2007 Winter

DECEMBER 2007 NEWSLETTER

I hope this has been a good year for you & your family. We are still

enjoying cards & messages about the 50th reunion. Thank you all for you

kindness. We are always looking forward to our next gathering, hopefully

before the 55th reunion. We now pass the baton onto the Class of 1958 &

their 50th year reunion.

We donated $2200.00 from our calendar sales to Watsonville High

School Scholarship fund. Thank you all for buying a calendar. It was great

fun. Thanks to our Georgeanne Cowles for organizing, planning,

volunteering so much of her time & energy & donating money to this

project.. We will announce the reciipient in our next newsletter in June.

Jules Maderos writes that his children live in New York & Massachuetts.

They spent Thanksgiving in Syracuse & then headed for their winter home

in Florida.

Ken & Anne Dobler visited Alaska this summer, spending time on land, &

hiking the Tundra, seeing lots of wildlife, including 9 Grizzlies & then

enjoying a cruise. Anne is chairperson of the 1958 class reunion.

Ken Miller lives in Rocklin, CA. He & wife, Catherine, enjoy organizing

day trips, motorcoach tours & cruises for their friends in the community. He

also is active in a local history club & is working with a local college to

establish an interactive history program . Ken has met a number of people

in Rocklin from the Watsonville & Aptos area & enjoys sharing social

events with them.

Hawaii was the place for vacationing this year. Bud & Kathy Mann &

their entire family went to Maui in July. They had a wonderful time & they all

want to go back. Jim & Pat Hewett took their youngest son John &

granddaughter to Hawaii. They took the cruise around the Islands. Bill &

Inez Beecher were in Maui in Oct. They stayed at the Hyatt in Kanapali.

While there they visited with Bill's daughter & family. His grandson is

almost 3 & a potential scientist/engineer. Bill calls this a "curse". Al &

Betsy Wong went to Hawaii in Sept & spent a week in Honolulu. After

returning home, they left for a week in DC, back home again & left for the

Grand Canyon . Norma Williamson took her bi-annual trip to Hawaii in

Sept. Norma volunteers at our own Hawaiian radio station here in

Watsonville.

Neal Holbrook writes that he is still living in Thailand. He is hoping to be

in Watsonville for the holidays. He was very disappointed that he couldn't

make our 50th reunion. He was in the hospital recuperating from a foot

problem. We missed you too Neal.

John Higaki is happy to annouce that

Yuji Higaki got married in Oct. to

Dr. Aya Kamaya at Nestldown. Nestldown is located just off Summit Rd. in

the Santa Cruz mountains. This has been a busy year for John. He retired

from San Jose State University in May (second retirement), then served on

the committee for the 50th reunion. He also attended two other reunions,

as a staff member.

Jim & Danielle Delavan celebrated their 42 anniversay in Oct. They

celebrated with a cruise to Hawaii visiting 5 islands. Their family is

expanding rapidly. They will be visiting 3 new great grandchildren in

Florida & one more will arrive in May. This will make 18 grandchildren.

IN MEMORY OF DARLENE KERNS & Phil White

Darlene Kerns Glynn died Oct. 18th in Watsonville. She leaves her

husband, Ed Glynn; her mother, sister Mary & brother Duane. Darlene

served on the 45th class reunion committee. She had battled cancer for

several years.

Phil White passed away at his home on Nov. 2. He lived in Watsonville

for 50 years before moving to Friday Harbor , Washington with his

childhood sweetheart, wife Joan. Phil worked at the Port of Friday Harbor

as Airport Operations Assistant. He filled the airport with joy & his ready

smile. Phil loved to build & create, in addition to his lifelong hobby of

building model airplanes. Phil is survived by his wife Joan, his children

Christine, William & Jennifer: grandchildren Catherine & Henry; his sister

Janet Belgard.

IN MEMORY OF MR. KEN McCOMBS

Mr. McCombs died Nov. 24. He was 86. He lived in Watsonville

area for 56 years. He served with the U.S. Army during WWII & spent

the next 50 years as an educator. He served as dean of boys &

principal at WHS, Mintie White, Rio Del Mar & MacQuiddy schools. Mr

McCombs is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bea; sons Mike & Don;

and three grandchildren.

Lorene Dyer's brother, Jan, died July 18 after a six-year illness. Jan was

born in Watsonville & graduated from WHS in 1954 with academic honors,

served as Student Body president, played football & ran track. After

graduation he entered the U.S. Navy, chose the Submarine Service & was

assigned to the U.S.S. Sea Leopard as a sonarman. He retired as a

Senior Chief Petty Officer. One of his proudest moments was being

inducted into the U.S. Submarine Veterans Holland Club for his 50 years

of service. He was a graduate of Notre Dame in Belmont & worked as an

accountant. He leaves his son, Daniel; sisters, Lorene & Deon;brother

Ray, nieces & nephews.

Ed Hedgpeth's mother, Anna Hedgpeth died Aug. 5. She was 97.

She lived in Corralitos for 37 years & taught school in Watsonville for 35

years. She was a 1931 graduate of UC Berkeley. Mrs. Hegpeth is survived

by her children, Ed, Roland & Ann; four grandchildren & five great

grandchildren.

Jerry Broyles, class of '56 died July 31. In 1960, he joined the

Watsonville Police Dept. Jerry leaves his daughters, Allison & Kimble;

brothers & sisters, Chester, Pearl, Harold & Linda; five grandchildren.

Bob & Bill Osborn's father, Jesse died Oct. 5. A native of Texas, he

moved to Watsonville from Dallas, Texas in 1949 & owned the Osborn

Sheet Metal for many years. His hobbies were flying, fishing, RV travel. He

was also a private pilot. He is survived by his two sons, Bob & Bill; six

grandchildren & 10 great-grandchildren.

Joann Flores welcomed her third great grandchild on July 11 in Seattle.

His name is Joseph Andrew Flores Gardner. Happy parents are Joseph &

Christina. Joann's mother celebrated her 90th birthday. The family gave

her a surprise birthday party.

Bob & Nancy Wynne celebrated their 50th anniversary with a week long

family cruise to the Mexican Riviera. There are eleven in their family. Much

of their travel time & money this year has been devoted to "renewing" the

house & yard on Amesti Rd. Nancy's mother left her a treasure. They love

visiting here in Watsonville..

Janice Blohm & Luane Vidak went to Hawaii to Honolulu & Kauai.

Luane was a judge at a dog show in Honolulu while they were there. After

Hawaii it was, let's travel somemore so they put Luane's champion lab

retriever in the back of the SUV & headed for Asheville, NC for an AKC

invitational tracking event. On their way back to CA. on Route 66, they

visited with these "old" dudes driving '55, '56, '57 Bel Airs with dice

hanging from the mirrors. The old broads, riding shotgun, were wearing

pedal pushers. Jan is in training for the half marathon for Phoenix's Rock

& Roll Event in Jan. She is walking with her niece who was successfully

treated for Hodgkins 11 years ago.

Jim & Pat Hewett celebrated their 50th anniversary with their family in

Watsonville. Jim has planned a surprise get-away for them, but he won't

tell me where....Bummer.

Allen & Betty Sue traveled 8000 miles across Canada & back home

through the USA. They stopped in Texas to visit Bev Clements. Marilyn

Morgan flew to Texas to help celebrate Betty's birthday in Ft. Worth.

Marilyn Miller writes from Nebraska where they live close to their family &

have more time for travel. They were in Hawaii during our reunion. They

love exploring their new homeland, the midwest, as well as taking river

cruises in Europe. This winter they will be in Portugal & Spain. Marilyn's

husband is Joe Freeman, class of '56.

This years honored Watsonville Alumni are: Nick Brautovich, 1962, Bill

Monocovich, 1964, Dr. Tim Griffin, 1971, Gustavo Pax, 1982.

Congratulations to them.

Harold Kelsey & his wife celebrated Harold's 70th birthday on a cruise to

Alaska. They work one day a week at the Family History Center in

Hollister. They love helping others find their families. They having children

living in Texas & Utah.

Colleen Connor & Gene were in WA, DC for July 4th. It was incredible.

Saw many beautiful sights. In Sept. & Oct. they went to the East Coast.

They also visited Niagra Falls & into Canada to visit friends. They saw all 5

of the Great Lakes. Colleen went back to the little town of Downers Grove,

Illinois where she lived until they moved to California when she was 4. The

house where she lived was still there. Colleen was in S. Cal during the

fires at her daughter's home. They were evacuated & slept in their car in a

parking lot for a few nights. The fire line was less than a quarter mile from

their home, but it was saved.

Dennis Blum writes that aside from the fact that age is messing up our

eyes, backs, joints, feet, hearing, sleep & a whole lot of other things that

we won't mention, he has had a very good year.

Dennis & Carol just returned from a trip to Mexico. They had been invited

back for the 65th anniversary of the University of Montemorelos. They

spent 6 years there. Dennis set up the Masters in Public Health for the

University & started the Dept. of Preventative medicine for the hospital.

They awarded Dennis with a Founders Medalion for starting the programs.

Dennis will be presenting a Smoking Cessation program & a Healthy

Nutrition program in the Clearlake area early next year with other healthy

professionals.

Pat Starbird had an exciting summer putting a new house on 2 1/2 acres

in Pioneer. It will be a 5 year project as they add a trout pond, landscaping

& fencing. Pat & Loren celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Dec.

8. The took a cruise to the Mexican Riviera with 20 family members. They

are spending a month at their little house in San Juan Bautista. Their son

Shawn who lives in Salinas was promoted to Supt. of the Road & Bridge

Dept. in Monterey. Pat & Loren went to their grandson Jared's wedding in

Little Rock.

Ed & Adrienne write from Lake Almanor that winter activities are in full

swing. They can't believe how much the little mountain town of Chester

has to offer. Adrienne is now a member of the Chester Community

Chorus. She will be singing in 3 performances in Dec. Because there is

no snow yet, Ed is continuing to golf. They both enjoyed the summer golf.

Adrienne even got a birdie which was a cause for celebration!

Adding to our memory book:

Jim Delavan's best memory of WHS are his fun times with friends at

KDON radio station or on the beach. Mr. Gibbs taught him to believe in

himself & set high goals. His favorite music was Beach Boys,Johnny Cash

& light classical. Jim retired with Honors after working 35 yrs. as a Sheriff's

Officer in Patrol, Transportation of Inmates & in the Criminal Courts as

Bailiff in Sacramento County. He enjoy s taking his family to the movies,

out to dinner, fishing nature walks. He & his wife have 4 children & 17

grandchildren. Church is important to him & teaching his family about God,

integrity & love of our USA. He has toured many countries & the USA. He

lived in France for 3 years. He is enjoying his retirement.

John Alaga writes that his fondest high school memories are the first &

last days of high school. His favorite teacher was Mr. Hollenberg because

he was a kind, even temperment kind of man.

His favorite music was & still is country, 50s & 60s. He had dreams of

becoming a mechanic & became a service technision for P.G.& E. He has

lived in San Jose & Watsonville. His pastime is working with all sorts of

fabrication metal & wood. John's family is most important to him.

NOTE: We have seven memory books left. They are $15.00 each

including shipping. Please let me know if you want one.

SOMETHING TO HOWL ABOUT...

News from those that enjoy the Dog Fancy & a chance to fess up to what

they do in their spare time.

Luane Vidak has been busy this year with her 10 year old Labrador. He's

a great guy with a wonderful work ethic & so the hours of training have

been incredibly enjoyable for Luane. They enter only AKC events. Over

time, her dog has completed three titles in obedience, 8 titles in Agility (thru

to Master levels), has a start toward his Agility Championship, & has

earned a Hunting Retriever title. He's 2/3 of the way to completing the Rally

Novice Title. But the most rewarding & definitely most challenging were the

Tracking Titles that he's earned. Having completed his Tracking Dog &

Tracking Dog Excellent titles, with just the Variable Surface Tracking Title

left to do, their goal was to complete that level & earn his Tracking

Championship. He did that oin Oregon. To pass that test, he had to follow

a track for a minimum of 3 hours, over a 700+ yard course laid on both

vegetated & hard surface & locate 4 artivles dropped along the course. It is

a wonder to watch the process. The canine nose is unbelievably capable

& the trainer is really just along for the ride. When Jiff & Luane are not

training or competing, Luane teaches obedience classes for the Monterey

Bay Dog Club for 40 years. She also judges Obedience trials.

Judy Johnson became interested in German Shepherd dogs when their

daughter began babysitting for a State Park Ranger's children. Chief, the

dog, was a trained police service K-9 & was often called by law

enforcement agencies to assist them. Chief was a calm & gentle dog

around the children, until the ranger said, "Let's go fight crime, Chief. A few

years later, their daughter met Thor, another German Shepherd. Again,

Thor was huge but patient & gentle with children. Daughter, Kris began to

rave about these magnificent dogs. Judy's family began to get information

about the dogs & where they had been trained. They found out the source

of training & began to observe training with enthusiasm. Within six months

they became the proud parents of their first German Shepherd puppy & it

changed their lives forever. They are incredibly intelligent & gentle

creatures. At one time they shared their home with 5 of them. Judy only

has one dog now but she shared some of the same German ancestry with

their original puppy & the 50 pups that were a result of their breeding

career. Judy has had 10 Dog reunions since 1991.

Charlene Corrigan's dogs are part of the toy breed Cavalier King

Charles Spaniel. They are small, under 20 lbs. Charlene's dogs are

Blenheims, so named for Blenheim Castle in England where the breed

was created. Her dogs are white & chestnut in color. This is a very

affectionate breed. They want to be in the same room with Charlene &

move everywhere she does. Chariene has had 2 AKC Champions. Her

male Joey & female Shelby. Showing them has been fun & an opportunity

to meet many very nice people. Dog people just seem to be very helpful,

giving & friendly Joey sired a Hitter in WA. State while on the dog show

circuit. Six pups. One, Annie went on to become the highest scoring

Cavalier in 2004 in the US. Charlene often called him Mr. Studly! On Dec.

14, 2005 Shelby gave birth to 6 Joey pups. The usual litter is 2. She was

so big she had to have a C section. All thrived with her care. Charlene has

spent hours just watching their antics. Charlene kept one of the pups &

sold the others. A year ago my Joey died of heart failure. She still misses

him. He was the smartest dog she has ever had. Today it's the "girls" that

control the house. Shelby & her daughter Holly are the loves of their lives.

It's like having two year olds forever.

The Gym & Pool of Dreams is completed at WHS. A huge painting of Willie

the Wildcat gazes up from the new maple floor of the gym. The gym takes

up 16,000 sq. ft. with the pool facility, 33 meters also taking up a large

area. The principal, Murry Schekman is stoked. The community of

Watsonville gets a gift.

We are hearing about some 50th wedding anniversaries. Arline Hansen,

Pat Starbird, Pat Hewett, Dave Downey & Sandra Fambrini &

Nancy Wynne, Have you joined the 50 year club.? Let us know where

you were married & how you celebrated your special day.

Next June we will be hearing from some of our Little Wine Makers. Stay

tuned. Fair & balanced news at KHUB

Please send any news you would like to share with the class to me:

Betty Sue Henry Bjur

190 Bjur Drive

Watsonville, CA. 95076

New email address: GTObjur@charter.net

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