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