September 13, 2013

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13TH!  It’s still dark in PB and supposed to warm back up.  I’m not sure where Nancy and I will end up when she arrives from Escondido.  The tourists are gone so maybe there’s a chance we can park at Green Flash.

I finally got the September newsletter in the mail.  1960 classmates Sandra Mekuchonis, Robert Smith, Mike McKittrick, and Mel Brav are all new subscribers.  Thanks!!

Who knew?  The Crawford football team is 2-0, having beaten Julian 49-0 last Friday.  I guess that league change worked out.  Click HERE to read the article in last week’s U-T.

Sharon Culver Considine '60 poses for a photo at Colina Park with a statue of Ernie Wright, and Chuck Courtney Golf Scholarship winners Eugene Yang and Said Shaba.  Click HERE to see a larger photo and to read the rest of the story.

Four ladies from the Class of ‘59, including an interloper from Texas, had lunch last month at the Macaroni Grille in Escondido.  You’re looking at Jean Pearson Miller, Linda Minyard Isbell, Betty Lopez Parrott and Sandy Riley Holleman.  The interloper, Linda, returned home to husband Ernie and celebrated their 54th anniversary on September 5th.  Of course you can see a larger version of the photo.  Just click HERE.

Jan Worrell Manietta ‘63 has loaned me her 6th Grade photo from Mr. Black’s class at Jackson Elementary.  The good news is, the names are written on the back.  The bad news is they were written with a #4 pencil and I can’t read them.   Click HERE to check out the enlarged view.

Alice Komito ‘70 died of congestive heart failure on September 2nd, according to her friend and classmate Holly Wolf Levin.  She had many health challenges over the years, including several re-occurrences of Hodgkins disease, but was recently happy, healthy and enjoying a new romance.  Alice has two loving children, Jennifer Greene and Jonathan Berry

Memorial service Friday September 20, 4:00 p.m., Dini’s by the Sea in Carlsbad.

September 6, 2013

I DIDN'T KNOW MONSOONAL was a word, but that's how they described the past week's weather. Wednesday night seemed a little cooler -- or less humid.  I believe they're predicting 90 in San Diego today.  It might behoove me to stay close to the beach, but the Waffle Spot might draw Nancy and I into Mission Valley.

Is it 5774 already?  How the time flies when you’re Jewish — which I was for a couple of days in 1958.  If you haven’t heard the story, I announced to my 9th grade Horace Mann classmates that — Rosh Hashanah being a Jewish Holiday — I wouldn’t be at school the following day.  I went home, tripped over a garden hose, and ended up downtown at the Medico-Dental Building getting a plaster cast on my broken arm.  I wasn’t at school the next day so there may still be some folks out there who consider me one of their Old Testament brethren.  As a matter of fact, Stephanie Rose Petersen '74 promised to blow my shofar, then conveniently flew to San Francisco and boarded a cruise ship with her husband.

Earl Altshuler ‘68 spoke to Baseball Coach Bill Sandback last Sunday and they’d like to plan a get together with as many former players as they can find.  The function is tentatively scheduled for Spring or Summer of 2014.  If you played baseball for Coach Sandback, and would like to be included, email Earl at earlalt@cwo.com

Who IS that?  Not Don Knotts.  We know he's in the pictures sent in by Marilyn Spier Myers '70.  It's the woman second from left, a Home Ec Teacher at Crawford, who hosted the 1971 Old Globe after party at which the photo was taken.  Click HERE to see both photos.  We don't know who the girl is next to Don either.

Bob Mentze ‘70 shares a photo of the Horace Mann marching band circa 1961.  The only people he recognizes for sure are his dad, music teacher Walter Mentze and, right next to him, trombone player Dale Saare ‘64.  Maybe you’re in there too.  Click HERE to check out the enlargement.  I’m trying to figure out where the photo was taken.  Is that Jackson Elementary in the background?

August 30, 2013

I’M THINKING OF MY YOUTH IN GUAM this morning.  I suspect it’s dark, hot and humid there too.  Nancy and I will be taking the Class of ‘60 newsletter renewal envelopes to the Midway Post Office this morning, so there’s a good chance will end up brunching at the Waffle Spot.

In June 1966 I graduated from SDSC and moved to College Village Apartments where I met Jeff Dalymple.  It didn’t take long for a friendship to form and, thanks to Red Mountain wine and a cheap Tijuana guitar, it was soon Kumbaya time around Apartment #4.  One of the songs that Jeff sang, began “Oh, to be a gay Hawaiian beach boy, like the ones I knew at Waikiki.”  This was back when gay still simply meant happy.  I’ll get back to that.  It wasn’t long until Jeff was hired to play drums for Sounds of ‘66, a group hired to play behind the hypnotist Dr. Michael Dean at the Catamaran Hotel.  The group included George Fogelman ‘63 and Doug Kvandal ‘66.  Jeff, George and Doug are now part of Live Jazz, appearing Saturday nights at the Amigo Spot.  ANYWAY, neither Jeff nor I can remember the rest of the works to the Hawaiian Beach Boy song.  We thought if we typed “Gay Hawaiian Beach Boy” into Google we might get lucky.  Actually, there was ample opportunity to get lucky -- but no lyrics to the song we wanted. 

Speaking of San Diego State College, a flattened SDSC matchbook cover fell out of a file folder this week and I thought you might like to see it.  Click HERE to see all three panels enlarged.

Have you missed your San Diego History photo?  Here's a shot taken by Lee Passmore on September 30, 1916.  I assume you know the story.  If not click HERE.

I’m trying to locate Dorothy Bates ‘65.  Apparently she achieved her Senior Goal to become an Airline Stewardess, and one of her old PSA pals is trying to find her.  Let me know if you can help.  If you know of siblings, that might be a place to start.

Cheri Lynch Hamilton '71 sends word that her daughter Bethany is now a bride.  Mark Silver '69 had already forwarded a link from People Magazine.  Click HERE to check it out

The First Thursday of next month is
September 5th.  Hope to see you there

August 23, 2013

Nelson Moore '61 lives in Harbison Canyon and is helping with the Class of '63 reunion.  He thought he'd have some stuff ready for me to look at so I said Nancy and I would meet him for breakfast at Janet's Montana Cafe in Alpine.  Nancy's schedule changed so Nellie decided to meet with some other '63 folks in Escondido.  Nancy will be leaving Escondido about that time, and . . . oh, I don't think I'm gonna be able to make this work.

I've just uncovered an unopened HP 74 XL black and white ink cartridge in my desk drawer.  The printer it was destined for died and went to printer heaven a couple of months ago.  Staples is selling them for $41.99 so it seems a shame to toss it out.  I'll entertain offers from interested parties.  Think Starbucks gift cards or a hand-delivered Taquito Platter from Roberto's. 

A whole buncha guys -- and Lynn Routt Swanson -- said Doug Helzer's football picture was taken at a photo session.  A game, or even practice, would have required helmets.  Shows what I know.

Franklin Elementary School is at Monroe and Copeland.  Kids who lived in Kensington and attended Franklin went on to Wilson Junior High and Hoover.  Elizabeth Holmes Klugh '61 didn't live in Kensington -- and went on to Horace Mann and Crawford.  Click HERE to see enlargements of her Sixth Grade photo and another that's either First, Second or Third.

It took awhile, and Steve McDaniel '61 had to drive to Pacific Beach from Carlsbad, but we've scanned and posted his 5th and 6th Grade photos from Darnall Elementary.  Click HERE to see the finished product.

Robert K. Rice passed away July 25th at Collwood Terrace.  The father of Sally '74, Barbara, Joyce and Jean -- all '76 -- Bob served as principal at Oak Park Elementary, among others.  Click HERE to sign the Guest Book.  Click HERE to visit his Memorial Web Site.

August 16, 2013

I RECEIVED A NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION renewal check yesterday with a note attached -- "I miss your Fry Day weather reports".  Seriously?  Well, here goes.  It's pitch black in PB but supposed to be spectacular.  Normally it wouldn't matter 'cause I'd be in the house on the computer, but Nancy's down from Escondido so we'll be out and about.

I was sad to hear of the passing of Mr Tice who was my 5th grade teacher at Darnall.  He taught us to memorize the alphabet backwards which I can recite to this day.  RIP -- Terri Quinlivan Parham '66

What a surprise to see the Wolf Motors photo of the VW giveaway.  That’s my father -- John Dormier -- in the Douglas Oil uniform on the right.  I remember that give away and there was also a Cadillac that was won from his service station in the 1960s.  My dad passed away in 1974 from Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS).   Thanks for the post -- Sheila Dormier ’64

Boy, you can almost hear a player piano in the background.  Here's a 1904 shot of Tent City in Coronado with the Hotel Del in the distance.  Click HERE to see an 8 x 10 view.

Services for Toni Dungey Cattell '60, wife of Charles Cattell '60, will be held today at 11 AM at Queen of Angels Roman Catholic Church in Alpine.  Viewing will be available prior to the service and a reception will be held afterward.  Click HERE to go to the Class of '60 Obituary Page.

Doug Helzer '63 (#22) shares a photo of a 1962 football game -- or possibly a practice -- where Dennis Rubin hands him the ball as Dave Duncan and Bill Sanders block.  Click HERE to see a much larger version.  Click HERE to visit the Sports Page and look at some other photos.

Barbara Alvarez '70 forwards her Kindergarten and First Grade class photos from George Washington Carver Elementary School.  Click HERE to check them out -- and to read what she had to say.

August 9, 2013

Good News!!  Patty Bremner Brubaker '72 has agreed to be the Musical Director at my funeral, hereinafter referred to as the 1st Annual John Fry Celebration of Life and Craft Beer Festival.  Patty has a banjo player and an accordionist, and has a lead on a bagpiper.  I'm excited!  I don't want to miss what's shaping up to be a great party, so I'm looking at a date in the not too distant future. 

I’m not missing say Jill Smith Robards and Lucy Brownyer from the Class of ‘74. Same with Deri Lynn Hufford Huff and Tim Cigainero from the Class of ‘76.  They're all now on their respective email pages.

You know you're getting old when your former model -- Anna (long an American Airlines flight attendant) -- asks you to take photos of her now-grown daughter.  I told her I quit taking photos when the battery in my camera died.  And I can't find film anymore.  And I'm lazy.  Boy, the party is REALLY over when you turn down a cheesecake gig.  That's Anna on the left by the way.

Thanks to Facebook, Crawford surfers Dave Smith '74 and Ken Burton '72 got together after 40 years -- and Steve Kwik '76 got invited too.  Click HERE to get a close up look.

Dick Cloward '60 "saw" my two Auto Club strip maps and "raised me" a 1928 Jo Mora whimsical pictograph of San Diego.  You'll want to see this enlarged.  Click HERE.

George Glover '73 shares his Jackson Elementary Third Grade photo.  He said he can provide names, also.  Click HERE to take your own look.

Save the date, says Kim McGee.  Only 358 more days until the Class of '74 40 Year Reunion.  That would be August 2, 2014.  Click HERE to email questions and address updates.  Click HERE to check out the Class of '74 Facebook Page.

August 2, 2013

Doesn't look like I'm gonna get that big a turnout for my funeral.  I haven't picked a date or a venue, but my musical desires got a thumbs down from the Amigo Spot Live Jazz band.  I told them I wanted only accordion, banjos, and bagpipes.  Oh, I'm perfectly healthy (I think), but constantly reading of the passing of folks younger than me has got me contemplating my own mortality.  Cheers!!!

Doug Helzer checks in from the State of Texas and is now on the '63 Email Page.  Maria Banos Carroll says she's back in La Mesa.  I've placed her on the '64 Email Page.

I've added Auto Club Strip Maps 12 and 80 to the web site.  I'm gonna wait to hear from Dick Cloward before I add captions.  Willie Skinner loaned them for copying and they appear to be of World War One vintage.  Click HERE -- and scroll to the bottom of the page -- to see them in all their glory.

Do you remember Wolf Motors, Douglas Gasoline or KFSD-TV?  Owen Western '63 forwards a great publicity still of he and his dad accepting the keys to a 1964 Volkswagen.  Click HERE to see the photo enlarged and to get the details about this lucky event.

Here's the KCBQ "Top 29" list from August 17, 1973 -- 40 years ago.  Interesting that the Beatles have a hit song and so does Paul McCartney and Wings.  Click HERE to look at a larger image that isn't that much easier to read.

Phillis Dudick and Kathy Tonsky Clyman have arranged a Remembrance for Myra Segal on Wednesday, August 7, at 12:30 at the Culver City Senior Center, 4095 Overland Blvd.  Phillis suggests you go to segalremembrance@gmail.com for comments and further information.  

Two Horace Mann faculty members appeared in the the U-T obits last week.  Phil Petersen was Boys' Vice Principal during my time as a Cougar.  I recall that he was a Weekend Warrior who flew Corsairs out of Los Alamitos Naval Air Station.  I may have gotten called into his office, but the memory is hazy.  Something to do with shocking people with a Model T coil.  I'm pretty sure it was all Wayne Brickey's fault. I've placed the Horace Mann obituaries at the bottom of the Faculty Obituary Page.

Mary Ellen Cain '71 called my attention to the passing of Horace Mann faculty member Donald Tice. Mary Ellen shared some nice memories, which you can read on the Faculty Obituary Page.  

July 26th

Have you tried Palmolive coffee?  It foams up a little like beer and results when you don't properly rinse your cup.  I poured mine back.

Subscribing to the quarterly newsletter were Robert “Hutch” Hutchinson ‘64 and Pam Johnson Chene ‘62.  Pam is living in Bosque Farms NM, where "Red and Green are chili choices and not Christmas colors".  Barbara Thompson Neal ‘70 has moved to Portland, Oregon to be closer to her new grandson.

I got an email this week from a fellow who planned to attend the 90th birthday party of a woman who remembered celebrating VJ Day on Broadway in San Diego.  He wanted to know if I had a photo he could frame.  I fixed him up and figured I'd share it with my fellow Colts.  Howard Rozelle took the shot looking up Broadway from Fourth Avenue.  Click HERE if you'd like to take a look at an enlarged version.

Steve McDaniel '61 shares photos of the 1954 Darnall Elementary School Orchestra (above) and what may be his first grade class photo from Darnall.  Click HERE to see them and see if you can help solve the mystery.

Steve also sent photos taken in November 1960 of himself and his cool 1950 Chevy.  Click HERE to learn more.

Rick Gross '64 passed away July 16th after many years of poor health.  You can read more about Rick on the Class of '64 Obituary Page  News of Rick's passing came from Mike Abbott '65.  He'd like to hear from you if you remember Rick.  Email him at mikeyptcruiser@yahoo.com or zcarman@hughes.net 

Remember the Simpsons’ episode where Hallmark was trying to come up with an August holiday that would allow them to sell more greeting cards?  OK maybe I made it up.  Anyway, I’m thinking that’s why Ron Klein hasn’t forwarded the usual Nancy Miljas artwork announcing the resumption of First Thursday at The Amigo Spot.  You could come at 6, but half the seats and appetizers would be gone.

July 19, 2013

Sure is summer weather, but I can tell the days are getting shorter.  I have to turn on the light in the kitchen when I make my morning coffee now.  

Guess what?  Mom got her first ever notice for jury duty — one month to the day after she died.  I’m not sure whether to ignore it or try to figure out how to send it back.

Nancy and I were at a party in Harbison Canyon last weekend.  I hadn’t been out that way since Big Oak Ranch — and the Swallows Club.

Invitations to the Class of ‘63 50th Anniversary Reunion went out last week.  Joanie Adams Sturgeon woke me up in the middle of the night.   Actually, it turned out to be 8 PM and I may have been asleep in the Barcalounger.  I think she was returning my call about a possible new address.  At least I got her email address.  Something about having webbed feet and being unable to Hang Ten — hang8@att.net

Nancy and I were invited to the Class of '68 45th Anniversary Reunion the weekend of October 12th. Sadly we're planning to be at the Bahia Hotel that night for the Class of '63 Reunion.

Robert "Hutch" Hutchinson '64 is a new subscriber to the quarterly newsletter.

John O'Bryant '63 lamented the fact that last week's photo of Crystal Pier didn't show Maynard's Bar.  I allowed as how Maynard's was visible, but not yet Maynard's.  Click HERE if you'd like to revisit the photo I shared some time ago -- and fondly recall Sunday Morning Spanish Omelets with Red Beer.

I found three more photos that must have been taken at the same time as the 1960 Crystal Pier (or Food Basket if you prefer) photo.  Click HERE to take another look.

Class of '64 members Julia Burnham Little and Kim Beavers Shannon have shared memories of Palisades Gardens skating rink.

Jerry Ellis '61 happened upon the Carver Kindergarten photo submitted by Roberta Goss Marino '70.  Roberta's teacher Mrs. Ellis was Jerry's Mom Arline.

Judy “Judee” Butzine Blohm ’60 died July 10, 2013. She was recovering at her home in Arlington, Virginia after a recent surgery, and was with her dogs and her garden, where she wanted to be. She was found by a neighbor. Judee was a warm and loving person, and a wonderful friend to many. She shared her home, her garden, her love of life, her commitment to making the world a better place with the people around her, and was an inspiration and a comfort to those who knew her. Her brother Stephen Butzine ’65 preceded her in death in 1997.  Click HERE to go to the Celebration of an Incredible Life Facebook page.

Phillis Dudick and Kathy Tonsky Clyman send word of the passing on July 12, 2013 of their classmate Myra Segal '60.  There were no additional details but you can click HERE and sign the guest book.

Carol Billings Taylor '63 died of breast/bone cancer on July 1, 2013 according to her sister Linda Billings Anderson '66.  Click HERE to email Linda.  Click HERE to sign the guest book.

July 12, 2013

Donna Foster Westfall '65 renewed her subscription to the quarterly newsletter and attached a little heart-shaped note.  "Keep going, John.  You are doing great.  Have you thought about a successor? " I think she means when I die.  I'm not sure I'm replaceable, but the person would need to be able to use GoLive 6 web software (don't expect help from Adobe -- they quit supporting it years ago), Filemaker,  Google blog and Macintosh Pages publishing software for openers.

I'm guessing you can get some sweet deals at Le Travel Store's Going Out Of Business sale, especially if you wear your Crawford letterman's jacket.  Bill Keller '68 and his wife Joan are shutting down after 37 years.  Perhaps they want to travel.  Click HERE to watch the Vimeo produced by their son Jesse.  Click HERE to read the article in the U-T.

I can't believe they're talking about nominating Pope John Paul II for sainthood.  He's not even dead yet is he?  I took the vows of poverty and chastity, soo.  Well, they mostly seemed my destiny for a long time.  What?  I have to have performed miracles too?  Never mind.  Actually, now that I think about it, throwing off the poverty and chastity was something of a miracle.

It was July 4th -- AND Donut Thursday -- at Starbucks when Mission Bay High grad recognized one of his 1976 classmates on the way in.  Pete Gerrity could hardly wait to show off the vintage photo in his phone, and I could hardly wait to get a copy to share with you.  It's the intersection of Mission Blvd and Garnet, looking west to Crystal Pier, taken around 1960.  Click HERE to see the photo enlarged.

Someone on the "You Know You're From PB" Facebook page said the Food Basket photo up top came from a Facebook page.  I went there hoping to find the photographer -- to no avail.  I DID locate a color photo of North Park's Palisade Gardens however.  Click HERE to see it enlarged. Abandon all hope if you go to the Vintage San Diego Facebook page.  The San Diego Air & Space Museum link lists 155, 722 photos alone.  

Mike McKittrick '60 might be a third-generation San Diegan.  He stopped by this week with some historiana relating to Pacific Beach in the 19th century, plus a photo of Euclid Elementary (he thinks).  Click HERE to have a look and see if you can solve the mystery.

Laurie Brickey Adomanis '68 passed away June 19, 2013 from Multiple Myeloma.   She worked as a dispatcher for the La Mesa Police Department until her diagnosis in 2008.  She is survived by brothers Jim '66 and my old lunch buddy Wayne '62.