August 1, 2014

UESS WHO NANCY AND I MET last night at the Amigo Spot.  Barbara Zaitzow, that’s who.   She and her husband were fresh off the plane from North Carolina, in town for the Class of ‘74 reunion.  She was of the opinion that San Diego was a lot hotter and muggier than North Carolina.  Nancy and I should have got a room, ‘cause I suspect we’re headed back to the King’s Inn this morning for a late breakfast at the Waffle Spot.

Next Thursday is First Thursday at the Amigo Spot.  Members of the Class of ‘59 may or may not be in attendance to check it out as a venue for the 55th Anniversary of their Graduation.  Nancy and I will be there for the food (Oh, the irony — the Amigo Spot has one of the best burger and fries combos I know of) and to hear Paul Caston on the guitar.

Did you happen to watch the 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame induction on MLB?  Tony LaRussa’s induction was preceded by a nice video talk from Dave Duncan ‘63.   Click HERE if you'd like to watch it.  Make sure you're sitting down -- Dave's grown a goatee.

Bob Mardon ‘64 is getting rid of his Horace Mann Cougars from 1959, 1960, and 1961 (I put up Bob Richardson's 1958 Cougar just to get your attention).  If you’d like them, contact him at 619-461-1677 or rgmardon@cox.net

Friends for over 50 years, and 1964 classmates, Janie Newberry Smith, Meri Pierce Knight and Laurie Koosed Ratner celebrate Meri’s birthday on July 18th at the home of Janis Irvine Ricards.  I’m pretty sure Janis prepared the meal — and took the photo.  Click HERE to find out what they’re eating and view a much larger photo.

Phillis Dudick ‘60 let me know last week that her sister, Mary Ellen Dudick Cagan ‘68 (above), passed away April 11, 2001.

July 25, 2014

IT MUST BE SUMMER VACATION.  I haven’t heard from anyone and have little to share.  Nancy spent much of Monday in the Emergency Room after stumbling and breaking the fall with her left knee. She says the swelling has gone down and she should be able to drive down from Escondido. I’m not sure how that’s gonna affect our Friday brunch.

If you’re a San Diegan you must have noticed the painted utility boxes all over town, some of them quite clever.  Nancy and I stopped to pick up some chicken pies at — you guessed it — the Chicken Pie Shop and she spotted THEIR utility box.   Looks like a Chicken With An Attitude to me.  You can check out some of the other utility boxes at Urban Art Trail and  Utility Box Art

The Class of ‘69 Colt 45 (Get it -- 45th Reunion?) is less than a month away and, despite the fact that I’ve posted the information on the Class of ‘69 Missing Page, the Class of ‘69 Email Page and the Reunion Page of my Crawford High web site, George Sorenson says a lot of folks are confused about things like the date, time and location.  George reminds you (“Shut up in the back or I’ll keep you after school!!”) that the event will take place on August 23rd at the Mission Valley Buffalo Wild Wings at 5 PM.  If you’re still confused call George in Oregon 818-472-8966 or email him at george.sorensen@me.com 

Frank and Patty Mendivil were in town from Scottsdale last weekend.   They are old friends and musical partners of Doug Kvandal ‘66, keyboard player for Live Jazz, which plays each Saturday night at the Amigo Spot.  Patty sang a few numbers with the band Saturday night and the next day at the upstairs 65th birthday party for Gail Schindler Fogelman ‘67.  I had a chance to chat with Patty and learned she was a Crawford Colt.  Turns out she is Patty Knudson ‘71 and was stunned and delighted to learn I knew her brother, the late Pete Knudson ‘61.  It’s a small world I guess.

I’ve got a lot of left over stamps, but none from 1958.   These came affixed to a Class of ‘61 newsletter renewal envelope.  Speaking of which, Barbara Cagley Thomas and Edward and Walter Pease, all from the Class of ‘64, are first-time subscribers to the 12-page quarterly publication.  Deanna Darlene Dean Vogel is no longer missing.  She’s living in Yakima, Washington and is now on the Class of ‘67 Email page.

July 18, 2014

I SUSPECT NANCY AND I will brunch at the Waffle Spot, then spend the rest of the day doing nothing.  I’m tired already.

Tom Cassie ‘62 forwards a “Remember the '50s” video with an East Coast slant (White Castle and Esso Gas).  It’s still fun to watch.  Click HERE to check it out.

Services for Merrill “Mac” McLaughlin will be held a week from today — July 25th — at 2 PM, Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church, 455 Church Way, El Cajon, CA 92020.  Daughter Carol McLaughlin Bachman looks forward to meeting you.  Mac was an original member of the Crawford faculty, finally leaving in 1980.

Anybody want the June 12, 1969 10-page Graduation Issue of the Pacer?  Perhaps it could be raffled off at the August 23rd reunion.  Email ME if you're interested.

July 11, 2014

NANCY AND I ended up in Julian last Friday after breakfast.  The town was all gussied up for the annual 4th of July Parade, which was cancelled because of the nearby fire.  We may have BEEN the parade, although a large group of mariachis marching down the sidewalk was getting applause.

Apparently the folks from the Class of ‘72 are turning 60 this year.  I doubt many of them will dance the Tarantella and be serenaded with “That’s Amore”.  Giovanna DeSanti Medina (that’s her on the left) was the recipient of all that and has the pictures to prove it. Click HERE to see more hot babes — and a couple of guys who wormed their way into the party with a guitar and an accordion.

Gary Juleen ‘64 forwards a photo of Rolando Park Principal Dr. Hawks, a song (to the tune of “Two Sleepy People” about the 1958 6th grade graduation, all three 6th grade class photos and the names to go with them.  Click HERE to check out the BIG pictures.

July 4th, 2014

Enjoy your weekend!! Wear sunscreen!!

Debbie Nichols Poulos ‘63, poses with hubbie John in front of some of the 18 quilts she has on display at University Retirement Community, where they live in Davis, California.  The show continues through July 31st.  Debbie would love to have you stop by.  Call her at 530-747-6326 or email her at dnpoulos@urcad.org

David Keller ‘68 shares a TED talk given by his classmate Louie Schwartsberg last March in Vancouver BC.  Click HERE to watch this spectacular display of nature photography.  That’s not really what it is, but it’s as close as I can get.

I’m pretty sure Kris Pruski Wood ‘70 is the person who sent me a copy of the June 12, 1969 Pacer.  The package was sealed so well I nearly needed a jackhammer to open it.  There are still pieces of the envelope in the corners of my office, but not the return address label.  Anyhow, it’s the 10-page Graduation Issue and you can read all of it HERE.

The Jameson twins — Marilyn Schupp and Carolyn Alford '61 —  have forwarded news of the death, on February 22nd, of “Cowboy Bob” Urbach ‘62.  In his retirement, Bob opened “Hats by Bob” in Ramona.  Click HERE to sign the guest book.

June 27, 2014

OH, MAN, I KNEW IT! The mornings are already darker.  Well, maybe I’m overreacting.  I’m not sure where Nancy and I will brunch this morning. Possibly the new Broken Yolk on Midway, since we have to stop by what’s left of the Midway Post Office.  (Hint:  there’s NOTHING left, except the bulk mail facility, and that’s been moved north across the parking lot. Hold on — the post office building is still there, it’s just no longer open)

San Diegans in general and Padre fans in particular are mourning the death of the delightful Tony Gwynn.  Charles Wax ‘68 shares an autographed photo of himself between Tony AND Ted Williams — two of the greatest hitters ever.

Jerry Ellis ‘61 shares a recent photo taken in Australia.  From right to left that’s Jerry, daughter-in-law Samantha, and son Matt.  Jerry learned that it’s hard for a 70 year old to keep up with two 30-somethings.

There are two kinds of Blue Jays in San Diego’s back country.  Ernie Cowan ‘62, who took these photos, tells you all about them in an article in last Saturday’s U-T.  Click HERE to read the article.

Kiley Schlader thought I might be interested in some photos of her parents that she recently posted on Facebook.  Boy was she right!!  This shot, taken by her grandpa around 1963, shows her mom — Diana Morawitz Schlader Kruse ‘72 — taking a spin on a llama on the corner of 54th & El Cajon.  Heavenly Donuts, in the corner, is advertising Puff Nuts.  Her photos also include 1970 night shots of the Westward Ho and Aztec Motels, with her dad Joe hanging around suspiciously in a cowboy hat.  Click HERE to check them out.

June 20, 2014

Yippee!! Tomorrow’s the longest day of the year — the first day of summer.  Boooo!! It’s the  beginning of the long, slow slide into darkness.

Good news!!  Barry Penn sends this photo from Hawaii’s North Shore.  He claims it’s the (almost) final destination of all Colts.

I believe the big Mark 4 party is still on for this Sunday.  Apologies to Joan Antofte Augsburger whose last name I mispelled and and Mark Elson, whom I left out altogether.  Appropriately, he was the one in charge of publicity. Contact Alan Novidor if you’d like to attend.

Was there REALLY an airport at Alvarado Estates?  Joe Naiman’s article about Robert Hume’s appointment to the Fallbrook Airpark Advisory Committee has an answer.  Click HERE to read the article.

The newsletter subscription envelope sent to Joe Luna ‘59 was returned by the post office -- “deceased”.  All Mary Jane Rogers could learn about the local musician is that he died December 29, 2013.

Linda Zawacki ‘70 passed away June 7th in Winchester, VA.  Click HERE to read a complete obituary and sign the guest book.

June 13, 2014

Happy Friday the 13th.  It’s getting light outside here in Pacific Beach.  Nancy will be coming down from Escondido later and we’ll head to the Waffle Spot for a late breakfast.

The 8th Annual Mark 4 Classic Rock Gigathon will take place on Sunday, June 22, from 1-4 PM — and you’re invited.  Joan Antofte Augsberger (that’s her in pink), Rick Simons, Alan Novidor, Gary Orlansky and Phil Catalfo will be reprising the hits they first played in 1968. Email Alan Novidor if you’d like to attend.

Dennis Frieden ‘59 checked in from Julian.  I couldn’t resist sharing his business card.

Here’s the KCBQ Top 40 from June 3, 1958 — before Harry Martin became Happy Hare.  The top five included: All I Have To Do Is Dream, Purple People Eater, Witch Doctor, Return to Me and Secretly.  Ralph James and Jack Vincent it the mark on their picks to click — Yakety Yak and I Wonder Why.  Click HERE to check out a larger version.

I’m not sure when Mary Smith ‘62 left San Francisco, but she recently stopped in Parker, Colorado to visit Karola Braunagel Randolph and her husband Don. Mary, or rather her dog Tiffany, is keeping a blog along the way.  “I can’t get away with saying some of the things she reports,” says Mary. That’s Don holding Tiffany and Karola holding their dog Fritz.  Click HERE to look at some more photos as the pair make their way to Disney World.

Here’s the KCBQ Top 40 from June 3, 1958 — before Harry Martin became Happy Hare.  The top five included: All I Have To Do Is Dream, Purple People Eater, Witch Doctor, Return to Me and Secretly.  Ralph James and Jack Vincent it the mark on their picks to click — Yakety Yak and I Wonder Why.  Click HERE to check out a larger version.

The final Golden Anniversary issue of the 1963-1964 Pacer is the June 10th Graduation Issue — minus the first two pages.  Maybe you have a copy and can help make this issue complete.  Click HERE to read the 6 remaining pages. 

Gloria Dutra sends word of the belated passing, on June 2, 1998, of her aunt Frances Schneider Van Maren Trujillo ‘61 after a long battle with cancer.

June 6, 2014

Ann B. Davis died last week.  I was hazily aware that she played housekeeper Alice Nelson in The Brady Bunch from 1969 to 1974.  I was busy teaching and grading papers during those years, so I may never have actually seen the show.  Some of us older folks have fond memories of her as Charmaine “Schultzy” Schultz on the Bob Cummings show, which ran from 1955 to 1959.

I loved this photo in this week’s LA Times of a 1950 bust of drag racers in the Los Angeles “river”.  It accompanied an article on the early history of drag racing.  Click HERE if you'd like to read it.

Jean Peacock Graham ’71 can’t remember how she acquired 1973, 1974 and 1975 Centaurs belonging to Gene Brooks ’75.  “They’re in only fair condition, but I'm loathe to just throw them away,” she said.  No problemo.  I emailed Gene in Albuquerque and learned that I was in possession of an invalid email address.  I quickly went to the web and came up with three phone numbers, the first two of which were no longer in service.  A lovely lady answered the third number.  It turns out I was calling Gene’s mom on her cell phone as the two of them were driving.  Gene called back on a land line a little apprehensively.  I quickly put him in touch with the other Jean.  She thinks the other Gene might have left the yearbooks behind in a rental property owned by her father.  All's well that ends well.

 “Hey, I just got your PB book,” writes Dave Sleet ‘61.  “You should tell others about it and put an ad in the newsletter.”  Thanks, Dave.  I’m sure you can find my Images of America: Pacific Beach on line.  If you’d like to support the author, and get your copy autographed, click HERE.

Award-winning chef Katherine Humphus is a 2006 graduate of Crawford — and the daughter of Robert Humphus ‘75 and Jo-Ann Harb Humphus ‘74.  She was featured in a nice article this week in the San Diego U-T.  Click HERE to check it out.

Melissa Varney (that’s her above), the 18-year old daughter of  Cathy Rule Varney ’61, has severe hypotrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and will need a heart transplant.  Cathy has set up a transplant fund.   “All donations are tax deductible and deeply appreciated,” says Cathy.  “If the fund brings in $5.00 that will be $5.00 more than we have now.”  If you’re doing the math and trying to figure out how Cathy came by an 18-year old daughter, it’s a bit complex.  Cathy married Grossmont grad Ron Varney and acquired three boys in the process -- Bryan, Brad, and Richie -- all of whom graduated from Crawford.  Melissa, in fact, is Brad’s daughter, who went to live with her mother after her parents divorced.  Says Cathy, “I took Melissa in when her mother was terminally ill and adopted her when her mother died.”  Contact Cathy at roncathvarney@aol.com if you have questions or go to www.cotaformelissav.com  if you’d like to help.

John McMullen has added names to the 6th grade faces from the 1957 Hardy Graduation photo — names like Marsha Madrigal, Gary Byrnes, Deborah Nichols, Zeller Waymire, Howard Toole, Mary Ann Roskos, Richard Christensen, and Gail Latham.  Janey Barrett and Joan Campbell are here too, but John’s not absolutely certain he’s got them right.  Go to the Hardy Elementary Page to see the results.  Or you can click HERE.

Wayne Zucker attended Hardy from 1959 to 1964 and shares all six class photos — but no names.  I’ll assume one of them is Wayne.  Click HERE to check out the big pictures.

Paul Governali Jr ‘70 was laid to rest this week at Holy Cross Cemetery, not far from his father Paul Governali Sr., 1942 All American Quarterback.  John Hermes says his classmate died April 17th of natural causes.  

May 30, 2014

Greetings and Salutations!!  How was YOUR week?  When I heard that Castro had been nominated as Secretary of HUD by President Obama, I wondered if he’d chosen Fidel or Raul.  Turned out to be Julian -- the Mayor of San Antonio.  I NEVER get these right.

“It’s looking tired and outdated,” said the headline in the U-T Building Section this week. Turned out they were talking about the Uptown District that replaced the old Sears store, the 1953 opening of which many of us recall with searchlights in the night.  The NEW center will be called HUB — Hillcrest Uptown Block.  I’m feeling a little tired and outdated myself.

Steve Stone ‘72 found his Oak Park 6th Grade Graduation program while going through his retirement papers.  I’ve posted it to the Oak Park Elementary School page.  Click HERE to check it out.

I got so caught up in the Memorial Day festivities I forgot to upload the May 21, 1964 Pacer, which features a nice little biography of Will C Crawford.  I guess it’s now the Golden Anniversary -- plus one week -- Pacer.  

“Mac” McLaughlin, pictured here in the 1961 Centaur, passed away May 1st — six days after his beloved Eleanor lost her battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.  They were living in Georgia near their daughter Carol McLaughlin Bachman.  Services are tentatively set for the weekend of July 24th at Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church.  I'll keep you posted.

John Dovey ‘64 passed away May 18 after a lengthy battle with cancer.  Click HERE to view or sign the on-line guest book.

I’m not sure who Bonnie Blackwell is, but she has informed me of the passing of Michael Paul Ziliankoff '65 at Fort Bragg, California on July 27, 2011.  It’s still possible to sign the guest book.  Click HERE.

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SPEAKS FOR ITSELF!!  BE THERE — OR BE SQUARE!!
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