edwin Getz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pacific Grove
IMO: Richard “Richie” Oliver Walter ‘41
1939 Bill Hyler
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pebble Beach
IMO: Gordon “Moe” Keith MacKenzie ‘42
1942 Sheila Cochran McGuire . . . . . . . . . . Monterey
1942 George Toole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tulsa, OK
1944 Howard Hodges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pebble Beach
IMO: Warren Stanford Claunch ‘46
1946 James deLorimier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pebble Beach
1948 Rita Hazeltine deLorimier
IMO: Chester “Chet” Guido Garnero ‘45
1947 Don Gasperson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pacific Grove
1949 Jayne Dix Gasperson
IMO: Maurice “Mo” Galasso ‘49
1954 Helen M. Gehringer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monterey
IMO: Warren Stanford Claunch ‘46
1960 Patricia Elmore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Suisun
IMO: Clifford Benjamin Johansen ‘60
IMO: Roberta Joan Hill King ‘60
IMO: Ronald Charles Moore ‘60
IMO: Joan Leilani Patrick Poole ‘60
1968 Joanie Hyler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pacific Grove
S ENIOR Y EARBOOK F UND :
1966 Leon Wimbley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reno, NV
ALUMNI IMO S CHOLARSHIP F UND :
1952 John Perkins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reedley
IMO: Sally Ruth Hane Tawlse ‘55
Class of 1952 Remembers Scholarship
All contribution and in memory amounts contributed are held in
confidence and no dollar amount is revealed to the family that the
contribution or IMO is made toward.
The Board finds it remarkable to receive this continuing financial
support from so many Alumni Members. Although we may only
recognize a single name, that name usually represents a spouse
and or family. On behalf of the Association, the School and Students
we say —
"THANK YOU,
TO ALL OUR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTORS”
ggg
Happy Hanukkah
Happy Muharram
Merry Christmas
Happy Kwanzaa
Happy Holidays
and
Happy New Year !
Wanting to be politically correct I’m sending out Holiday greetings
to all of you. If I missed your celebration I apologize and I hope it
was your best yet.
The Editor
0003 New M em s Contribs.1209.wpd
December 2009 ! Page Four
CORRECTIONS
How is it that I left out our oldest alumni
members info in our August 2009
Membership Roster? I called Jean today to
tell her how sorry I was, and she graciously
told me to not give it another thought. But, I
am giving it thought and am putting her name
and address in the December’s KOII
correction column, and encouraging anyone
out there to send her a note. Imagine, she is
celebrating her 80th year as a PGHS Alumni,
80 ! She will celebrate her 96th birthday in
May of next year. Now that is quite an
accomplishment. Thank you Jean for being
you, and for you continued support.
Joanie
Jean McComish Wilkinson
519 Frontera Dr.
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272-4436
310.454.7065
Sturgis, SD
New email; [email protected]. We have
been in Sturgis, SD 10 years now, and have
not seen anyone from P.G. at the motorcycle
rally? For seven days each year the town
goes from 6,000 in population to 500.000 so
we may have missed you in passing ! Hi and
Love to All,
John and Marlyn Evans Walls ‘52
Editors note: Is this an invitation? Someday I
would LOVE to go and see all the
motorcycles!
Las Vegas, NV
Yes, Dear Joanie,
Please correct my e-mail address to
[email protected]. Sorry I hadn’t notified you
prior to the Roster listing. I know Mo (Galasso
‘49) was really looking forward to the ‘49 sixty
year class reunion–so sorry he didn’t make it.
He was a special friend, and introduced me
to my honey, (Harold) August 10, 1950. I
continue to celebrate that occasion even
though my honey has been gone more than
13 years. We did have 45 years together and
made some wonderful memories! Have seen
Mo and his Wendy a few times when they
were attending conventions here in Las
Vegas. He will be missed. Thanks for your
response. And I think you are doing a
wonderful job with the Knockout II. I was
assistant Editor in 1947-1948, loved the times
spent with Mr. Down, and the journalism
class! I was the original weekly broadcaster
for PGHS on the radio for KDON. Loved that,
too! Have a great weekend.
Jo Ann Fifer Mueller ‘48
Editors note: Jo Ann contacted us with the
news that Mo Galasso had passed away. I
replied back inquiring about her email
address which was different that what I had in
the alumni data base. The note above is her
reply.
Thousand Oaks
Well, I glanced through the front pages of the
new Roster as quickly as I could in dim light.
The cover, pardon the expression, is a
knockout. A Beautiful Knockout!
Nice going to der Chief and some pretty great
elves, I think. I laughed when I read that
everyone said that Dee could spot a fly on
the wall 50 feet away. I'm lucky not to run
into the wall and smash the fly by accident.
Leaving a horrible splotch as a reminder.
You know how they used to say your body is
worth about $ 1.98. Mine is all used up.
Yep, worthless, in fact, there's a mortgage on
it.
The roller coaster of life has been a heck of a
ride - and as Yogi said, "It ain't over till it's
over".
I've heard nothing from Bill. That's good, I
hope.
Walked every night in July, and August..., so
far. My feet are stubs - stubs with cracks.
Coyotes howl and run the other way.
Probably hurts their delicate noses. Because
it's night, I see a lot of animals. One young
owl mistook me for a street-sign. Pulled up at
the very last minute.
Joan, it’s good to know you. Bye - tanks for
the memories. Chester “Bim” (Bim from the
uncle in "Gasoline Alley") Bramblett ‘43
Editors note: Bim, it’s my pleasure getting to
know you. Love that sense of humor. Keep
the jokes coming. Joanie
Eagle River, AK
Thank you for all you do for us alumni.
Inclosed is some money for a few years dues
and also for postage so I can continue to
receive my newsletter timely. Thank you,
David Richards ‘55
Keizer, OR
Hi Joanie, Yes, the KOII arrived. I am
surprised at the low number of alums who get
their KOII by email. This is fast and easy for
us. We are always impressed by the
excellent job you all do. Thanks for keeping
us up on all the letters and comments, the
obits, and happenings at PG. The pictures
are very nice.
Walt ‘50 and Kay Fisher ‘51 Pattison
Editors note: Thanks! I wish more took it
email too. As you know, you can read it on
your monitor, or print it and sit in their easy
chair.
Editors Note;
I emailed Richard and asked him how he got
the nickname “Rattooth” here is his reply.
Lakeport
Hi Joanie again,
I use to caddy at Pebble Beach 1948-49 . I
had been with my best friend Morris Uqudie
of Monterey. We met there as I use to live in
Monterey before living PG. We would push
our bikes up Carmel Hill and then ride down
as fast as we could go. Well, one time I was
being hiked, (as we called it when riding on
the handle bars) and when we got down to
Casa Munras Street all most to the bottom
the sailor hat I was wearing flew off, and
when I tried to grab it my foot got caught in
the front wheel, and we stopped on a dime.
I landed face down, skidding into the curb
face first. A painter was working across the
street and came to my aide. Freed my foot
and gave me a hanky to put on my face.
Took me home, and then I found out I had
chipped my front tooth! Not a good day but I
was okay. While caddying at Pebble Beach
the head caddy was DeeDee (Bulldog)
Coppersmith if my recollection is correct.
[Continued on Page 5]
0004 Corrections Lets 2 Ed 1 1209.wpd
December 2009 ! Page Five
[Continued from Page 4]
about sixty-five years. Some of them are
slowing down but still full of life and curiosity
and enjoyment of what we have experienced
and shared together.
Thank you---and all the staff too---for the
work you have done with the Knockout II. It's
a great gift to receive it.
Yours in appreciation,
Dorothy Nybro Geduldig '43
When it was my turn to go shag balls, (a job
the youngest did, going out and collecting
golf balls on the course) said, “Hey Rattooth,
you have a job shagging balls”. So, he coined
the nickname and it has been with me ever
since. It was a wonderful experience being a
caddy in those days. Walk up the Carmel Hill
to the top and get a ride to clubhouse from
the Pebble Beach Carmel Hill gate. Those Irvine
were the good old days. Thanks.
Thank you so much for the beautiful
Richard “Rattooth” Gruwell ‘58 Membership Roster. Very nicely done.
I had my 50th Reunion this year in Monterey
Carmichael
and it was wonderful to see everyone. It is
Hi Joanie,
surprising how we all have changed. Some of
I did receive the June issue and enjoyed it us beyond recognition from our year book
and now, after a phone call from your dad, I and some have just spread out a little. It was
have received the current issue. I am sorry a great Reunion and I was happy to be a part
for all the trouble. I also received the roster of it.
and realized that my old email address was I do visit Monterey every 5 years now just to
the problem. Your dad took note of that and see how things have changed. It is still a
said it would be corrected in the next beautiful place with lots of fond memories.
addition.
Enclosed is a check to help with postage.
My life is very full right now, and I am very Sincerely,
W. Erika Meyer Weitzeil ‘59
happy with it. My son and daughter-in-law
were living with me briefly and just moved to Greetings from Scotland!!!!
an apartment. They moved back to California GREAT job, Joanie . . as usual! Since I'm
from Illinois and are job-hunting, as are many here - indefinitely. . it's fun to still have
others. It's good to have them nearby. My contact about the "good old days"! BTW - I
other two children live quite a distance, was ON that "urp bus". . but didn't like
Maryland and Belgium, so it's great to have EITHER egg salad, OR baloney [PB&J was
this son here.
the alternative]. . so I didn't get sick!
The other happy occurrence is that I'm in It WAS pretty awful!
love. I never dreamed that at age 83 this THANKS again, for all your efforts!!!!
would happen. He's a nice fellow, my age,
Marian MARSH Fleming
and we share an interest in camping, hiking "Cool 'N Nifty - Class of '60"
and being in the mountains. He does Editors Note: I sent an email back to Marian
volunteer work on the Pacific Crest Trail as to see if I needed to change her mailing
well as other projects. We both have rather address and here was her reply. Thought if
busy lives but are enjoying each other's anyone is heading over there they might want
company, after being alone for several years. to “pop” in and say Hi!
Life is indeed wonderful in so many ways. I Hi Joanie - While I'm still using my PO Box
guess I'm telling you all this because I find it for "official" mailings. . my resident address
hard not to tell everyone I meet, even is:
strangers! It seems to make everyone else 10 Annabel Court
happy, too.
Inverkeithing - FIFE KY11 1PY - Scotland
I just attended a reunion of seven of my Inverkeithing is a small coastal town just
college house mates. We are all in our across the Firth of Forth from Edinburgh. We
eighties and so have known each other for have an awesome view of the three humps of
the rail bridge - looking South - and are just a
few minutes by bus from the former Capital
city of Dunfermline (Robert the Bruce,
territory). Love all the historic architectural
buildings in the area, and am trying to get my
walking "legs" in condition [no wheels!] so I
can experience all the history in this area!
Cheerio tha 'noo . . . Marian
Pacific Grove
I graduated from PGHS in 1947 with the
Rego twins. In the pictures in the recent
Knockout II, they are identified correctly. The
top picture is Lucy and the lower one is
Erline. In my yearbook, only Erline signed
her picture. I always thought it was quite
clever their naming. We had another set of
twins - Lou Anne and Nancy DeLude. I could
tell them apart because I went all through
school with them, but looking at their pictures
now I wonder how I ever did.
Enjoy the Knockout! Good job!
Mildred “Mickie” Jones Miller ‘47
Editors Note: The Rego sisters birth names
were Oralinda and Lucinda. I guess
somewhere down the way they used Lucy
and Erline. We contacted Erline’s son, both
ladies are still living here in California.
J J J
Just some old
pictures I found.
Who are they?
Bill Hyler ‘39
Ritchie Walter ‘39
December 2009 ! Page Six
DECEASED PACIFIC GROVE HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI
It is with sorrow that we publish the names of our fellow classmates who have passed away since our last issue.
They are listed in order of deceased date, class year and city of residence.
March
September
Paul Herrschaft FAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pacific Grove
Jeanette Sandman Fitzsimmons 1930 . . . . . Morgan Hill
Chet Garnero 1945 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monterey
June
Jane Brackett Stagner 1938 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joshua Tree
Rob Trankley 1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Centerville, IN
Charlotte Hall Danvers 1939 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pacific Grove
Jacquie Isaac 1971 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fairbanks, AK
July
Sally Hane Tawse 1955 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pueblo, CO
Cathy Marshall Cully 1967 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shasta
Gordon “Moe” MacKenzie 1942 . . . . . . . . . . Slaughters, KY
August
Nathan Weber 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aptos
Mo Galasso 1949 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bellingham, WA
Reba Jo Williams Lepkowski 1942 . . . . . . . . Everett, WA
Jeanette Florence Sandman Fitzsimmons,
97, quietly died
March 15, 2009, in
Morgan Hill, where
she had moved to
be closer to her
son. Born June 20,
1911 to Edward W.
and Florence
Sandman, in
Illinois, as a child
she moved to Fresno, then to PG in 1924,
where she graduated from PGHS in 1930.
She married George Fitzsimmons ’29 at her
parent’s home on 19th St. in May, 1932.
They were happily married for 73 years and
lived in their house on Hillcrest Ave. that her
husband built. Jeanette was an active
member of the Mayflower Methodist Church
for 50 years. Her husband died Feb. 13,
2008, and her brother, George E. Sandman
’29, died in 1972. Survivors include her son,
George William “Bill” Fitzsimmons Jr. ’55 of
Morgan Hill, and daughter Susan D.
Fitzsimmons Bryner ’65 of Falls Church, VA,
5 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.
hhh
Robert “Rob” Irving Trankley, 61, died June
9, 2009, in Centerville, IN, where he made
October
Norwood Marsh 1949 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gary Ferry 1960 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Joyce Blackburn 1972 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tim O’Neill 1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tony Usog 1981 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
his home since 1995. Born January 6, 1948,
in Washington D.C.
to Allan and Betty
P e nd l e t o n
Trankley, after
graduating from
PGHS in 1966 he
went to University
of Miami, Florida.
Rob served in the
Special Forces of
the U.S. Army Reserves. He was an
independent personal financial planner. He
was an avid audiophile, loved music and
served on the Starr-Gennett Foundation
Board. Rob loved salt-water fishing in Key
West, FL., and riding his motorcycle.
Survivors include his wife, Donna J.
Trankley; father of Dana Point; sister, Lisa
Trankley. His mother died in 2006.
hhh
Catherine Jean “Cathy” Marshall Cully, 59,
died July 11, 2009, in Shasta, after a lengthy
illness. A native of St. Louis, MO, she was
born Oct. 12, 1949, and moved to PG as a
child, attending PG schools and graduating
from PGHS in 1967. Cathy worked for many
years as an animal health technician and
then pursued a nursing career. She
Trappers Creek, AK
Sacramento
Monterey
Pacific Grove
Salinas
graduated from the Maurine Church Coburn
School of Nursing
and worked as an
RN at CHOMP
and at Natividad
Hospital. She
obtained a BS
degree in nursing
f r o m So m o n a
State University,
and then worked
at Mt. Zion Hospital, San Francisco General
Hospital, and Sutter Hospital in Santa Rosa.
After completing the MS program at UCSF,
she was a trauma nurse for several years in
SF bay area hospitals. She then became the
trauma coordinator for the Regional Trauma
Center at Mercy Hospital in Redding. Cathy
was also a faculty member at the Chico
State University School of Nursing. Cathy
was an avid reader and gardener and an
enthusiastic traveler. Her mother, Jeane
Sodemann, died in 2002. Survivors include
her husband Chuck Cully; daughter, Heather
M c K i n s t r y D ’ Ar t e n a y ‘ 8 7 ; o n e
granddaughter, one sister, Deborah Hirst;
and former husbands, John H. McKinstry ’64
and John Ley.
December 2009 ! Page Seven
[Continued from Page Six]
Nathan Michael-Jon Weber, 28, died of
melanoma on Aug.
13, 2009 in Aptos.
Nathan was born
Feb. 2, 1981 in
Carmel and raised
in Carmel Valley
and PG, graduating
from PGHS in
1999. Nathan was
a devoted husband
and loving daddy. His greatest joy was the
birth of his children. Survivors include his
wife, Catherine; his children, Skyler, Caleb,
Joshua and Hayden; his parents, Valerie
Teters of Olympia, WA, Don Weber of Carmel
Valley; and siblings, Danny Weber of
Olympia, WA and Shannah Weber of Carmel
Valley. He was preceded in death by his
grandparents, Don C. Weber Sr. ’49 and
Myrna Wells Weber ’49.
hhh
family moved to California in 1937 and
eventually settled
in Pacific Grove,
where
she
graduated from
PGHS in 1942. She
worked at Hughes
Aircraft in Los
Angeles for a
number of years,
and after her last
husband retired, they moved to WA. She was
the mother of six children, Lynda Jacobs
Cook ‘61, Walter Miles Setzer Jr, Michael W.
Setzer, Nancy Setzer Schechter-Ferry ‘72,
Sally Bartlett and Christina Bennett; with 17
grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren. Reba
Jo loved to dance, passing the love of music
to all of her children. She loved people and
loved to laugh and was most happy when
around others. Reba died August 28, 2009 in
Everett, WA, at the age of 85. She was
preceded in death by her husbands, Bruce
Jacobs, Walter Setzer Sr, and Ted
Lepkowski, and siblings Crystal Harry
Williams, Cleo L. Brandlein, Roy F. Williams,
and Kelsy T. Williams ’45. Survivors include
her children, and two sisters, Billie Ruth
Pendergrass of Romance, AR, and Mary Ann
Williams Wolfe ’49 of Sussex, WI.
hhh
dementia. Although born in Clovis, on May 3,
1927, he always
considered himself
a native of the
M o n t e r e y
Peninsula where
he graduated from
PGHS in 1945 and
was an all-around
star athlete in
f o o t b a l l ,
basketball, and threw the shot put in track
and field. He gave up a football scholarship to
Oregon State when his father died. From his
boyhood into his adult life, he worked in the
family-owned bakery business. The
Garnero's had four bakeries: Garnero's
Mission Bakery, Cass Street Bakery, one in
the Del Monte Shopping Center and Wishart
Bakery in Carmel. As his family grew, he also
worked in the canneries and as a caddy at
Pebble Beach. He was a U.S. Navy veteran.
Later in life he worked for Granite
Construction and then as a partner with his
son, Nick in the Garnero Construction
Company. He retired in 1990 to build his final
project, his own home, and to play the game
he so loved, golf. He was preceded in death
by his parents and brothers, Edward and Al.
Chet is survived by his wife of 23 years, Patti;
ex-wife, Annie Guastella Richerts ‘47; his
brother, Frank; his sons, Joe, Nick, Bill and
Ed; his daughters, Cammie, Emily, and
Theresa; two stepchildren; 15 grandchildren;
and several great-grandchildren.
hhh
Maurice "Mo" Galasso, 78, passed away in
Bellingham, WA,
on Aug. 15, 2009.
A Los Angeles
native, he was born
May 8, 1931,
moved to PG with
his family in 1936, Paul C. Herrschaft, 73, passed away
and graduated
peacefully at home
from PGHS in
in PG after a
1949. Mo attended
lengthy illness on
UC Berkeley and Stanford University, and
Sept. 7, 2009. Born
was a mechanical engineer in the fiberglass
Nov. 20, 1935 in Virginia Jane Brackett Cravat Stagner, died of
industry. He was well-known for his part in
a heart attack Sept. 9,
Brooklyn, N.Y., he
the development of the ASME RTP-1
2009 in Palm Springs,
was a resident of
standard. He was a member of the Central
at the age of 89. Born
PG for 47 years,
Lutheran Church, and in retirement enjoyed
Nov. 15, 1919 in Los
and taught science
traveling, folg and sailing. Survivors include
Angeles County, Jane
at PGHS from 1963
his wife Wendy, brother, Frank Galasso ’54; to 1990. Survivors include his wife, Jean,
grew up in PG, where
three children, and five grandchildren.
she graduated from
and son, Mark Herrschaft ’76 of Camarillo.
hhh
PGHS in 1938. As a
hhh
young girl, Jane was
active in church
Reba Jo Williams Lepkowski was born Chester G. “Chet” Garnero, 81, died Sept.
January 18, 1924 in Quitman, AR, to Joseph 13, 2009 in Monterey due to complications endeavors.
Carroll and Pearl Thomas Williams. The from his long battle with Louis body
December 2009 ! Page Eight
[Continued from Page Seven]
Jacquie Estell Isaac, 56, passed away Sept.
28, 2009, at
Fairbanks, AK. He
was born Nov. 30,
1952, in Toledo,
OH; he was a
member of PGHS
Class of 1971.
Jacquie loved life,
loved telling jokes
and loved working
on cars. He moved to Fairbanks for health
reasons in 2007. He is survived by his
mother, Delores A. Isaac of PG; son, Jacquie
Jr.; and siblings, Ernestine ‘68, Juanita ‘69,
Carmen ‘73, Edward ‘76 and Andre ’79.
hhh
Jane was a school teacher for over two
decades, and lived in Joshua Tree for many
years, where she and her husband were
devoted to the Christian life. She was a
member of the Red Hat Society and
Daughters of the American Revolution. A
multi-lingual world traveler, Jane was a poet
and ventriloquist who collected hats and dolls
and excelled at accounting. Survivors include
her husband Raymond A. Stagner of Joshua
Tree, daughter Carol J. Martinez of Anaheim,
step-daughter Margaret L. Adams of
Twentynine Palms, step-sons Richard H.
Stagner of Twentynine Palms and Robert A.
Stagner of Riverside, half-brother Edward
Hewitson ’43 of Vancouver, WA., and stepsister Marian Marcha of Byron.
Gordon Keith “Mac” MacKenzie Jr., 85,
hhh
passed away on
Sept. 28, 2009, in
Charlotte Ruth “Chic” Hall Danvers, 96, died
Madisonville, KY.
tragically on Sept.
He was born May
26, 2009, at her
16, 1924, in
home in Pacific
Salinas, to Gordon
Grove. She was
K. and Thelma
born July 27, 1913
Brant MacKenzie.
He grew up in
in Rocky Ford, CO.
Pacific Grove and
At a very young
age, Chic and her graduated from PGHS 1942 where he
family moved to the excelled in varsity football and was known as
Monterey Peninsula, where she grew up and “Moe” (“Break his arm, Moe!”). A WWII Navy
graduated from PGHS in 1932. In 1939 she Veteran, he served in Special Operations
married John Danvers Sr. in Nevada. Chic following the war. An avid sportsman, he
was a homemaker. After raising her children loved hunting, fishing and skeet shooting (he
she worked for a local florist, "Flor de was a National Skeet Shooters Association
National Champion, Class AA). He was a
Monterey," for 35 years. She was a longtime
lifetime member of the National Muzzle
member of Calvary Chapel of the Monterey
Loading Rifle Association, and the oldest
Bay. Survivors include her twin children, Jean
living High Chief of the Shoshone Indians
“Jeanie” Christine Danvers ’63 and John Shooting Association. He was a Kentucky
Charles Danvers ’63 and one grandchild. Colonel and a Kentucky River Admiral. He
Charlotte was predeceased by her siblings, was preceded in death by his parents, his
Vivian Hall Cropley Culver ’31, Myrtle Hall wife Elizabeth,”Eek” and his daughter Betsy
Orchard Henderson ’34, Bertha Jean Hall MacKenzie. Memorial contributions may be
Lake ’39, Melvin Wiley Hall ’41 and Shirley made to the P.G.H.S.A.A., where Moe was a
Mae Hall ’45.
faithful member for several decades.
hhh
hhh
Sally Ruth Hane Tawse, 72, died Sept. 29,
2009, in Pueblo, CO,
where she made her
home since 1983.
Born Nov. 6, 1936 in
Fort Wayne, IN; she
graduated from
PGHS in 1955, and from
Knapp School of
Nursing in Santa
Barbara in 1958. A
registered nurse who never chose an "easy
assignment," she loved caring for her
patients, and she was a lifelong advocate for
respecting the sick. She pulled no punches
as a nurse, even later in her career when she
an RN on one of tougher wards at the
Colorado State Hospital. Sally was an
amateur artist with special talent in watercolor
and, later in life, sticker art. She was her own
clever mixture of sass and warmth, serious
and fun, spirit and earth. Survivors include
her husband of 52 years, Clinton Hughes
Tawse ‘52; her sister, Nancy Hane
Spiekerman ’53 of Stockton, her children,
Sylvia Ruth Tawse of Longmont, CO, Richard
Clinton Tawse of Pueblo, CO, Jennifer Ann
Tawse of Boulder, CO, and Bonnie Jean
Tawse of Chicago, IL; and eight
grandchildren.
hhh
Rodney Norwood Marsh, 77, died on Oct. 5,
2009 in Trapper
Creek, AK, his home
since 1970. He was
born on June 28,
1932 in Fort Riley,
KS. After graduating
from PGHS in 1949
he earned degrees
from Shasta
College, in Redding,
and CSU Chico. He served in the California
Army National Guard, retiring as a major from
the 149th Armor Regiment, Salinas. Rodney
retired as the senior vice president of lending
at Alaska Federal Credit Union.
December 2009 ! Page Nine
[Continued from Page Eight]
Joyce Kinuye Blackburn, 56, passed away
peacefully at her
home in Monterey
on Oct. 12, 2009.
She was born March
28, 1953, in
Sacramento, and
graduated from
PGHS in 1972.
Survivors include
her sister, Nancyann
Blackburn ‘70; and brother, Michael
Blackburn ’72. Her mother, Nancy (Fumiko
Yokota) Blackburn died in 2008. Joyce was a
dear friend to those who knew her. She lived
her life with strength and courage.
hhh
He was a life-long civic minded individual
who served on boards for Credit Union 1,
Sunshine Clinic, and KTNA Public Radio. He
served on the Historical Preservation
Commission of the Matanuska-Susitna
Borough as well as the Trapper Creek
Community Council, Trapper Creek
Historical Society, and Trapper Creek
Comprehensive Planning Team. In his spare
time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, history,
genealogy and antique collecting. He is
survived by his daughters, Susan Shearer,
Elizabeth Copus; and Kristin Marsh Vernor;
and sons, Peter Marsh and Rodney Marsh;
brothers, Kenneth Lane Marsh and Gordon E.
Marsh; 11 grandchildren; seven
great-grandchildren, and his beloved dog, Timothy Keith O'Neill, born Oct. 8, 1948, to
Petunia. He was predeceased by his sisters,
William R. and
Patricia Marsh and Laura Lea Ford.
Chrisanthy O'Neill in
hhh
Frankfurt, Germany,
passed away on
Gary Lee Ferry died of lung cancer on Oct.
Oct. 13, 2009, in PG
6, 2009, in
at the age of 61. Tim
Sacramento at the
and his family
age of 66. Born in
moved to the
Elgin, TX, in 1942,
Monterey Peninsula
the family moved
in1953 when his
to Santa Clara father was assigned to his last tour of duty at
when Gary was a Fort Ord. Tim graduated from PGHS 1966
child, then to PG and later earned a Bachelor of Science
w h e r e G a r y degree from the University of Oregon in
graduated from Eugene. For many years, Tim was
PGHS in 1960. After four years in the Air self-employed, also working for the U.S.
Force, Gary settled in San Jose. He had a Forest Service, and most recently teaching
30+ career at MMM Carpets where he hosted science at Estrella Foothills High School in
the All Night Movies. Gary was also involved Goodyear, AZ. Survivors include his son,
in local theater. He started a non-profit Dugan O'Neill, and brother, Bill O'Neill ’62.
missing children's organization and for twelve
hhh
years worked with many others to locate
hundreds of missing children. Survivors Anthony Jose "Tony" Usog, 45, died Oct. 10,
include his wife Trish Williams-Ferry; his
2009 in his
children Brian Ferry, Brad Ferry, and Chad
hometown of
Ferry; and step-children Greg Thurman, Doug
Salinas. He was
Thurman, and Melanie Brown; 10
born Oct. 29, 1963,
grandchildren; sister Karene Bravo and
and lived locally, as
brother Lee Ferry.
well as in the San
hhh
Francisco Bay area
and, Los Angeles.
He graduated from PGHS in 1981. Survivors
include his son, Anthony Usog, Jr., mother,
Inge Ballard, fathers; Benjamin Usog, John
Ballard, sisters; Mellony, Tammy, Dinah,
Desiree, Becky, and Jennifer. Brothers; John,
Jay Don, and Jeff.
hhh
The Knockout II staff works very
hard to bring you obituaries of fellow
classmates as quickly and as
accurately as we can. If you hear or
know of an alumni that has passed
away PLEASE contact:
Sue Taylor ’68
732 E. Clinton Ave
Fresno, CA 93704-5503
559.222.1738
[email protected]
Hall of Honor
Alumni who have gone before us
in the last twelve months
Class of 1930
Jeanette Florence Sandman Fitzsimmons
Class of 1932
Charlotte R. Hall Danvers "Chic"
Class of 1935
Victor Lincoln Rink
William Seymour Yaeger
Class of 1936
Lewis Hanson Fitzsimmons "Lew"
Class of 1938
Jane Brackett Stagner
Class of 1939
Keith Lester Davison
Class of 1940
Harry Louis Crawford
Bernice Mattena Wright Hemphill
William W. Lingg
Leticialee Walker McSween "Leticia"
0009 Obits Concld HOHonor 1209.wpd
December 2009 ! Page Ten
A LUMNI T IDBITS
by Sue Taylor ‘68
Back in August I talked with Brad Backeberg ’63, who lives up in the
Bay Area. Brad is a CPA who deals with estate and trust work. He
also loves to travel and just got back from a 16-day cruise through the
Panama Canal. As always after talking with classmates, I sent him an
application form and old Knockout, and am cheered that he joined. I
hope all of you city folk who need a good CPA look him up.
I just hate it when published obits are short. A case in point: Jayne
Dix Gasperson ’49 notified Joanie Hyler ’68 of the death of Maurice
“Mo” Galasso ’49 up in Bellingham, WA. Joanie found the short
funeral home notice online and asked me to find out more. The
obituary in the local paper was about three lines long. A bit of
information can be gleaned from the guest book signatures. He was
married to Wendy, and you could see that he was loved, and
appreciated for his work as a mechanical engineer in the fiberglass
industry. Starting an internet search on GOOGLE, I find that he
probably shared a patent for “ASME-RTP-1 standard.” Checking
census records, I find his father was born in NY to Italian parents, and
his mother was born in PA to Russian parents. In 1930 dad was a
sausage maker at a packing company, and mom was a floor manager
at the local Five and Dime in Los Angeles. Sometime they moved to
PG, where Antonio “Tony” owned an ice cream truck, which I am sure
many Pacific Grove kids of the era remember well. Mo was married
and divorced from Norma Anderson. Then I found Mo listed on the
passenger list of the U.S.A.T. Harry Taylor coming back from Le
Havre, France, in 1947. Scanning the list I saw all of the passengers
were teenagers. What a mystery, I could not think of what a boatload
of teenagers was doing on Army transport. Consulting with my sister,
we kicked around some far out ideas – displaced persons? Prisoner
of War? Army dependents? It took a while to read the manifest and
realize that the kids were in America in July, and were returning in
August. A tour of some sort? I was rooting for a special program of
kids getting to visit their parents still stationed in Europe during the
Occupation. Searching further on GOOGLE, and there it was. I had
to laugh, and laugh again when I finally discovered it in the 1949 Sea
Urchin: “He visited “Gay Paree” for Boy Scout World Jamboree.” But
the intrigue and search made the man far more interesting than a
simple statement in a book or a few short lines in an obituary. Update:
two big obituaries appears weeks later in Mo’s town and in the
Monterey Herald. A very interesting man.
person in need or anyone who just needed a friend. He loved
animals, especially dogs and had many dog
buddies during his lifetime. He was warm
hearted and sensitive and had a unique
sense of humor. A child of the 60s, he
never forgot his experiences from that time
and he lived his life as a free spirit, creating
a world around him that exemplified those
values.” However, the longer obit in the
Peninsula Daily News, WA, describes his
life more fully, and is well worth reading at
www.peninsuladailynews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008
803160311. Again, it’s a case of realizing I really would have liked
to have known this man, and I regret not having the opportunity of
meeting him through the Alumni Association. He was a fascinating
and worthy individual. He is survived by his sister Mildred “Mittie”
Decker Sanders ’57 of Carmel Valley, and brother in Peoria, IL.
I hope everyone caught the recent article in the Monterey Herald
about the Pappageorgas family. It tells of Chris Pappageorgas ’73
(married to Lori McKinney ’74), whose two children were diagnosed
with cystic fibrosis when they were teenagers. They founded the
Living Breath Foundation, to help other families dealing with this
nasty disease. According to the Herald: “Formed in 2008, the
foundation www.thelivingbreathfoundation.com has already raised
more than $285,000 and distributed more than $200,000 to further
research and provide financial assistance to cystic fibrosis patients
and their family members.” The family is to be commended for truly
helping other people, and on a very personal level, not just sending
money off to research organizations. They have helped local people
with the cost of expenses in traveling to get medical care and to
obtain the medical equipment that insurance companies deem
luxuries, but make life far more livable and thus endurable. The
Pappageorgas family, often shortened to Pappas, is a well-known
Peninsula family. Chris was a prominent athlete, particulary in
football. His father, Chris Pappas, was the coach at MPC for many
years. All of his siblings are classmates: Sharon ’69 (married Danny
Hoffman ’68), Deborah Jean ’71 (two of her kids are also grads),
Robert ’76, Richard ’78, and Kenneth ’83.
I want to give a nod to the Norbeck sisters, Donna Pryzybyla ’52,
Roberta Allred ’53, along with Howard Worth ’51, and the rest of
the folks at the table where my sister, Sally Taylor ’61, sat at this
year’s reunion dinner. None of her class showed up and she was
There simply is not enough space to add obituaries in our obituary graciously and convivially invited to join them. She had a great time,
section for alums who died more than a year ago. So, I’d like to and will look for them next year. A good example of successful
mention some of them in my column. Stafford “Staff” Decker ’64 interclass mingling.
died Feb. 5, 2008 in Port Townsend, WA. An obituary was published
in the Herald a year and a half later because of a local memorial. The
0010 Alumni Tidbits 1209.wpd
Herald obit describes him lovingly: “Staff was always there to help a
December 2009 ! Page Eleven
Class of 1941
Richard Oliver Walter "Richie"
Class of 1942
Reba Jo Williams Lepkowski
Gordon Keith MacKenzie "Moe"
Class of 1943
Evelyn Marion Soares Camarda
Robert J. deLappe "Bob"
William D. Harren "Bill"
Hideo Uchida
Class of 1945
Chester Guido Garnero "Chet"
Class of 1946
Warren Stanford Claunch
Richard Garth Crocker
Class of 1947
David Nathanel Danbom
Donald Lee Jacobson
Mary Ellen Waugh Livingston
Donalee Standiford Paul Rhoderick
Hugh Ivan Wilson "Bud"
Class of 1949
Maurice Galasso "Mo"
Gordon Norwood Marsh
Norma Lee Kelly McBride
Billie Gene Holik Rice
Class of 1950
Richard Milton Cropley "Dick"
Class of 1953
Susan Ann Shadley Lykins "Sue"
Class of 1955
Sally Ruth Hane Tawse
Class of 1956
Terryl Jack Farrell
Gayle Marie Echols McDonald
Edward John Frank Worth "Eddie"
Class of 1957
Robert William Morris "Bobby"
Class of 1958
Wayne F. Garrett
Charles Gerald Lebeck "Jerry"
Class of 1960
Gary Lee Ferry
Gerald Richard McConchie "Gerry"
Class of 1961
Sharon Lynn Rose
Douglas Roy Backeberg
Class of 1966
Cynthia Blankenship Coit
Timothy K. O'Neill "Tim"
Robert Irving Trankley "Rob"
Class of 1967
Catherine Jean Marshall Cully "Cathy"
Class of 1968
Richard Duncan Davis "Ricky"
Mary Catherine Wheeler Fish "Cathy"
Class of 1969
Manuel Anthony Brito
Class of 1971
Jacquie Estell Isaac
Class of 1972
Joyce Kinuye Blackburn
Class of 1974
Francie Bethany Bosworth Brando
Rickey Lawrence Lloyd "Larry"
Class of 1981
Anthony Jose Usog "Tony"
Class of 1984
Andrea Rita DeVincenzi
Class of 1986
Patricia Cabral "Patti"
Class of 1999
Nathan Michael-Jon Weber
Class of 2006
Michael William Boatman-White "Boaty"
Faculty
Paul C. Herrschaft
Arnold Kohn
Andrew McCornack
Raymond L. Washburn
ggg
Poetry by Mabel Su ‘69
Award winning Poet
The Beauty of God’s Nature
I have seen the glory of our God,
In the giant evergreen trees
I have seen golden poppies on hillsides,
In the sunlight of an afternoon
I have seen vivid colored blue jays,
As I heard their soft musical calls
I have seen royal purple mountains,
In the quite stillness of solitude
I have smelled the fragrant fallen rain,
On God’s wondrous and majestic world
I have felt the close presence of God,
In the midst of a silent spring day
I have laughed with delight from my soul,
Feeling God’s spirit of joy in me
I have felt God’s precious wonders
I have treasured God’s grand creation,
Leaving me with splendor and richness
My happy heart is filled with pure song,
Giving me a sweet rebirth of life.
N N N
For those of you have not heard, our own
Board member Carmelita Garcia ‘72 a City
Counsel woman is now our Mayor. Below is
the story in her own words.
As a kid I did not wake up mornings with
the thought that when I grew up I wanted to
be Mayor. But I am glad I have been led to
this point in my lifetime.
Never in a million years would I ever have
thought that the decision as to who would be
Mayor of Pacific Grove would be determined
by a coin toss.
When the suggestion was made to flip a
coin, I sat in my seat and made a decision to
let go of the outcome. The only thing that
mattered to me at that moment was giving the
City the opportunity to move on. Our City was
begging for leadership. And with that, I spoke
into my microphone and agreed to the coin
toss.
As Professor Toro pointed out in his
column, coin tosses have been around for
some time and have played significant parts
in history. He goes on to write, “The history
of sports is full of coin flips that made a
difference, determining who gets the opening
kickoff and who has home-field advantage.”
However, the toss of a coin has had even
bigger ramifications over time.
Many years ago the city of Portland, Ore.,
was apparently named when Francis
Pettygrove won a coin toss with his land
partner, Asa Lovejoy, who wanted to name
the city Boston. (Apparently, Pettygrove was
originally from Portland, Maine, while Lovejoy
was from Boston.)
0011 HO Honor 2 1209.wpd
December 2009 ! Page Twelve
In 1992, a teacher in Illinois lost her job after district administrators
could not decide which of two teachers to lay off for budgetary
reasons and settled it by tossing a coin. In addition, the most fateful
flip of the coin came the night the music died. According to legend,
Ritchie Valens won a coin flip with musician Tommy Allsup for a seat
on the plane after a concert in the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake,
Iowa.On Feb. 3, 1959 the plane crashed, killing Valens, Buddy Holly
and The Big Bopper.”
When I ran for office in 2008 I knew at that time I would seek the
office of Mayor, presuming it would be in 2012. You can plan all you
want but you have no control over what really happens.
On Monday, September 21, 2009 at 9:04 a.m., I took the Oath of
Office as Mayor of Pacific Grove in order to conduct City business.
On Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. I took the Oath of
Office again before convening the special council meeting because
I wanted to share this great moment with our community and my
family.
October 5th our new City Manager Tom Frutchey began his job in
Pacific Grove. I have met with him and he is going to be good for
Pacific Grove.
My intent is to write a column once a month to keep you informed.
In addition to the column, I plan to be at City Hall twice a month so
you can drop in and talk with me. A schedule will be announced and
posted.
I wish to thank everyone for your support. As your Mayor, I am
proud and excited about the future of our wonderful town. We have
challenges ahead and I see them as opportunities. Our glass is half
full.
N N N
Aunts and Grandmothers ‘49 Chevy
Previous car for years: '29 Model "A". "Best car ever built". I hated
it's guts. Canvas roof, which didn't go down, leaked (no matter how
much rubber paint) Electric windshield wiper that lasted two seconds,
then, wind it by hand. Water drops on the steering wheel from the roof
somehow dissolved the hard rubber, which then stained your pants
- you know where. Good luck at the dance!
The gas tank (over your knees) had a copper pipe, with a valve,
and led through the fire-wall to the engine. Rust flakes broke off
inside the tank, while you were driving, and floated down the pipe and
to hang-up; so after that, maybe the car wouldn't go over about 20 if you were lucky. (Yes, it was tasty: taking the pipe out, and blowing
on it, out in the street.)
The wheels, buckled a little after too many potholes. This
vibration, after a certain amount of time, caused the wires to the
engine radiator-mounted headlights to wear through, and the lights to
go out. BUT, I had fog lights which were handy for more than fog.
The steel brake rods gradually stretched, and the pedal did less and
less. The emergency brake in the middle of the floor seemed to work
better - usually! I don't remember why (only the back wheels).
More..., but I forget. Almost.
Last blab: One week-end night, I had the radiator (+ car) pointed
to grandmother's house in Lindsay(160 miles). I didn't know it but the
electric cable, was coming loose from the battery which absorbed the
extra power at that speed. I was nearing the Castaic junction.
The lights went BRILLIANT. Cars miles away were blinking their
lights, asking me to turn mine down. No matter. In about 3 seconds,
every light in the car burned out - including the dash-board light.
Ahhh, but the fog lights? Yes, and my reflexes were of Olympic
quality.... Plink !
In less than a millisecond. Total darkness. Finito! But the engine
kept running (Why? Not sure.) and I limped along the side of the road
to Castaic. Found the loose cable, bought a few bulbs at the service
station (Chevron maybe). Went back "home".
My Ford would hold on a steady 70. (Might do 85 downhill - might
also kill you, or innocents.) And after a while, the speedometer might
just start spinning around aimlessly, and the cab was so cramped you
could steer with your knees, and scare the poor girl(s) with you in the
front seat. No voltage regulator on the generator, so at 35, you could
make an electric horn, wired straight to the generator, (I'm telling my
secrets) really blast. Or race the engine at a stop sign and blast. You
could put a ugah-horn on the back plate, and honk back at the guy
who honked behind you. (mine fell off. Vibration?)
Much, much more - don't say to me, "Ford: Best car ever made!"
Say "Cord".
Chester Bramblett ‘43
0012 Mayor Bramblett 1209.wpd
December 2009 ! Page Thirteen
J
ayne Dix Gasperson ‘49
"CLASS OF 1949 CELEBRATES 60TH "
Billie Morrow Shepherd, Dorothy Gonsalves Perkins, Kathi
Lewis DeMaria, Lillian Freitas Enos, Ellanah Peace Plain,
Lucille Lane Rowe, Mary Ann Williams Wolfe, Erwin Dames,
Roger Brown, Beverly Wilson Stillwell, Bill Conlan, Dick
deLorimier, Ellen Duarts Kimbell, Jayne Dix Gasperson, Jene
Chadwick, John Piercy, June Kress Neely, Ellen Hufford
Carpenter, and Lew Mulkay met on Friday, before Alumni
weekend, to “greet and eat” at Roger Brown’s home in
Monterey. Most went on to Saturday night dinner with the entire
Alumni and many stayed over for the Brunch. A good time was
had by all, and it was decided that “at our age,” we shouldn’t
wait too long to have another gathering!
whimsical and sort of like Kris’ personality. It is made out of very
rugged building materials. It is beautifully balanced . . . and it interacts
with the environment and has a winglike steel background. . . . He’s
a great artist. He’s so excited about it.” Kris was selected earlier to do
a sculpture for the MRWMD, and it will be installed outside the Last
Chance Mercantile following the West End Celebration. About being
a sculptor, Cowen says, “I know that the piece is working out when
I’m not thinking about anything. I have to be very, very present. My
goal is not to make work that sells, but to make work that I want to
make and that is joyous.” Cowen is a 1991 graduate of Pacific Grove
High, where he played football in the stadium named after his
grandfather, Howard Cowen, who moved to Pacific Grove as a young
boy and has been active in the community ever since. The MRWMD’s
commitment to reuse is represented by the Last Chance Mercantile,
a “reuse store” stocking an ever-changing array of donated and
salvaged items, with a motto of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” Fine Art
Base is a non-profit organization for emerging artists that was created
this year and operates out of a 2,000-square-foot loft in Sand City.
First published in: Pacific Grove Hometown Bulletin
Sculpture by Kristofer “Kris” Cowen ‘91
A piece of sculpture by Kris Cowen, fashioned from objects others
have thrown away, has been selected for permanent display outside
the Last Chance Mercantile at the Monterey Regional Waste
Management District (MRWMD) site just north of Marina. Cowen, a
third-generation member of a well-known Pacific Grove family that
includes many craftspeople, began doing sculptures only four years
ago, when he created a small clock from a vehicle timing chain. He
is also an auto mechanic, and many of his pieces, which he describes
as abstract sculpture, come from leftover car parts. Cowen developed
the piece that will be placed at the MRWMD by collecting materials
at its Last Chance Mercantile and the Material Recovery Facility.
Cowen, who is self-taught, describes the sculpture as “abstract and
very open.” It is about 6 ½ feet tall and 4 ½ to 5 feet wide and is
composed of wood, concrete, porcelain and two types of steel – a
piece of a bed frame and industrial shelving. “I grabbed things that
I thought I might be interested in working with,” says Cowen, who is
37. Elizabeth O’Malley, executive director of Fine Art Base in Sand
City, which has provided Cowen with working space and support,
describes the unnamed work as “super contemporary and very
0013 1949 Reunion 1209.wpd
December 2009 ! Page Fourteen
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
Hi Joanie.....When opening mailbox and
discovering Knockout II, I always get excited
to delve into it! What a great issue with lots
of information, history, photos, and classmate
news. Please "Thank all those" for such a
terrific job of collecting information, in writing,
printing and putting together.... including
yourself as Editor! What a great way to stay
in touch over the years since the Knockout's
inception.
Your little treasure you found and
included--"Rules For Visitors to Maternity
Patients" brought back many bitter-sweet
memories for me. For those rules were also
true of other Hospitals in area back in 1946.
I know, for I lived and experienced them. At
age 8 my mother was diagnosed with cancer
and spent weeks in and out of Monterey
Peninsula Hospital. No one under age of 16
was permitted to visit so I could only wave to
her from parking lot. It saddened me deeply
in not being able to visit mother where she
later died when I was ll yrs. old. All the rest
of the rules mentioned did apply to adult
hospital visitors though in 1946. I choose to
remember the good memories of living and
going to school in Pacific Grove.....from 3rd
Grade at Pine Ave. elementary through 11th
grade at Forest Avenue High School.
Memories and friends I will never forget and
still keep in touch with. Does anyone know
the whereabouts of a classmate Gary
Sorensen '56? A friend was trying to reach
him many years ago.
You may want to check my STATE
address Joanie.....for had AZ in article as
Arizona instead of AR Arkansas. Easy to do
though as years ago someone had me living
in AK Alaska. Two articles around mine had
Sun Lakes, AZ, and Salome, AZ so can see
why. There are many states w/A's....AL, AR,
AK, AZ....maybe more. Amazes me how you
keep track of them. Keep up the exceptional
work you and staff do!
We're off to see "Mickey & Minnie" in the
morning at Disney World.....anything you
would like me to ask or tell them?
Many Thanks again,
sailboat at Lover's Point that I created in
Mary Ellen Styhl Mathias '56 remembrance of the class of '44.
Dorothy Morgan Fowler ‘44
Spokane, WA.
Dear Joanie, I have enjoyed the Knockout,
and keeping track of what was going on. I
have been going to write for years, but finally
decided now is the time! I am Dorothy
Morgan Fowler class of '44....the best class
ever! I realize that the reason we were so
close was because of the War Years we lived
through. I remember each one of my
classmates with nostalgia. After I attended
San Jose State College (not a University)
where I was an art major, I married and
moved to Spokane, WA. I married a Dentist
and had 6 children. I recently lost my
husband, Jack on July 27th. My husband
was an achiever. He founded a major ski
resort, Schweitzer Mountain Resort at
Sandpoint, Idaho, did Missionary Dentistry in
STATUE AT LOVER ’S POINT
Guatemala in the 70's, was a pilot and loved
the old Waco Biplanes. He built seven
airplanes, his last one for me, a Marquart Fletcher, NC
Charger. (I have been a pilot for 40 years). I Dear Joanie,
finally had time to pursue my passion, art, in Add me to the list to have the newsletter sent
1981 when I studied to become a sculptor. via e-mail. 7 Another green alumni!
Jack supported my career as I did his, after I really enjoy the pictures of Pacific Grove
he retired in 1993, he became my partner in from the "olden days" and reading of former
the art field. I give full credit to the Lord for acquaintances. We enjoy visiting Pacific
my gift of sculpting. In 1999 I created a Grove when we visit our 3 sons living in S. F.
monument of the Queen Mother of Thailand We live in the mountains in western North
(Boeing Commissioned me). The last 10 Carolina. We're half way between Asheville
years I have done Cathedral Doors in and Hendersonville, N.C. I do miss P.G.
Spokane, Montana, and Israel. Recently, I
Dianne Goff Coleman ‘55
did a Monument in Spokane of Michael
Anderson, astronaut on the "Columbia" space Dear Joanie
shuttle for Spokane, and on June 26th I have just read the current KNOCKOUT II
another Astronaut for Boeing Field, Seattle, and so enjoyed it. You have certainly found
WA. I have so recently lost the love of my your niche and I am so grateful that you
life, my husband Jack, and I am heartbroken, have. Am so glad your Dad was able to
but I am pursuing doing another Astronaut involve you with this project. And I am
Monument for Israel. I just want to tell all of delighted with the Now and Then: for my
my classmates, don't give up on life yet! He generation it is bringing up some wonderful
may have something in store for you that will memories.
surprise you. Jack would want me to move However, I'm a bit confused by the first
forward. I am going to visit my beloved P.G. paragraph of the story on the Post Office.
in October with my daughter. I remember
how beautiful that month was. I will be
visiting the statue of the little boy with the
0014 Lets 2 Ed 3 1209.wpd
December 2009 ! Page Fifteen
In it you state ... "this beautiful building that
stands at the east end of town ... "?? was
there an earlier building that could have been
on the east side of town. Otherwise, its just a
typo.
I do remember the post office being up on
Forest Avenue and going into it. I also
remember Sprouse-Reitz; at the time it was a
'high end' type store. The original store was in
the area of the old P.O., and managed by
Paul/Ruth Smith (daughter Patricia Christine,
and Mary Louise) as a family business with
both girls in the store doing "age appropriate
chores". They later moved the store onto
Lighthouse Ave. The family organized
Sprouse-Reitz stores on the Peninsula
(Pacific Grove, Seaside) as well as in the
Central Valley (Turlock, Merced, Modesto).
Both girls attended Pacific Grove Pine Street
Elementary School, but moved probably
about the 5th grade. Our friendship continued
(though we didn't see one another frequently)
until "Chris's" death in July 2008. She and her
husband Galen Larson were married (I had
the day off from nurses training & met mother
in Modesto) in January 1952. Mary Louise is
currently living in Modesto.
Returning to the Post Office; it was frequently
my morning job (on non-rainy days) to go to
the post office and pick up the mail prior to
me leaving for school. Mother maintained a
post office box. We'd see the postal mail bus
coming/going (how did they ever work
standing up while in motion?) The train made
better sense.
The meat shop (can't remember the name)
was on the west end of the 500 block on
Lighthouse. Mother would send me to pick up
her meat order (during the war, paying with
red stamps). Then, during our first year in
high school, Elviera Anderson
Messersmith’50 and I would often stop at
Dyke's for a refreshing low-caloric drink after
school .
And in that same block on Forest Ave. was
Beauford Fisher and his photograph shop.
We all remember our time getting our
graduation pictures taken.
Thanks again,
Patricia Voss ‘50
Editors note:
The current post office location is considered
on the west end of town. The first post office
location was in the Dyke building and so on
the east end of town. The “meat” market you
are referring to was called Central Market,
later named Friendly Market. And Beauford
Fisher was the father of Phyllis Fisher Neel
‘49 who passed away last year.
There is a fellow named Carl Levy '61 who
graduated with me from PGHS. I found him
living on the island of Tasmania about ten
years ago. We get together regularly and
reminisce about growing up in PG. We are
planning to come back in 2011 for the 50th
reunion of our class.
Jack English ‘61
Below is a list of folks whose e-mails have
changed or need to be corrected. Please make a
note in your Roster .
Auburn
Hi,
The KOII via e-mail is great! Keep it up and ‘39 Elizabeth Ingham Adler ‘39
[email protected]
put me on the list.
‘43 Dorothy Nybro Geduldig
‘62 Ken Chamberlain 7 Another green
[email protected]
alumni!
‘48 Jo Ann Fifer Mueller
[email protected].
Tasmania, Australia
‘50 Wilma Pattison Knowles
Hi Joanie
[email protected]
Thanks so much for your email. Yes, I want
‘50 Marilyn “Bunky” Smith Crawford
to join the alumni association and keep in
[email protected]
touch with my friends from PGHS. My postal
‘52 Marlyn Evans Walls ;
address is 33 Stirling Avenue, Blackmans
[email protected]
Bay, Tasmania 7052, Australia. Please send
‘55 Nancy Williams Burton
me the membership form and I will fill it out.
[email protected]
Yes, my mother was Viola Stutzman '30. She
‘57 James “Jim” Fisher
passed away five years ago in Wisconsin.
[email protected]
She was known as Patsy English for all of my
‘57 Henry “Hank” Garcia
life. She was formerly married to Hershel
[email protected]
Jones before WWII, he was later Chief of
‘60 Emma “Jean” Abraham Wallace
Police in PG. I also have an uncle, Jack
[email protected]
Stutzman ‘44 who still lives out on the Salinas
Highway. He has three children, Ronnie ‘64,
DID YOU SEE WHAT I SAW ?
Susan ‘66 and Jack Jr. ‘68, who graduated
from PGHS. My sister Donna English ‘66 is
Have you ever wondered what happened to
now Donna Johnson and lives in Palmyra
those old encyclopedia’s that sat in the corner of
Wisconsin, and my sister Judy English your living room? You know, the ones that are
Paterson ‘71 lives in Marina.
out dated by the time you get them paid off.
I remember your sister Deanna very well.
This issue brings you “Wikipedia”
What is she doing now? I lived at 602
The Free Encyclopedia.
Congress Avenue (next door to Ruth) around
the corner from your childhood home. In fact, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
I remember a tree house next to your home.
I also remember the family business on
That’s right, free, and you can edit it!
Fisherman’s Wharf and those magnificent
It boosts 3,086,973 articles in English.
trays that your Dad made.
If you haven’t been to this web site,
I walked past your family home on a visit to
it’s a must do.
the Peninsula last November.
0015 Lets 2 Ed 4 Web Site 1209.wpd
There is also another amazing connection.
September 2009 ! Page Sixteen
Does anyone recognize the Officers in this picture?
We got great responses for the above picture. Thanks to all who
wrote to us. Here are some of the answers.
Thousand Oaks
Great. Super. Outstanding PICTURES!!! (I'm A GRAPHICS
MAN. Hiked in Yellowstone w/Hasselblad, 2 magazines, stove pipe
[500 mm/f-7] for half a life). Knew the Chief Geologist - George
Marler. He knew me? Probably not. Went to see him when he was
sick - throat cancer (pipe).
It's device for waking up the almost dead - the picture I mean?
So I'll give it a shot, too, but can't spell it (or anything else - brain
damage. Don't tell.)
I see Howard John (?) McAnaney ... Filled a door, real black
hair.. not wig shown, blue eyes (shot memory), great sense of humor
(not shot) beautiful daughter (should have been '44,'45).
And this can't be right, consult your brainy father: Put two large
whistle-cracker, smoke blowers on a Pierce Arrow owned by Real
Estate Mogul, .... Crowley. He swore out a "John Doe" arrest warrant
(in front of, guess who?). All over town there had been people in the
"know" who had been peeking around corners watching the drama
unfold.
I think I may have gathered this from Bill Gould ‘22 and/or others.
I proclaim the story above is probably not true, and my memory,
along with the rest of my carcass is a total wreck.
Your father will know the facts, ma’am. There is a story here
somewhere, but best left to rest....
Bill Gould and Mr. Mack were both my Sunday school teachers, and
both were wonderful - put up with my dumb questions. Bobby Hoyt
sat next to me - bug eyed at my big mouth. Yeah, I know, some
things remain eternally true.
Thanks much, Chester Bramblett ‘43 “Bim”
Antioch
Hi Joanie and Bill,
As always I've been enjoying my KOII. When I got to page 16
and saw the picture of PG's finest circa 1959, I immediately took up
the challenge. When I started on the department in 1967, five of
those officers were still there, so I really didn't do too well, as I was
only able to ID eight of the eleven in the 1959 photo.
From left to right; (1) Nick Fitzsimmons ‘38 (I graduated the same
year as his daughter Norma), (2) ?, (3) Herschel Jones (He was Chief
of Police when I started), (4) ?, (5) John Matteson ‘53 (He was Chief
of Police after Ken Humiston), (6) Ernie McAnaney ‘25 (he was Chief
of Police prior to Hershel Jones), (7) Martin Nodilo (Everybody in
town knew Sgt Nodilo who was the Juvenile Officer forever, as well
as being married to Ruby Johnson Nodilo ‘38), (8) my friend and
mentor Emil "Bud" Thues (he retired as Captain), (9) Ken Humiston
(he was Chief after Hershel Jones, (10) John Wardle ‘53 (his brother
Walter "Punky" Wardle ‘58 was also on the department, but he went
to the CHP. I don't remember where John went. Their dad was Buck
Wardle, a long-time Monterey County sheriff), (11) ?.
Thanks so much for putting the photo in the KOII. It's the little things
like that which makes the KOII such a great publication. Something
for everybody, even us old retired cops.
Keep up the good work, Jon Reither '61 Chief of Police - Retired
Pacific Grove 1967-1998
PS - Bill, you trained Joanie good! She's filling your shoes just fine.
Hey Jon:
What a nice surprise to hear from you from far over in the valley. I
noted the photo also and almost named all but slipped on John
Matteson. When I was growing up, Nick Fitzsimmons lived just down
the street from me. He was a couple of years older. Hershel Jones
was working at Holman's, putting up the window displays. Ernie
McAnaney was a private policeman, working at the Skating Rink on
Grand Avenue. And one time at a Halloween bash, Ernie collared
Bud Giles ‘39. He had to let go of him right outside the 'Slammer' so
he could get his keys out to lock him up. Bud ran away and Ernie
threw his flashlight at! Missed. The light broke, and Ernie always
said after that, That Giles kid owes me a flashlight ! I knew Buck and
all the Wardles.
Ruby is still living up in Bend Oregon. I can recall like it happened
yesterday, at the Ball Park, Ruby as a
catcher on a World Champion Softball
Team. She was one of the finest women
athletes from PG.
And yes, Joanie is doing a great job.
Wonder who her teacher was ?
Cheers, Bill Hyler ‘39
0016 Lets 2 Ed 5 PGPD Pic 1209.wpd
Handsome family those Bramblett’s!
Ruby Johnson Nodilo ‘38
December 2009 ! Page Seventeen
A History Of Pacific Grove ~ Thelma Gould ‘20
Cloverdale
Hi Joanie,
The interesting Knockout II came via e-mail today. What a great
job you all are doing. I like the numerous pictures and getting them
in color in e-mail is wonderful.
My husband, Dick Snibbe, was on the PGPD in 1959. He did a
pretty good job of identifying the group, although he was not in the
picture - probably was working the 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. shift then.
His list from left to right: Ken Bywater, Bill Luch, Hershal Jones
‘30, Anderson, John Matteson ‘53, Chief Don McAnaney, Martin
Nodillo, Bud Thues, Humiston, John Wardle ‘53, Rattigan. (Some
of the names are last names, because, of course, that is the way
they addressed and spoke about each other.) Dick returned to
Fresno State for BS and MS degrees in criminology and taught
Administration of Justice aka Police Science at Monterey Peninsula
College for 27 years.
Jane Osgood Snibbe '52
Auburn
Hi,
I was looking at the PG Police Dept picture: as you know Ernie
McAnneny was chief, John Matteson is over his right shoulder and
Martin Nodello is over his left. Bud Thues., is next to Martin. The only
other one I recognized is Hershel Jones above 'person' in the sign.
I started there in 1966 so this was a little before my time.
Thanks for your concern about the house, all is great we have
been blessed during this time. And yes, the same phone number.
Plan on being in the new house next summer.
Thanks, Ken Chamberlain '62
Editors note: While emailing one another back and forth I discovered
that Ken and his wife Lori lost their home in the “49er” fire on August
30th along with 62 other home owners. Here is a short story about his
experience.
We saw the smoke at about 3:05 PM and went out and walked
around the block. We could see fires but they were no threat. As we
continued around the block we saw the houses below us burning. We
headed back the house and started to pack a few things. This was
about 3:20. I got my wife out in one car about 15 minutes later and,
five minutes later I was ordered out by the sheriffs department in the
second car. We were able to get a few clothes, pictures and personal
things from my Dad and brothers. The last thing I grabbed was my
golf clubs. We drove to a place where we could see the back of the
house and by 4:25 we could see it burning. We are doing very good
and as I tell people it was just "stuff" and we will rebuild.
J J J
The following interview came out of a 1920 Sea Urchin. I felt it was
worth typing up and sharing here in the KOII. Hope you enjoy it.
Joanie Hyler ‘68
The following is an interview with one of the older inhabitants of
Pacific Grove taken from a story written by
Miss Gould in part:
The little city of Pacific Grove was
founded as a religious retreat in the year
1869. We made our first visit here in the
summer of 1878 when the Methodist
Conference was in session. As there was no
building for these meetings, they were held
in the park opposite the library, a platform
had been erected for the speakers and in
Thelma Gould ‘20
front of it benches were placed for about five
hundred people.
To get to Pacific Grove we had to come by stage from Monterey
as that was the end of the railroad. We got off at Lighthouse and
Grand Avenues, over which there was an arch. On one side of the
arch were the words 'Pacific Grove Retreat’ , and on the other, “In
God We Trust.” After landing on the platform, we were met by the
superintendent of Pacific Grove, who conducted us to his office,
where we were requested to register. We were then assigned to our
tents and were conducted hither by the guide, Jim Bowen, ‘handy
man’ around the Grove. The several duties of Jim Bowen were to see
to the comforts of the guests, see that all lights were out by ten
o’clock, and to report to the office any violations of the rules. He was
signaled by three taps of the bell which hung over the office. Another
duty of the ‘handy man’ was to see that all gates on the North side of
Lighthouse road were kept locked and the keys returned to the office,
as no one was permitted to enter the ground with a carriage without
permission.
Only two families resided in Pacific Grove during the winter
months. One was the superintendent and the other a minister and his
wife. For the summer visitors, tents were erected. Most of the first
houses are still standing and being used yet as residences. On what
is now called Grand Avenue, was the superintendent’s office, a public
parlor, which at that time was the place for social amusements.
The second Chautauqua in the United States was organized
here in the year 1879. When the building, now known as the
Methodist Episcopal Church, was built in 1886, it was used by the
Chautauqua and the Conference. The first grocery store was erected
in 1880, keeping open about two hours a day in the winter time. The
first butcher shop opened in the next year. About 1881 the camp
meeting ground and out-door meetings were done away with and a
building was erected on Sixteenth and Grove Streets. Since then that
building has been used as the high school gymnasium. In 1887 the
Pacific Grove Hotel was built and used the first year in place of the
Hotel Del Monte, as that hotel was destroyed by fire on April 1, 1887.
I remember that the road leading from the Methodist Church to
the Point Pinos Lighthouse in 1886 was nothing but a government
trail and was full of sand and stumps. One morning, early, a number
of the men of the town set out to clear up this trail. In a few days it
was cleared and then the Pacific Improvement Company covered it
with gravel, making a good road.
December 2009 ! Page Eighteen
The first district school was organized in 1884 and was taught by
Miss Carrie Lloyd. The attendance was about twenty pupils of all
grades.
In 1888 the first fire department was organized. For one year we
had very little fighting apparatus, but in the early spring a meeting
was called to discuss ways and means to have our part of the city
improved, because up to this time Pacific Grove was a part of
Monterey and all our taxes and licenses were collected by the city
officials of Monterey. After some discussion we decided to ask for
separation, the line of limits of the Grove to follow Point Pinos land
grant. We were met with some opposition by the Pacific Improvement
Company and David Jacks, but matters were finally settled and
Pacific Grove elected her own Board of Trustees on June 29, 1889.
The city was presented with a fully equipped fire apparatus, such
as a hose-cart, and 500 feet of hose, hook and ladder wagon, with
hooks, ladders, etc. This gift was presented in 1889.
The bell that hung in the rear of the superintendent’s office was
rung twice a day regularly, in the morning at six o’clock and in the
evening at sundown. The sundown bell notified the visitors of the
hour and warned them to come in before dark, as they might not be
able to find their way home and would be compelled to remain out all
night, the pines being so thick that a person might get lost. That bell
has rung nearly every day since that early date. It now hangs in the
tower of the Methodist Church, where it continues to call the
residents and visitors to the house of worship.”
Here the history-teller paused, then he said, “I am sure you know
the most recent happenings, such as the building of the Public
Library in 1908, the erection of the high school in 1911. I am glad that
I have lived in Pacific Grove and have watched her grow step by
step, and I recommend this as the ideal place, for health, peace, and
happiness.”
u u u
PACIFIC GROVE GRAD LEADS BERLIN TO GERMAN BOWL
The 31st annual German Bowl will have local flavor as
quarterback Jon Grant leads the Berlin Adler into Germany's biggest
professional football game on Saturday.
Grant, a Pacific Grove High 2002 graduate, guided the Adler to
a 13-2 record, throwing for 1,918 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has
also rushed for four touchdowns.
A one-time UC-Davis standout, Grant was The Herald's Athlete
of the Year in 2002, earning all-league honors in football, basketball
and baseball. He quarterbacked Pacific Grove to its first and only
Central Coast Section title.
Saturday October 10, 2009
Memories of propelling Pacific Grove to its first Central Coast
Section football title in 2001 were reincarnated for quarterback Jon
Grant.
The gunslinger celebrated another championship this month
when he ignited a fourth-quarter comeback, guiding the Berlin Alder
to a 28-21 win over the Kiel Hurricanes in the German Bowl.
Grant threw for 217 yards and a touchdown for the Alder to help
them avenge their only loss of the season. Berlin finished the season
12-1.
Overall, Grant threw for 2,135 yards and 17 touchdowns,
completing nearly 60 percent of his passes. The former UC Davis
quarterback was also a threat with his legs, rushing for 204 yards
and four touchdowns.
John Devine Herald Writer
Jon Grant ‘02

As a student at Pacific Grove High School, Susan Knight
Pearson ’68 used to pierce her
classmates’ ears using a potato and
a darning needle; and when only 14
she started cutting other girls’ hair in
her class, and also cutting her
mother’s hair. “My mother gave me a
God-awful pixie hair cut and I
became so self-conscious that I
decided from then on I was going to
do it myself!” She also began coloring
her mother’s hair, and then cut and
colored her classmates’ hair using
regular scissors and over-the-counter color. From that day forward,
Susan has always been the mistress of her own mane.
Recalling her 30-year class reunion, Susan says, “People would
come up to me and ask me what I was doing with my life, and when
I said, ‘I’m a hairstylist,’ they all nodded in unison. One woman said,
“Oh yes, I remember! You used to cut everyone’s hair, and pierce
our ears, too!”
So how did Susan’s salon, Hair Body & Soul, get off the ground?
Back in 1983 when Dorothy Hamill was a famous ice skater, she
single-handedly introduced a new way for women to manage their
hair and changed the industry forever. “She had the haircut
everybody wanted,” recalls Knight Pearson. “Precision cutting and
shampoo blow dry instantly freed everybody up from shampoo sets
and having to sit under hot dryers.
0018 Thelma Gould 1209.wpd
December 2009 ! Page Nineteen
That’s when I knew I wanted to do hair professionally, and so I
pursued my career in hairstyling starting in 1984.”
Susan loves beautifying people and things, so is it any wonder
that she now runs both a successful color salon as well as a garden
design business? “I’ve always been good with my hands,” she
enthuses, “And I enjoy designing the flowers as well as the hair for
weddings!” Often she will create a complementary theme for both the
hair design and wedding flowers. “It’s so much like sculpture,” she
continues, “and I love it because I’m creating 3-dimensional art with
my hands.” Susan’s talents aren’t limited to wedding and flower
designs. “I am often contracted to design gardens for people’s
private homes.” And she also excels at interior color consulting for
walls and structures, as well as doing the interior decorating.
But hair designing is Knight Pearson’s first love and allows her
to shine in more ways than one. Susan specializes in hair color and
still does her own hair, believing she knows best. Walking into Hair
Body & Soul, at the corner of Laurel and Fountain, is also an
experience in pure color. Fresh white walls are complimented by
bright green plants and colorful wall hangings. The corner salon
faces the Bay and on a sunny day one can scan the blue waters and
see all the way to Santa Cruz. Located in a 1910 building with paned
windows, the salon is housed in one of the first structures built in
Pacific Grove and exudes old world charm. “Coming into my ocean
view salon every day gives me a refreshing and peaceful
environment in which to do my work,” says Susan. “Plus, I really
enjoy working with women. I’m a good listener and a clear
communicator, so I’m able to create exactly what my clients asks me
for. Unlike in many big cities, I consider myself a stylist without an
attitude!”
Hair Body & Soul is also a full-service salon. Susan is very
generous when it comes to giving away free hair care products; plus,
she’ll often throw in free beauty work while her clients are in the
chair, whether it be eyebrow tweezing or small facial waxing. For
those people working a 9-to-5 job, Susan stays open late in the
evenings so they can come in after work. She realizes her clients
are often tired and likes to make sure they’re well taken care of.
Knight Pearson also prides herself on being discreet. “I’m definitely
not a gossip, so conversations with my clients are comfortable and
tend to come from a deeper, more thoughtful and heartfelt place. I
like my clients to feel that they’ve been heard.” I believe Pacific
Grove has very healing and creative energies which compliment
each other. I love being able to express my artistry here. Plus, I like
working with real people. PG offers me that authenticity.”
Extracted from article written by C. Badain, Cedar Street Times
C C C
Merced
As I read about the death of Sharon Rose ‘61 my mind traveled
back to 1948 when I entered kindergarten at Pine Ave School (later
to become Robert H. Down). There in my class I met Sharon Rose
and we became “best friends”. We sat next to each other in class,
played together at recess and then walked together downtown where
our parents were working. Hers at Harvey’s Lunch and mine at
Coleman’s Music Store. We continued to play all afternoon in the
back room of the music store or in the attic store room of the diner.
Sometimes we would be busy about town visiting with the other
merchant’s. There was Mrs. Dyke at the drug store, Mrs. Fisher in
the photography shop, Mr. DeSmet in the bakery, the Maroney’s
were at the Top Hat market. If we were lucky and had a penny or
two, we would go to the Bus Station to buy candy. In those days the
business district of Pacific Grove was like a family. Everyone knew
each other and their families.
For the next few years our routine continued until we joined the
Girl Scout Brownies. We were off to new adventures together
earning badges and going on outings. We were back and forth in
each others homes. By the time we were in Jr. High School we were
not “best friends” anymore, but defiantly old friends. Each of us
meeting new people, participating in sports and school activities. In
High School, we were in classes together and continued our
friendship. We saw each other at football games, basketball games
and the Rec. Club.
Then the “accident”. Sharon was in a serious car accident. The
car went over the side of the road below Carmel. The Carmel Fire
Department had to rescue her. She had broken her back and was
not in very good shape. She spent months in a cast from her hips to
the top of her head and months in rehab. Those were hard days for
Sharon. She continued on going to school cast and all. She was a
real trooper. I remember when she was well enough, she made
dozens of cookies and took them to the Fire Dept. to thank them for
rescuing her.
After high school I moved to San Jose and went to school and
lost track of Sharon. I heard later that she had married and moved to
Oregon. We ran into each other many years later when she had
returned to Pacific Grove to care for her mother. We began sending
cards and notes back and forth and catching up. She had grown
children and grandchildren and so did I. I saw her two years ago at
the Alumni Reunion. She looked great . Her mother had died some
years before and she was now working at Canterbury Woods. She
had completely restored the family home on Gibson Avenue and was
happy to be involved in the life of Pacific Grove.
Last Spring when I read the article “Sharon Rose Remembers”
in the Hometown Bulletin, I felt transported back in time when two
little girls walked hand in hand together in downtown Pacific Grove.
I wrote her a note and thanked her for the memories and the times
we had spent together. I did not know this would be our last
correspondence.
To her children Paul, Jean and John, my sincere sympathy in
your tremendous loss. She was a very special person and old friend.
Jane Coleman Abbate ‘61
December 2009 ! Page Twenty
My Responsibility as a Young American to Lasting World Peace
By; Clyde Eric Shifley ‘46 February 17, 1946
As a young American, I feel a responsibility toward the lasting peace
of the world. I believe that it is my duty and my privilege to help create
public opinion that will uphold the provisions set forth in the Atlantic
Charter by the late President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. I believe
that this public opinion will cause our delegates to the United Nations
Organization to support the principles upon which those two great leaders
based their hopes for a lasting world peace. Lincoln said, “A house divided
against itself cannot stand.” The same may be said of the world today. A
basis for cooperation must be agreed upon or civilization will perish. I shall
endeavor to fulfill my responsibility in the attainment of such world
cooperation.
I have no aspiration to become a leader among men, such as a
politician or owner of big business; I should like to become one of the
average folk, with Christian ideals of international brotherhood. I feel that
my first obligation to the future peace is to become a worthy citizen, skilled
in some line of work, so that I may contribute to my own needs and also
to the needs of others.
News of present day friction between management and workers
makes a very unattractive picture, warning my generation that we shall
need wisdom and tolerance in the labor world of tomorrow. As a worker I
shall expect to give good service and in return to receive a fair deal from
my employer, but I must keep in mind the effort which has been put into
the lives of those who direct industry and must recognize their just
demands for power and financial reward.
Tolerance is made possible only by a thorough study of the problems
of the different races and the contributions that they have made toward the
betterment of this world. It is my intention to use my influence to promote
principles of friendliness, cooperation and tolerance throughout the world,
realizing that these principles must be practiced first at home. I must,
therefore, show a willingness to live and work among those of every race,
color, and creed, with equal opportunity and rewards according to ability.
Someone said of our immigrant people, “They were both pushed and
pulled; pushed by bad circumstances at home and pulled by the promise
of a better life in America.” Many of these people have not found our land
to be all that it is pronounced to be. Their disillusionment is one of the
dangers to our domestic peace. We must practice tolerance and make
America a place that is truly the land of opportunities.
I see the need of further education so that I may learn to understand
problems of international importance. It is imperative that I have a full
understanding of world problems of the past and present – problems that
are responsible for the conditions of the world today. I must be able to
distinguish between the progressive and the destructive ideas of mankind.
I intend to educate myself so that I may, in my capacity as a private
citizen, help solve the problems of the world.
How can we Americans of my generation help solve problems of
world peace? By taking pride in our country in the role of a good neighbor,
not as the mightiest military power on earth. We must be willing for the
United States to share its opportunities for world trade even though this
sharing may keep our position from becoming as powerful as many people
desire. We must share the atom bomb secret in order that we may avoid
the suspicions of the other nations. We must show the world that the
United States is not selfishly trying to dominate the world.
If those of my generation wish to have a share in the effort to make
this world free from such enemies as disease, poverty, insecurity,
prejudice, and disunity, we must join with other such Service clubs, whose
members make successful drives on Infantile Paralysis, Tuberculosis,
Cancer, Clothing for the war torn countries, Red Cross, and many others.
An organization that has worked for world brotherhood since the
beginning of the Christian era is the church. The church emphasizes, as
does no other organization the way of peace on earth, good will toward
men. Wendell Wilkie, after retuning from his world tour, said that he had
found a great reservoir of good will forming throughout the world as a
result of the establishment of missions, schools, and hospitals by the
Christian people of America. These are the ones that have followed the
command to love thy neighbor as thyself.
I want these thoughts and ideals of the brotherhood of all men to
dominate me in order that my mind and my heart may be so attuned that
they will guide me in the choices I make associating with fellow man in the
everyday problems of life. I want, by these choices, to be making a
contribution to the lasting peace of the world.
Editors Note: This speech is 63 years old and it’s message is as if it was written for
the generation of this time. I’d like to think that all the issues Clyde writes about will
one day come to fruition.

Suisun
Enclosed please find a check for IMO contributions to honor the
following Cool and Nifty Class of ‘60 Mates:
JOAN PATRICK POOLE, RONALD CHARLES MOORE, CLIFFORD
BENJAMIN JOHANSEN, ROBERTA JOAN HILL KING
This year it has been my goal to invoke through your IMO section, the
memories of those Class of ‘60 Mates who have gone on to the great
Breaker football game in His kingdom. Thankfully we are almost through
the list though we lost another just this past Tuesday. I shall honor that
confidentiality until in comes out in the proper channels. I extend a BIG
thanks to Chuck Wallace (Class of 1960 GLUE) for keeping our class
history past and what will come in the future available to us, and Sue
Taylor ‘68 for her exhaustive research on the obituaries.
I did read with sadness the passing of Douglas Backeberg ‘61 in
February. He and I high stepped it to the Junior-Senior prom. Wonderful
guy. My belated condolences to his mother Jean and brother Brad ‘63.
Also, I read with very “unfond” memories the egg salad sandwich saga at
Kezar. I was a tenor saxophonist with the band at that game and it was not
a pretty sight. I have never eaten another egg salad sandwich since! I also
seem to remember that “to be” 49er’s lost as well.
Had a wonderful visit at the Butterfly Parade, Homecoming football
game where the previously winless Breakers beat the socks off Soledad
50-0 in our honor, and at the annual Alumni dinner. It was so good to see
the ‘60er team there as usual and especially great to spend time with Jim
‘60 and wife Gale Dowell from Zona (AZ), Jan Crispin ‘60 from Ore (OR),
and Mary Echols ‘60 who came all the way from Monterey!
Keep up your fine work on this groovy publication. It truly rocks!
Sincerely, Patricia Elmore ‘60
0020 Clyde Shifley Speech 1209.wpd
December 2009 ! Page Twenty-one
A LUMNI W HO ATTENDFED THE 48 T H A NNUAL
D INNER AND OR THE 16 T H A NNUAL B RUNCH
1937
1939
1939
1939
1941
1941
1941
1941
1942
1942
1942
1942
1942
1944
1944
1945
1945
1945
1945
1945
1946
1946
1946
1947
1947
1947
1947
1948
1949
1949
1949
1949
1949
1949
1949
1949
1949
1949
1949
1949
1950
1950
1950
1950
1950
1950
1951
1951
1951
Charles Priddy
1951
Nelson “Bill Hyler
1952
Elizabeth Ingham Adler
1952
Ruth Miller Peace
1953
Howard Cowen
1954
Wynette Walker Cowen
1954
Pat Parker Thorne
1955
Ross Smith
1955
Louise Gumm Schnell
1955
Sheila Cochran McGuire
1955
Mary Lou Cerney Wartenberg 1955
Donald Johansen
1955
Joyce Stopp Aarseth
1956
Richard Ruddy
1956
Paul Trejo
1956
Marion Butera Glidewell
1956
James Schaar
Roberta Sylvester Smith
1956
Bob Hauswirth
1956
John McPike
1956
Jim deLorimier
1958
Don Casmero
1960
Stanley Harlan
1960
Don Gasperson
1960
Martin Larkin
1960
Hilma Schaar Smith
1960
Pat Kiddie Patterson
1960
John Arano
1960
Roger Brown
1961
Jayne Dix Gasperson
1961
Beverly Wilson Stillwell
1961
Kathi Lewis DeMaria
1963
Richard de Lorimier
1964
John Piercy
1964
Jene Chadwick
1964
Dorothy Gonsalves Perkins
1964
Lewis Mulkay
1965
Lillian Freitas Enos
1968
Mary Ann Williams Wolfe
1968
Ellanah Peace Plain
1968
Richard Stillwell
1968
Sharon Harris Larkin
1969
Richard Dames
1969
Elviera Anderson Messersmith 1970
Barbara Anderson Cline
1970
Gordon Patterson
1971
Howard Worth
1972
Betty Burton Campos
Kenneth Hicks
Bob Rietkerk
Inez Owens Kirkman
Donna Norbeck Przybyla
Raberta Norbeck Allred
Margaret Selbicky Stewart
Jodeen Fisher Colletto
Sandy Selbicky
Joan Dean Wootton
Jean Bolton Biddle
Carolyn Borchers Zurn
Joan Silva Lindsey
Jacqueline Tibbetts Tores
Sherry Welsh Gruwell
James Gruwell
Doris Puddin Lewis Hofstra
Edie Adams McDonald
Maruyama
John Scardina
Paul Richards
Morris Fisher
Bill Booker
JoAnn Welsh Bennett
Patricia Elmore
Patricia Fifer Kieffer
Marabee Rush Boone
Elliott Booker
Jim Dowell
Mike Logan
Sarah “Sally” Taylor
Tom Scardina
Henry “Ike” Smith
Bebo Parker Logan
Ruth Grooms Matthews
Wayne Ross
Jennifer Kren Ross
Claude Ward
Michael Scardina
Joanie Hyler
Mary Susan Taylor
Margie Hunt Ross
Walt Ushakoff
Bob Hauswirth
Terry Fink
Jeanne Kallerup
Irma Dalton Fink
Sheri Stillwell Hauswirth
Carmelita Garcia
1973 Beth Penney
1974 Fred Dalton
1975 Sharon Johansen
1977 Mike Dinkel
1982 Glenn Dalton
1986 Scott Morris
This years venue was held at the newly remodeled
Casa Munras in the heart of Monterey. There were no
complaints with respect to the dinner menu of New York
Steak or Cumin Lemon spiced chicken. I personally liked
the Caesar Salad with “lots” of garlic. A nice touch was
pitchers of lemon water, and hot coffee in caffre’s at each
table.
With no band playing, lots of chatter was heard at
each table with out bursts of laughter now and again.
We recognized alumni for:
Oldest Class male Alumni: Charles Priddy ‘38
Oldest Class female Alumni: Louise Ingham Alder ‘39
Youngest Class Alumni: Scott Morris ‘86
Furthest Traveled Alumni: Mary Ann Williams Wolfe ‘49
Alumni with most children: Roger Brown ‘49
Jayne Dix Gasperson ‘49 and
Ruth Grooms Matthews ‘64 greet guests with their badges and
dinner tickets.
Ken & Kathleen Irish Hicks ‘51 - ‘55
December 2009 ! Page Twenty-two
Morrie Fisher ‘56
Marty Larkin ‘47 & Sharon Harris Larkin ‘50
Irma Dalton Fink & Terry Fink ‘70 - ‘69
Jennifer Kren Ross & Wayne Ross ‘64
Roger Brown ‘49 & Gloria Brown Alumni with most children
8 ! ALL PGHS graduates too.
‘73, ‘74, ‘76, ‘78, ‘79, ‘80, ‘82 & 1983.
Louise “Ella” Gumm Schnell ‘42
Hilma Schaar Smith ‘47 & Joanie Hyler ‘68
Now here’s a perfect picture of
teacher and student. (
Accommodations at the
Casa Munras Hotel’s all
new facilities was quite
pleasant. One hundred
twenty six of us enjoyed
each others stories &
company. It is always
nice to catch up and
renew old friendships
or make new ones.
Mary Ann Williams Wolfe ‘49
Furthest traveled alumni, coming all the
way from Sussex, Wisconsin
0022 Annual Reunion Pictures 1209.wpd
James & Elvie Anderson ‘50 Messersmith ~ Edie Adams ‘56 & Xavier Maruyama
Jim & Sherry Welsh Gruwell ‘56
[backs to us] Carmelita Garcia ‘72 ~ JoAnn Welsh Bennett ‘60
December 2009 ! Page Twenty-three
2009 PGHS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Bill Lee ‘71
Marabee Rush Boone ‘60
Howard Cowen ‘41
Arthur Ingham Faculty
Accepted by Elizabeth
Ingham Adler ‘39,
his daughter
Richard Stillwell ‘50

Class of 1974's 35th Reunion
Approximately 60 members of PGHS Class of 1974 gathered
on the Peninsula over the Labor Day weekend for their 35th
reunion. This was the 7 th such reunion for this tight-knit class. The
highlight of the weekend had to be the appearance of at least
thirteen first-time attendees. Some participants, traveled from as
far away as Hawaii and the East Coast. Many attendees thanked
Cheri Fisher Schmidt and the rest of the Reunion Committee for
designing the newly-launched Class of 74 website, which allows
class members to stay informed of upcoming events, as well as
keeping up with what classmates are up to. This undoubtedly
contributed to the appearance of the “newbies,” as well as to the
overall high participation.
Reunion activities kicked off with most of the attendees
attending the Jamboree on Friday evening at brand new,
beautiful Breaker Stadium. A large class banner showed
everyone where to go. In honor of the event, the new snack bar
featured a special deal on either a Polish sausage or Portuguese
linguica (paying homage to the athletic
abilities of our former school President and
Vice President, respectively). One highlight of
the gathering was the entrance of first-timer
Edwin Carson, resplendent in a stunning red
and gold ensemble that included red
snakeskin shoes. Also notable was the fact
that so many were able to squeeze into
vintage block jackets and letter sweaters.
These accouterments came in handy when
the fog rolled in later that evening, reminding
some of us of how cold that place can be on
football Fridays. One note to the snack bar:
bring back the baked potatoes!
Following the Jamboree, about 50
attendees invaded Sandi Dix Eason’s
beautiful home a few blocks away for adult
beverages, snacks and more reminiscing.
This relatively mellow affair gradually picked
up steam, eventually escalating into a good
old fashioned party, marked by a postmidnight visit from Pacific Grove’s finest, who
delighted the old farts by asking if they could
please turn down the noise. Competing
theories have emerged to explain how a
gathering of middle-aged baby boomers could
come to require police supervision, but the
consensus seems to be that a preponderance
of exotic blue tequila and fine California
vintage wines served as the catalyst.
Unfortunately, there were casualties on the
evening, as at least one attendee was unable
to participate in the next night’s dinner/dance
event due to feeling “under the weather.”
After spending most of Saturday
recuperating, about 60 class members and a
few brave spouses and significant others
reconvened for the main reunion event – a
dinner/dance at the Monterey Elks’ Lodge.
Arriving participants were greeted by a large
photo montage comprised of old yearbook
photos of the Class of ‘74. Surprisingly
included was a photograph of the 1970-71
PGHS Freshman basketball team, quite
possible the worst athletic team in school
history. Pre-dinner entertainment was
provided by our very own Dr. Karl Rubrecht,
piano virtuoso and Assistant Professor of
Music at Grambling St. University. Dr.
Rubrecht performed a number of classical
and blues pieces, along with some of his own
original music. He also was kind enough to
provide all attendees with a CD of his work.
Following a fine dinner of salmon and flank
steak, Class President and Reunion Chair,
Teri Kier, recognized first-time attendees.
Along with Rick Rodewald, she also
presented some of the attendees for
extraordinary feats, including longest
marriage, most children graduated from PG
High (the winner of which also can claim the
most kids still living at home), youngest
children (two have seven-year-olds!), and
oldest children. Thanks to Irene Takasaki
Oshiro for contributing boxes of macadamia
nuts to the awards and gifts packages. The
after-dinner dance was marred by a war over
the IPOD playing the music. The class was
about evenly divided over listening to disco
music or contemporary blues. The evening
ended more with a whimper than a bang, long
before midnight. The Elks’ Club bar saw light
traffic throughout the evening, and it was
apparent that most folks had “broken the
bank” the previous evening. Guess we’re not
that young anymore, eh?
Many thanks to the Reunion Committee
for continuing to organize such special events
for the Class of ’74: Teri Kier, Cheri Fisher
Schmidt; Charles Clark, Sandi Dix Eason,
Mary Grisin Draper, Sylvia Hernandez
Newton, Terri Ishizuka Ikeda, Doree Hyland
and Rick Rodewald. Many attendees agreed
that this was the best reunion yet, and are
looking forward to the next one. Special
thanks to Cheri Fisher for the hard work she
put in on the website, which everyone agreed,
significantly contributed to the success of this
reunion. And most especially, thanks to our
first-time attendees: John Brady, Jodi Bruno
Calloway, Edwin Carson, Fred Flatley, Ginny
Hammond Carroll, Dan Hodson, Chery Marr
Akaba-McComber, Jeanne Penney Mileti,
Kerry Peterson, Karl Rubrecht, Frank
Schwab, June Sugiyama and Bonnie Vining
Jacobsen.
See you in five years! Tom Tolen ‘74
0023 09 H of F Inductees 1974 35th 1209.wpd
December 2009 ! Page Twenty-four
Letter from the Editor
This issue completes my first year as
Editor. It’s been great hearing from you with
your suggestions and comments. I’ve
learned this past year just what kept my
father, Bill Hyler ‘39, going as Editor for
twenty years - YOU! I hope I have done
justice to your high school alumni
newsletter, and that you will continue to give me your suggestions,
both what you like and dislike.
Is Christmas really just around the corner? Last year's gift
membership program was so successful we are offering it again this
year. Just send us the alumni’s information along with $15.00 for
each membership, and we will do the rest. Don’t forget, $10.00 is
tax deductible.
I apologize that our Then and Now column is not in this issue.
The final story and pictures of the interior of the post office deserves
two pages, and we simply ran out of room. So, look for the final
segment in March’s issue.
In the past I have mentioned the data base I’m working on
which includes all PGHS students, graduates, and faculty. I have
amassed some 15,000+ names. My goal? To connect our alumni
with their birth, death, and any pertinent information with respect to
the lives they lived. In this process I have learned so much about
those who went before us, and their achievements. This data base
will be a wonderful source of information for future generations of
PGHS alumni. I’m sharing this because I would love to have any
information you may have that could go into this database. A story,
an accomplishment, an award. Any and ALL information will be
accepted and appreciated.
I would like to acknowledge my long time school friend Sue
Taylor ‘68, who works tirelessly on the obituaries for the KOII and,
has herself accumulated volumes of data. Both of us thank you, and
we are indebted to you. See you in March!
All the best!
PACIFIC GROVE HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INC.
A NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION
PGHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
P O BOX 51396
PACIFIC GROVE CA 93950-6396
Issue of December 2009
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Joanie Hyler ‘68
NONPROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE
PAID
PACIFIC GROVE CA
PERM IT No. 509