October 27, 2023

Mozilla updated its Thunderbird email program and I'm not sure it's an improvement.  It takes so long to spool up that I try to find another task to do while waiting.  It reminds me of my youth, when I would turn on the hot water in the bathroom, then quickly make my bed while it got warm.  Then I would start the car and come in the house and grab my books and sack lunch while it warmed up.  Oh, that's right!  My '52 Ford had a choke, so I had to push that back in before I headed off to Crawford.  

If you've emailed me and not heard back, try jfry@san.rr.com or Johnfry1@icloud.com

Two of my favorite Halloween cartoons

We've got MORE gorgeous color photos from the 1950s, courtesy of the Vintage San Diego Facebook page with a shout out to Pea Hicks, who has saved these photos for posterity.  Click HERE for some photos of Old Town that might bring back memories.

Turns out Ken Kramer interviewed Pea Hicks on his About San Diego program.  Click HERE and enjoy.

Barb Johnson Nielsen posts Channel 8 New Throwbacks.  She recently shared an interview with Burton Jones, owner of the Helix Theater, on its last day of business,  September 22, 1976.  Grab your popcorn and click HERE to watch.

Another Pacer Trifecta.  Looks like it's gonna be this way for the next few months

 October 28, 1958 -- 65 Years Ago

October 31, 1963 -- 60 Years Ago

October 31, 1968 -- 55 Years Ago

Jerry Elo Willoughby ’63 passed away on August 13th, 2023.  She was born in San Diego. Jerry married Harold Edward "Ed" Willoughby on February 16th, 1964.  They were married 45 years before Ed's passing. Jerry worked at State Farm Insurance as a Manager for 10–years. Jerry held a passion for her ancestry research and genealogy. In addition, she enjoyed spending time with friends at Starbucks coffee dates, shopping, knitting, music, museums, zoos, plays, fishing and marine interests. She traveled the world, went on many cruises.

A celebration of life service will be at Greenwood Memorial at the Last Supper Chapel on Thursday, November 2nd at 1:30 p.m. with family, friends, and the public is welcome to attend. The dove release ceremony will be at 2:15pm, followed the placement of both Jerry's and Ed's urns in the mausoleum at 2:30 p.m.   In lieu of flowers, Jerry's wishes are that contributions may be made to The San Diego Zoo in her memory or to a local patriotic or civic organization of your choice.

October 20, 2023

Remember the Oscar's Drive-In on 12th and Market?  Well, Oscar's is long gone and so, apparently, is 12th Street.  It's now Park Boulevard all the way down to Petco Park.  Anyway, there appears to be an entertainment venue called Park & Market and Yale Strom '76 and Hot Pstromi will be performing there next Tuesday.  Click HERE for details.

A handful of '72 classmates got together last week at Elijah's Restaurant on Clairemont Mesa Blvd.  Click HERE for an enlargement -- and names.

A bunch of new color photos from the '50s popped up on Vintage San Diego this week.  Click HERE to look at four shots taken on and around Cortez Hill.

Click HERE to look at two photos taken -- east and west -- from 53rd and El Cajon Blvd.  I've thrown in some additional goodies, as well.

This week's dip into Dietra Anderson's Treasure Chest brought out the program from Onions in the Stew, performed in the Crawford auditorium December 3-4, 1959.  Click HERE to check it out.

Well, THIS is embarrassing!  A while back, after a brief email discussion, I came into possession of a good many Pacers from the 1972-1972 school year.  I just can't remember the name of the woman who made the donation.  I'm sure she'll get back to me.  I hope my email gets well by then.  Anyway, click HERE to read the October 20, 1972 Pacer.

 

October 13, 2023

How was your American Indigenous People Day?  It may be just a coincidence that Rolfe Pope shared this Bizarro cartoon with me.

Owen Western '63 is bracketed by two local media personalities at the Annual Radio and TV Reunion held on Owen's birthday -- October 10th.  Click HERE for a bigger picture and names.

Seven members of the Class of '63 got together for lunch at the Original Pancake House on October 8th.  Click HERE for a bigger picture and names.

Last week's color photo of Monte Hall sent Gil Tisnado back to his Tiny Town Ranch files.  Click HERE to see three additional photos.

Dietra Anderson Davis has sent me a giant package of Crawford memorabilia.  I've added a Dietra Anderson page to my web site so we'll have someplace to check this stuff out.  Click HERE to get started with the 1961 Fillies Follies program.

We LOVE color photos from the '50s with cars in them.  This is the South Seas Cafe on Pacific Highway, east of MCRD.  Click HERE for an enlargement -- and a lot more information on San Diego's first Tahitian-themed Tiki restaurant.

October 6, 2023

Why, yes, I DID have a birthday this week -- thank you for asking.  Not only did I turn 80 on Wednesday, but someone put a bug in my councilman's ear and October 4, 2023 was officially declared John Fry Day in San Diego.  I noticed that buses, trolley and Coaster were all free that day, but I think it was just a coincidence.  Click HERE to see the official proclamation -- and a previous honorific.

Bill Gore '65 has been named to the San Diego Ethics Commission by Mayor Todd Gloria.  Click HERE to read the article in the Union-Tribune.

If you think THIS photo of a Santa Fe streamliner is colorful, wait 'till you check out an even better one I stumbled upon.  Click HERE to see them both.

Remember when the zoo was concrete and chain-link fences -- and kids under 16 got in free?  Dana Carr '64 shares a fascinating story about the troubles zoo director Belle Benchley went through in 1938 to get two giraffes and a hippo from Africa to San Diego.  Click HERE and enjoy.  (Spoiler alert: the hippo didn't make it)

Take a look at Pacers from 65, 60 and 55 years ago.

October 3, 1958

October 3, 1963

October 3, 1968

William McCallister ’63 passed away September 12, 2023 from complications during recovery from surgery in Los Angeles, California.  He leaves behind  wife Sasikarn and daughter Kimmie.  He was a highly-respected lawyer serving the community for many many years handling major cases as a Senior Public Defender in Los Angeles. Bill attended Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, graduating in 1967. Bill went through basic training with the US Army at Fort Benning and was about to go active when the Vietnam war ended. He worked briefly for the California Attorney General’s office in Los Angeles then spent the rest of his career in the LA County Public Defender’s office. He was an active member of the California State Bar until a few years ago. He lived for many years with his wife in their Mount Washington home. He loved sitting on the balcony with its views of Mount Baldy and the Pasadena hills -- Murray Kane ’63

James Lasley ’75 passed away September 9, 2023  Jim’s wife Kim Leimbach Lasley '75 preceded him in death January 23, 2022

 

September 29,, 2023

That would be the guy with no head.  I understand the lady Praying Mantis devours her boyfriend after sex.

Phyllis Schwartz '72 has a new book out, Mom Wombat Says Make War No More.  It's an anti-bullying story and October is Bullying Prevention Month.  Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.

Even though it's in El Cajon, I suspect a lot of Crawford folks have memories of Parkway Bowl and Art's Roaring '20s.  Click HERE for a larger image -- and an interior shot.

You know I'm a sucker for color shots of '50s cars -- and hot babes!  This Vintage San Diego shot was taken in April 1957.  That's Convair Plant 2 in the background.  Click HERE for an enlargement, a little history of Plant 2, and a current Google Street View.

Last week we mentioned that Jim Dyke '66 and Danna Patterson Dyke '68 eventually married after meeting at a 1969 performance of The Boy Friend.  Stephen Bishop and Marley Days were also in the performance.  We all know that Stephen Bishop went on to musical success.  Some folks thought Marley Days had what it took to succeed as well.  All I learned from a Google search, was that a festival occurs every February in San Francisco called Marley Days.  It honors reggae legend Bob Marley.

A nice color postcard of Monte Hall crossed my computer desktop this week.  Click HERE to revisit the Monte Hall page.

A Belated Passing

Most Rev. Gordon Posthumus ’70 passed away August 13, 2007.  Bishop Posthumus was the Prior Provincial of the Order of the Reformed Catholic Church and led the St. John the Beloved Chapel in East Grand Rapids, Michigan. He served as the Church's Vicar of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs and oversaw the development of new parish communities in the midwest. He was consecrated a bishop of the Church by the Most Rev. Phillip Zimmerman, the Presiding Archbishop of the Reformed Catholic Church, in 2006. In addition to his church work, he was employed as a computer consultant by Hart & Cooley in Holland, Michigan. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son Gerrit Posthumus, his wife Tamera of Grand Rapids; brothers Bruce Posthumus ’66 of Wyoming and Hal Posthumus ’62 of California; and a sister, Mary Posthumus VanKampen ’59 of Colorado.

September 22, 2023

 

I think Summer's over at 11:30 tonight.  I'll be fast asleep.

I trust you get the Monopoly reference

Dave Drexler '74 will chat with Doug Kvandal '66 about his life-long love of the Hammond organ this Sunday, September 24th.  Tune in to KSDS FM 88.3 at 9:30 PM  or just click HERE.  I guess the interview is already in the can.  Joe Dyke '65 gets a mention in the interview.  

While I was parked in the Barcalounger last week, Class of '70 teammates Craig Juleen, Gary Gallerstein, Harry Krewsun and Wayne Zucker rode their bikes across Spain along the historic The Camino de Santiago.  Click HERE for the details and an enlargement of the above photo that shows the spectacular church behind them.

Jim Dyke '66 sent in his copy of the program for the 1969 production of The Boyfriend.  Luckily I checked my web page before I started scanning.  Turns out Ed Schoenberg '70 was also in the play and previously submitted his copy of the program.  I've added some comments from Jim including the fact that a certain girl in the play went on to become his wife.  Click HERE for the details.

LT Walt Abbey served his country as a physical therapist at the Naval Hospital in Balboa Park.  Click HERE to take another look at the Colts Who Served page.

Wow, they must have swept house at the end of the 1967-1968 school year.  The September 19, 1968 Pacer includes stories about the new principal, VP and teachers.  Click HERE and take a trip back.

A memorial Service will be held for Coach Dick Draz on Sunday, October 1 at 1:00 PM at First United Methodist Church of San Diego, 2111 Camino del Rio South, San Diego.  Click HERE for more information.

September 15, 2023

5784!!  Where did the time go?  Happy New Year to my Old Testament friends

Homecoming 2023 turned out wonderfully.  Click HERE to see some nice photos -- and the result of the game against Mountain Empire.

I couldn't resist sharing this magnificent photo of The Presidio.  Click HERE if you'd like to view a larger version.

Some of you remember this Denny's at the south end of College Avenue from your high school days.  I remember the spot from when I was small enough to stand up in the back seat of our 1947 Ford.  It's now a little strip mall with a Boll Weevil.  Click HERE for the details.

Torrey Pines Beach just keeps reappearing on Facebook.  I've added this postcard to the page you saw last week.  Click HERE to see it again.

Postcards of the Aztec Motel got me thinking about the Aztec Drive-In next door.  I found a menu and added it to the Aztec Drive-In page.  Click HERE to view the items that cost more than 10¢.  The menu says the carhop would not take orders for less than that.

If you're Class of '64 you were a Senior at Crawford 60 years ago.   Click HERE to peruse the school paper from September 19, 1963.

Coach Dick Draz passed away this past Tuesday, September 12th.  I doubt any Crawford faculty member left behind a more loyal following.  Click HERE to access the Colt Corral blog.  If you type Draz into Search This Blog (see below) you can look back on a number of instances where Coach Draz was mentioned.  There are a couple of videos and at least one web page.  

The Crawford Foundation says Linda Kelley Croulet '62 passed away August 4, 2023.  That's all I know, except I think she lived in Anza, California.