May 6, 2022

 

Finally, a Bliss cartoon worth sharing.

Dahlia Bokow Zalk '68 said she thought of me when she saw this. 

Did I forget to tell you about my days in the Navy?  I sat for this portrait in a studio on Pine Avenue in Long Beach in 1948.  Probably a Liberty Weekend.  I've posted it on the Colts Who Served page.  Click HERE to take another look

I've refurbished the Barbara Holewinski Photo page.  Click HERE to check it out

It's been a while since we perused the Aunt Emma's menu.  Click HERE for some yummy memories.

The Golden Anniversary Pacer was published on May 5, 1972 -- and nary a mention of Cinco de Mayo.  Simpler times I guess.  Click HERE to read the news.

April 29, 2022

 

Jim Person '61 wondered if I had a photo of the old Safeway at 4059 El Cajon Blvd.  Sadly, the answer is no. A number of the old Safeway buildings are still around, most of which are similar to the UPS store pictured above at 3401 Adams Avenue.

This striking photo of La Jolla's Colonial Inn popped up on Facebook this week.  Click HERE to see it enlarged, along with a current Google Streetview shot.

Click HERE to read the Pacer from April 26, 1962

And HERE to peruse the issue published April 27, 1967

Kathleen Godels Dwight ’68 died April 15th.  We were friends  since the first day of Kindergarten at Andrew Jackson, although had lost touch in the late 70s.   She was a Special Education teacher and was retired.  She is survived by, among others, her sister Annette Godels Conway ’71 -- Sylvia Wicke Ryerson ’68

Daniel Hurwitz ’70 passed away April 26th.  He lived in Portland, Oregon.  He was the Salutatorian for the Class of 1970.  He is survived by his twin sister Elaine Hurwitz Heber ’70 and brother William Hurwitz ’76. 

April 22, 2022

 

Hope you can read this -- and that you enjoy palindromes

Kevin Carruth '65 noted my authorship of a book on the USS Saratoga (CV-3) and sent me three postal covers from his late father's collection.  I've put them on the web and added some information.  Click HERE to check them out.  Kevin is looking for a happy home for his collection.  Let me know if you're interested.

The Class of '72 will celebrate its 50-year reunion on Saturday, October 8th, from 6-10 PM with a dinner buffet and a no-host bar at the Treetop Room OF THE SAN DIEGO ZOO.  How cool is that?  Additional details are on the Reunions Page.

Remember when Vladimir Putin and George Bush got together on stage at Crawford High?  Me neither.  Probably because it took place at the Crawford High in Crawford, Texas.  Thanks to George Sorensen for finding this fact.  The event took place November 15, 2001.  

I think I typed 60 words per minute in Mrs. Alexander's class.  Cheryl Creel typed 97 words per minute to take the crown as the best high school typist in California.  That and more in the April 21, 1972 Pacer.   Click HERE to check it out.

Jeffrey Barrett ’60 passed away April 20th of cancer. At his passing he was a resident of Payson, Arizona.  He was preceded in death by his sister Paula Jeanne Barrett Blakesley '61, Judy Barrett and brother in law Jerry Joe Hensley '61.   He is survived by his wife Beatrice Barton, sister Marcia Lynn Barrett Hensley ‘62, brother in-law Gifford Dorn “Corky” Blakesley '60 and a bazillion friends -- Bruce Cavallin ’59

April 15, 2022

A different version of my favorite Easter Bunny cartoon

Drinks are on the house!!  Just got the Spring royalty check from Schiffer Publishing for my Saratoga book.  That's right -- $10.76.

Scott Shaw '68 hopes to see you at next weekend's Comic Fest at the Four Points Sheraton next to Montgomery Field.  Click HERE to read more about Comic Fest -- and HERE to read more about Scott Shaw.

Posted on Facebook this week was the cover and table of contents to a little book that will bring back a lot of memories.  Click HERE to check it out.

Here's one more look at Highway 80 in 1946 heading down the hill to Los Coches Road.  Jim McCleary added it after last week's Fry Day posting.  Click HERE to see all three photos.

Click HERE to peruse the April 13, 1967 Pacer.   That's 55 years ago.  The time DOES fly.

Loretta Crum Gorimar ’71 passed away on February 27, 2022.  Lorrie was born in Terre Haute, Indiana and moved to San Diego as a toddler.  Growing up, she loved visiting her grandparents in Kansas with her parents and sister and riding horses on their ranch. She also enjoyed taking dance classes and playing in the neighborhood with friends. Lorrie attended San Diego State where she studied English. Loretta worked as a journalist in Rancho Bernardo and, in 1990, bought Flagship Flags. She owned the store in Hillcrest for over 20 years.

April 8, 2022

 

My friend Jim McCleary is going through color slides taken by his mother.  Click HERE to look at a couple of gorgeous shots of El Cajon in 1946.

Bushtits have arrived on Mount Hoo!!  Click HERE to read the latest Outdoors column from my classmate Ernie Cowan.

Click HERE to check out the 6-page Spring Fashion Issue of the Pacer, published on April 6, 1962 

Click HERE to peruse a 50-year old Pacer, issued on April 7, 1972

April 1, 2022

 

If Bizarro isn't messing with commas, he's inverting letters

This 42-second video had me on the floor, probably because it sounds like me and my friends.  Click HERE and enjoy.

TWO ARTS -- NO WAITING!!  Posted on the Colts Who Served Page this week is a photo of cousins Arthur Sasena (Navy) and Arthur Borden (Army), both '68 grads, who posed for a snapshot during a visit home.

You're probably tired of me saying it, but the April 1, 1960 Pacer is still one of the best April Fool's Day publications ever!  Click HERE to see it again.

March 25, 2022

This is amusing if you recall the first line of Moby Dick.   I remember it mostly because of the Mad magazine parody, which began Call me Fishmeal.  Bizarro shows what happens if you add a comma.

 

Steve Taylor '76 returns to the Marie Hitchcock Theater this weekend, where it all started for him.  Click HERE to read all about it in Diane Bell's UT column from Tuesday.

A nice photo of the old Destroyer Base popped up on Facebook recently.  Click HERE to see it enlarged and to get some details.

A whole bunch of Colts let me know that the figure on the left was the Sta Puft Marshmellow Man and not the Cracker Jack.  Sharon Cramer Sceper was of the opinion that the Boy Scout was probably a Campfire Girl.  I stand corrected.

The soccer rings are bought and paid for.  Now I guess we wait.  Peter Kreft allowed as how Herr McAnear, Crawford's first Soccer coach, would be proud.  Don Walker '75 even sent in a photo of his soccer ring.

Ed Pease '64 was stationed in Germany.  Click HERE for more details

Jim Person '61 has added some names to the 1954 Andrew Jackson Orchestra photo.  Click HERE to take another look.

Click HERE to read a 60-year old copy of the Pacer.

Tony Vergara ’70 passed away March 18th.  He loved helping quietly, doing things that would make life easier for people without the need or desire to be recognized for his work.  He just wanted to help.   He spent many weeks in Biloxi, Mississippi helping to rebuild houses that were destroyed by hurricane Katrina in 2005.   He was a super donor with the San Diego blood bank.   With his work at Hewlett Packard/Agilent/Philips, Tony pioneered the installation of electronic patient management systems that are in hospitals everywhere -- including the room he was in for his last few weeks.   He helped to fill thousands of Operation Christmas Child holiday boxes.   With his wife Linda, he volunteered at Palomar Hospital (where he received critical care for his last 10 days). Tony played an important role with the COVID vaccination and flu vaccination clinics as well as being an uplifting and joyful shuttle driver for hospital visitors and staff.   Tony was also a lifelong advocate for Scouting. Together with his son, Charlie, they went on countless adventures, camp outs, and Jamborees. He worked tirelessly with Charlie through all the requirements so he could see his son, nephew and great-nephews achieve the rank of Eagle Scout and join him among their ranks. Tony was a cherished example of what a man can and should be, how he should love, care, and be present with those important to him -- Carlin Vergara (his daughter)

March 18, 2022

 

I wasn't sure why the marsh mellow was wearing a merit badge sash, then I figured he was a Boy Scout heading to camp.  I think that's Cracker Jack on the left.

Here's a color shot of Park Boulevard and El Cajon Boulevard from the 1950s.  Click HERE to see it enlarged.  

I rediscovered this 1954 shot of the Andrew Jackson Orchestra when I was posting last week's class photos from Jim Sotiros.  Click HERE if you'd like to see an enlargement with more information.

Mike Kennedy '61 has been added to the Colts Who Served Page.  Here he is at Fort Ord, for basic training, in 1965.

Click HERE to read the Pacer from March 16, 1967

And HERE for the issue published March 17, 1972

Earl “Sonny’ Neal ’63 passed away in La Pine, Oregon on February 27, 2022.  He was a Vietnam Veteran, a Hells Angel, and just a Good Guy.  Sonny was proud to be included on the Alpine Veterans Wall of Honor.  R.I.P. (Ride/Rest in Peace) brother -- Your brother, Al

A Belated Passing:  Yvonne Tsiknas ’71 passed away February 15, 2017, following a long battle with uterine cancer.  She was born in Newport, Rhode Island but moved to San Diego before she was 6 months old.  Following high school, Yvonne worked for several years for Safeway and later Keil's supermarkets. In 2001, she purchased a coffee cart at Kaiser Permanente on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard that she operated until illness forced her to sell it in early 2016.  She developed a devoted following among the Kaiser staff not only for her drinks, but her upbeat personality.  Yvonne will be remembered for her sunny disposition, ready laugh and quick sense of humor, often self-deprecating.