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.

July 4th

Here's a Patriotic Colt drawn by Nancy Miljas and sent to me by Ron Klein

Betsy Scarborough '63 invites you to a book signing on Sunday, July 7th, from 1 to 4, at Lestat's Coffee House, 3343 Adams Avenue, in Normal Heights.  I assume she'll be there with her co-authors Ruthie Bible and Pat Oyeshiku.  The book is "The Thrill of the Hunt -- Memoirs of Second-Hand Aficianadas."    It's an insightful and humorous collection of memoirs about the second-hand market, be it garage sales, thrift stores, estate sales, etc. She says it'll be available "at the store" and on Amazon.  The "store" would be Nicolodeon Records, a few doors down from Lestat's.

In September Crawford will begin its second year in retro form — a single school with a single principal.  Music will be taught again and I’ve met with the music teacher.  She’s Emily Heck Gray, daughter of Randy Heck ‘69.  She looks about 14, probably because she’s a 2006 Mira Mesa grad.  But enough socializing.  Emily, for all intents and purposes, has no instruments.  I need for you to 

Donate an instrument

Pledge money for an instrument

Volunteer to play at a fund raising concert, or pay money to get out of having to play at a fundraising concert, or be ready to shell out the big bucks to attend a fund raising concert.  I’m certain I can get the Antofte Sisters to sing “Tonight You Belong To Me”.  I wonder if Jeff Lee and Oh Ridge are available?

Talk among yourselves and get back to me.

Mollie Novidor Lavin ‘72 has forwarded a photo of the Horace Mann Chorus from June 1967.   Click HERE to see it as an 8 x 12.

The Hillcrest Sears opened in 1953 and closed in 1988.  At one point the city considered moving the central library to the site but decided the structure wasn’t strong enough for books.  Hard to believe, but I guess books can weigh more than a sofa-bed.  Anyway, here’s a photo of Squeekie, the parakeet purchased at Sears by the Richardson family.  Click HERE to read what folks had to say about Sears,  the Ace Drive-In — and Twinkies. 

Gerry Nash '61 has added some information to the obituary of his brother Dick Nash on the Class of '59 Obituary Page.

Scot Hunter has added information and a photo to the obituary of his wife Cathy Johnson Hunter on the Class of '66 Obituary page.

Now on their respective email pages are Tim Scroggs ‘62, Miki Kipnis ‘67, Patti Morawitz Jacobs ‘68, Elizabeth Malkind Mitchell ‘69 and Charles Farris ‘71.  Subscribing to the quarterly newsletter were Dennis Frieden ‘59, Bill Kronberger ‘59, Ann Schoonover Bernhardt ‘59, and David Ellison ‘70

What?  Twinkies are back?  But I stockpiled 18 cases in my attic when they quit making them.  Guess I'll have to double up on my daily intake.

I was telling a friend one of my favorite stories, which took place when the “new” Sears store opened in Hillcrest in 1959.  Nancy immediately cut me off and said the story couldn’t have happened because the Hillcrest store didn’t open in 1959.  I’ve looked it up and of course she was right.  A least I’ve learned not to bet money anymore.  The story, by the way, was told to me by one of you out there who spotted Horace Mann shop teacher Mr. Olive demonstrating woodworking tools at Sears.  What’s your guess as to the year it opened? 

Speaking of things I thought I did but must not have because the math isn’t penciling out.  If it doesn’t get dark until 8 O’Clock — and have you noticed the days getting shorter since last weekend? — there’s no WAY I ever sat through a Triple Bill at the Ace Drive-In.  8 O’Clock is about when I fall asleep in my easy chair these days.  What time would I have gotten home if I survived three movies at the Ace?

I don't have any photos of the Ace Drive-In, but I did take shots of movie marquees in 1979 and 1980.  Click HERE to take a look.  Click HERE to read Field of Screens, Jay Allen Sanford's history of San Diego Drive-In movies.

It had to happen eventually.  This week’s Fry Day missive is nothing but obituaries.  On a happier note, Ann Schoonover Bernardt ‘59 and David Ellison ‘70 are new subscribers to the quarterly newsletter.  The JFK photo has taken on a life of its own and I’m walking away.  Yesterday brought a well thought out email that concluded the photo was taken on University Avenue.  Last week’s brought one insistent that it was taken on “Pill Hill”.  I DID get two folks who thought the steakhouse in the area was Dookie’s.  I believe the restaurant is still there, on the southwest corner of Marlborough and El Cajon, but it may offer Mexican cuisine.

Mom passed away last Friday morning.  She had been at Renown Health, a residential Alzheimer’s Facility for the last three years.  The last year she didn’t know who I was.  The first two years she was angry at me for putting her there.  I feel as though I’ve emerged from a long drive in a dark tunnel into sunshine and warmth.  I’m sure Mom’s in a better place too.  Thanks to all of you who’ve asked about her over the years.  Please don’t offer your condolences.  I’m afraid it will only make me feel bad.  I’ve paid the price of a small car to put an obituary in this Sunday’s U-T with the high school graduation photo above.

Richard Nash '59 passed away "last week", according to his brother Gerry.  I'm still hoping for additional details.

Char Krebsbach Clark '64 says her classmate Richard Couch passed away in January.  Richard was predeceased by his wife and classmate Jean Klock in 2001.  I have no details on Dick's passing but you CAN sign the Guest Book.

Owen "Wes" Western passed out 3-D glasses at yesterday's Class of '63 Reunion meeting then later emailed a photo of the group.  I hope you've got an old pair laying around.

We're still trying to figure out where this picture of President John F. Kennedy was taken.  The business at the left has a phone number that appears to be AT-2-7721.  Barbara Bright Wilder '62 thought it might be that portion of El Cajon Blvd. that was cut away to make room for the I-15.  Bob Belanzon '70 thinks he can spy a portion of a steak house that used to be there.

Click HERE to see a gorgeous enlargement of a 1912 La Mesa photo from the San Diego History Center.  Sadly I don't know my way around in La Mesa, so someone will have to tell me which way this photo is pointing.

Dave Folck '67 has written a book entitled: MRSA, MRSA Me! A First Person Story of Gross Negligence Medical Malpractice, the Lawsuit Which Followed, Thoughts on Fighting Back and Reform. 

David Bieber '69 has probably made it to Washington, DC on his WWII Harley Davidson by now.  He posed for this photo with a couple of guys from the 1st Airborne Division in Grand Island, NE on June 4th.

I've just learned that Suzanne Laycock Fares '68 passed away last September in Pleasanton, CA.  Click HERE to read the obituary written by her husband.