January 1, 2015

It’s New Year’s Day!!

Bob Lutz ‘64 hooked up with his classmate and AFS student Miguel Reynero during a trip to South America last October.  Click HERE to see this photo enlarged -- and get a bonus photo in the process.

I wandered down the trail of one of the albums on Greg May’s Vintage San Diego Facebook page and stumbled on some Mickie Finn photos.  You can check them out on the Memories Page of my web site, or click HERE.

A growing number of Colts are departing this mortal coil without leaving an obituary.

Class of ‘66 basketball star Kenny Neun passed away, according to his classmate Edmond Dantès.  I was able to talk to Ken’s daughter.  She confirmed his death, but said I’d have to talk to her Mom, who hasn’t returned my phone call. 

The Crawford Foundation page says Tom Rowe died on December 23rd.  If not “Mr Colt”, Tom was certainly “Mr. Colt 66”.  It said “COLT 66” on his license plate.  I knew he’d been in failing health and hope to get additional details in the future.

December 25, 2014

It’s Christmas Day!!  Nancy and I and her daughters will be dining in the Mission Bay Ballroom of the Bahia Hotel. 

Before Mission Valley, Fashion Valley and Grossmont Centers young ladies who didn’t want to take the bus all the way downtown shopped at Lerner’s in North Park.  Click HERE to view an enlarged version of this photo, which I found on the Vintage San Diego Facebook page.

Kris Pruski Wood ‘70 says that Bill Manning has two Class of ‘69 ladies rings that belonged to his late wife.  They are size 6.  He would like to sell them at a small price.  Contact Bill at bmanning52@mac.com

Rick Blaine ‘64 says his classmate Leonard Campbell passed away December 11th.  It seems to be more and more the case that no additional information follows.

December 19, 2015

IT’S DARK OUTSIDE and my heater’s going full blast inside, but — yay!! -- the days are gonna start getting longer come Monday.  And I believe it's supposed to hit 80 on Tuesday when much of America will be watching the Aztecs play Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl.  When Nancy arrives from Escondido we’ll be off to the Waffle Spot and then on to Von’s.

 

I got a kick out of this take on the storm damage some of us suffered during last week’s storms.   

Here’s another photo posted on Facebook courtesy of Pea Hicks.  It’s the Hotel del Coronado, of course, and appears to have been taken around 1952.  Click HERE to view an enlargement.

I’ve added a list of drive-ins to the one I’d already posted.  One appears to be circa 1967 and one 1968.  I just can’t remember which is which.  Click HERE to check them out.

The Golden Anniversary Pacer is the Holiday Issue from December 17, 1964.  Diana Loss and Stephen Hill are the Senior Sketches and Ted Nichols’ ‘55 Chevy won Heap of the Week.  Click HERE to check out all 8 pages.

December 12, 2014

IT’S RAINING IN PACIFIC BEACH and the wind is rattling the trash cans.  If Nancy and I can dodge the showers, I’ve got my taste buds set on biscuits and gravy at the Waffle Spot.

Check out the cool uniforms sported by the Crawford Soccer team, thanks to your generous donations.  Click HERE to learn more about how the team is doing.

I snagged this Cotton Patch menu off the Vintage San Diego Facebook page where it had been posted by Jan Tonnesen.  Jan, who went to Horace Mann, but then to Helix, gave me permission to share it with you all.  Click HERE to look inside the cover.

Some stunning color photos of San Diego in the ‘50s have popped up on the Vintage San Diego Facebook page, each with the note “Thank you Pea Hicks.”   We think Pea Hicks purchased these photos at a yard sale and is sharing them with Vintage San Diego.  I’ll share them with you.  This one looks west in Mission Valley, circa 1952.  Click HERE to check out the enlarged version.

Good news for Janice Levine Zalewski.  There WILL be a 50th Anniversary Reunion, says Chairperson Judy Horowitz Glenn.  I’m guessing it will take place in 2017.  Victor Perez ‘71 shares a link for the Class of ‘67 Facebook Page.  I’ve posted these links on the Reunion Page of my Crawford High web site.  

I think it’s just a coincidence but Carlynne Albee, who went to Montezuma and later Grossmont High, says there’s a ‘67 Centaur for sale on Ebay.  Click HERE for the link.

December 5, 2014

IT’S A LITTLE COOL in PB after a couple of days of rain and it’s getting light outside. Nancy and I will be lugging the December Alumni Newsletter to the Midway Post Office and having breakfast at the Waffle Spot, not necessarily in that order.

I snagged this photo off the Vintage San Diego Facebook page.  It shows Horton Plaza at Christmas time, circa 1955.  Click HERE to access an enlargement.

Nancy Watson Wingo — yes THAT Nancy --loaned me this 1955 photo of her Andrew Jackson Girl Scout Troop.  You can view a much large version if you click HERE, but you’ll still have a hard time spotting the reclusive Nancy.  Back row:  Susan Hudjohn, Vickie Holman, Donna Waite, Marlene Dunn, Nancy Watson (in her “don't want my photo taken” era) and a girl whose name may be Patricia.  Front row: DyAnn Richardson, Laralee Richardson, (mascot) and  Kristine Bobbit.

November 27, 2014

It’s Thanksgiving Day!!

I thought you might enjoy Richard Lederer’s column from last Saturday’s U-T

Every Day You Say A Mouthful Of Food For Thought.

Thanksgiving is a delicious time of year to nibble on a spicy, meaty, juicy, honey of a topic that I know you’ll savor and relish. Feast your eyes on the veritable banquet of mushrooming food expressions that grace the table of our English language and season our tongue. As we chew the fat about the food-filled phrases that are packed like sardines and sandwiched into our everyday conversations, I’ll sweeten the pot with some tidbits of food for thought guaranteed to whet your appetite.
I know what’s eating you. I’ve heard through the grapevine that you don’t give a fig because you think I’m nutty as a fruitcake; that you’re fed up with me for biting off more than I can chew; that you want me to drop this subject like a hot potato because I’m a spoiled-rotten weenie; and that you’re giving me the raspberry for asking you to swallow a cheesy, corny, mushy, saccharine, seedy, soupy, sugarcoated, syrupy topic that just isn’t your cup of tea.
OK, so you’re beet red with anger that I’m feeding you a bunch of baloney, garbage and tripe; that I’ve rubbed salt in your wounds by making you ruminate on a potboiler that’s no more than a tempest in a teapot; that I’ve upset your apple cart by rehashing an old chestnut that’s just pie in the sky and won’t amount to a hill of beans; that you want to chew me out for putting words in your mouth; and that you’re boiling and simmering because you think I’m an out-to-lunch apple polisher who’s out to egg you on.
But nuts to all that. That’s the way the cookie crumbles. Eat your heart out and stop crying in your beer. I’m going to stop mincing words and start cooking with gas, take my idea off the back burner and bring home the bacon without hamming it up. No matter how you slice it, this fruitful, tasteful topic is the icing on the cake and the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Rather than crying over spilt milk and leaping out of the frying pan and into the fire, I’m going to put all my eggs into one basket, take potluck and spill the beans. I’m cool as a cucumber, happy as a clam and confident that this crackerjack, peachy-keen, vintage feast that I’ve cooked up will have you eating out of the palm of my hand.
I don’t wish to become embroiled in a rhubarb, but your beefing and stewing sound like sour grapes from a tough nut to crack — kind of like the pot calling the kettle black. But if you’ve digested the spoon-fed culinary metaphors from this meat-and-potatoes disquisition, the rest will be gravy, duck soup, a piece of cake and easy as pie — just like taking candy from a baby.
I’ve lived to a ripe old age beyond my salad days, but I’m also a smart cookie who’s feeling my oats and is full of beans. I may be wrinkled as a prune, but I’m a salt-of-the-earth good egg who takes the cake, knows his onions, makes life a bowl of cherries and is the apple of your eye and the toast of the town.
Hot dog! I hope you’re pleased as punch that this souped-up topic is a plum, not a lemon, the berries, not the pits. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and this cream of the crop of palate-pleasing food figures is bound to sell like hotcakes. I’m no glutton for punishment for all the tea in China, but, if I’m wrong, I’ll eat crow and humble pie. I don’t wish to take the words right out of your mouth, but, in a nutshell, it all boils down to the fact that every day we truly eat our words.

You can read the Golden Anniversary Pacer from November 25, 1964 on the 1964-1965 Pacer page or just click HERE.

NEXT THURSDAY is First Thursday.  Nancy Miljas has changed the artwork to reflect the REAL time folks arrive.  I believe that will be December 4th on your calendar.  That's the Amigo Spot, King's Inn, in Mission Valley.

November 21, 2014

LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER FRY DAY with nuthin’ to do and all day to do it.  Nancy and I will surely breakfast at the Waffle Spot, then run a few errands.  Maybe there’s something worth watching on pay-per-view.

Sunday’s U-T had a nice aerial of Mission Valley taken in 1953.  Click HERE to see an enlarged version.

A mere mention of the Music Department’s needs in last week's Fry Day email got them over the $2000 mark.  Their goal is $2500.  Here's the gofundme link again for those of you who’ve been thinking about donating.  And — YES — they eagerly accept the donation of musical instruments.

Lew Fay, a ‘59 Lincoln grad and original leader of The Nomads, has issued a CD of the group’s 1991 OMBAC "Coming Out Party" Concert.  It features 16 hits you’ll remember from high school, plus 4 original Nomads songs.  Send a check for $18 to Fay Productions, PO Box 60062, San Diego CA 92166. Click HERE to look at some great Nomads artwork featuring posters and photos.  If you have additional questions contact Lew at lewfay@aol.com

Richard Cloward ‘60, owner of Pacific Shore Maps, calls your attention to the Gold Rush Maps exhibition on display at the Map and Atlas Museum of La Jolla through July 2015. They are open 11-4 every Wednesday and Thursday, and the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month.

The Class of ‘64 Reunion photos are in!!  Char Krebsbach Clark has forwarded Picasa slide shows of the Friday night mixer and the Saturday night gala, plus folks gathered according to their elementary school.  I’ve posted the links on the Reunions Page of my Crawford web site.  You might want to check them out just to see the cool cars and hot babes.

Janice Levine Zalewski ‘67 wonders if her class has a reunion coming up.  I asked if she was interested in the 47th or 48th.  Either one, she replied.  If you know something I don’t, get back to me and I’ll pass it on to Janice.  In the meantime she might want to mark her calendar for the First Thursday at the Amigo Spot.  Those folks are mostly ‘66, which should be close enough.

Michael Naiman ‘68 has all of his Jackson Elementary school photos — except for Mrs. Bernheim’s 3rd Grade class in 1959.  Can you help?  Click HERE if you’d like to see the rest of Michael’s photos.  That’s Kindergarten up above.

Some Class of ‘70 ladies met for lunch November 8th at the home of Kris Pruski Wood.  Click HERE to get the names, and a much larger version of the photo.

Don Korsmo ‘60 died July 4, 2014.  You can read an extensive obituary and sign the guest book on the Class of ‘60 Obituary Page.

Dwight Yakel '66 passed away sometime in 2013 says Jeremy Wilson ‘65.  That’s all we know.

Barbara Kyle Gorla ’68 passed away November 10, 2014.  She is survived by daughter Monique Uyeda and family, brother Rodney Kyle ’64, and life partner Les Shelton.   Click HERE to sign the guest book.

November 14, 2014

LOOKS LIKE LITTLE JOHNNIE FRY is having oatmeal for breakfast this morning, ‘cause Nancy’s staying in Escondido.  She’ll be down tomorrow night for dinner at the Amigo Spot and to celebrate her birthday, which is actually on Sunday.  

Every so often it works out.  Susan Marshall Gordon ‘64, my contact on the Crawford Foundation, forwarded an email from Soccer coach Kyle Hagenburger.  I contacted him, he got back to me and noted that Colts could help him out by going to his gofundme link.  He asked for $2,000 for uniforms, cleats, shin guards and transportation monies and you guys came through.  Last time I looked the total was $3,850, which — Kyle says — will actually allow him breathing room into next year.  Way to go Colts!!

We don’t want to kill the geese that are laying those Golden Eggs -- but, some of you expressed a preference of supporting the arts rather than sports, so here’s your chance.  The Crawford Music Department, among other things, is hoping to replace its trash cans with real drums. Again, a dollar donation from everyone who gets my Fry Day email would match the good work we did for the soccer team.

Turns out Duane Sceper and Dave Gray CAN remember the ‘60s — and they agree!!  Click HERE to read some more of their memories the Land of Oden.

I snagged this business card off a Princess Stardusty post on the Facebook page “You grew up in San Diego if you remember”.  I remember my grandmother wanted to got to Sheng How Low for Thanksgiving — and we did.

Here’s the cover of the program for the Crawford vs St Augustine football game played at Hoover on November 13, 1959.  I’ll let you do the math.  Click HERE to read the rosters and see an explanation of the referees’ signals .

The Golden Anniversary Pacer for November 12, 1964 has a headline that caught my eye -- “Hootenanny Is Friday”.   Turns out it was Commissioner of Rallies and Assemblies Geri McGurn’s first assembly.  Click HERE to read the details.

Joe Russo ‘64 passed away November 9th of cancer says his classmate and friend of 55 years Ron Morse.  

November 7, 2014

IT'S GETTING LIGHT in Pacific Beach and I'm expecting another beautiful day.  Nancy and I will no doubt end up at the Waffle Spot and perhaps take a drive and see the sights.  With Nancy in the car it's sort of a cross between the Old Town tourist trolley and The Twilight Zone.  "On your left used to be Woolworth's where I had my first Tuna Melt at the lunch counter.  On the right is the old California Theater.  In 1955 I saw a double bill with John Hodiak and Ina Mae Hutton.  I missed part of the second movie because I was in the bathroom trying to get an Abba Zaba unstuck from my skirt."

The Good News is that Crawford Soccer coach Kyle Hagenberger has 80 kids eager to start the season.  The Bad News is there is no money for cleats, shin-guards, matching uniforms and transportation.  Kyle has set up a gofundme account that has already raised $440 of the $2000 he needs.   Click HERE to get more information and/or contribute.

"Oh, to see ourselves as others see us."  Quite a number of you — including Nancy — thought my 1946 Halloween costume had something to do with the KKK.  I’m sticking with Little Red Riding Hood meets the Lone Ranger.

Sharon Cramer Sceper ‘68 shares a Land of Oden/Bifrost Bridge flier kept by her husband Duane, whose band one played there.  Dave Gray ‘63 says he used to manage Land of Oden.  Click HERE to check out the flier and recollections.  

Sandra Slad Sladkey ‘68 (yes, that’s really her name) has a story in the latest Chicken Soup for the Soul book entitled Find Your Inner Strength.  She would love to sell you one for $12 plus shipping.  All monies go to the Missions Fund at Hillside Church in Julian.  They support a village in Cambodia and a school in Africa.  Contact Sandra at Sandra@sozsystems.com

Carla Hilger Medlock ‘68 wondered if I had photos of Ozzie’s Marching Chargers at Balboa Stadium in 1967.  A quick Google search turned up a video of Ozzie’s Marching Charger Band at the 1964 Aquafair Parade as well as a Facebook page of Ozzie’s Alumni that can be viewed as a slide show.  I don't know if this will help Carla, but they're fun to look at. Click HERE to go to the Ozzie's Page.

John Blackwood ‘59 has shared his Ed Schlehuber Builder Colt League Team photo.  Click HERE to see the 8 x 10 version.

Theresa Sousa Davis Thompson ‘65 passed away October 13, 2014.  Click HERE to sign an on-line guest book.

October 31, 2014

IT’'S GETTING LIGHT IN PACIFIC BEACH and Nancy’s staying in Escondido so she doesn’t have to make two trips down.  We’re taking her autistic daughter Lisa to the Amigo Spot tonight for Halloween dinner.

If you’re in the area you might want to stop by Crawford for the 3:30 PM game.  Mountain Empire will be the Colts’ opponents for the last homecoming game on the old practice field.

Here’s a shot of me in 1946 when we lived in Navy Housing in Long Beach.  I’m not sure if I’m the Ghost of the Lone Ranger or — horrors — Little Red Riding Hood.  I can almost hear the sound of my mother's sewing machine.

If you’re going to San Francisco be sure to wear some flowers in your hair — and stop by the Chicken Pie Shop on your way out of town.    Patti Frazier ‘61, who actually lives in Menlo Park, is having dreamy thoughts about the Chicken Pie Shop.  She really asked me if they ship pies, but I thought that was unlikely.  Perhaps I’m wrong.  Contact Patti at Frazy@aol.com

Mike Fry is pretty sure he knows where the Adare McAllister Black Mountain photos were taken — and you won’t believe what Owen Western did with the photos.  Spoiler alert!!  He put them together into one panoramic shot.  Click HERE to enjoy both Colts’ input.

I’ve saved some of your memories of The Day It Snowed in San Diego to the Memories Page.  You can access it HERE or on my Crawford High web site.

Here’s the cover of the Crawford vs La Jolla football program from October 29, 1959 — 55 years ago.  Click HERE to read the rest of the program.

Here’s an ad from the October 29, 1964 Golden Anniversary Pacer.  I also got a kick out of the Land of Oden ad.  Click HERE to check out all four pages.

Diana Loss Dwyer sends word of the passing of her good friend and classmate Marilyn Soden Werdick ‘65.  Marilyn is survived by her husband and high school sweetheart Greg Werdick ‘65.

 

I think Steve Jones wanted me to take Ed Furlow ‘68 off the Missing List.  He says “Big Ed” passed away in 1994.

 Dang -- That was fast!!  Another month has passed and First Thursday at the Amigo Spot is just days away.  You can show up at 6PM, but half the early birds will be finishing dinner.  That’s Thursday, November 5th at the Amigo Spot, King’s Inn, Hotel Circle South, Mission Valley, San Diego, California