12/22/2014 - vhs62.com

Monday
Update
December 15, 2014
The Christmas Edition
The Monday Update is published weekly, on the
John Bunter Memorial Computer
by Harry Diavatis, who is solely responsible for its content.
Please send correspondence, photographs and archival information to
[email protected]
The Monday Update is posted every Monday on www.VHS62.com
(Seven years of back issues are available to view.)
To receive a free subscription and have the Update
sent directly to your email address, go to
www.vhs62.com
and click on
Sign up for our Email newsletter.
Copy and Paste this Constant Contact link to sign in
http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001R7QXYn_uv849QnXzboN2Wg%3D%3D
People corresponding with the MU are requested to always include their complete name
(including maiden, if applicable) and their school and grad year. It makes my job easier.
Hello Classmates, Schoolmates and Friends:
In this edition: Diane Backovich ’61, Sidney Baldino-Spear ’64, Carla Barber-Marrington HH64, Lynda BinghamGregor, Julie Bowen-Stratton ’61, Melvin & Lorraine Brooks, Juan Caducio, Steve Cotter, Larry Courtright ’54,
Jamie Curb-Cole ’63, Gary Cullen SV69, Kathleen Driscoll-Ottarson ’61, Butch Dunkle ’63, Carol Egidio-Murray
’63,Steve Erickson HH63, Linda Etheridge-Rich, John Fischer HH66, Betty Flanders-Bryant, Charlie Gebhardt ’61,
Ed Giblin ’53, Billy Gordon ’64, Ron & Donna Graham-Scrivner ’65, Rick Green VJCFF, Mike ’61 & Karen HerlihyHouston, Carolyn Hewitt-Brown ’60, Bill Himes ’61, Nancy Holt-Miller HH65 , Karl Jacque ’60, Brenda JohnsonGreen ’64, Sharon Kent-Harris, Guy Kilburn, Mike Kollar SV59, Fred Lang ’63, Bob Lawson ’64, Irene LightbownGladden-Angel ’59, Tiffany Manges-Herrmann HH70, Mike McCurry SV60, Don McDermott ’48, Mike Millikin '60,
Bob Morehouse ’65, Lenny Neilson-G, Gerrie Neff-Boyle ’49, John Parks, Marilyn Phillips-Albro ’70, Carmela
Piccolo-Coakley ’58, Gloria Pontarolo-Taft ’66, Sharon Posedel-Smith , Tami Post-Lamb ’64, Jo Anne RichardsonConley ’61, Rich Rimestad '54 , Ted Roberts ’67, Susie Schmutz ’59, Sharon Shallenberger-Cocanour ’63, Mary
Ann Shugar-Healy, Charlie Spooner ’60, Joanne Stevenson-Barnard '65, Daniel Wernecke ‘64 , Mardell WeyertsRamey ’59, Roger Wilson’61, and Lee Wingfield ’54.
Key:
HH = Hogan HS SV = St. Vincent’s HS SP = St. Patrick’s HS FF = Former Faculty
G = Guest VJC = Vallejo JC SCC = Solano Community Collee
Year Only (ie: ’60) = year graduated from VHS No indicator after name = VHS Class of ‘62
1
Index
The MU Community Christmas Card......................................................................... 2
This ‘n’ That ............................................................................................................... 22
The Mailbag .............................................................................................................. 22
Apache Review of Arts by John Parks....................................................................... 27
Comedy Corner ......................................................................................................... 31
Who You Calling an Old Geezer ................................................................................ 33
A Stroll Down History Lane........................................................................................ 33
Newbies .................................................................................................................... 36
In Memoriam ............................................................................................................. 37
The Last Word ........................................................................................................... 38
MU Calendar of Upcoming Events ............................................................................ 41
Public Service Announcements ................................................................................. 42
Addendums ............................................................................................................... 44
The Fine Print ............................................................................................................ 45
The Monday Update
Community Christmas Card
I appreciate so much your MU and look
forward to it weekly. I wish all readers a
healthy, safe and happy holiday season.
Just moved from Mossyrock, WA to Green
Valley, AZ. Closer now to my brother,
Steve '58, who lives in Chula Vista, CA.
Mike Millikin '60
Arizona
I want to wish a very Merry Christmas and
an incredibly Happy New Year to all of the
people in my class as well as all of the
classes in Vallejo. It was tough to find a
better place to enjoy my school years other
than there in Vallejo.
Please make sure that Bobby Reynolds
and Howard McGlone receive best wishes
from me as well.
Ted Roberts ‘67
Roger, Joanie and Luci Wilson
class of ‘61
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year. Thank you for the Monday Update
and all the work you put into creating our
Monday morning reading pleasure.
2
Diane Backovich ‘61
My best to you, and all the Monday
Update readers this Christmas season!
"May Christmas with its magic spell, make
all things happy, all things well."
Sharon “Shall” Shallenberger-Cocanour ‘63
From our home here in central Illinois to all
of yours, wherever they may be, we wish you
a very Merry Christmas. If your preferred
greeting is something else, such as “Happy
Holidays,” then we wish you that as well.
And may the New Year bring you good
health and much joy.
Lyndon & Linda Etheridge-Rich
This is what the Holidays are all about! Enjoy.
This is a flash mob of the USAF Band playing at the
National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/gIoSga7tZPg
Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year to all who enjoy keeping
connected through the MU.
The class of ‘62 is proud that you
are the one doing this for all of us.
Happy you joined the ranks of the
70 year olds, so many of our dear
friends didn't and are our better
angels.
Sharon Kent-Harris
Apaches Forever
Merry Christmas to all my classmates from
the class of 1962. I feel we grew up in the
best of times. I also feel we must be a special
group of people to stay in touch with each
other. Thanks Harry for helping us do
this. Have a healthy and Happy New Year.
Linda Borgo-Howard
Maryland
3
Mardell Weyerts-Ramey ‘59
Warmest thoughts and best wishes
for a wonderful holiday. May you
always remember the wonder and
joyfulness of this special season.
Wishing everyone good health and
happiness throughout the new year!
Steve & Roberta Cotter
Vacaville
My wife Susan and I live in the Charlottesville, VA area out in
the country. We moved here from Washington, DC about 2
years ago. We often see a lot of deer and wild turkeys on our
property. A black bear has been
seen 3 times since we moved
in 2012. One time, we even saw
an albino deer, which is quite rare.
We live in Thomas Jefferson country and
only a short drive into Washington, D.C.
As an aside, we live in the midst of stories about the American Revolution, the Civil War,
and the beautiful Shenandoah Mountain range. I hope that in 2015, some of my friends
might consider visiting us in this magical area.
Harry, this is a great time of year to recall some
wonderful memories of many of my friends from
Vallejo. who attended St. Basils, VHS, and Hogan,
I think about many of you from time-to-time. I
hesitate to list your names for fear that I might
forget someone.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas or a Happy
Hanukkah. Happy New Year to everyone!
Fred Lang ‘63
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday
season. Looking forward to seeing
everyone at our upcoming 50th
reunion.
Joanne Stevenson-Barnard '65
Bill ’61 and Andrea Himes
4
Christmas Greetins from da Caribbean
Merry Christmas Harry da mon and all my Wonderful
Classmates from Weh Bak Den. Wishing each and
everyone of you Feliz Navidad and a Happy New Year.
70 years Old. Who would have of eva thought ?????
Seems almost like yesterday hanging in the Halls of
Vallejo High dem days are long gone but the great
memories will be wit us forever.Love u all and the
Best from da Juan mon. Tell y'all 35 U.S. sure sounds
betta den saying 70 years old.
Juan Caducio
Belize
Harry, all the best to you and our classmates for
Christmas and the New Year.
Here is a photo I took two weeks ago when I was
out on the Napa River at sunrise. It is at once
beautiful and frightening because to me it looks
like the sky is boiling and Vtown is in the middle
of it all. People can draw their own conclusions.
(No wonder you moved to Green Valley.) As for
me, Vallejo is home and always will be and you
can say what you will, but I like the place.
Guy Kilburn
Vallejo
5
Hi Harry, I just had to take this
opportunity to again thank you for
all you do. You are amazing!
You and Sally have so much going
on in your lives and you still
manage to say “yes” whenever
you are asked to do something.
Merry Christmas to you and all of
my fellow MU readers. I wish you
all, happiness and health in the
New Year.
Love ya, Harry,
Lynda Bingham-Gregor
Vallejo
Merry Christmas to you and Sally
and to your entire incredible family!
Happy New Year to you, too!
I would also like to wish all of my
Hogan and Vallejo friends a very
Merry Christmas and a wonderful
2015, also!
My wife Doris and I would like to wish all of
the Monday Update readers a wonderful and
Happy Christmas along with a very happy,
healthy and prosperous New Year in
2015. The same goes for you, Harry, and your
wife Sally.
Don McDermott ‘48
Harry,
I have not been receiving this incredible newsletter very
long but wanted to let you know how much I enjoy reading
everything you put together each week - what a
project! And then, all the great pictures from events you
host and attend -- it is so much fun to see familiar faces. I
just wanted to let you know how much your hard work is
appreciated and enjoyed!
Please extend my best wishes to everyone for a great
holiday season and good wishes for health and happiness
in the New Year. Thank you for all you do and have a very
Merry Christmas.
Carla Barber-Marrington HH64
Tiffany Manges-Herrmann HH70
Merry Christmas and
Happy Hanukkah to all.
Just a painting to say “Hi” and enjoy
the time we all have with our families.
Just a loving thought...
Charlie Gebhardt ‘61
6
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL YOU
MONDAY UPDATE READERS
THANK YOU HARRY, AND YOUR WIFE
FOR ALL YOUR TIME TO PRODUCE
THE MU.
I HOPE EVERYONE GETS TO SPEND
TIME WITH THE ONES THEY LOVE.
Hope you and Sally have a wonderful holiday
and that you are healthy and happy!
IM GLAD TO HAVE GROWN UP IN
VALLEJO
I want you to know you do a wonderful job
on the weekly Monday Update!
Irene Lightbown-Gladden-Angel ‘59
LOVE
ED AND MELISSA GIBLIN ‘53
I want to wish you, your beautiful wife Sally, and your family a very Merry
Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Safe 2015. I have enjoyed the weekly
MU for two years now and I love seeing the many wonderful contributions that
are sent in. Sometimes I recognize the names of the contributors, most of the
time I don't, but it's always an enjoyable weekly read. I'm wishing all of the MU
readers a beautiful holiday season. Merry, Merry Christmas and the Happiest
of New Years.
I won't be here for Christmas this year, as a very dear, generous friend invited
me to visit her in Australia for Christmas, my birthday (the 29th) and New
Year’s. I will be leaving on Saturday, the 20th, and returning on January
10th. I'm really looking forward to the trip, except for the LOOONG flight. I've
been there a couple of times during their winter months but this is the first time
to visit during their summer. My friend said it is very hot and humid, but I'm
actually looking forward to it after all of the rain and dampness we've been
having.
I would have to say one of my most memorable Christmases was in 2006. My
youngest son lives in Virginia and decided to surprise my husband and me with
a Christmas visit. Of course, he let his older brother in on the secret so he
would have a ride to Vallejo from the airport. Shortly after midnight on
Christmas Eve, I happened to look out of our kitchen window to see two heads
and shoulders coming in the door. Needless to say, it was a total shock and a
wonderful surprise. What makes this even more special is the fact that my
husband went into the hospital right after Thanksgiving the following year and
remained in the hospital for Christmas 2007, until he passed away at the end of
January 2008. The Christmas of 2006 was the last Christmas we were all
together as a family and we had a wonderful time. Again, a Very Merry
Christmas to all!!!!!
Sidney Baldino-Spear ‘64
7
Merry Christmas to all readers of the
weekly Update, especially those who are
Vallejo High Class of '70! My husband
Rich and I were VHS sweethearts and
have been married 43 years.
My sister Cathy Phillips, introduced me to
the update several years ago and I'm
so glad she did.
My Christmas gift to myself this year was
retiring from VCUSD in October.
Wishing you, Sally and family a Merry
Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New
Year to all.
Marilyn Phillips Albro ‘70
Merry Christmas to y’all! This is a picture of our
great-granddaughter, Isabella Rose, who is the
reason we ended up moving to Texas! It’s been a
big adjustment, but so wonderful sharing our lives
with our entire family who, somehow, have all
ended up in Texas. Life is sure full of surprises
and we feel blessed to be living in Robson Ranch,
making lots of new friends but never forgetting
our dear Vallejo and Brookings, Oregon friends.
May y’all have a healthy and Happy New Year!
Carolyn Hewitt-Brown ‘60
From the Big Sky State of Montana.
Wishing all a world of joy, contentment,
and good cheer throughout the year.
Merry Christmas to all, and a very happy
and healthy New Year.
Was sorry to hear about the passing of
Gordon Shaffer. We were neighbors in
Castlewood Gardens in the early 50's.
Gerrie Neff-Boyle ‘49
8
Here it is again that time of year. I want to wish all my friends and classmates a very
MERRY
CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
I'm wishing for a better year than last. My wishes and
thoughts go out to all who are sick and have sickness in their family. God Bless You and may you have a
healthy 2015.
My newest addition to my family is a new Great-Grandson, Evan Robert coming in at 7Lbs. 13ozs. and 20
1/2 ins. Born on December 2, 2014. I have 2 more GG babies to born soon.
Love to all,
Jo Anne Richardson-Conley’61
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Dear Monday Updates Compatriots,
I have sent you a Jacquie Lawson ecard
You can view your card here.
Brenda Johnson-Green ‘64
From the John Parks family!
I want to wish you and all the
Monday Update readers a
wonderful Christmas and a
happy,healthy, peaceful New
Year.
I had a family picture taken in
early October after my 70th
birthday. Still cannot believe it,
sounds so old!
Betty Flanders-Bryant
9
Meowy Christmas To YOU All –
I still have my 6 wonderful cats. Kris Kringle, my black and white tuxedo cat that
I rescued in Vallejo. I also have Teddy, a grey and white who
showed up in 2004; Miracle Grove an orange and white that my
neighbors and I bottle fed. Bobby, a tiger cat who used to belong to a neighbor. Then I have my two
seal point Birmans – Whimsey Toe and Wynonna who are my oldest at 15 years each, both sweet
females.
In June, I registered for the one mile swim sponsored by the Women’s Cancer Resource Center. This
was my 7th year to compete and swim . This year I raised an unbelievable record of $7,797.00 for the
WCRC and was so proud to give back to this group. I was swimming in memory of Deanna Del
Rosario who was a year younger than I and I went to her memorial in Benicia the day before my
swim.
Both my Oakland A’s played well as did the SF Giants, who went on to make the playoffs and win the
2014 World Series. We have now won 3 World Series: 2010, 2012 and 2014 – GIVE ME THOSE
EVEN YEARS!!!
I am often taking care of my dear old mother, Hannah, and I continue to take her to her group called
The Elite who Meet to Eat. Would you believe that my mother turns 95 this month !
My old 1999 Subaru Outback was going to need a $5,000 repair, so I bought a new car - a 2015
Subaru Forester which I love driving.
I keep busy at potlucks the first Saturday of each month with members of WOFF (Women Over Fifty
and Friends). Every third Friday, I try to attend the Lavender Seniors free luncheons here in Oakland.
The Lavender Seniors also celebrated 20 years together in November and we had a great lunch
celebration and wonderful musical performances !
I get together periodically with a group who went to Vallejo High School about the same time together.
We call ourselves the Lunch Bunch. We gather for lunches at various restaurants or homes and keep
our great friend-ships going !
This Halloween, I decided that I had better have my fun with the kids. I dressed up again in my
purple wig and my decayed buck teeth to greet all the trick or treaters. I had what seemed to be over
100 kids, but I enjoyed the candy as well as they did!
On Nov. 16th, I enjoyed a great day at the theater in San Francisco. A wonderful friend took several
of us to see “Chicago” at the Orpheum and I loved it all plus the dinner we had afterwards.
I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Great New Year in 2015. In this
New Year, I pray for PEACE IN THE WORLD and wish we could lose the
racial prejudice that still seems to exist.
As I continue to say, let’s keep living, laughing and loving!
Susie Schmutz ‘59
10
The Ghosts of Christmas Past…
Christmas 1954: new corduroy shirt, new pants, and best Christmas
present ever, as a kid: black 3-speed, 24 inch, Higgins bike… cool
handlebars, thin tires, hand brakes, and light weight frame.
Check hat with earmuffs you could tie
down, and reversible coat, fuzzy dark
blue with gold trim on outside, and
slick shiny gold with blue trim on
inside.
Brother Howard, in front of 21 inch
Admiral black and white TV with new
Christmas clothes and his favorites
always – cars and guns.(that’s a cool
model car kit he’s holding, a Buick or
Cadillac convertible and Crossman
pump pellet pistol.)
Christmas 1955, me with full blue and gold tackle football uniform
(LA Rams) with helmet, shoulder pads, padded pants (waist
pads, thigh pads, and knee cushions, wearing little league
baseball spike shoes, and holding Wilson white football so we
could play later into darkness.
Aleta has new necklace, new outfit (corduroy skirt), new 45 speed
multiple RCA Victor record player, and complete perfume
collection.
I still have 8mm. home movies of Christmas 1946 and 1949 in
color.
Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Good Knight
Billy Gordon ‘64
Harry, thanks so much for a wonderful evening at your Christmas pot luck and party last week. Good times were had
by all; good friends, great food and drink, and such a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Our evening started off with such a
bang by being greeted at the front door by Steven, your very intelligent grandson, who welcomed us and promptly gave
us instructions on how to find the food. Very mature for a 4 year old. It is always a pleasure to see old friends and
have the opportunity to make new ones. Merry Christmas & a New Year of health and happiness to you good friend.
Sue & Bill Wagley ‘61
11
The gals doing Christmas in
Carol Tedesco's family room.
Ed waiting for me
to come home from
the party and our
tree.
A Big Merry Christmas and
Joy to the World…
Peace and Goodwill to all.
The big Teddy bear is
at my neighbor's house.
Ed & Tami Post-Lamb ‘64
I want to wish you and Sally
and all the MU readers a very
Merry Christmas, Happy
Hanukkah, and a wonderful
2015 to come.
Dear Harry and Sally,
and all of the MU family,
We would like to wish everyone a
very Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year. We hope everyone's year
is free of pain and heartache. Only
the very best to all.
I don’t ever say much, but
read everything. Thank you.
Jamie Curb-Cole ‘63
Thank you Harry for keeping us
informed in the most pleasant way.
We love it! We enjoy hearing about
class of 1962 and 1964.
Harry, Karen and I would like to wish you and
Sally a Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year. Also a better year health wise. I would
like to wish all the MUers a Merry Christmas
and a Happy Year.
Thank you again,
Ron Scrivner ‘62
Donna Graham-Scrivner ‘64
I'd also like to thank you for your dedication to
the MU although it is sometimes depressing, it
keeps us informed on what is happening with
our former classmates and we appreciate it.
Merry Christmas,
Mike & Karen
Houston
12
Wishing you, Sally and the rest of your family a very Merry Christmas and safe and
Happy New Year. To all of my Class of ‘65, Merry Christmas and Happy New
Year. Keep the MU coming,
The poem below was sent to me by a friend, I don't know how long it has been around.
Almost too sad to send on but we need to remember.
Go Apaches
Bob Morehouse ‘65
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed 'round the room and cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
my daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe
completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
so I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
but I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
and I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
a lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
perhaps a marine, huddled there in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
standing watch over me, my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your
sleeve,
you should be at home on a cold Christmas eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts...
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
then he sighed and he said "It’s really all right;
I’m out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It’s my duty to stand at the front of the line,
that separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I’m proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My gramps died at 'Pearl' on a day in December,"
then he sighed, "That’s a Christmas 'gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam ',
and now it is my turn; and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
but my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
the red, white, and blue… an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet;
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
or lay down my life with my sister and brother...
Who stand at the front against any and all,
to ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
your family is waiting and I’ll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
for being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
to stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
to know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
that we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
May every creature great and small
and all who are good and kind
share equally in every blessing
that Christmas brings to mind.
~Author unknown
Wishing everyone a very special,
peaceful and joyous holiday!
~Julie13Bowen-Stratton ‘61
Written by Michael Marks
December 2000
Christmas Greetings to Harry, Sally,
and Monday Update Family
Marilyn, and I have been in the Christmas mode since my
birthday on the 7th, in fact for me it started on the 6th, I
went to one of my favorite places Rydjor Bike shop to get
an overhaul, on my Cannondale, and trade in my old
Bianchi, on a new TREK CrossRip bicycle, which will be
in just in time to go under the tree next week, I haven't
mentioned this to Marilyn yet. Ha! Ha!. I think our list of
presents for everyone is just about fulfilled.
It looks like we might, barely, get a White Christmas,
though there’s an even chance we won't. Funny it
doesn't bother me that my skis and snow shoes haven't
been used this season. In that there won't be any
appreciable snow I'm enclosing a picture of snowy
Christmas Past.
We wish to extend our wishes for all you folk scattered
around the globe, a most Blessed Christmas, and
Healthy, Happy New Year
Mize Marilyn & Steve Erikson HH63
Oh holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
14
Hi Harry,
Lilac Branch of Children's Hospital Oakland and San Francisco had their
annual Christmas Luncheon and Installation of Officers at Green Valley
Country Club on December 9. In addition to our fundraisers, our members
collect toiletries every year at this time. We deliver them to the Family House
at the hospital to try to make things a little easier for the families who will be
spending Christmas there to be near their children who are in the hospital
and who are too ill to be at home. I have visited the hospital during the
holidays and it breaks my heart to see these darling children fighting for their
lives with tubes in their little noses and mouths; needles in their frail arms, as
they fight for their lives......some of them not understanding why or what is
happening to them.
It is said that "Christmas is for the Children" and I just wanted to remind the
members of our community that there is a group of ladies from Solano/Napa/
Sonoma Counties who give of their time to the many children who need our
support and help all year long.
L-R: Charlene Hahn-Moelk '58, Beverly Hahn-Garton '63, Gloria PontaroloTaft '66,and Alfredina Ritchie-Rose SV64.
Thank you, Harry, for giving us a special gift every week with your Monday
Update. May yoube able to continue to do so for many, many years!
Merry Christmas to you and your family and to all of the Monday Update
readers.
Gloria Pontarolo Taft '66
15
Hi everyone!
Another year. Moving toward 85!! I can't believe it. Still traveling a bit and have some plans for
2015. Planning a trip to New Mexico early in 2015 to visit friend Orlando Padilla who left the cold and
winter weather of Detroit to enjoy the Southwest and be close to his family. So a visit to New Mexico
and a trip to EPCOT center in Florida, followed by a stop in Fredericksburg, TX to visit Longhorn
cattle and paint some fences.
Lisa made the headlines in the UCSF Hospital monthly newsletter regarding her present assignment
at U.C. Chris has added the article link below that deals with the facility regarding Lisa and her role in
supporting the building of a new pediatric hospital for UC in San Francisco. The site is near ATT
Stadium where the SF Giants play baseball.
Although Lisa is a registered nurse by training and has worked for many years at UCSF in the
neurosurgical department, she was asked to serve on a facilities planning team developing
ergonomic requirements from the point of view of hospital staff for the new pediatric center, looking at
issues like... are doors and elevators large enough to accommodate patients being moved, are
connections for equipment correctly placed in patient rooms and so forth. The new facility is separate
from the main UCSF hospital and this feature story details Lisa and her unique role. And we just
learned the facility made it through their official certification review without a single defect so they are
on track for a February 2015 open. Needless to say, I am beaming as to the kind things said about
her in the article. You can read it here: http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2014/06/115756/from-scrubs-to-ahard-hat-and-back?utm_source=email&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UCSF+News
Son Chris is still working at deCarta, a Silicon Valley firm involved with digital maps and navigation
and is doing well and continues to teach fitness and yoga classes in that area. Lisa's daughter
Madison (18) graduated from high school in May and is out in the work world, following her mother’s
footsteps in the health care field as a nursing assistant. Her brother Cole (22) is now working in
commercial trucking as a driver and enjoys it immensely. Both continue to live in nearby Benicia.
Lisa, due to the tough daily commute, often totaling 3 hours on the road, has a studio apartment in
San Francisco within walking and cycling distance from the building site and will stay there until the
current project is completed. The move in date for the new hospital is February 1. After that, Lisa's
plans are unknown but it appears to me that she is too valuable to serve as a floor nurse. Just wait
and see.
And still involved with Solano College and still president of the Retired College Employees Assoc.
However, worked on another project to form a nursing alumni group at the College where Ann and I
worked. That effort culminated with a dinner in May that I sponsored. Not sure I will do it again this
year. The two-year colleges in California have two-year Nursing programs and just today an article
in the local paper suggested Solano College may be allowed to start a four year program so the
nursing students would not only get their nursing degree in two years but could continue and study
for two additional years for a B.S. degree.
For fun, still doing the San Francisco cultural scene, attending the SF Symphony and SF Opera.
Friend Ned Cagle and wife Dottie attend the Symphony with me as well as cousin Dante and his
friend, Gloria, from Sacramento. Ann Grove and I are Opera buddies. Incidentally, Ned’s house in
Napa is just a few miles from that big quake in Napa that you may have read about this past
summer. The shaking was quite intense and though no one in the Cagle family was injured, their
grand piano was flipped over like a pancake from the very strong ground motion. No damage to me
here in Vallejo... a few glasses broke in the Bar area but that was about all.
16
A little side story. While at Vallejo High School in the late 1950's, early on in my career, I met a fellow
history teacher by the name of Harry Gray. We became great friends and eventually he took a job at
the Solano Junior College teaching California history and was Director of Student Activities, a job that
he was not very fond of. Meanwhile at Vallejo High, I was quite involved with student organizations
and so Harry had a plan and was later responsible for my joining the College in 1966 where I taught,
became director of student activities and was an administrator for 27 years. The reason I mention
this item, was that I was never interviewed for the job but was notified in Rome by telegraph in July,
that the job was mine... if I wanted it. There was no formal interview. Today, that would never
happen. Harry passed about 5 years ago at the age of 95. His wife, is in a care home and will be
100 on December 25 !! I will be attending that party. Hope you and yours are well. Have a great
2015!!
Rick Green VJCFF
I just want to take a moment to wish each of you a very happy holiday. Whether you are celebrating
Christmas, Chanukah, or just the opportunity to come together with family and friends, I hope that
yours is a safe, memorable and joyous occasion.
I also want to wish each of you, and your families, a very happy new year. I hope that 2015 will be a
happy, healthy, and prosperous year for each of us, individually, and that as a nation we continue
down the path toward peace, social justice and economic recovery.
I would just like to ask that each of us try harder to do our part in making this world a better
environment for all of it's inhabitants, including the four legged ones who also need and deserve our
protection. "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Man" is not an impossible goal. Maybe 2015 will be
the beginning. I hope so.
Happy, happy holidays........
Carolyn Vecchio-Brown ‘60
Warm wishes to you, Sally and all the MU readers
for a wonderful Holiday Season and 2015 .
Now THIS is an Amaryllis…
We purchased these Smokers and the Santas' at the Christmas festivals in Franfurt, Germany
on layovers, there over the years. They really enhance the Christmas spirit in our home.
Merry Christmas to all
Butch Dunkle '64
17
I can tell it's almost Christmas;
Harry the Red Nose Reindeer
has arrived,
Harry the Gargoyle
has shown up,
Harry the Dodo Bird
has flown in,
…and Harry the
Life-Of-The-Christmas Party.....
What else could you ask for?
Lorraine & Melvin F. Brooks Jr.
We are spending Christmas in the land of no sweaters, coats or jackets. Where eggs are sold
stacked up on the street corner unrefrigerated, and the yellow chickens may come complete with
heads and feet. Where Christmas is available, but not commercialized, where businesses may have
one small Christmas display but nothing particularly showy. There are holiday lights and decoration
up over the main roads and in the main plaza and outside of some shops. Here most of the children
will wait for the 3 kings to bring them their gifts on January 6 th instead of Santa Claus. We are
spending our first Christmas in Zihuatanejo, Mexico and will be here until mid-March.
Last night I watched a neighborhood “posada”, similar to a kids school Christmas pageant, except
Silent Night and all those other Christian Christmas carols we so enjoy we acceptable and the
children depicted Mary Joseph and the angels. The other startling difference was much of the
audience was enjoying this out door program with a bottle of beer or a Margarita in their hand.
18
They do have real Christmas trees here, but I think they sell out quickly. And we
have certainly seen some very interesting ones, one made of little bottles and
basket weavings and pine cones.
We wondered if we would miss all the decorating I usually do at home, and the
frantic buying of presents. So far not a bit! We have decorated our “Casa”; have
made dinner reservations for a very gringo style turkey dinner. Life is good, laid
back and easy here.
Merry Christmas
Kathy Driscoll-Ottarson ‘61
2014 has been a year of growth and change for me. Some of the change has been
good and some not so good. The good came as I grew in independence and
confidence. It has been 2 ½ years since I lost Danny. Although I still miss him, I’m
learning how to do his jobs. I now balance the checkbook and do my taxes, part of
taking care of myself. The bad part of change is that I lost some friends and family
this year, and I miss them.
This year was a good one, however. I kept busy—cooking, reading, watching tv,
visiting family, friends, and former students, volunteering at Kaiser, church going,
seeing plays or movies, and doing trips. I’m also caring for my health. I’m dealing with diabetes and being a
breast cancer survivor, along with some new concerns (all a part of being 70?), but I’m grateful for my good
life.
In February, I joined my friend, Linda Streeter, and we took a tour of Mare Island Historical Museum. While
in St. Peter’s Chapel, I couldn’t resist going up to the pulpit to “preach”. I learned a great deal on that tour
Spring saw me beginning a small vegetable garden and observing the 2 nd anniversary of Danny’s death. The
garden went in in May. I only planted a few tomatoes and summer squash in the garden. Nothing yielded
much except for one squash.
June brought an end to some grief support I’d been using. The official program, which helped, has ended,
but the people in the group continue to get together for breakfasts, dinners, and other outings which I
enjoy.
July held two events. One was the 42nd wedding anniversary. The other was the American Cancer Society’s
Relay for Life. I walked with the “Breast Friends”, my breast cancer support group.
19
August, I took 2 small trips, both enjoyable, one was to Carmel, and the other to the other was to VHS’s
Class of ’62 70th Birthday Bash. It was super seeing my OLD?! friends .
In September, I visited my brother and his wife to meet my new “niece”, Dustie, a Lab puppy. I loved playing
with her. Later that month, I visited a former student’s family to meet their new baby, Penelope Sinn. What
a joy!
November was my actual 70th birthday, and I was overjoyed to receive a surprise bouquet of flowers sent
from my New York niece and nephew. Then, on Thanksgiving, I returned to my brother’s home for fun, food,
and photo-graphy. Here’s a photo of “Auntie” with her niece, Dustie.
Now it’s December, and my house has 2 trees—1 inside, 1 out. I will be spending the 24th, 25th, 31st and the
1st with family or friends. I won’t be alone.
I wish you a holiday filled with goodness that lasts through 2015.
Mary Ann Shugar-Healy
My Dear Friends, Classmates and Readers of the Monday Update:
It is so very easy to be cynical in today’s world. Violence and hatred everywhere. Death and
destruction have become the soup du jour. During this special time of the year, I have to stop,
take a deep breath and remember the lyrics from this well-known Christmas Carol…
“I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men
And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men
Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, goodwill to men…”
I truly believe that “the wrong shall fail and the right prevail…” and I only hope I live long
enough to see that
Christmas 2014 marks our tenth Christmas together here at the MU. Back in 2005 we only had
about 120 readers and today we have 1300+. In that same span of time I have lost 50 classmates, many of whom were dear friends. This loss falls hard upon their spouses and families,
20
especially during this time of year. We extend our love to all of you and encourage you to
remember the good times.
Life, in general, has been very good to Sally and me… oh, sure we’ve had our health issues,
as have many of our readers, but we’re still around to enjoy another Christmas with our family
and extended family. For this we are grateful
Our Christmas wish to you is “follow your star” and be well and healthy and
enjoy your family, not only during this special season, but year ‘round.
To our many Jewish friends we wish you a joyous and
festive Chanukah surrounded by family and friends.
Chag Chanukah Sameach!
One final thought: It is during this time of year that I
feel inspired by the song of a little drummer boy who
when asked to bring a gift to honor the “New Born
King,” humbly said:
“I am a poor boy too
I have no gift to bring
That's fit to give our King.”
And then he offered the only thing he could… his talent.
“Shall I play for you
on my drum?”
The mother of the “New Born King” nodded her assent…
“I played my drum for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum…”
We all have gifts to offer, no matter how small or how humble. It is not the size of the gift, but,
rather, the size of your heart and spirit that truly counts. Honor Him by offering your gifts to
those in need, and He will smile at you too. Remember His words: “Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto
me.”
May you and yours be truly blessed not only during this special season but year ‘round.
Thank you all, for your love and your friendship.
Harry and Sally Diavatis
Christmas 2014
21
This ‘n’ that:
The Vallejo City Unified School District Board met last Wednesday night. They seated
incumbent Tony Ubalde and newcomer Burky Worel to the Board and… are you ready?
Two hours into the meeting they finally got around to the issue of filling the vacancy created
when Richard Porter declined to accept the position on the Board. Burky Worel moved that
they start the process by opening the provisional appointment to the public to apply for the
position by January 5 and then on the meeting of the 7th they could move forward and begin
interviewing applicants. The position would be open to anyone who is eligible to accept the
position. The motion was passed unanimously. What this means, basically, is that they are
going to screw Ruscal Cayanyang, who finished fourth in the voting and should be seated to
replace Hazel Wilson. This process will in all likelihood go into February. I believe that s--- will
hit the fan and the Vallejo electorate will not sit still for this.
...
The Mail Bag
From: Bob Lawson ‘64
In today's MU (Apache Review of Arts) there was a picture that
identified a Vallejo firefighter who died in 1980 as Robin McGee. I
may be wrong, but I believe his name was Robin Mackbee of the
large Vallejo family of that name. It was a large arson grassfire out
near Country Club Crest and there were many firefighting units out
there. I was covering it for the Vallejo Independent Press. Robin
apparently was trapped when the fire changed direction and died at
the scene.
...
From: Carol Egidio-Murray ‘63
Finally, I have a moment to send a thank you note for inviting us to your annual Christmas party. It
was even more spectacular than usual and I must admit, the food was the best ever. Bud said he
enjoyed seeing old friends. He doesn't always remember names (but neither do I!), however he will
have some recollection of who you are. Bud always enjoys being around people, especially old
friends. It was nice to reconnect with Tami Post and meet her delightful husband Ed. Of course, I
always enjoy seeing Wendy and her family and Bud enjoys eating everything she brings! Thanks
again for the invite.
Merry Christmas
...
22
From: Charlie Spooner ‘60
Thank you to John Parks for making "Pennies From Heaven" his song of the week. I enjoyed the
Skyliners' version of that old tune. Interesting point: my kids tell me that it is the wrong song for
Brianna Brubaker to be singing at the end of my play "Executive Sweet." Since I identify her as being
in her early thirties, they say it should be a much more current song. Unfortunately, they haven't
provided any suggestions. Unless the MU readers have a better choice, I guess I'm stuck with
"Pennies."
Great issue this week, as always. Happy Holidays to everyone in the MU audience.
...
From: Karl Jacque ‘60
I remember nominating my friend Ron Stover for the Vallejo Sports Hall of Fame. His brother Chet
and I played football together at VHS. I played JV in 1959 as a receiver. I loved the game so much
but I only weighed 136 pounds so played 3rd string. Coach Pellegrini was my coach and said Karl
you weigh 136 pounds but kick field goals and conversions. You will letter as a senior in 1960. I
suggest play JV ball in your senior year. You will not sit the bench and will letter. I know how you
love the game so much. So I played two years of JV ball and lettered.
My mother didn't want me to play. The Stover’s were family friends: Chet, Bob and Ron. Their
mother Henrietta "Hank" was a beautiful lady. She told my mom her boys would teach me a few
things about tackle. It made my mom feel so much better. I loved to catch passes but Vallejo was a
running team. In two years of playing I had 4 passes thrown to me: one by Dallas Rountree for a 10
yard first down; one for a conversion; one over my head; and one into the ground, short. The rest
was spent cross body blocking the other team’s linebacker on the one play around right end. Avoiding
the other team's backs trying to block me and tackling their ball carrier. Not letting the other team get
around my end and turning them in. Most of my playing was in practice. The third string JV guys
were the tackle dummies for the varsity. Coach Dick Biama was the quarterback and we played the
first string varsity. I was a fast runner and he got a kick out of using me to out run and catch passes
behind his backs. All four backs would try to block me at defensive end and kept trading places with
each other to be successful. I was too fast and skinny to pin down. I had to wear the old black and
brown leather helmet kind of painted from the 40's.No protection at all. I saw Johnny LuJack play
with that helmet.
Well, the Stover's taught me football was tackling and blocking. I loved the game so much I played
quarterback for Division 7 at the California Maritime Academy with Bill Lightbown '60 and won the
Championship. It was flag football but it was football. Later I wrote a rule book started an Adult
Football League in Vallejo. Got Fran Mara to give me Hogan High's practice field. I signed 6 teams.
One team was the Mare Island 7 man tackle team. We were Scotty's Barbershop. Gary Encerti was
our quarterback and some St. Vincent 's guys. Hogan players won the championship game. I
collected the money, lined the fields, reffed the games I didn't play in. When I moved to Santa Rosa
in 1972 I turned it over to GVRD. I spent my years looking for a pickup sandlot football game. Kept
the "Turkey Bowl" games going at the Mare Island waterfront. All the college players like Ron Stover
would be there. I loved the games on Amador St. If it rained we played tackle in the mud: Hank
McGraw, Lionel and Jack Rogers. Ray Cocchi, Scotty Story, Joe Cox. My Uncle and Cousin Lou and
Buddy Jacque. If it was foggy on Thanksgiving I would cry. I moved the Turkey Bowl to Hogan. I
played with guys on Selfridge Street. This skinny kid could run like the wind and I could throw a 68
yard pass.
23
I will never forget Ron Stover playing in the Rose Bowl against Ohio State. A record of10 receptions.
We rode around all week in a new Lincoln Continental courtesy of the local dealer. The shocking
story was Ron died a few weeks after I nominated him for the Vallejo Sports a hall of Fame. I called
his brother Chet in Oregon and he said Ron had been on dialysis. Harry, I notice his induction is
announced for March 2015. Will his family be there? I would like to attend.
Karl, I have no way of knowing if Ron’s family will be there. Sorry.
...
From: Susie Schmutz ‘59
I just had to forward this to all of you and say thank you. As you can see by this letter, I was the top
individual fundraiser. I want to thank you all because I could not have done this without YOU.
Dear Swim A Mile Community,
We hope that this email finds you well and happy, weathering the weather as best as possible, and
looking forward to some time off with friends and family as we approach the new year.
Suzanne Schmutz is the top fundraiser who registered as an individual. During the months leading
up to the Swim, hardly a day went by without Suzanne knocking on our door with a bright smile,
words of encouragement, and another donation. She has been with the Swim A Mile since 2006. This
year, she raised $7,797.
Thank you, everyone, for your presence at the Swim A Mile this year! Your efforts will make a
significant impact on the clients we serve here at WCRC.
Save the date for next year's Swim -- our 20th! -- to be held on October 3-4, 2015. We'll let you know
when registration opens.
Christine Sinnott
Swim A Mile Coordinator
...
From: Rich Rimestad '54
This weeks observation. Got on the scale this morning and was pleased to see that I actually weighed
3 pounds less than I did at 20 years old. The problem is that it is redistributed and my waist now
matches my age, 77.
Well Rich, as Jack Benny would say “Now you stop that!” LOL. Even Melvin F. Brooks Jr.
doesn’t have a girth THAT big.
...
From: Mike Kollar SV59
The 43rd Annual East (MEL) - West (SCAC) High School Football Game will be play at the Napa
Memorial Stadium on Saturday December 27th. The game will feature 70 players from Solano,
Napa and Yolo Counties. Troy Mott of Napa High School will coach the MEL teams and Mike Wilson
SR. of Vallejo High will coach the SCAC teams. The game will be at 7:00 p.m with gates open at
5:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchase at Vallejo PAL 301 Wallace Ave. Vallejo and Replay Sports 923
Randolph St Napa. Ticket price $12.
24
...
From: Sharon Rose Posedel-Smith
Hi Harry: Thought you'd like to see my grandson Dylan Brosnan as
the new face of YSL (Yves Saint Laurent) . He is scheduled to be in
YSL's advertisements in Jan. 2015.
Also, this young man was the US Senate photographer in their last
session - thank God he has his own thought process on the BS
spewing out of the Senate. But of course, everyone wishes to
present their best face in front of the photographer.
Merry Christmas!
My grandson Dylan:
Champs Elysees Avenue in Paris
For those of you who don’t know, Dylan
is the 17 year old son of Keely Shaye Smith and her husband, film star,
Pierce Brosnan, and the grandson of my lovely classmate Sharon
Posedel-Smith and hubby Thomas. Dylan, currently a film student, is
multi-talented and plays in a band. He is also interested in politics and
last summer interned in Washington DC for a U.S. Senator. Dylan was
discovered all on his own! One of Saint Laurent’s creative directors
spotted him on the beach in Malibu and thought he would be a great fit
for their campaign. Little did he know Dylan was Pierce’s son!
...
From: Jamie Curb-Cole '63
I saw this article on twitter and thought of you and all who fought the school board to keep our
precious "Apache" name. It's too bad you couldn't have called in the FCC for support!
The Federal Communications Commission dismissed a petition Thursday to deny
renewal of WWXX-FM's broadcast license because it's the flagship radio station of the
NFL's Washington Redskins, whose name has come under fire by some who see it as a
derogatory term for Native Americans.
The petition claimed repeated use of the word "Redskins" violates rules against
indecent content. But the FCC said that the law defines profanity as sexual or excretory
in nature — meanings that don't relate to the name of the football team.
Many Native American and other groups consider "Redskins" to be a racial slur and
have demanded that owner Dan Snyder change the name. Snyder has vowed to keep
it, despite mounting pressure over the past two years.
During Hazel Wilson “boo hooing” at the last School Board meeting she told the same story,
she had told me at the Hall of Fame banquet, about being the first in an integrated elementary
25
school in Oklahoma, which also included a little Native American child. She said that they
were virtually ignored and that’s why she felt the use of the Apache symbol was disrespectful
and why she spear-headed the thrust to eliminate it. Of course, she never bothered to find out
how the Apache Nation felt about it, or even the Vallejo High Alumni. That would have been
too logical and wouldn’t fit into her emotional state about how she was treated as a child.
...
From: Steve Erickson HH63
I've had good intentions of getting, here for a visit a number of times always seems there's been an
intrusion. Suppose I could blame it on the gopher trapping season that never seemed to end, had all
my gear stowed at least twice only to have the little varmints, come back with a vengeance. My last
trap line covered 80 acres of heavily infested hay land, figured I'd be finished in three days, was
setting 40 traps at a time. Things were looking promising at the end of the second day when I finished
checking runs, I catch a gopher, and it looks like it's a single I rake the mounds smooth, and move
on to fresh mounds.
When I came back on the third day thinking it would be a cleanup day, there were new mounds
throughout. My three day job turned into five, took a total of 28, and by the last morning the frost was
starting to set in. doing the figuring, that was $34.00 a day, not too bad when I started doing ranch 55
years ago I earned $60.00 a six day week.
By the time I finished with the gopher trapping it was time to get ready for my grandson Dylan's first
youth hunt, we spent quite a lot of time outfitting him with suitable hunting clothes that would keep
him warm in freezing weather. Because I had to be by his side during the hunt, I bought a ground
blind. Then between my neighbor Karroll, and I scouting productive areas that was another several
weeks. I finally settled on where I'd taken a couple 10 point bucks the last couple years. Problem was
this hunt was a couple weeks earlier than regular season, and the deer aren't moving as much as
they do in the colder weather.
We found out from Dylan's firearms safety course that he doesn't have a predominate eye, and he
never learned to wink. So when I introduced him to the 20 gauge shotgun he was to use, which has a
double bead sighting system, on my 50 yd. range I said before you shoot I want to take on shot to
make sure the gun is hitting where it's aimed… it was. A 20 gauge can hammer you, a mite, when
you're sighting in, and he didn't particularly like that, while he was hitting the back board he was
always six inches below the target, and no matter how hard I tried to explain he had to a line his
cheek to the stock, and aim along the flat of the barrel, he wasn't understanding.
After shooting a couple boxes of shells, he said I'm done grandpa, I explained to him that often times
instinct kicks in when you're actually shooting at game. I didn't realize how bummed out he was,
but he expressed his feelings to grandma. Marilyn, said Dylan's pretty upset, Isn't there anything else
you can try, I said we tried the shooter eye patch, and with the season tomorrow, not now, perhaps
next season I'll mount a red eye scope on his gun.
We were in our stand an hour before sun up, and stayed out till noon. With a Minnesota Gopher
football game, that day figured he'd want watch it so we had lunch and watched the game. We were
back in the stand till dark, without seeing a single deer. I learned though that he has the patience, I
just have to work with him on his shooting. Our second day was a repeat, for me it was all about
spending quality time with him, and re-enforcing safety.
26
After this I had two weeks to get everything in order for regular firearms deer season, repairing tree
stands, and setting up new ones. Dylan said he'd make next season, so our camp six this season. It
was a windy opener, and I became the brunt of fireside humorous stories again this season. I'd set
my blind up at a good approach to my prairie the night before, during the night the north wind kicked
up to 40 mph. gusts. When I went out to were my blind was, an hour before sun up it was gone, I
figured if it was blown up the picked bean field it might of stopped in Iowa.
I always have a backup, and headed for my tripod stand till afternoon when I'd go look for my stand,
and that's what I did. Around 8:00 I heard 3 spaced shots, from an area where one of our party should
be, so figured we probably had one deer. When I climbed down from my stand, and started walking
the road towards the prairie, 100 yards. south of where it had been, it was caught up in the tall grass.
About the same time I saw it I spotted Dan's 4 wheeler at the house, he'd shot a nice 10 point. Two
days of hard hunting, and that was it.
I figured that was probably that for the hunting, though season wasn't over till Sunday following.
Karroll thinking season was over too, and having a bum right arm needed me for a hand so we were
catching up on some his “to dos” before snow flies. On Thursday after a long day I came home to
Marilyn telling me John, he arrived after dark. We were out early next morning, and by 10:00 John
was back with another nice ten pointer. we skinned, quartered it, and he
was on his way home by noon. With deer numbers down from the last two
severe winters it was a good hunt.
You shot WHAT!?!
...
The Apache Review of Arts
. . . Full-tilt aesthetics observation
By John Parks
TODAY IS THE FIRST FULL DAY OF WINTER. ---- For the next six
months each day will have a little more sunlight than the day before, because of that twenty-three and
a half degrees!
In the shallows of the river
After one o’clock in the afternoon
Ice still
An eighth of an inch thick.
Night never disappears completely
But moves among the shadows
On the bank
Like a glimpse of fur.
27
Meanwhile
Trees
Grass
Flies and spiderwebs
Appear alone in the flat air.
The naked aspens stand like children
Waiting to be baptized
And the goldenrod too is stripped down
To its bare stalk
In the cold
Even my thoughts
Have lost their foliage.
"At the Beginning of Winter", by Tom Hennen
MARTY STIEWIG, ---- thanks for that correction on the origin of Woody Woodpecker! Like Walter
Lantz with his hybrid birds, I too have been known to use poetic license for artistic liberties. But I did
read somewhere a long time ago that Woody was pileated.
music
December 1941, credit Tracy Valline
HERE ARE THE FIVE BROWNS. ---- You've probably heard of
them, and maybe seen them on TV. They are siblings and all
mastered piano performance so well at Julliard that they now
tour together very successfully, a unique act. The New York
Post called them “the biggest classical music sensation in
years”. Their first 3 albums reached number one on Billboard
classical chart. I went to their recent concert at George Mason
University Center for Arts to see them play – mostly Christmas
-- on their five Steinways, and enjoyed it a lot. I especially
liked their interpretation of “The Planets”. BTW, some readers
may recall Scott Wood, VHS '72, I think, who is pretty darn
good on keyboards himself. (His mother was school teacher
Atha Wood Cornell Petty.) Scott's kids grew up with the
Browns in the nice little town of Alpine, Utah. If you
get a chance ot see The Browns, go. They're all married now
and two have children –so they won't be touring forever.
SONG OF THE WEEK ---- As good as the Browns are, this week's song goes to Nick Lowe for his
musical account of a Christmas at the Airport. It's clever, but has good musicality too. Maybe we
should have readers who think they once experienced a really lousy Christmas Day write in and tell
us about it. I'll bet some of the stories would be real doozies! At any rate, hear the song here right
now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqPwJWjCSjI
MYTH AND HOPE ---- by Michael Gerson. Run in the Washington Post for many years.
“For me, Christmas brings images of boxes, not wrapped but valued. At the end of a rural
road in Kericho, Kenya, there is a compound overrun by playing children. Sister Placida -- a
nun whose frenetic temperament belies her name -- raises AIDS orphans. It is a cheerful
28
place but careful about preserving difficult memories. Sister Placida shows an album of
pictures and detailed descriptions of people she has cared for who died from AIDS. The
children keep memory boxes containing photos and mementos of their deceased parents.
These acts of preservation seem a kind of desperate protest -- that lives should matter to
someone, even when they are short and tragic.
But Christmas carries a different message. A child of questionable parentage, born into
humble circumstances, in a provincial backwater, begins a short life that ends in an
execution. Yet it is somehow the hinge of history. Christmas tilts the universe toward the
humble. It asserts that every child, in every stable, deserves angel choirs and the tribute of
kings. It means that no life is too minor to matter; that the stars are warm and sheltering;
that desperate prayers are heard and heeded; that every quiet, unnoticed death disturbs
the cosmos; that memory boxes filled by children hold relics of eternity.
It may, of course, not be true. I'll own up to occasional doubt. We have learned to be
suspicious of our deepest longings. It is a human tendency to project our hopes into the
universe, to create myths that fill a need for meaning. Christmas is the grandest of myths.
But it may be pie in the sky.
It was C.S. Lewis, however, who responded: "We are afraid of the jeer about 'pie in the
sky.' . . . But either there is 'pie in the sky' or there is not. If there is not, then Christianity is
false, for this doctrine is woven into its whole fabric. If there is, then this truth, like any other,
must be faced." I also admit to doubt about my doubts. Precluding a hope, just because we
hope for it, is not rationality, it is a prejudice. It is also a human tendency to hug our despair.
Perhaps our deepest desires exist for a reason -- because they are meant to be fulfilled.
Perhaps we are not tortured by our hopes, but led by them. Perhaps, as Lewis insisted, this
story is a "true myth" -- the myth to which all other myths point.
Reassurance about the cosmic importance of common lives -- including our own -- comes
in many forms and in many faiths. In various noble traditions, God visits prophets and
sages with wisdom and comfort. But in the faith of Christmas, God just visits. A father is
appalled. A mother hides a miracle in shame. A son eventually experiences disappointment,
betrayal and mortality. Yet something extraordinary takes place.
"By normal human standards," says theologian J.B. Phillips, "this is a tragic little tale of
failure, the rather squalid story of a promising young man from a humble home, put to
death by the envy and malice of the professional men of religion. All this happened in an
obscure, occupied province of the vast Roman Empire. It is fifteen hundred years ago that
this apparently invincible Empire utterly collapsed, and all that is left of it is ruins. Yet the
little baby, born in such pitiful humility and cut down as a young man in his prime,
commands the allegiance of millions of people all over the world. Although they have never
seen him, he has become friend and companion to innumerable people. This undeniable
fact is, by any measurement, the most astonishing phenomenon in human history."
Being astonishing, of course, does not make something true. The message of Christmas
seems scandalously unlikely to us, just as it did to sophisticated Romans at the time. But if
it is true, nothing is more important. If it is true, poverty and suffering have been shared and
dignified by God Himself. If it is true, hope and memory do not end in a gash of Earth. God,
let it be true.”
29
ENTRIES ---- in Vallejo's “Mad Hatter” Christmas Parade:
QUIZAROO ---- Send the name of the only place on Earth that has two shortest days each year, to
the address at the end, for a chance to win a fabulous ARA prize!
IN 2015, WHY NOT ---Mend a quarrel.
Seek out a forgotten friend.
Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.
Write a long letter.
Share some treasure.
Give a soft answer.
Encourage youth.
Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.
Keep a promise.
Find the time.
Forego a grudge.
Forgive an enemy.
Listen. Listen. Listen.
Apologize if you are wrong.
Try to understand.
Flout envy.
Think first of someone else.
30
Appreciate.
Be kind.
Be gentle.
Laugh a little.
Laugh a little more.
Deserve confidence.
Take up arms against malice.
Decry complacency.
Express your gratitude.
Welcome a stranger.
Gladden the heart of a child.
Take pleasure in the beauty of the earth.
Speak your love.
Speak it again.
Speak it still once more.
Merry Christmas to all---Christmas Is Here Again, by Jimmy Beasley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQa896R8J4c
Anxiously awaiting the return of butter-brickle ice cream,
John
[email protected]
...
Comedy
Corner
Join the battle of the sexes by sending your idea of what passes
for humor to the Monday Update. Please try to keep it clean.
After all we have old people reading this stuff. “
For the Hers… from Carla Barber-Marrington HH64
According to the Alaska Department of Fish and
Game, while both male and female reindeer grow
antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop
their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late
November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain
their antlers till after they give birth in the spring.
31
Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition
depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of
them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.
We should've known... ONLY women would be able
to drag a fat-ass man in a red velvet suit all around
the world in one night and not get lost!
Ho Ho Ho????
For the Hims…Mike McCurry SV60
A man wanted to get married. He was having trouble
choosing among three likely candidates. He gives each
woman a present of $5,000 and watches to see what they
do with the money.
The first does a total makeover. She goes to a fancy beauty
salon, gets her hair done, new makeup; buys several new
outfits and dresses up very nicely for the man. She tells him
that she has done this to be more attractive for him because
she loves him so much.
The man was impressed.
The second goes shopping to buy the man gifts. She gets
him a new set of golf clubs, some new gizmos for his
computer, and some expensive clothes. As she presents
these gifts, she tells him that she has spent all the money
on him because she loves him so much.
Again, the man is impressed.
The third invests the money in the stock market She earns
several times the $5,000. She gives him back his $5,000
and reinvests the remainder in a joint account. She tells him
that she wants to save for their future because she loves
him so much.
Obviously, the man was impressed.
The man thought for a long time about what each woman
had done with the money he'd given her.
Then he married the one with the biggest breasts.
You gotta love the way this guy thinks… doncha?
...
32
“Who you callin’
an Old Geezer?!”
This feature will appear in large font to make it easier for
some of you to read.
We went to breakfast at a restaurant where the 'seniors' special' was two eggs, bacon,
hash browns and toast for $2.99.
'Sounds good,' my wife said. 'But I don't want the eggs.'
'Then, I'll have to charge you $3.49 because you're ordering a la carte,' the waitress
warned her.
'You mean I'd have to pay for not taking the eggs?' my wife asked incredulously.
'YES!' stated the waitress.
'I'll take the special then,' my wife said..
'How do you want your eggs?' the waitress asked.
'Raw and in the shell,' my wife replied.
She took the two eggs home and baked a cake.
Contributed by Daniel Wernecke ‘64
...
A Stroll Down History Lane…
A place to share your memories…
before they disappear forever.
From: Larry Courtright ‘54
I returned to Vallejo in September 2014 for my
60th Vallejo High School (1954) Class
Reunion. I haven't been to Vallejo for a few years and it brought many memories back. At the reunion
I saw a few of my old teammates from high school bringing back more sport memories which
prompted me to write something about these memories.
33
At the reunion a classmate, Helen Craft, said she sees Jerry Hinton frequently at her church. Wow, I
said that he is a great ball player. I proceeded to tell her that Jerry was my idol. You see he was the
first baseman for the Franklin Junior High School baseball team while I was attending the Curry
Grammar school located next to the Junior High School. Jerry is left handed and I am left handed. I
watched all his games and told myself I wanted to play the same position and follow in Jerry's
footsteps as a baseball player. Needless to say, I did and I'm stilling playing first base at the age of
79 (although taking about a 30 year break) just like Jerry who is playing now in his 80's. My friend,
Lee Wingfield ‘54, who still lives in Vallejo, often keeps me updated on events going on in Vallejo and
often sends newspaper clippings from the Vallejo Times Herald that he thinks I may be of interest. Of
course I have clippings of Jerry on an article that was published on November 18, 2012 about him
playing senior softball and of his induction into the Vallejo Sports Hall of Fame in March 2013. Via the
Monday Update, I see another great first baseman, Joe Pedrazzini ‘53, is going to be inducted in the
Sports Hall of Fame in March 2015. Joe was a year ahead of me in school.
After playing on the Vallejo Junior College baseball team in 1956, I played a year of semipro baseball
with the Benicia Mudhens and then discovered fast pitch softball in the Vallejo/Napa area. I ended up
playing from 1957 through 1971 in the Vallejo leagues with numerous teams. My job forced me to
move to Fresno. I quit playing fast pitch softball in 1972 and never touched a ball again until late
2000 at the age of 65 when I discovered senior softball right after retiring. I didn't know there was
such a thing. I was picked up on a 65 + team that plays strictly Senior Softball USA Tournaments
against some of the best teams in the country. In February 2001, my first tournament as a rookie
senior player was in Palm Springs. And guess who I ran into playing for a 70 + team? You are right
"Jerry Hinton". I believe he was playing for a team from Elk Grove. Of course, Jerry didn't know me
from Adam, but we had a great conversation and I told him he was my childhood idol. I believe since
than I have only run into him once or twice, again at tournaments. In all my softball travels the last14
years, besides Jerry, I have only run into one other player from Vallejo. He is still playing--Ray
Everingham ‘53. I noticed in the 1953 School Year Book looking at the picture of the baseball team,
Pedrazzini and Everingham are sitting next to each other. Small world isn't it.
I'm presently playing tournament softball for a 75+ AAA team named "Gold Coast". Our last
tournament was in Phoenix in November 2014. Locally, every week, I play in a 55 and over
doubleheader travel league and in a 70+ league. I think I am still holding my own with my peers
regarding hitting, fielding and throwing. I still run, but not very fast anymore.
Now, for the main reason I am writing these memories. My good friend, Lee Wingfield ‘54, who was
at the class reunion and is a lifelong resident of Vallejo, loves to write me letters over the years and
most often I save many of them. This particular letter I saved from a couple of years ago and would
like to share with you. It ties into the Vallejo fast pitch leagues and a game that was played in 1963.
It is titled "THE CATCH" and is absolutely true. The catch the way it is described is the way I
remember it. It was a once in a lifetime catch by the author Lee Wingfield . All players are real--you
may recognize some of the names. I think the letter is great!! Lee Wingfield has given me
permission to publish his letter in the Monday Update. I hope you enjoy it.
THE CATCH
It was a cold and windy night in 1963. I was 27 years old, and, "I" was a ball player. All
my life, if there's anything I ever wanted to be it was a ball player. I was on the newly
formed Golden Cola Class A Softball team.
34
Roy Rodriquez had formed this team using mainly his own buddies and so they were
quite a rag tag bunch. Roy Rodriquez, himself, was our first pitcher. He was big,
strong, and wild, striking fear into any hitter who had a speck of common sense. Our
catcher was tobacco chewing left handed Bill Jurison. At first base was sure handed
lefty Larry "Hoss" Courtright. Of course, in those days we didn't call him "Hoss", we
called him McCoveright after the S.F. Giants legendary first baseman, Willie McCovey.
At second base was the versatile Mike Kloski, at third, redheaded Binky Castleberry and
at shortstop was the colorful and animated Jim Schaefer. In left field was Neil
Courtright, in center the speedy and sure handed Bill Kopple and in right field was
myself-----most of the time----err---some of the time-----ah---once in awhile.
Later, we began to get serious about having a good team so we started adding players
like slugger Pete Bacovitch and sinker ball pitcher Red Sullivan from Napa as well as
his catcher. Like most teams, we had lots of good times as well as bad, and wins as
well as losses. But one game will forever stand out in my memory.
Like I said, it was a cold and very windy night at Washington Playground and we were
Playing the hated Navy Liquor team for the league championship. With Red Sullivan on
the mound, we had a one run lead in the bottom of the 7th inning with two outs, and the
bases loaded. The power hitting Jack Kelly came to the plate and worked the count to
three balls and two strikes.
I was playing right field that night. At Washington Playground the right field fence was a
short distance from home plate, but it was very tall so that in order to hit one out, you
would have to hit it very high. After Kelly fouled off a couple of pitches Red Sullivan
threw him a sinker ball that didn't sink and he hit a towering drive to right field, right at
me! My first thought was "holy shit this ball's going out"…so I turned and raced for the
fence….you know….so it would look like I knew what I was doing! But like I said the
wind was blowing a gale that night and as I reached the fence I looked back to see that
the ball had stopped moving, it was suspended, motionless in the dark evening sky. For
an instant everything seemed to stop. The ball just hung there. Beneath it Courtright
and Kloski were frozen with hands on hips looking up at the ball that was beyond them
but short of me. I recognized the problem immediately, and my athletic instincts took
over as I raced towards the infield…but then suddenly I realized that I had come in too
far…so I quickly turned and ran back towards the outfield fence. I turned and looked
up…I couldn't see the ball and so I began to twist in circles trying to find it. Finally, in
what seemed like an eternity, I spotted it coming straight down on top of me…but then
my feet went right out from under me and I was sent sprawling horizontally, on my back,
with my arm extended over my head. I had no idea where the ball was when suddenly I
heard a thunderous roar from the crowd. I looked up to see that the ball had landed,
smack dab in the web of my glove. We won the championship and I was carried off on
the shoulders of my team mates as the fans went crazy.
Ok…Ok... so it wasn't the bottom of the seventh, the bases weren't loaded, I wasn't
carried off the field, and it wasn't even a championship game. But everything else was
true. And even though the crowd and players knew I didn't catch the ball on purpose, it
was still the greatest catch ever in the life of a wannabe ball player.
Your Buddy,
Lee Wingfield ‘54
35
Harry, I hope the above writings are worthy of the Monday Update and
is of interest to some of the old timer readers. I am enclosing a couple
of action softball shots of this old timer (me) playing tournament
softball. Harry, thanks again for your hard work on putting out the
Monday Update--I always look forward to reading it.
Salt Lake City Tournament
Las Vegas Tournament
,
Larry, you are truly amazing. I threw my back out just looking at these pictures. LOL. Great
story… great memories. Thanks for sharing them with us.
...
This week’s Newbies
From: Nancy Holt-Miller HH65
Hi Harry: I'm very happy to learn of your Monday Update for us "old time
Vallejoans." I think this is wonderful.
You might remember me. My mom, was Agnes Holt Whitlow. Anyway, thanks
for your efforts.
Nancy! Wow, it's been a long, long time. Your mother was a wonderful person. Not only did
we work together at Cal Maritime but she was also in a production of The Music Man which I
directed. And, of course, I know your sis Ellie Holt-Murray.
Nancy responds…
You're right, it has been a long time. I just learned about your "newspaper" so I'm very excited to read
it. We have lived in Oregon for the past 10+ years. It's beautiful here in our little corner of the world.
Good to hear from you.
This week we also welcome Judi Zapf-Kennedy ‘60, John Walsh SV51, and my, now retired,
attorney Charlie Gianola ’50.
Our subscribers list is now up to 1314.
...
36
In Memoriam
From: John Fischer HH66
Some of you have responded to me about my cousin, and for that I am greatly appreciative. A sudden
loss like that is hard to accept and deal with. His poor wife Cindy is having a very difficult time with it.
No local services... only in Buena Park.
Ronald Carnes HH66
Sept. 24, 1948 - Dec. 12, 2014
Ronald Carnes passed away Dec. 12 from a heart attack. Born in Vallejo, he
graduated from Hogan High School in 1966 and from Chico State. He worked for
Home Depot and Lowes.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Carnes.
Survivors include his wife, Cynthia Carnes of Buena Park; father, Wesley Carnes;
stepmother, Barbara Carnes; half-brother, Mike (Pat) Gillen of Pleasanton; aunts,
Juanita (Joe) Fischer, Hazel Fredornak of Vallejo; uncle, Don Carnes of Santa
Clara; cousins, John Fischer of Vallejo, Steven Fredornak of Benicia, Stanley Fredornak of Ft. Bragg;
nephew, Matt Gillen of Los Angeles; nieces, Stacey Abramson of Parker, CO, Heather Evans of
Castro Valley; stepdaughter, Lisa Plechner of Fall Brook; step-grandsons, Logan and Landon
Plechner of Fall Brook; step-granddaughter, Liana Edwards, US Air Force; stepsisters, Nadine
Palacios of Vallejo, Cynthia Kinney of Vacaville. The family loved Ron very much and he loved his
family.
A memorial service was held yesterday (Dec. 21) in Buena Park at the Christ Community Church.
Our condolences go out to the Ron Carnes family, particularly to his wife Cindy, who will have
to deal with her husband’s loss at this time of the year, which should be joyful and full of
hope.
...
Thanks to Julie Bowen-Stratton ‘61 we finally have an obit on Bob Kellerhall
Robert Allen Kellerhall ‘61
August 31, 1943 – November 25,2014
Robert Allen Kellerhall, 71, of Lynchburg passed away on Tuesday, November 25,
2014. He was the husband of Bonnie Kellerhall.
Robert was born August 31, 1943. He was the son of the late Thomas Jesse
Kellerhall and Vera Lorene Kellerhall.
37
He is preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Jean Kellerhall of 45 years, and their son Brian Kellerhall.
In addition to his wife Bonnie, he is survived by his son; Gregory Kellerhall (Rexine) of Fitzhugh, OK,
two daughters; Tamara "Tammy" Pleski (Todd) of Lindstrom MN, and Tia Kellerhall of Lynchburg,
brother Donald Kellerhall, grandchildren; Jessica Kellerhall, Greg Russell, Kaitlyn Pleski, Travis
Pleski, Derek Kellerhall, Ayla Stiles, Freefall Stiles, Haru Stiles; great grandchildren, Carter, Jayden,
Ethan. Stepchildren, Steven Williams (Jennifer) of California, Lori Lantrip (Rick), Kari Davis (Allen)
Grandchildren; Jessica Manning (Donovan), Steven Williams (Kristen) and Malyssa Williams, Raylyn
Davis. Great grandchildren, Breyden, Charlotte and Triton.
A funeral service was conducted on December 2, 2014 at at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg.
The Last Word…
If you attended the Annual Christmas Pot Luck Party at my home on Dec. 13 and are missing a
tray or a bowl, give me a call… otherwise I’ll add it to our formidable collection. LOL
...
Something to think about…
The federal government, uses Tomahawk cruise missiles and Apache and Lakota helicopters
to kill people. They used the code name “Geronimo” in the attack that killed Osama bin
Laden, but they officially object to the name Washington Redskins. Go figure.
...
I’m pleased to report that after dilly-dallying for over a year I finally had my dentist finish
installing an implant so I no longer look like a “hillbilly.” (Oops, sorry Mel, I didn’t mean to
imply anything or offend you.) LOL.
...
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young
A final word, my dear readers, about how I value the many friendships I have forged over the
years. In the past decade, since publishing the MU, I’ve had a chance to meet so many new
people… good people… interesting people… people who are loving and caring and want to
make a difference. Truly it’s been a pleasure. And then, of course, there are the friends and
classmates that I have known for over half a century and we enjoy getting together and
38
sharing our lives and memories, often over dinner. Unfortunately, some of my dearest friends
live miles away and I don’t get to see them very often. Guys like Glenn Savoy who lives in
Post Falls, Idaho with his wife Connie. We met in high school (in a drama class – where else)
and have been through so much together… the joys and the sadness. And then there’s my
college roommate Lenny Neilson, who lives in Salt Lake City. Man! We’ve had some good
times together - we were even sober for some of them. LOL. I really miss him, especially on
Christmas Eve because that’s when he has his annual Christmas party. It began well over fifty
years ago at his parent’s home and continues to this very day… an unbroken chain from the
past. Lenny, who is half “day-glo” learned to bake bread and to make “bagna cauda” from his
mother (what a wonderful lady she was). For those of you who are uninitiated to “bagna
cauda” (which means “hot bath” in Eye-talian) I’ve included a couple of recipes. Anyway,
since Sally and I have had our 3 children and now grandchildren, we haven’t been able to
break away to SLC to enjoy this festive event with Lenny and his family.
In any case, I emailed Lenny and asked for his recipe for Bagna Cauda to share with you
readers… here ‘tis.
BAGNA CAUDA
Bagna Cauda (pronounced bahn yah - kow dah) has been my family’s Christmas Eve tradition
since I was a little kid.
You should prepare it at the table in an electric pot, such as an electric fondue pot. Start with all the
ingredients, except for the half-and-half, and bring to a slow boil. Then add just a little (couple of
ounces) of half-and-half. Keep the mixture hot, just below boiling, (do not over boil or it will burn.)
You will need to add ingredients to the pot as the night wears on. Add the half-and-half, just enough
to give it a milky appearance.
Traditionally, the diners stand (or sit) around the table and dip a variety of vegetables into the pot.
Use forks and leave the vegetables in long enough to get hot – a minute or so. Then remove and eat
off of good bread. I make homemade hard rolls (also my mother’s recipe) that appear like miniFrench loaves. That’s the best.
You can use a variety of vegetables, but I believe the best are cabbage (use Savoy Cabbage),
baked onions, and mushrooms. Also, some people like broccoli, cauliflower and green peppers.
You just need to experiment.
A great meal. You can supplement with a variety of salamis and cheeses and lots of wine.
Good Luck!
Suggested Vegetables:
Bell peppers (red and yellow)
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Celery sticks
curly cabbage
Small whole mushrooms
Baked onions
Zucchini
Ingredients
½ cup (1/4 lb.) butter
2 oz.
Half and Half
¼ cup
vegetable oil
4 cloves
garlic
1 can (2 oz.)
flat anchovy fillets
Lots of raw vegetables
Makes 8-10 servings
39
NOTES: You should not chop the garlic, rather slice it, perhaps in thirds or fourths for a typical
size clove. Also, you should use flat anchovy fillets, but do not drain or chop them, use right out of the
can. Vegetable oil works better than olive oil, as olive oil has a tendency to smoke.
You need to use baked onions, not boiled. My favorite vegetables are still cabbage (Savoy),
mushrooms and onions. I also like peppers (both green and red) and the guests seem to like
cauliflower and broccoli.
I am attaching my mom's handwritten recipe.
(I’ve only included the section on how to bake
onions.)
350 degrees (1 hr.)
Bake onions with skin. Line pan with
foil cause when the onions cry they
make the pan almost impossible to
clean. Do onions the day before.
Peel onions and keep in fridge.
As for the bread, you will have to import me if you want the real thing. My rolls are getting better, but
will never duplicate my mom's.
Let me know if you have any questions. You should try it because there is nothing better for
Christmas.
Lenny
Thanks, Leonard… I’m salivating like one of Pavlov’s dogs… one of these days I’ll surprise
you and show up at your front door on Christmas Eve. Give my love to Angie, Britton and
Kirsten and, of course, all of your friends and relatives who show up to mooch a free meal
every Christmas Eve.
I also decided to contact our “resident day-glo” for her Bagna Cauda recipe because I didn’t
want to risk making her feel left out and worthless. Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo,
Carmelita.
From: Carmela Piccolo-Coakley ‘58
The way we made Bagna Cauda at home for ourselves was:
Take a cube of butter and melt it in a small pan. Stir in about a can of anchovies (chopped fine or
minced) I like a few minced capers, as well, and a minced up clove of garlic. Keep it warm in a
fondue or small crock pot and dip veggies OR, (my favorite) just crusty sour dough bread.
If you want a little creamier: warm up about a pint of heavy cream just to boiling point, then lower to
medium or less, and cook until it thickens and condenses, stirring periodically so it does t burn.
40
In another pan, melt about a cube of butter, add a couple cloves of minced garlic, a can of minced
anchovies, and stir. Kind of mashing as you go until it is a paste-like consistency. Then slowly add
the cream and stir as you mix it all together until it's smooth.
Serve with dipping size veggies OR crusty sour dough bread! Yummmm
Ohhhhh BTW, this only serves about 4, maybe 6 people. So you can double or triple the recipe for
company.
...
Hmmm… there seems to be a striking resemblance
between Santa and his elf… What d’ya think? A little
“hanky panky” goin’ on in Santa’s workshop? LOL
… thanks for starting your Monday with me… hd
...
...
If your class is having an event within the next year let us know and we’ll keep it posted on the
Calendar.
MU Calendar of Upcoming Events
Date
Event
Place
Time
March 7, 2015
March 27, 2015
Vallejo Sports Hall of Fame Induction
Vallejo/Hogan Alumni Football Game
Dan Foley Cultural Ctr.
Corbus Field
3:30 pm
TBA
41
Public Service Announcement
From: Gary Cullen SV69
Harry ~ I'm sure by now you may have caught the error. World Series Trophy date of 1/20 is actually
a Tuesday, not Saturday. Also, Tim Flannery is coming to the Empress on 1/22, a Thursday. Feel free
to run the flyer on your site. Those of us on Empress staff would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.
42
43
ADDENDUM ONE:
Reunion and Event Announcements(Send us your upcoming events and/or reunions
and we’ll post them here every week until your event.)
This space is available.
For those of you who are members of a class that ends in
the number “0 or 5” (1945, 1950 etc), It’s not too early to
begin publicizing your reunion event.
...
ADDENDUM TWO: Missing Classmates
(Reunion committees: Send me your list if you want it posted here.)
HOGAN HIGH CLASS OF 1965
MISSING CLASSMATES
Please contact Barry Fredenburg @ [email protected]
Ailes, Dennis
Alexander,
Sharon
Alvarado, Michael
Amsbaugh, Dolly
Asbe, Howard
Edmonds, Annabelle
Koontz, Linda
Roberts, Alice
Fawcett, William
Lewis, Isac
Roberts, Ken
Fears, Jeffrey
Guarin, Joseph
Harris, Norman
Avery, Barbara
House, Duanna
Barber, Fred
Baumann, David
Becky, John
Borowski, Janet
Bradeen, Susan
Bradhurst, Shirley
Cambe, Benito
Howe, Joan
Jensen, John
Johnson, Jesse
Keith, Sandra
Kelly, James
Kelly, Judith
Kent, Helen
Linville, Robert
Marquez, Sally
Martin, Doug
McMurphy,
Donna
McBride, Dan
McNairy, Thomas
Mitchell, Robbie
Murchison, Jerry
Neal, Denise
Nichols, Sharon
Oliveira, John
Rollins, Thomas
Salsedo, Pamela
Simon, Margaret
Southerland,
Ronald
Tackmier, Lynn
Talley, Gwendolyn
Trefethen, Janice
Wartburg, Patricia
Weber, Donald
Wilson, David
Wilson, Ellen
44
Diaz, Thomas
Edgar, Shirley
Kersting, Pamela
Kimzey, Linda
Padilla, Priscilla
Pulliam, Harry
Reedy, Carolyn
Zumwalt, Joseph
...
THE FINE PRINT
The Monday Update
Publisher/Editor: Harry Diavatis
Published: Weekly
First Edition: Oct. 26, 2004
Circulation: 1,309 subscribed
(est. readers 1500+)
The Monday Update was originally intended to serve as a newsletter for members of the VHS Class of ’62. Over a period
of time, members of companion classes (1960, ’61, ’63, and ’64) and from Hogan and St. Vincent’s, indicated an interest
and began participating. Today the Monday Update has a wide and varied range of readership ranging from 1937 and
into the 1990s. We also have several -guests” who have no direct affiliation with Vallejo whatsoever but are able to relate
to the era.. Anyone who has an interest in, or is nostalgic for, our era is welcomed to participate.
Back issues from as far back as 2007 are available on line at www.VHS62.com. To subscribe to the MU go to
www.VHS62.com and click on the Link- Sign Up for Our Email Newsletter.”
There is no charge for accessing the Update… just the expectation that subscribers will periodically “contribute”
something to the overall effort, such as a personal update, archival pictures, news, memories, anecdotes, true
confessions etc… anything that may be somehow relevant or interesting to our readership as a whole.
The Editor reserved the right to print, delete, or edit contributions at his discretion and is solely responsible for the content
of the Update. If you send us an email and DO NOT want it published in the Update please be sure to state as much, and
we will respect your wishes. The MU respects your privacy. Personal information, including email addressess and phone
numbers, will not be given out without your permission.
The Monday Update is not financed by, nor does it necessarily reflect the opinions of: Vallejo High School; the VHS
Class of 1962; or the VHS ’62 Reunion Committee. (And it sure as hell doesn’t reflect the Vallejo School Board!)
...
The Official VHS Class of ’62 Web Site
http://www.classreport.org/usa/ca/vallejo/vhs/1962
Administrator: Bill Strong
Asst. Admin: Harry Diavatis
Class size:
Located:
439
Missing:
196
Deceased:
136
Total on File:
771
All members of the VHS Class of ’62 are listed on the site including Missing and Deceased
classmates. Members of VHS ’62 are asked to log on to the site, register, fill out a profile and send in
a current picture. Non class members may also participate and should log on as “guests.”
...
45
YEARBOOKS ON CD
Thanks to Bill Strong, many of the Yearbooks from Vallejo, Hogan, and St. Vincent’s are available on
a CD. (Also quite a few of the Junior High Schools.) The MU will be happy to send you a personal
copy, of your choice, on a CD for a free will donation towards the Class of ’62 party fund. The
average donation has been $35. You may order up to five (5) yearbooks for the same donation.
Year
1929
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44-47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72-74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
VHS
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
HHS
SVHS
VJH
HJH
FJH
Sol JH
Springs JH
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
46
84
85
86
87
88
Total
1
1
1
1
41
1
1
1
13
6
11
5
8
Send your check to:
Harry Diavatis, 5087 Green Meadow Court, Fairfield, CA 94533
47
1
10
48