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. 

March 11, 2022

 

At first I thought this was funny.  On further reflection I'm not so sure.

Dennis Brown retired last week as Aztec Equipment Manager at the conclusion of the game against Fresno State.  Click HERE to read a really great article in the Union-Tribune.

Ernie Cowan '62 reports that his widowed Roadrunner has returned to Mount Hoo with a new wife and child.  Click HERE to read Ernie's Outdoors column in the UT.

Tom Cassie '62 shares another Horace Mann PE photo.  This is his 7th Grade Volleyball team.   Click HERE for an enlarged copy -- with names.

Jim Sotiros '69 fished out three of his class photos from Andrew Jackson Elementary.  Click HERE to see all three.

Jackie Campbell McGurk shares the sad news of the passing on February 21st of Sandra Kramer '63.  

March 4, 2021

 

DyAnn Richardson Candee does it again!!

Here's Steve Kapchinske '65 and the '54 Dodge pickup he drove to school.  Click HERE to see an additional photo and read a little bit more about Steve's ride.

Bill Riddle, '59, in Army Initial Entry Fixed-Wing Flight School at Wright Army Air Field, Ft Stewart, GA, 1970.  That looks like a T-41 Mescalero in the background -- also known as a Cessna 172.  Click HERE to look at the Colts Who Served Page again.

Co-Ed of the Year Finalists were named in the March 1, 1967 Pacer.  Click HERE to read all four pages.

Sorry to disappoint so many people, but George Fogelman's annuals went to a good home.  Marcia Sleet '59 desperately wanted the '58 annual.  I had to break it to her that it was from Horace Mann, not Crawford.  Click HERE to look at the on-line version sent a while back by Bob Richardson.

Tom Cassie's scanner isn't working, but he still was able to send a pretty good photo of his 7th Grade Horace Mann C Championship football team.  Click HERE for an enlargement -- with names.

Dale Adams ‘60 passed away February 27th, from pneumonia, in Lake Havasu City Arizona.  He leaves his wife Ruby and his son Paul and daughter Renee.  He was a heavy equipment operator here and retired to Lake Havasu City -- Gary Morris ’61

Celeste Persley Lilley graduated in 1975, one year before her peers.  She passed away May 13, 2021 in Washington state from extended health issues. Celeste and I met in drama class at Horace Mann Junior High and became best friends. She was adventurous, spirited, and daring – everything I wanted to be.  She had a lovely singing voice and played the piano beautifully.  We lost touch after high school. Celeste met and married the love of her life, Bill Lilley, and they moved to Gardiner, Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula.  I reconnected with Celeste after I moved to Washington with my husband. It was like no time had passed.  Celeste and Billy would stop by for a visit on their annual motorcycle tours, and we would visit them on the peninsula.  Celeste was a passionate animal lover, and a fierce friend.  She loved rock and roll, dogs, the ocean and her beloved Billy. The world is a little less wild, a little less adventurous without Celeste in it -- Wendy Williams ’76