7/6/2015 - vhs62.com

Monday Update
A weekly newsletter dedicated to those who
remember & celebrate Vallejo as it once was.
Vallejo
Apaches
St. Vincent
Hilltoppers
Hogan
Spartans
St. Patrick/St. Vincent
Bruins
July 6, 2015
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
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Hello Classmates, Schoolmates and Friends:
In this edition: Julie Bowen-Stratton ’61, Anita Broberg-McKee 61, Dick Christensen ’65, Dave
Clement SV60, Ron Collins ’60, Jerry Cook ’58, Fr. Michael Diavatis SP/SV88, Glenn Dyson ’66,
Diane Freudenberg-Hoffman HH71, Joe Illing ’61, Frank Johnson ’43, Bob Lawson ’64, Ann Lemke
’62, Mike McCurry SV60, Don Olson ’48, Carmela Piccolo-Coakley ’58, Tami Post-Lamb ’64, Kathleen
“Kitty” Powell ’65, Virginia Sabillo-Pabinquit '47, Tracy Royer-G, Carol Schneider-Bourgerie ’61, Linda
Tholmer-Anderson ’62, Carolyn Vecchio-Brown ’60, Dalt Williams ’51, and Rick Wilson ’62.
HH = Hogan HS SV = St. Vincent’s HS SP = St. Patrick’s HS FF = Former Faculty
G = Guest VJC = Vallejo JC SCC = Solano Community College
Year Only (ie: ’60) = Vallejo High School
1
Index
This ‘n’ That ............................................................................................................... 2
The Mailbag .............................................................................................................. 10
Apache Review of Arts by John Parks ‘62 ................................................................. 21
On the Sidelines ........................................................................................................ 25
Paperback Writer....................................................................................................... 27
A Stroll Down History Lane........................................................................................ 33
This Weeks Newbies ................................................................................................. 34
In Memoriam ............................................................................................................. 37
The Last Word ........................................................................................................... 37
MU Calendar of Upcoming Events ............................................................................ 39
Public Service Announcements ................................................................................. 41
Addendums ............................................................................................................... 42
The Fine Print ............................................................................................................ 48
Apaches Forever T-Shirt Order Form ........................................................................ 51
This ‘n’ that:
From: Fr. Michael Diavatis SP/SV88
Yesterday (June 29) a new member of our Church
arrived; Vasileios Michael Diavatis. Vasili was born at
10:55 p.m. (after a very, very long day) weighing 9 lbs. 1
oz. and 20 inches long. He has a lot of dark curly hair!
Presvytera Nikol is doing very well (now). Thank you all
for your prayers!
Sally and I are now grandparents 11 times
over, with the birth of our grandson, Vasili.
Mother and child are both doing well. This is
their NINTH child… (5 boys and 4 girls).
I know, I know…
The name Vasileios, is the Greek name for
“King” (Basil in English, as in St. Basil the
Great). Fr. Michael, however, who leans
strongly towards his Greek heritage, will call
the kid “Vasili.” (Vah-SEE-lee)
Welcome to the world, Vasili.
2
Oh, by the way, Vasili’s older brother Spiro (another good Greek name)
will be arriving tomorrow to spend about 3 weeks with us. Spiro is 14
years old and we’re looking forward to his visit and the opportunity to
spoil him a little.
...
Five former Vallejoans, now living in the Coeur d’ Alene region of
Idaho, got together over lunch last Tuesday at Daanen’s Deli in
Hayden, ID.
Jim ’60 and Donna ‘61 Yep-Gleaves, Pam Branch-Pratt ‘64, Mike
Connolly SV63, and seated is Glenn Savoy ’62
Thanks to Pam for sending in the pic and to my buddy Glenn for
facilitating the event..
...
3
“All We Need is Music, Music, Music…”
Music has always been an important part of my
life. I’ve listened to it, loved to it, laughed to it,
cried to it, sang with it and danced to it. Music
has a way as serving as a “time machine” and just listening to it can
take you back to a more innocent time and place. I’m talking about
the music we grew up with… music which is personal to us, and how
it has influenced our lives.
Over the next several issues of the Monday Update we will discuss
and dissect the music of our various eras beginning with the 1940s. I
would like you, our readers, to participate in this by telling the MU
why music was important to you and how it made you feel at the time.
What were your favorite songs and singers? Are you nostalgic for
your music? Do you and your significant other have your own special
song together? Sally and I do.
The music of my era (1955-70) will not be the same music for many of
our other readers, both older and younger. Therefore, we will begin
our musical journey with the 1940s. We have many readers who grew
up in that era and experienced the height of the Big Band era with
notable bands and band leaders such as: Glenn Miller, Benny
Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Count Basie, Stan Kenton,
Charlie Barnet, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, and Artie Shaw.
As the Big Band era waned, other popular singers emerged such as:
Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Cab Calloway, Patti Page, Frankie Lane, the
Andrew Sisters, the Ink Spots, Dinah Shore, Vaughn Monroe, Nat King
Cole, Doris Day, the Mills Brothers, Gene Autry, and ol’ blue eyes,
himself, Frank Sinatra.
I envy those who had the opportunity to grow up in the Big Band era.
You got dressed up, and took your favorite “squeeze” to a club for an
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evening of dinner, dancing and romance. Wow! How cool was that?
After WWII, you can clearly see the evolution from the Big Bands to
the solo artists. What happened? Perhaps this will provide a little bit
of an answer…
“The Big Band sound went strong right up to the end of the war. But when
peace finally came, conditions changed quickly. The troops came home
and were discharged, eager to resume normal life. For them, that meant
taking a big bite out of the golden apple, a bite they rightly believed they
had earned. Now their minds shifted from war and Big Band music to what
the war songs had promised were waiting for them when fighting was
over—the girl they had left behind, a decent job, a home and kids,
prosperity, the good life.
These ex-warriors were the backbone of the land; young and vigorous and
striving, they were far less limited in their viewpoint than their fathers and
mothers had been. Service men and women returning home from WWII
had learned lessons about life that had altered them forever. By stages,
they led themselves, their families, and the nation into the relatively more
liberal fifties. The Big Band sound of the 40s had been the right kind of
music for its time; but now the war years were over and the Big Bands no
longer seemed to fit. A new kind of music was needed, one that could
speak to and for this new age…”
The Big Band sound, for the most part, was, regretfully, over.
Many of the popular songs of the forties had been written for or made
popular by, the movies: Only Forever (Rhythm on the River), White
Christmas (Holiday Inn), Swinging on a Star (Going My Way), Buttons
and Bows (The Paleface), Jingle Jangle Jingle (The Forest Rangers),
Chattanooga Choo Choo (Sun Valley Serenade), On the Atchison,
Topeka and the Santa Fe (The Harvey Girls), You'll Never Know (Hello
Frisco, Hello), Don't Fence Me In (Hollywood Canteen), among others.
Here, then, are the top songs of the ‘40s decade. The (*) indicates
Big Band:
5
The top 5 songs for 1940:
1) *Artie Shaw, "Frenesi"
2) *Glenn Miller, 'In the Mood"
3) *Tommy Dorsey, "I'll Never Smile Again"
4) Bing Crosby, "Only Forever"
5) *Glenn Miller "Tuxedo Junction"
The top 5 songs for 1945:
1) Andrews Sisters, "Rum & Coca-Cola"
2) Perry Como, "Till the End of Time"
3) *Les Brown, "Sentimental Journey"
4) Johnny Mercer, "On the Atchison, Topeka &
the Santa Fe"
5) *Les Brown, "My Dreams are Getting Better"
The top 5 songs for 1941:
1) *Jimmy Dorsey, "Amapola"
2) *Sammy Kaye, "Daddy"
3) *Freddy Martin, "Piano Concerto"
4) *Glenn Miller, "Chattanooga Choo Choo"
5) *Jimmy Dorsey, "Maria Elena"
The top 5 hits for 1946:
1) Ink Spots, "The Gypsy"
2) Frankie Carle, "Oh What it Seems to Be"
3) Frankie Carle, "Rumours are Flying"
4) Dinah Shore, "The Gypsy"
5) Eddy Howard, "To Each His Own"
The top 5 hits from 1942:
1) Bing Crosby, "White Christmas"
2) *Glenn Miller, "Moonlight Cocktail"
3) Kay Kyser, "Jingle Jangle Jingle"
4) *Glenn Miller, 'I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo'
5) *Jimmy Dorsey, "Tangerine"
The top 5 songs for 1947:
1) Francis Craig, "Near You"
2) Ted Weems, "Heart Aches"
3) Vaughn Monroe, "Ballerina"
4) Harmonicats, "Peg O My Heart"
5) Buddy Clark, "Peg O My Heart"
The top 5 songs for 1943:
1) *Harry James, "I've Heard That Song Before
2) Mills Brothers, "Paper Doll"
3) Al Dexter, "Pistol Packin' Mama"
4) Bing Crosby, "Sunday, Monday or Always"
5) Dick Haymes, "You'll Never Know
The top 5 songs for 1948:
1) Dinah Shore, "Buttons and Bows"
2) Peggy Lee, "Manana"
3) Pee Wee Hunt, "12th Street Rag"
4) Ken Griffin, "You Can't Be True, Dear"
5) Nat King Cole, "Nature Boy"
The top 5 songs for 1944:
1) Bing Crosby, "Swinging on a Star"
2) Andrews Sisters, "Shoo-Shoo Baby"
3) Bing Crosby/Andrews Sisters, "Don't Fence
Me In"
4) *Jimmy Dorsey, "Besame Mucho"
5) *Harry James, "I'll Get By"
The top 5 songs for 1949:
1. Vaughn Monroe, "Ghost Riders in the Sky"
2. Frankie Laine, "That Lucky Old Sun"
3. Russ Morgan, "Crusing down the River"
4. Blue Barron, "Crusing Down the River"
5. Evelyn Knight, "A Little Bird Told Me"
The songs of the forties, had great lasting power and even though
many were popular before I was born (1944), I am nevertheless,
familiar with such classics as: In the Mood, I'll Never Smile Again,
Chattanooga Choo Choo, White Christmas, Paper Doll, Swinging on a
Star, Don't Fence Me In, Besame Mucho, Till the End of Time,
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Sentimental Journey, On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe, Peg
O My Heart, Buttons and Bows and Ghost Riders in the Sky. All great
enduring standards.
Okay, readers, let’s hear your thoughts… don’t make me take this
sentimental journey all alone…
Next Week: The Early 1950’s (Pre-Rock ‘n’ Roll)
From: Frank Johnson ‘43
You hit a sweet spot with me. I listen to 1940's music whenever available, plus I have
a few records: Harry James, Benny Goodman, Glen Miller. Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey,
any John Phillip Sousa music, Nat King Cole and the Ink Spots, Spike Jones for
Classical music. Cab Calloway, any Dixieland music. Burl Ives for folk music and
Victory at Sea album by Richard Rogers… any more?
Thanks for your response, Frank.
...
From: Virginia Sabillo-Pabinquit '47
Hi hd... the dreaded "Music" we had to face was the wrath of Sister Rose, the Vallejo
Truant Officer with the VPD, a tough, short, no nonsense female with the swagger of a
bulldog. I was almost incarcerated with my brother after she caught us after 2 a.m.
hanging out on the corner with friends at the old Merchants & Mechanics bank on the
corner of Virginia and Marin. This was after they had taken me on a "Snipe" hunt on
the old Borges ranch.
The 40's, for me, was highlighted with a dance at the Dream Bowl, on Vallejo-Napa
highway, to the music of Lionel Hampton. This was the Big Band era of favorites like
Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Harry James, Woody Herman and, still favorite, Glenn
Miller. Favorite music was Moonlight Serenade, String of Pearls, In the Mood, Tuxedo
Junction etc. Really got down and boogied to Little Brown Jug !!
Thanks for the chance to reminisce...
Thanks for sharing, Virginia.
7
From: Dalt Williams ‘51
I started music at Franklin JHS in 1946 with George Herbert. My favorite band was
Tommy Dorsey and singer was, of course, Frank Sinatra. Patricia and I were going
together later on and "our" song was Forever and Ever. The first song I played for her
was Body and Soul (on trumpet). There’s a lot of ‘40's music that is still around which
shows how great that music was. I could go on and cite musically and harmonically
why that era (30's and 40's) was so great.
Why did big bands disappear? This is what I think happened: During WW2 many of
the musicians were involved in the war which led to a shortage of musicians (on the
home front) for big bands. Smaller groups were formed and this continued after the
war, AND it was financially easier to hire a 5 or 6 piece group than an 18 piece group.
Although some big bands did continue (Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton,
etc.) it was a struggle financially. Many of them developed a college tour circuit and
"clinic" circuit for high school students to participate in and learn jazz. I once attended
one as a High School Director and played in Stan Kenton's Director’s Band.
Good stuff, Dalt… thanks.
...
“Ride, Captain, Ride, upon your mystery ship…”
(or bike, as the case may be)
If you want to support Mike Houston’s ‘61, ride from San Francisco to
Los Angeles to raise funds for the fight against Arthritis, get out your
credit card and click on the link below (or cut and paste into your
browser). It’ll take you right to Mike’s page.. The last time I looked,
Mike had raised $5,395. As Sly Stewart once sang, “I want to take
you higher!”
http://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1121403&supId
=398649231&extSiteType=1
...
From: Tracy Royer-G
I’m Brent and Roberta Johnson’s daughter and I've joined a Relay For Life team
through the American Cancer Society. It will be on August 1st and 2nd at St. Patrick’s
8
High School. If anyone is interested in donating in Mom's memory (or any other
classmates that have been lost to this terrible disease) it would be greatly appreciated.
Any donation would be greatly appreciated. Our team needs to raise a minimum of
$1,000 but my own personal goal is $2,000. With all of your help, I know that I can
easily get there.
I'll be there on August 1st walking or running laps for my sweet Mom. It's been just
over 2 years since she lost her valiant battle, and I don't want it all to have been in
vain. Won't you please join me in this fight?
Thank you, and I hope to see some of you in
August! #cancersucks
Okay MU readers, if you follow these
instructions it will take you where you
need to be to make a donation.
Copy and paste this link into your web
browser.
http://relay.acsevents.org/site/PageServer/?fi
rst_name_query=Tracy&pagename=relay_ge
tinvolved_events&last_name_query=Royer&
search_type=participant
A quick note to our readers:
Some of you may feel that the
MU is continually asking you to
support various causes throughout the year. I want to make it
very clear, that I don’t expect
you to support each and every
request. Also, if you are on a
fixed income, as I know many
of you are, I don’t expect you to
make donations you can’t
afford. Please, only donate if
you can afford it, and if you feel
comfortable doing so.
When it opens you will see the name Tracy Royer and the word
“donate” under her name. Click on donate.
Do NOT click on Tracy Shroyer which is also on that page, unless you
want to donate to a team in Pataskala (wherever that is…) I just
looked it up… it’s in Ohio. LOL
Tracy, I can’t tell you how much Sally and I miss your mother, Roberta.
We had so many good times together with her and Brent. You can
definitely count on me for support and I’m encouraging my readers to
join me in donating. If all of Roberta’s friends donated just $10, you
would reach your $2000 goal in a heartbeat.
9
...
Only 17 Apaches Forever shirts remain:
Mens: 1-large; 5-XL; 1-4XL
Womens: 5-L; 5-2XL
Before you send in your order, please email me to confirm
that I still have the size you want. [email protected]
You can find the order form on page 51 of this MU.
...
Visiting Grandma
What assholes!
Contributed by Mike McCurry SV60
...
The Mail Bag
From: Linda Tholmer-Anderson ‘62
Good Morning Harry,
Don’t tell Sally, but it took 6 months to redo my bedroom
and bathroom. The contractor said it would take about 3
weeks. Haahahahaha
10
“Heart-stopping envy
is the sincerest form
of flattery.”
I am so envious of your garden. Mine is just starting to grow. I think it is because the
weather is much cooler down here and the wind is awful.
Hmmm… I see… my garden is only better because of the weather and
the lack of wind, eh? How about my superior skills as a gardener?
...
From: Don Olson ‘48
Frank Johnson ’43, mentioned working for Manuel and Sophie Lampros at the Star
Market. This got my attention as I also worked there in 1943 and 1944. Sure would like
to talk with Frank.
I forwarded your email to him, Don.
...
From: Carolyn Vecchio-Brown ‘60
Wow, I thought I was just answering the question from an MU subscriber regarding the
Marshall Islands. If I'd known you were going to print it, I would have been much more
careful about my punctuation, etc... OOPS! I know “it's” is a conjunction not to be
confused with “its”! Blah, blah, blah.
And it was a wonderful experience, Harry... Those of us who were fortunate to have
shared this wonderfully unique lifestyle, though spread all over the country and world
upon leaving, manage to continue to keep in close contact. It's very much like a huge
family!
I have a personal license plate which reads 'KWAJMOM' and at least 6 times since I
left Kwaj, I have found someone patiently waiting for me by my car because they, too,
spent time on Kwaj. It has been wonderful and is an experience for which my family
and I will always be grateful.
Now, Carolyn, you know that I will print just about anything that’s
sent to me unless it carries the stipulation “Do Not Publish.” I
thought your experiences on Kwaj were worthy of spreading around.
...
From: Carol Schneider-Bourgerie ‘61
When I heard on the news about the fire in Washington that burned some 20 homes, I
thought of my classmate, Anita Broberg-McKee ‘61. I think that is the community
where she lives. Have you heard from her? I hope that she and her family are okay.
11
I e-mailed Anita and received this response:
From: Anita Broberg-McKee 61
Hi Harry. Thanks for thinking of me. A little geography lesson here. Wenatchee is on
the west side of the Columbia River, East Wenatchee is on the east side of the river
(duh??) We live in East Wenatchee and the fire was in Wenatchee. It started about 3
miles west of Wenatchee, probably a cigarette tossed out. We are hilly and very
dry. Up high around here are forests, but Wenatchee is mostly very dry grass and lots
of orchards.
We have had extreme heat for the entire month of June. It is not uncommon to be
above 100 in August, but to have 20 days out of 30 over 100 in June is very rare. It
was 108 on Sunday night when the fire started. Moved very slowly until it hit the top of
the hill above the Broadview subdivision, then it blew up., Burned 29 homes $500,000
to $750,000 value. Then some embers blew about 2 miles away and started a fire at a
paper packaging plant close to the Columbia River. They make boxes for the fruit
packing sheds and had lots of pallets of cardboard outside their building. That caught
fire, burning next door to the Blue Bird fruit warehouse and then to the Stemilt
warehouse. Those warehouses were packing cherries and both were destroyed. Our
cherry season is in full swing so I don't doubt some growers lost fruit that was in the
warehouses.
We had smoke and ash in our yard Sunday night, but by Monday morning the smoke
was gone and have had blue skies ever since. It is about 104 as I write this and not
expected to drop lower than 100 till next Friday. Ugh!!!!
We live about 5 miles away from the fire but everyone here in the area mourn for the
people who lost their homes. But Wenatchee people are resilient and the entire
community is stepping up to help.
Hope you are all doing well. Thanks for your concern.
Anita, the houses were bad enough… but the cherries too! How sad.
...
From: Julie Bowen-Stratton ‘61
Re: Parks’ “Barber Conundrum. ” Nobody shaves the barber, because she's a woman.
Wrong answer, Julie. The paradox is actually mathematical and
12
waaaaay over my head. Don’t act as if you’ve never noticed the
mustache on some Greek and Eye-talian women…
...
From: Carmela Piccolo-Coakley ‘58
Ohhhhhh Harry! I KNOW how you love Mike when he
shows some skin... and what better photo than one in his
Birthday Suit on his 80th Birthday!!
OMG! Talk about
kiddie porn.
I surprised him with a weekend at
the Sonoma Mission Inn. We had
a fabulous time. He didn't want a
party, and this was exactly what I
knew he would love.
Now on to the other subject of the day...
I "like" your GREEK recipe for Chicken and Pasta. But to
change it from GREEK to ITALIAN, for those who want a little more spice in their life,
we add olive oil and chopped parsley, along with some crushed red pepper and
Parmesan cheese once the pasta and chicken have been put into the serving bowl.
More or less crushed red pepper, to your own taste of "spicy".
And the salad changes from GREEK to ITALIAN when the Feta cheese is exchanged
for fresh Mozzarella (Buffola is the best) and Basil leaves.
So, we could be "twins" in heritage. But not identical! Thus, always a competition
between Harry, and us! So JUST GIVE UP you Ol' Greek, and leave me in my glory!
It crossed my mind that when you write the school and year of the graduate, I don't
know if I ever gave you Mike's! He graduated from Benicia High, in 1953. (Since the
MU is primarily aimed at Vallejoans and former Vallejoans, we only
list the Vallejo schools. People who write in from other schools are
listed as “guests”, even when they are “familia,” as is Mike.)
13
I want to congratulate you on your new grandbaby. Obviously, with all these offspring,
the Diavatis chain will be around for centuries. But it's truly a beautiful blessing.
(Thanks, Carm… yes there are now 5 Diavatis boys who will hopefully
be fruitful and multiply and keep the name alive for a while.)
Also, tell your other readers that I truly enjoy their stories... Carol Vecchio-Brown,
Binky, and that wild, crazy surfer (Jerry Cook), along with the rest of our awesome
Vallejo brothers and sisters. I love them all, and I love you, you Cwazy Gweek!
Hmmm… so let me get this straight, Carm… you’re saying we could be
fraternal twins… sort of like Romulus and Remus? I always thought of
you more like Lupa, the she-wolf. Hmmm… beware of Eye-talians
bearing compliments.
...
From: Glenn Dyson ‘66
Harry, please send this link to our surfer friend in Australia. Even though the article
says he disappeared 5 years ago, tell him that was due to poor editing, and they meant
to say over 25 years ago, putting our friend into the timeline!! It's a good joke.
The article that Glenn alludes to is about an American tourist who
disappeared and resurfaced years later when he was arrested for
burglary. Hmmm… I can see why Glenn might have thought this could
have been our own Jerry Cook. LOL. Hmmm... Jerry is this article
about you with an alias. Glenn seems to think so. LOL.
From: Jerry Cook ‘58
Haha, not related! Thanks for the notice, Harry, and Glenn.
Here's a bit of a rundown on my past moves. I first got to Oz early 1966, for more than
one reason. That’s now very close to 50 years ago. One reason was that I have a
relative that was first here in about 1840 who then moved to Oahu, and then Maui,
Hawaii, originally from Wales, England. Both Australia and Hawaiii (Sandwich Islands)
were under English control then.
I lived on Maui for 10 years, the 80's, but finally got back to Oz after my dad had
passed in Vallejo. I left Maui to be with my dad in Vallejo just before that, 199095. That was very difficult, but family is important to me. I also have a family history in
14
Marin Co, from about 1835 on my mother’s side, Vallejo from about 1885, on my dad's
side.
As with my forbearers, I have lived in California, Hawaii, and Australia. So many flights
I lost count.
My Uncle Bud was living at Waiainae, near Makaha, and was a big influence, when
visiting him in 1958, right after graduating from Vallejo Senior High School. He is also
the one who got my brother Tim and I into surfing then.
Many Americans have come to Australia, especially during the Vietnam war. We had
some of the soldiers stay with us here in the end of the 60's, on R & R. They did not
have nice things to say about that damn useless war for a corrupt Vietnamese
government, and many came back here to stay. Others went AWOL into Canada and
then here right after.
Other Americans have also come here. I have an American friend here right now, at my
age of 75, originally from El Cerrito, also a swimmer and ex Navy Seal, totally fed up
with the US. He is not alone by a longshot.
I had another American friend here, a surfer from S Calif and then Hawaii, who long
ago, about 1977 or so, got involved with a big cannabis smuggling operation, bales
dropped off and buried on a nearby island, and of course, done over by customs when
trying to get it on the island. He was deported back to the US, in a time when the plant
was a lot more taboo, and for opposition profits backed by absolute lies. Now one of
the islands, Norfolk Island, is trying to set up a big grow operation for export to
Canada! How times change, eh?
More Americans are coming here again, very upset with what’s going on generally in
the US now. To be in Australia now, you have to pass points tests, to do with
education, assets, and family ties to come in through the front door. Back door entry is
very risky, but still done too, about 50,000 a year by air, too many to find them all by the
government. By boat is way more risky and usually ends up in an offshore prison,
called Detention Centres, indefinitely, even little kids... a lot of controversy about that
here. A better answer for refugees is needed, asap, a big problem elsewhere too.
The Australian government is a lot more for existing citizens than in the US, free health
care for us older "retired" citizens, much less costly for everyone in fact, and a much
better pension than the US.
It has worked out well for me here, with some U.S. Social Security pension and a
larger Australian pension too. I have dual citizenship. The trick now is to stay alive in
good condition, so I surf, dance, and am very careful with an educated diet, and you
know I have a year ‘round producing veggie garden. I won't stop working either, doing
15
art mural decor for Doof dance festivals, and working full on every evening on contemporary art canvas painting, as I am very involved with Ozzie galleries, along with the
Doof art. I am retired out of architecture is all, so much paperwork I do not miss.
Sitting around doing nothing is absurd, and deadly, as you would know. Stay active or
else…
I must say, from the area there, Suzie Schmutz ‘59 is a great inspiration to me now such an amazing water related spirit! She can come here and surf with me anytime. I
hope the drought there does not dry up all the swimming pools!
There are many different nationalities here now, mostly German, after long time
Ozzies. The mid-east countries have many trying to get here now, and that has been a
problem in the cities, but not much in more rural areas, such as where I am. One of my
best friends here, Athina Astras, 79, is Greek, and in art marketing, still going strong.
She is so sweet and gracious, just wonderful.
I hope that fills in a bit for you and Glenn. There's a lot more to it of course, but that’s a
basic run through, after being a Vallejo Apache student and swimmer, that was followed by San Jose State Spartans, and a brief time back in Vallejo, before deciding to
move to where the world's fastest swim stroke was invented, the Australian Crawl, or
Freestyle.
...
From: Dick Christensen ‘65
Wish we could send you some of the water we have here in St. Louis. It was the
wettest June on record.
Send it on… we’ll take it. LOL.
...
From: Dave Clement SV60
This one really appealed to my more
whimsical side.
And where School Boards do
not do arbitrary and capricious
things out of political correctness.
I say “Amen” to that, Dave. We are
living in an age of unbridled silliness.
16
Thank God we had our turn before things became quite so crazy. I
feel sorry for our children and grandchildren, because it’s bound to
get worse… not better.
...
From: Carol Schneider-Bourgerie ‘61
My "significant other" and I moved back to Vacaville on May 5 from Trilogy in Rio
Vista. We bought a home in another 55+ gated community, although this place is
nothing like Trilogy which had 2,600 homes and still building. Diamond Grove only has
222 homes and few amenities. The residents seem friendly for the most part but the
"rules" prohibit us from doing ANYTHING in our front yards, so we all look alike. Don is
busy trying to make the back yard look inviting.
We moved back to Vacaville so we could be closer to the doctors/hospitals. Don has
lots of doctor appointments and that drive on Hwy 12/113 was getting to me. There are
NO doctors in Rio Vista, although I think they just started to provide a mobile unit that
comes to town on a limited schedule.
It sure is nice to be able to dash to the store when we need/want something. Before
we'd have to make sure that our shopping list was complete so we could shop while on
our trips to doctor appointments. Heaven help us if we forgot something. Rio Vista
does have a good grocery store and a super hardware store, but the prices are
higher. There is also a nice bra store - but can you buy a pair of jeans? Only at a
consignment/secondhand store. Rio Vista did just open a Family Dollar Store.
Whoopee!!
Anyway, we are glad to be back to civilization, close to family, friends and medical
facilities.
Carol, I’m sure you know that we have quite a few former Vallejoans
now residing in Vacaville. It’s really a very nice community. When
Sally and I were looking to move from Benicia 11 years ago, we
actually looked in the Vacaville area. The only downside was that
Vacaville is usually several degrees hotter than Fairfield (which is
several degrees hotter than Vallejo/Benicia) and 15 miles further up I80 which means that during major commute days the traffic is
17
unbearable. In any case, welcome back to the area.
...
From: Ron Collins ‘60
It went smoothly, hitching up the fifth wheel RV to the one ton pickup including the
loading of food and supplies needed for a six day camp stay at Mammoth Lakes this
Fourth of July. Not showing too much concern pulling out of the driveway, it seems
that the truck wasn't pulling the rig fast enough on the highway. About nine miles into
the trip toward Tahoe, just before Placerville, a lady in a pickup truck rolls down her
window and motions for us to do the same. She said, "There's an awful lot of smoke
coming from your tires." Quickly glancing in the rear view mirror, black smoke was
billowing from the tires.
Pulling into the next street, my brakes were jammed shut on the RV but allowed the
tires to keep rolling, slowly. Thoughts were racing through my mind, "will we not make
this trip?" Calling one service… no answer. The only decision left was for me to pull
the RV two miles away to another service business used many times before, as an
excavation contractor needing work done on trailers. Chuck answered the cell phone
call and with attempts at remaining calm, I told him our predicament. This was ninethirty in the morning stopping at Idle Wheels Service, he had a customer coming in for
a pre-arranged appointment at 10 a.m.
The breakaway switch had come loose on the RV locking down the trailer brakes,
much like a big truck coming down too steep a hill. Within thirty minutes the unit
was replaced, the brakes now worked fine but needed to cool a little. We were on our
way one hour after the lady first told us about the smoke. I felt we had just entered a
pit stop, the crew had a fast fling, and pushed the car back on the race track.
That's smoking! We're in Mammoth Lakes.
Talk about lucky… that could have screwed up your entire vacation.
...
From: Meredith Brown-Rond ‘62
Just to let you know our hearts go out to the Capoot/DeCarlo families. Conrad went to
school with Vivian (she was 1 year ahead) and we want her to know how sad and
upset we feel about the loss of her wonderful son-in-law.
18
I also want to mention that I have a cousin in "Coeur d' Alene" and are planning to visit
with her in the next few months. Kim says it's a lovely area and we are looking forward
to checking it out.
Yes, Meredith… “lovely” in the summer. Winter? Not so “lovely.” LOL.
...
From: Ann Lemke ‘62
Dear Harry, We celebrated the Fourth of July, our
birthdays and our long lasting friendships with joy,
jokes and old stories. We are all healthy with the
usual complaints of aging.
Wishing you and Sally the very best of health and
happiness.
Ann Lemke, Karen Bell-Patten &
Judy Pennington-Stiltz
Ah, my beautiful classmates… so happy to see you again.
...
From: Nick Razes ‘56
The NorCal Knockout Car Show iin Vallejo
Cool band, they were really good.
Really nice "high Boy" roadster
19
Nice chop top Olds
Cool speedster
’53 Buick Special
Why did the blonde get excited after
finishing her puzzle in 6 months?
The box said 2-4 years!
20
The Apache Review of Arts
.... Yippee-Yi-Ki-Yay-Ki-Yo!
By John Parks
GUESTIMATE THE YEAR! ----
MORE ERIC DUGAN PHOTO MAGIC ----
21
“DRESS UP DAY” AT VHS ---- so all the Student Council dressed up. “Those were
the days, my friend!”
When I was younger
it was plain to me
I must make something of myself.
Older now
I walk back streets
admiring the houses
of the very poor:
roof out of line with sides
the yards cluttered
with old chicken wire, ashes,
furniture gone wrong;
the fences and outhouses
22
built of barrel staves
and parts of boxes, all,
if I am fortunate,
smeared a bluish green
that properly weathered
pleases me best of all colors.
No one
will believe this
of vast import to the nation.
“Pastoral” by William Carlos Williams
IN ROLLING VALLEY ---- Friends and I
recently tried this neighborhood restaurant
and were very pleased at how nice it was -and affordable. Here's what I learned on line
about the name: “Tau tau are a type of effigy
made of wood or bamboo. They are
particular to the Toraja ethnic group in South
Sulawesi, Indonesia. The word "tau" is a
Torajan word meaning "man", and "tau tau"
meaning "men" or "statue".
YOU'VE SEEN MANY COLONIAL HOMES ---- in this column. It's about time to
feature General Vallejo's House. Most of you have probably been to see it in person at
the State Park in Sonoma.
“Vallejo began purchasing
acreage for his residential estate
late in 1849. He named it
Lachryma Montis (mountain
tear) a rough Latin translation of
Chiucuyem (crying mountain) the Native American name for
the free-flowing spring on the
property. The home was built a
half-a-mile northwest of the town
plaza. After returning from
Monterey for California's 1849 Constitutional Convention, Vallejo determined to move
his growing family from La Casa Grande and the center of Sonoma. He remembered
the location of the spring from an early trip surveying areas around Mission San
23
Francisco Solano. The design of the house and its furnishings illustrate Vallejo's
ongoing Americanization and his openness to new ideas. The family moved into the
home near the end of 1852.
The house was prefabricated, designed and built on the east coast, shipped around
Cape Horn on a sailing ship, and then assembled at its present site. The design is
known as Victorian Carpenter Gothic, highlighted by a large Gothic window in the
master bedroom, twin porches, dormer windows, and elaborate carved wooden trim
along the eaves. Adobe bricks were placed inside the walls of the house in order to
keep it warm in winter and cool in summer. Insulation with adobe was a material which
Vallejo felt had proven practical in California’s climate.”
GO FOR A STROLL ---- the next time you're in the town named after Vallejo. This Art
& Architecture Walk would probably be a good route to follow.
On a clear day you'll see views like this.
24
HERE'S AN EXACT REPLICA
---- of the good ship “Hermione”
that brought Lafayette and
others from France to assist
American patriots in the
Revolutionary War. It's on a
voyage this summer with
several stops at East Coast
ports. I wanted to see it in
Alexandria but was unable to.
SONG OF THE WEEK ----It's “Lost in Fifties Tonight” by Ronnie Milsap -with LOTS of neat nostalgic images from that time. You're gonna love it!
http://safeshare.tv/w/FEDEwZHZXu
“Gone in a flash,”
John
[email protected]
John, what a great picture of the Student Council all dressed up. Out
of that group of 22 people, 4 are no longer with us, and 11 of them
subscribe to the MU, so I’m sure they’ll be pleased to see it.
...
On the Sidelines
Jeff Gordon was to begin in the 23 position at the Coke Zero
400 in Daytona, Florida on Sunday night but it was
delayed past the MU cutoff time so you’ll have to get your
results from your local newspaper. Sorry.
25
CC Sabathia (3-8, ERA 5.59) lasted 7.1 innings and actually didn’t
pitch too badly but had no support from the Yankee bats. The big guy
gave up 6 hits and 4 earned runs while striking out 6.in New York’s 41 loss to the L.A. Angels. The problem is he’s giving up a whole lot of
home runs.
CC was scheduled to start last night against Tampa, but the Yankees have opted to
give the struggling veteran pitcher a few more days off before his next start on
Wednesday against the Oakland Athletics.
...
The Brewers recalled pitcher Tyler Cravy from Triple-A Colorado
Springs on Friday night when the Hogan High graduate made his
second appearance this season with the Milwaukee.
Cravy threw two innings in relief and gave up three hits and one
earned run in the Brewers 12-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
...
Oh no… say it ain’t so. Local talent Joey Chestnut ‘01 is no
longer the champion of the world hot dog eating champ. The 8time world champ just lost the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating
Contest. Chestnut finished an impressive 60 hot dogs in 10
minutes but his opponent sucked back 62. The victory would have
been Chestnut's 9th in a row.
...
Stalking is when two people go for a long romantic walk together
but only one of them knows about it.
...
26
Okay, Readers, send in that little short story, essay, poem, remembrance or whatever, you always
thought deserved to be published and we’ll use it in Paperback Writer..
“Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?
It took me years to write, will you take a look?”
Paperback Writer
HOW TO SELL A NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTION TO A BLIND MAN.
by Joe Illing
I was fifteen. It was my first job. The hot Vallejo, California summer sun beat down on
me, but I didn’t notice. I was gung ho! Eager to get going!
The San Francisco Examiner
wants you!
I’d joined a crew of about a dozen kids to sell newspaper subscriptions to the San
Francisco Examiner. Our job? To set-up routes for paperboys. How? By going door-todoor through neighborhoods offering residents a special introductory deal that includeed, in addition to a three month Examiner subscription, a beautiful, pure wool stadium
blanket!
“That’s a darn good offer!” I thought. “Who wouldn’t want that?”
My first day began with an inspirational sales meeting led by our sales manager, who,
it must be said, did a sad job of trying to inspire a group of incurious teens who could
hardly withhold their giggles when he invoked something he labeled the Examiner
spirit.
While his entire spiel didn’t go so well, he at least ended his pep talk with something
useful … a detailed explanation of the special subscription offer and an order pad.
On reflection, maybe he does deserve some credit after all. Perhaps he subliminally
did manage to instill some of that Examiner Spirit in us, for following his pitch we ran to
our assigned neighborhoods, fanned out, two to a block, and went door to door down
it’s streets, covering a fair sized chunk of territory in the process.
27
I felt pretty good about the way things were going. I sold a special offer subscription to
about every other house I visited (it was the age of housewives, a decade before the
movement to liberate women began … and the tail-end of the golden era of door-todoor salesmen).
My superb sales-closed success seemed perfectly logical to me. In fact it puzzled
me why half of the prospects didn’t buy. “Who wouldn’t want a blanket and three
month Examiner subscription for practically free?” Why anyone would say no just
honestly stumped me.
By the time I approached an older place, its front yard overgrown with plants and
bushes of every description fighting an epic battle with each other for territory
(Vallejo was originally named Eden for good reason), I was
brimming with confidence, like a seasoned pro … but I
wasn’t ready for what followed.
The shrubs were intertwined
like snakes fighting for turf
I navigated the narrowing entry passageway, silvery spider webs overhead and
knocked enthusiastically. I rang the doorbell. I was possessed! I wanted to keep
getting on down the block to let everybody in on the great deal I could give them!
A middle-aged man with a kindly face answered the door. I immediately launched into
my sales pitch. About half way through, he interrupted, “Hey. It’s pretty hot out there.
How’d you like a soda?”
“Yeah! I’d love one!” I replied, “that sounds great!”
He ushered me into his kitchen. Still filled to the brim with the Examiner Spirit I continued to tell him about my excellent deal for a blanket and a subscription! … but when
we sat down at his table, I felt things weren’t quite right.
“Something’ s wrong here,” I thought, “Something’s fishy.”
When he talked to me he didn’t look in my eyes. He looked close, at an ear or my chin
or my forehead, but not in my eyes. I hadn’t been around anything like this before, but
I could tell … he must be blind!
28
This thought occurred to me at about the same time he was saying, “Wow. That
sounds like an excellent deal. Yes, I’d like to give it a try.”
I collected myself from my shock, which, after waving my hand back and forth in front
of his face confirmed.
“Hey, that’s great,” I said, “but really, you don’t have to do that. It’s okay. I understand,
and I really appreciate the soda.”
“No, no,” he answered, “you don’t understand. If I have a newspaper lying around, my
visitors will read it to me … and they’ll stay longer.”
“Wow,” I thought, “I never could have dreamed this up!” as I helped
him navigate the pen to my order book’s signature line.
Reading the news
was a peaceful ritual
When I left this man’s house, order in hand, I felt pretty good about
myself. I fancied I was some kind of Samaritan, or something like that. I could almost
hear his visitors reading the Examiner’s news, sports and columns to him in a kind
of Norman Rockwell setting. It all seemed so, well, sweet … and then, of course, it was
a darned good deal!
At the end of the day we returned to the sales manager’s garage, orders in hand,
which he reviewed first thing. When he came to mine, his hands went up as he
exclaimed, “Illing, you sold more than everyone else here combined! Come on up!”
I didn’t appreciate the attention … not one bit. As I stood next to him, with him beaming
like a new father, he asked me, in a loud, enthusiastic voice, “Tell us how you did it!”
“Well,” I replied. “I simply said what you told us to say.”
Of course that was music to his ears. He now beamed so bright he could have lit-up
the half of Vallejo.
“Tell us about your sales son” he said, becoming insufferably familiar all of a
sudden. “Did you have any unusual ones?”
“Nope” I answered.
“Well, were there any you’d call out of the ordinary or different?” he persisted.
29
“Well I guess there was one you could call different,” I said, after
giving the question a bit more consideration.
You did WHAT?
“Yeah? Tell us about it.” my beaming boss responded.
“Well, there was this blind guy …”
My boss was stunned. He couldn’t say anything for a considerable time and then
blurted out, “What? You sold a newspaper subscription to a blind man?”
We all learned a few lessons about selling that day, and I learned something about the
human condition that I’ve never forgotten … about the lonely lives some of us live and
how a visitor can bring comfort and joy to them by simply reading aloud and by simply
being with them.
I also learned that in sales you should never pre-judge a customer, or think you know
why they might not buy something, because you never know until you ask. Never,
never, never!
——————————————————
Next Week: How to Get a Great Job You Really Don’t Want Part 1
Joe, our readers are really enjoying your stories... I know I am.
From: Joe Illing ‘61
Thanks Harry! I couldn’t be more pleased to hear that you and your readers enjoy my
stories … that’s a heartening compliment indeed. I’m sure you know as well as anyone
how an occasional encouraging word can bring a lift to someone spending much time
writing! It’s much appreciated.
I really envy you, Joe. I have all of these ideas for stories in my head
and also a major screenplay about Red Grange but I don't have what it
takes to sit down and get it done. That takes a brand of discipline
that I don't possess. Years ago I even had one of the producers of
Magnum P.I. very interested in the Red Grange story which I had
actually done quite a bit of work on. Never did get back to it though.
30
Joe Responds…
Great idea … the Galloping Ghost himself! I had a mentor/friend, Don Salisbury, who
attended Cal in the 1930s and saw Red Grange play. Don said that Grange scored a
touchdown before he even had a chance to sit down. Needless to say Cal lost, which
in the 1930s was as unusual as it’s been for Cal to win since ’59, our last trip to the
Rose Bowl!
I’d say you’ve succeeded quite well with your writing judging from MU and its following.
I believe it’s a template for something every town would love to have … but it's Vallejo’s
singular luck to have you and MU!
Joe, when Grange left the University of Illinois after his last football
game in 1925 he immediately turned pro and went on an 18 day 10
game barnstorming tour which made him a rich man. Grange’s team
came out to California and played a couple of games out here against
college all-stars. I wonder if that’s the game your friend was talking
about? I can’t find any reference to Red Grange as a Chicago Bear,
playing Cal in the thirties or any other time, for that matter.
...
Deanna and The Lone Ranger
There are certain times in life that solidify memories, and more often they're associated
with people we know. Growing up in South Vallejo, after the war, many of us were
settled in government housing, then branched out into homes clustered in city blocks
near grammar schools attended as youth.
Deanna Trujillo-Del Rosario, also VHS class of 1960, lived across the street from Grant
Grammar School. My brother, Jerry, and I resided two blocks away from her.
As a carpenter, my dad had friends that our parents often visited, especially when
advice was needed, say on placing new shingles on a roof and lending a helping
hand. Often the favor was returned with invites to our friends’ home. One day my
brother and I were asked to watch their new TV, featuring The Lone Ranger. We both
still remember this kind act. They had one of the first televisions in the area. After that,
memories from the William Tell Overture were forever associated with The Lone
Ranger, indelibly imprinted in our mind in the classic ending "Hi Yo Silver, away."
31
Deanna lived one hundred feet away from where Jerry and I eagerly watched our first
television beginning with this classic series.
Of late years, Deanna had been ill. After more than 60 years having first seen the
original on a small screen near Deanna's residence, along comes this new movie
of The Lone Ranger playing in Vallejo. We again sat together mesmerized like the
children we were in 1950. Toward the movie's end came the long awaited William Tell
Overture that excited us to smiles and "high fives". Feeling as older children, we got
up out of our seats to have lunch at a nearby restaurant, and there she was, non other
than Deanna and her daughter Andrea, sitting in the restaurant, about one hundred
feet away from our second view of The Lone Ranger! This time we celebrated the
coincidence, with her at lunch together, and laughed.
Such is just a small incidence but memorable, a part of the events that helped shape
our youth, including the life of Deanna, now passed and living in our hearts, along
with The William Tell Overture.
Ron Collins ‘60
...
.
Jerry had decided to tie the knot with his longtime girlfriend. Shortly after their
honeymoon, he was cleaning his golf shoes and his new bride was standing by
watching him.
After a long period of silence she said. "Honey, I've been thinking, now that we
are married I think it's time you quit playing golf and sell your golf clubs."
Jerry gets this horrified look on his face.
She says, "Darling, what's wrong?"
“For a minute there you were sounding like my ex-wife."
"Ex-wife!" she screams, "I didn't know you were married before!"
"I wasn't!"
Contributed by Tami Post-Lamb ‘64
...
32
A Stroll Down History Lane…
A place to share your memories…
before they disappear forever.
From: Butch Dunkle ‘64
Hi Harry,
As Binky Castleberry ‘56 reminisced about our surfing days in last week's MU, it
brought back a lot of memories.
Yes, in calling ourselves the Vallejo Surfing Association (VSA) we did come up with a
fraternity of sorts, though no skills, certification, secret handshakes, or any other
requirements or attributes were needed. One only needed to drive occasionally,
contribute for gas, and have a surfboard to be a member.
As Binky mentioned, the core began with Bob Perruchon ‘64, Bob Russell HH64, JT
Trower HH84, and myself, in the spring of '64. Then, that summer, we were joined by
Jim Goforth, John Nofts, and Tom Ogle. We had a brief auxiliary that summer which
included a few guys who came out only once or twice, and we were a mixture of VHS
and HHS '63 & ‘64 guys, until Binky, came on board later.
Lots of stories from those trips but a few stood out. There was the time when a couple
of us checked into a motel for about $10 a night, and once we got to the tiny room, we
were joined by another five or six guys. We were cramped up in our sleeping bags, but
we had enough money left over to get some beer and then dance the night away to
surfer music at the Santa Cruz boardwalk pavilion.
Another time, Tom Ogle showed up so proud of his brand new surfboard. He was
attempting to catch his very first wave. After a very short ride, he fell off, and we all
watched in horror as that beautiful board headed straight into the rocks and broke right
in half. Sad, but in a sick way, kind of funny too.
Then there were the memories of cruising Georgia Street on Monday nights. Our
boards packed on our roof racks and surfer music blaring from our radios. Dressed in
our white Levis and Madras shirts, we were sooo cool.
There were a couple of the summers on poorly built skateboards. We'd constructed a
short piece of 2"x4", nailed a set of steel roller skate wheels on, then head for Bergwall
33
Way, up above VHS. It was steep, and everyone seemed to know how to balance OK,
but the hardware didn't lend itself to turning. If you could get the board pointed toward
a yard to jump into, it became your friend when trying to stop. Some tried to make a
baseball sliding motion before going into a curb, or simply tried jumping off. But because of the speed attained on the descent, jumping off resulted in attempt-ting to run
faster than you were capable of before tumbling down the street. If memory serves me,
I believe it was Hank McGraw, home from his minor league season, who fell once and
landed on his throwing elbow. Scary and painful at first, but no permanent damage.
Another fond memory was the VJC experience. Maybe the most fun and growing
up process I can remember, where so many of us from all of Vallejo's high schools, the
other Solano County high schools, and Benicia too.
A true melting pot where everyone seemed to get along and make friends so well.
Even guys like Binky who'd graduated a few years earlier than most of us, was just one
of the crowd. There were great guys like Gordy Sorg ‘59, and Bruce Tarbox among
others who fit right in. Then there was Ed Rollins SV60 and Bob Garrioto, who were
returning to VJC after not liking the colleges they'd transferred to upon leaving VJC
earlier.
In Football, we had guys, going to school after spending four years in the military.
These included Mike Wentworth, Frank Arellano ‘61, and Dallas Roundtree ‘61, all
good players. In fact Dallas played baseball well enough to sign professionally, and
played a couple of years in the minors thereafter. He had such a baby face that the
team that signed him thought he was just an 18 year old phenom instead of the 23
year old freshman that he was. I don't know if he provided them a bible with a birth
date inscribed in it or not, but it was pretty funny to pull it off. And of course, there was
the Greek Letter Society, or, "The Greeks" that always had something going on. And,
with so many members 21 or older, beverage access for parties was plentiful. HD, I'm
sure you had to be the "Official" Greek in the society.
The annual Right of Spring event was "Pioneer Days" on campus. It was an all day
party with music, games, and other activities.
One last great memory was a Monday "guys only" evening hosted by Bob Labelle,
SV62. It involved a group of VJC baseball players from over a few years. We gathered
to visit with Tug McGraw SV62 and Ron Svaboda, an outfielder and his road game
roommate, with the Mets. It was an off night before their game the next night against
the Giants. A funny memory that night was seeing Tug and Svaboda riding Labelle's
Honda 50 up the hill in front of St. Vincents completely revved up under the burden of
their weight and blowing blue smoke until it finally quit. I'm sure the Mets would've
loved to have seen that.
34
Anyway, what a fun time to be going to school, making so many new friends and
growing up before going on to the next of life's chapters.
Take care Harry, and as so many have expressed, thank you for bringing so many of
us together each week.
...
From: Diane Freudenberg-Hoffman HH71
An old Vallejo Time Herald article: Bay Terrace Graduates June 1942. My dad, Albert
Freudenberg Jr. and classmates. This would have been the Vallejo High class of 1948
The graduating class of Bay Terrace School was feted yesterday by their faculty and
the P.T.A. Next semester they’ll be Junior High students. Posed on steps of the school
with their teacher, Don Bourdo, and their principal, Alfred Siegler, are: Joan Gallegos,
Henry Budding, Jack Gee, Joyce Dalton, Charlotte Clute, John Tucker, Bobbie Ihinger,
Thomas Ary Richard Struble, Patsy German, Jean MCanless, Doris Nedson, Hans
Jacoben, Fritz (Fred) Graf, Lorene Palmer, Pete Hoffman, Bernard Buday, Dickie
Cooper, Alfred Freudenberg, Anthony Tnos, Billie Ruth Baker, Jean Waterman, Donald
Dalby, Eleanor Nelson, Don Rupert Cralle, Janet Myers, Rose Marie Barich, Betty Jean
35
Clark, Richard Silverson, Lois Caldwell, Frank Oldham, Burton Trotta, Dolorex Langon,
Norman Gagne, Thomas Phillips, Bobby Dean Holmes and Ruth Young.
The article mentions the principal as being Mr. Al
Siegler, who later became principal of Vallejo
High and then Hogan and become a California
State Assemblyman before his untimely death.
Also, the teacher of the class was D.W. Bourdon.
Could this be the father of Donna Bourdon-Lawson
’64?
From: Bob Lawson ‘64
Donna says yes that is him. Mr. Bourdon began teaching in
Vallejo about 1940 or ‘41 we think after several years at the
start of his teaching career in Lee Vining, next to Mono Lake. I
see he's next to Al Siegler. Don worked with, or for, a number
of well-known figures in the school district, like Bob Allen and
Cliff Williams, some of whom were still going strong when we
attended. He taught in Vallejo schools until 1965, when he
took a new job at Armijo High in Fairfield.
...
This week’s Newbies
From: Rick Wilson ‘62
Lathan Marsh, VHS Class of 67, asked me to forward his email and
requested you add him to the list of recipients of the Monday
Update.
Thanks and take care. Thanks for the Update, I enjoy reading it every Sunday night.
From: Kathleen “Kitty” Powell ‘65
I would like to receive the MU but don't know what I need to do I was told there is a
website but can't find it Please help.
36
Kitty, for future reference, the website is www.vhs62.com. I’ve
signed you up to receive the MU.
This week the Monday Update also welcomes Burgess Schnitzius
HH66 and Shirley Spadorcio.
...
In Memoriam
Ron Nichols ‘61
Feb. 27, 1944 - June 2, 2015
Ron Nichols died peacefully at the age of 71 on June 2, in Stagecoach, Nevada. He is
preceded in death by his wife, Roberta. He is survived by his daughter and son–in-law,
Kim and Mark; brothers, Greg and Jon; sisters, Sharon and Linda, and many nieces
and nephews.
He served proudly in the U.S. Army, was an NRA lifetime member and an active
member of three different 4-wheel drive clubs, in both Nevada and California. He was a
devoted American Patriot and an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt, fish, shoot and
4-wheel! Ron enjoyed a lifetime of successful self-employment from a general contractor, to his backhoe excavation business to his longtime love as a trucking contractor.
What an exceptional individual!!
His memorial service will be held Saturday, July 11, at noon, at Santa Rosa Memorial
Park, 1900 Franklin Ave., Santa Rosa, CA.
...
The Last Word…
Last Wednesday, Sally and I went to look in on Carol and Buddy
Murray. Buddy is in the final stages of Alzheimer’s’ and under the
care of Hospice. This is so damn sad for Buddy, and for Carol who
has been providing for him non-stop since he was diagnosed. Buddy
is now confined to a hospital bed and you can sense his frustration as
37
he’ll get confused in mid-sentence… Carol has always been a loving
and giving person, so she has lots of friends who are there for her.
...
I had my first Greek Village salad of the season last Wednesday. I
went into my garden, picked a nice fresh cucumber, a couple of sweet
peppers, and a few vine ripened tomatoes. I sliced them all up (no
need to peel this cuke) added a couple of tablespoons of cold water
(in lieu of vinegar) to bring out the acidity of the tomatoes, olive oil,
dried oregano from my garden, salt and pepper. Oh my, but it was
good. It wasn’t really a Greek Village salad because I didn’t have the
patience to cut up some onion, add the Feta cheese and sprinkle in a
few olives… next time.
...
Wendy, Paul and little Steven are heading home from a week’s long
vacation in Michigan tomorrow. I guess they’ve had a really good
time visiting with Paul’s family and seeing the sights. Truffle Berries
will be open for business again on Wednesday.
...
The tile work at our home has been completed but we still have the
painter and the carpets are yet to be laid. How many of you actually
think that my little bride will now be happy with the changes? Don’t
be silly… around here “change” simply is the precursor to more
“change.” Sigh…
...
Sally and I spent the Fourth of
July with friends Pauline
Dennis-Bunter ’62, and Jack &
Loretta ‘62 Smith-McCracken.
We had a very nice dinner at
Jason’s The Loft Wine Bar in
Benicia.
38
Following dinner, we watched the
fireworks from the balcony of Jason’s
condo where we were joined by
granddaughter Nikki and boyfriend
Michael. We had a great unobstructed
view. All in all it was a wonderful
evening.
Nikki took these
pics.
… 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
July 11, 2015
Combined Reunion of the 1980’s & ‘90’s classes from
Vallejo, Hogan & St. Pats hosted by Class of ‘85
Dinner/Dance
Rancho Solano
6:00 p.m.
August 8, 2015
Seventieth Birthday Party
Hogan/Vallejo Combined Class of ’63
Vallejo Yacht Club
5:30 p.m.
VHS Class of ’65 Fifty Year Reunion
August 14, 2015 Warm up
Vallejo Yacht Club
Ausust 15, 2015 Dinner / Dance
Zio Fraedo’s-Vallejo
39
Time
7:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
VHS Class of 1968 65the Birthday Party
Blue Rock Springs
August 15th
Picnic
11 a.m.
Oct. 3, 2015
VHS Class of ’55 Sixty Year Reunion
Reunion Dinner
TBA
TBA
Oct. 10, 2015
VHS Class of ’60 Fifty-Five Year Reunion
Reunion Dinner
Moose Lodge-Vallejo
TBA
Oct. 10, 2015
Oct. 11, 2015
St. Vincent’s Class of ’65 Fifty Year Reunion
Reunion Dinner
TBA
Brunch
Benicia TBA
TBA
TBA
...
She wanted to serve her guests mushroom-smothered steak, but she had no
mushrooms and no time to buy them, so her husband suggested, "Why don't
you go pick some of the mushrooms that are growing wild down by the stream?
"No, some wild mushrooms are poisonous," she said.
"Well, I see varmints eating them and they're OK."
So she picked a bunch and washed, sliced and sautéed them for her
dinner. Then she went out on the back porch and gave Spot, their dog, a double
handful. Spot ate every bite.
All morning long, she watched the dog. The wild mushrooms hadn't affected him
after a few hours, so she decided to use them. The meal was a great success.
After everyone had finished, her daughter came in and whispered in her ear,
"Mum, Spot is dead."
Trying to keep her head about her, she left the room as quickly as possible,
called the doctor and told him what had happened.
The doctor said, "That's bad, but I think we can take care of it. I'll call for an
ambulance and I'll be there as quickly as I can. We'll give everyone enemas and
we'll pump out their stomachs and everything will be fine. Just keep them calm."
The paramedics and the doctor had their suitcases, syringes, and a stomach
pump. One by one, they took each person into the bathroom, gave them an
enema, and pumped out their stomachs.
After the last one was done the doctor came out and said, "Everything will be
okay now," and with that he left.
40
The hosts and the guests were all weak and exhausted sitting around the living
room when the daughter came in and said to her mom, "I can't believe that guy!"
"What guy?" said mom.
"You know, that one who ran over Spot… he never even slowed down."
Contributed by Gino Disgrazzi ‘55
...
Public Service Announcement
2015 SUNDAY JAZZ SERIES at the SARDINE CAN
0 Harbor Way, Vallejo, CA
5:00 - 8:00 PM
Great Food, Great Jazz & Great Fun
Sunday, July 12
DALT WILLIAMS QUARTET
featuring Marcella Hooks, vocals; Bob Akers, sax/flute; Barry Robertson, piano; Dalt Williams,
bass and Gary Maas, drums.
AND
Hi Folks....I know you're gonna love this one....the Dalt Williams Quartet and vocalist
Frankye Kelly will be at the Suisun City Waterfront Park on Sunday, July 19 from 3:00
to 5:00 p.m. So bring your lawn chairs, a picnic and enjoy the music. The best
part is it's FREE to the public.
Hope To See You There,
Dalt Williams Music
41
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.)
The 1980s and ’90s reunion hosted by the Class of ’85 for Vallejo, Hogan and
St. Patrick’s high schools is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, at 6 p.m., at the
Rancho Solano Golf Course in Fairfield.
The 1985 Reunion Committee includes: Lisa Anderson, Angie Henning, Calise
Garrick, Felicia Bayer-Hayes, Darryl Pouncey, Loretta Gaddies, Donald
Williams, and Trish McNeal-Morris. For information, call (707) 280-6496.
Saturday, August 8, 2015
42
43
A Blast to the Past…
Vallejo High School
Class of 1955
60 Year Class Reunion!
-SAVE THE DATEOctober 3, 2015
Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant
23 Harbor Way – Vallejo
Premium Buffet. Wide selection of food…$45
Starts at 4:30 p.m. Buffet at 6:30 p.m.
This reunion is for VISITING and REMEMBERING old times!
Invitations will be mailed in August
Carolyn Fleming-Pauley
642-2348
Loueen Messing-Schreiner
642-2740
...
ADDENDUM TWO: Missing Classmates
(Reunion committees: Send me your list if you want it posted here.)
St. Vincent’s High School
Class of 1965
Missing List
Richard Ahern
Cardinelli Barber
Carl Bowlby
Dennis Faria
Gregory Hollister
Patricia Keating (Shaw)
Bernadette Marshall (Webber)
Donna Miller (Fisher)
44
John O'Donnell
Renee Ramos (Best)
Kathleen Wolden (Einboden)
Send any info about the missing classmates to [email protected].
VALLEJO HIGH SCHOOL
LOST "CLASS OF '55" CLASSMATES AS of Jan, 2015
Key: Last known married name in (parentheses)
Marcia June Anderson
Charlotte (Armstrong) Pringle
Francis Fox Atoigue
Lillie Mae Beauchamp (King)
Leland Katherine Berkeley (Lupton)
Norma Ann Blair (Danley)
Dorothy Lee Brown
Edwin Ray Budd
Betty Marlene Burns (Lee)
Juana Dee Burton
James Byram
Judith V. Cain
Dennis Harrison Carriker
Edward Millard Clark
Helen Louise Cole
Leroy Rene Coleman
Betty Lou Crawford (Decker)
Barbara Jean Dale
Peggy Davis (Smith)
Phillip L. Davis
Carolyn C. Day
Alan Keith Decker
Sam Anthony Dimaio
Henrietta Dixon
Garry Linden Ellyson
George Oliver Elder
Odessa Emery
James Evans
Marilyn Ann Fitzgerald
Bradley Linden Forrest
Sula Jane Graham (Renz)
Michael Andrew Gregor
Dawn Dolly Grinestaff
Rosemary Grossi (Conn)
Ruth C. Hanson
Elizabeth Ann Harms
Mary DeVoe Kirk (Parker)
Richard Albert Koch
Joyce Ann Krause (McCoy)
Marilyn Harbin Lott
Marlowe Martin
Doris Edith McClure
Arthur Lee McDaniel
Linda Sue McMillan
Richard Lee McNeely
Maxine Irene Miller (Hansen)
Merle Wayne Moody
Fait Frank Moore
Mary Lynn Moore
Judith Lenora Mouser
Harvey Russell Nelson
Barbara Elaine (Obenhaus) Stanfield
Janice Raye Page (Frazier)
Diana Mary Palmer (Hepner)
Mary Lou Parfet (Boyles)
Margee Paskel
Arlene Edna Passalacqua
Betty Gean Patterson
Dorrie Lynn Porter
Robert Pratt
David John Price
Leonila Jeanette Reyes
Gary M. Roberts
Dorothy Colleen Rutz (Anderson)
Patricia Ann Schnetzer
Rudolph F. School
Dale LeRoy Schwark
J.C. Shields
Dorcille Shockley
Marian Eloise Simmons
Rosalie Sowards (Arnold)
Billy Gene Stewart
45
Douglas Ashley Hartshorn
Janet Kay Hawkins
Daisy Bell Hendrix
Patty Jean Hicks
Clara Anne Hilburn (Lockwood)
Jody Hilton (Johnson)
Helen Derry Hoag
Richard Warren Holl
Donna Jean Hollibaugh
Carolyn Janice Hughes
Myrtle Gwendolyn Hunt
Judith Ann Huston (Johnson)
Nancy Lee Johnson
Tressie Virginia Johnson
Oretha Elizabeth Rogers Jolly (Woodley)
Wilson D. Jones
Joseph E. Karg
Marion Joyce Kemp
Sonja Elaine Stimac
Clinton Morris Strohmeyer
Lawrence Allen Sump
Robert John Szemanski
Murry Nelson Taylor
Robert Chester Thompson
Virginia Ann Thornton (Mazzoni)
Francis Jean Van Camp (Glascock)
Maurice Delbert Vermillion
Samuel J. Villa
Everett William Wallace
Janice Lynn Walton (Allen)
Sandra Lee Wayne (Cournoyer)
Isobel Webber
Gary Lee Weber
Joseph Carlton Welch
Shirley Jean Welling
LaRae Marie Woodard
If you have any info regarding these
classmates or their whereabouts,
please contact:
Carolyn (Fleming) Pauley
846 Beechwood
Vallejo, CA 94591-5617
Ph: (707) 642-2848
or
Loueen (Messing) Schreiner
557 Jennings Avenue
Vallejo, CA 94591
Ph: (707) 642-2740
Email: [email protected]
...
HOGAN HIGH CLASS OF 1965
MISSING CLASSMATES
Please contact Barry Fredenburg @ [email protected]
Ailes, Dennis
Alexander, Sharon
Alvarado, Michael
Amsbaugh, Dolly
Asbe, Howard
Avery, Barbara
Barber, Fred
Edmonds, Annabelle
Fawcett, William
Fears, Jeffrey
Guarin, Joseph
Harris, Norman
House, Duanna
Howe, Joan
Koontz, Linda
Lewis, Isac
Linville, Robert
Marquez, Sally
Martin, Doug
McMurphy, Donna
McBride, Dan
46
Roberts, Alice
Roberts, Ken
Rollins, Thomas
Salsedo, Pamela
Simon, Margaret
Southerland, Ronald
Tackmier, Lynn
Baumann, David
Becky, John
Borowski, Janet
Bradeen, Susan
Bradhurst, Shirley
Cambe, Benito
Diaz, Thomas
Edgar, Shirley
Jensen, John
Johnson, Jesse
Keith, Sandra
Kelly, James
Kelly, Judith
Kent, Helen
Kersting, Pamela
Kimzey, Linda
McNairy, Thomas
Mitchell, Robbie
Murchison, Jerry
Neal, Denise
Nichols, Sharon
Oliveira, John
Padilla, Priscilla
Pulliam, Harry
Reedy, Carolyn
Talley, Gwendolyn
Trefethen, Janice
Wartburg, Patricia
Weber, Donald
Wilson, David
Wilson, Ellen
Zumwalt, Joseph
...
Vallejo High School
Class of 1965
Missing
05-07-15
Charlotte Augsback
Charles Austin
Terry Auten
Cheryl Baker
Donna Bennett
Cheryl Berg
Roger Berry
Lynn Bird
William C. Blackwood
Margie Bowman
Claudette Bozeman
Vicki Bracy Smith
Karen Bragg Haden
Beverly J. Brinkman
Richard Brooks
Connie Brower
Roy Brown
Rachel Brown Johnson
Jimmy Brummell
Esther Caballero
Betty Campbell
Cheri Campbell McDonnell
Collin Carlson
Rodney Carlson
Diana Carmody Bennett
Henried Castro
Michael Castro
Sandra Cavalliere
Junior Clayton
Helen Cole
Richard Coyne
Robert Crawford
James M. Cross
Cheryl Davenport
James L. Davis
Larry Davis
David DeYoung
Jesus Pascual Dominguez
Elaine Douthitt
Joe Duenas
Georgia Easterling
Bob Farris
Rosario Figueroa
Salvador Figueroa
Sharon Flanagan Mundahl
Patricia Flores
Glennis Franklin
Alma Gadberry
William Gerdes
Alan Gill
James Gillies
Richard Gilmer
Michael Gopaul
Wade Guice
47
Timothy Guinan
Marilyn Handy Harris
Rea Harmston Wilson
Kathy Harrell Gunter
Richard Harris
Gail Harris Wilkerson
Fred Hayden
John Hutson
George (Johnson) Leatham
Janice Johnson
Barbara Jones
Trudy Jones
Mary Lou Kamminga
James H. Kellner
Carolyn King
Sandra King
Bert Knudson
Linda Koepke
Gayle Kramer Hixon
Norman D. Larsen
Ann Lee
Alberto Lopez Larralde
Linda Loveless Miles
Peggy Lundblad Watts
Linda Madden
Ildefonso Makinano
Douglas Martin
Craig Massie
Sue Max
Paul McCollum
Suzanne McFarland Raymos
Claudia McMullin
Tim McNamara
Earlene Meadows Stall
Pamela Metsker
Linda Metzler Stevens
Glen Middling
Don Miller
Diana Molina
Carol Monroe
James M. Monroe
Lorraine Muchmore
Juanita Muncy
Barbara Nickolas
Bonnie O'Brien Pyle
Barbara Olson
Michael Padilla
Bonnie Petersen
Ronald Phelps
Deborah Pollnow
Donna Price Langley
Bill Pritchard
Linda Purdy Knudson
Joe Quesada
Rose Quilente Burke
Patricia Quinn
Julius Reed
Lawrence Richard
David Rinehart
Cinita Roberts
Harold A. Robinson
Crosby Roper
Karla Roxberg Rafael
Ramon Sablan
Dale Sackett
Jerry Schmersahl
Barbara Shepherd
Doris Shepherd
Lynn Smith
Ronald Snodgrass
Robert L. Stanton
Virginia Strube
Audrey Talley
John Taylor
Louis Taylor
John Thomasson
Perry Tomboc
Naomi Triesman
Larry Ulrich
Carol Valance
Denise VanDolson French
David R. Vick
Terry Vincent Maxwell
Mary Vining
Louise Waderich
Kenneth M. Wagner
Beverly Walston
Frank Watkins
Robert Weir
David Welch
Melvin Wells
Robert Whitfield
Darrell Whitley
Leon Wiley
Bernice Williams
Eileen Williams
Shirley Wilson
Joyce Wood Bryant
Rodney Woodruff
Faye Young Soring
Ronald Young
Sydney Young Porter
Nancy Zimbelman
Alejandra Zubiria
...
THE FINE PRINT
The Monday Update
Publisher/Editor: Harry Diavatis
Published: Weekly
First Edition: Oct. 26, 2004
Circulation: 1,348 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
new millenium. 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.”
48
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:
433
Missing:
198
Deceased:
140
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.”
...
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. 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
VHS
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
HHS
SVHS
VJH
HJH
FJH
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
49
Sol JH
Springs JH
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
84
85
86
87
88
Total
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
41
1
1
13
6
11
5
8
Send your check to:
Harry Diavatis, 5087 Green Meadow Court, Fairfield, CA 94533
50
1
10
Apaches Forever
Commemorative Shirts
Order Form
(Limited Time Offer)
(Please print all information legibly.)
Name:__________________________________
The cost of each shirt is $20 which includes a
donation to The Last Apache Scholarship
Fund.
Street:__________________________________
City, State, Zip:___________________________
Email Address:___________________________
Phone Number:__________________________
Men’s Hanes Beefy T-Shirts: Please indicate the quantity of each shirt ordered
___Large
___XL
___2X
___3X
___ 4X
Total number of shirts _______ x $20 = $_______
Hanes Beefy-T
Women’s Hanes V-neck Shirts:
Please indicate the quantity of each shirt ordered
___Large
____XL
___2X
Total number of shirts ____ x $20 = $______
Additional donation to Scholarship Fund $_______
Hanes Women's
Nano-T® V-Neck
Total amount enclosed $_________
The shirts are white with 4-color art work. art work
depicting the great Apache warrior Cochise.
Make your check payable to: Harry Diavatis (in the memo line write “Apache Shirt.”
And mail to:
5087 Green Meadow Court
Fairfield, CA 94534
If you have questions, please email
or call : [email protected]
or (707) 333-5793
Return this form with your
check payable to
Harry Diavatis
51
Harry Diavatis
5087 Green Meadow Ct.
Fairfield, CA 94534