2008 Summer

CLASS OF 1957 NEWSLETTER

JUNE 2008

Fifty one years & counting since we graduated from WHS. Many good

things have been happening at our alma mater. The new gym is fabulous

& they completed the new competition-sized pool. The pool was

christened by throwing the Superintendent into the pool by Principal

Schekman. It cast a fun light on the day. The softball fields & tennis courts

as well as the science labs are being refurbished. If you are in town, drive

by the new gym, it is awesome.

Thanks to your generosity & our many friends & relatives in supporting

our "girlie" calendar, we will be sending a WHS student to college for two

years, all expenses paid. Blanca DiCecco was chosen to receive our

scholarship. She was born & raised here in Watsonville. Blanca plans on

becoming a nurse & would like to give back to our community by working

here in Watsonville at our local hospital. She has been a part of the

Health Academy for three years. The students go to our hospital & "job

shadow" the nurses & doctors, learning about the medical field. Blanca's

father died four years ago . This has brought many financial challenges to

her family. She has two brothers, one working at a local grocery store to

help the family. Blanca stated that she is excited about the future & hopes

someday to help her family have a better life.

The Watsonville Family YMCA celebrated its grand reopening May 10.

The celebration of the Y's massive $3.1 million renovation that has

changed the face of our community institution.

Larry Koskela: A man is at his high school reunion with his wife. At

another table is a woman by herself knocking back the martinis. His wife

asks about her. "Actually, she was my girlfriend in high school. When I

broke up with her she started drinking & never quit? "My word", the wife

replies, 'How could she celebrate for so long"?

50th Anniversary Club

Joan Mathews & husband, Jerry

Yoshie Yoshida & husband John

Arline Hansen & husband Don

Pat Hewett & husband Jim

Pat Starbird & husband Loren

Nancy Wynne & husband Bob

Evonne Baldwin & husband Don

Bobbie Smith & Earl Rackley

Dave Downey & Sandra Fambrini

Bobbie Crisel & husband Bill...51 years!!

Frank McCombs & wife, Audrey...52 years!!

I know many of you are facing the same thing I am, grandchildren

graduating. As I watch the happy parents snapping pictures of their kids, I

hope they are paying close attention. Life is like a video that seems to be

set on fast forward, & there is no rewind button. I remember sitting

watching my own kids graduating on the same WHS field & then I blinked

& here I am again, only watching grandchildren. What happened so fast?

Well, it was all "worth waking up for". Don't want to miss one day. So keep

snapping those pictures & enjoy the ride.

Bud & Kathy Mann welcomed their 5th grandchild, born May 27. Liam

Christopher Mann joins parents, Chris & Mary Jo & twin brothers. He

weighs 8 lbs. & 7 oz, is 20" & has light brown hair.

Dennis Blum writes that he & wife Carol celebrated their 49th

anniversary on the Shasta Sunset Dinner Train. Dennis has been putting

50 years worth of pictures on a CD with the music of the 50's. Dennis'

brother's are doing well, Roger, class of '61 & Bob, class of '63.

"Considering the struggles of our parents, & their challenges to keep us

fed, clothed & focused on our education, we have been blessed".

Charlene Corrigan says this has been a big year for her. Her daughter

Carin was married on May 31 to Dean Chou, MD. He is a neurosurgeon

at UCSF. Carin is a marriage & family counselor, working in San

Francisco. Carin's twin Claire is expecting Charlene's first grandchild in

Sept. It's a girll In Feb.,

Fred & Charlene went on a cruise from Sydney,

AU. to Auckland, HZ.

Don Vines writes, nothing new, same old business as usual, just chasing

houses all over the West, meaning he operates a pilot car business,

mostly mobil homes, but at times will get some swimming pools that are 16

ft. in diameter, extra long bridge beams, etc. He has over 50,000 miles on

his '06 pickup. He hopes this message finds all of you well and

prosperous.

Frank McCombs sends his greetings to the gang, especially Ron

McCleister. Frank has joined the "70" Club.

IN MEMORY OF MARGARET DAY

Margaret Day Foster, 69 of Salinas, passed away May 26, after a lengthy

illness, surrounded by her loving family. Margaret was born in Oskalossa,

Iowa & moved to Watsonville as a teenager. She married Chuck Foster,

class of '55 in 1959. Margaret worked as a secretary over the years for

PG&E, the City of Salinas & two law offices. She was a patron volunteer

for the Steinbeck House & a longtime officer of the Salinas Valley Art

Association. Art was her passion. She leaves her husband, Chuck; a son

Michael; sisters, Donna & Candy & many nieces & nephews.

FOUR WHS ALUMS INDUCTED INTO THE SCHOOL'S

HALL OF FAME

This years recipients are: Bill Dorey, '62, Judith Doering Nielsen, '63,

Thomas Leikam, '66 & Carina Moreno, '00. Dorey, is currently CEO of

Granite Construction. Judith spent her career in the banking industry &

served as Mayor of Watsonville. She is also a cousin to another well

known & deserving graduate of WHS, Adrienne Marmo. Thomas Leikam

taught at WHS & coached track & cross country from 1981 to 2006.

Carina Moreno is an amateur boxer. She won top honors at several

national competitions including the Woman's National Boxing

Championship, National golden Gloves & the National Blue & Gold

awards.

OUR LITTLE ITALIAN WINE MAKER

Dan Pini & his wife Jean live in Central Point, Oregon, located in the

Rogue Valley. They own three acres of wine grapes. Their vineyard is

called Passa Tempo Vineyard (Italian for "passing of time") . They have

three different varieties of grapes; cabernet sauvignon, tempernillo &

sangiovese. The plants are eight years old & are in full production. Their

first year grapes were purchased by Woodridge Creek Vineyard & bottled

under the name "II Carino Rosso", which means, 'the gentle red'. The wine

is a unique blend of cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese & zinfandel. This

blend yields a supple rich wine with blueberry scents & a light cedar finish.

This year their grapes yielded three tons & they were informed they were

of excellent quality for brick content. Brick content means, the sugar

content. Their wine is featured at local fine dining restaurants around

Oregon. When not a prisoner to their vineyard, they attended the 58th

Brand National roadster show in Pomona, CA & received 1st of Class

with their 1932 Ford Cabriolet street rod. They also attended the Seattle &

Sacramento Roadster shows & received 1st place of class. The craziest

thing they did was to drive to Victoria to attend the 75th Year of the '32.

There were over 400, 1932 Fords, all at one location. It was an incredible

sight! However Dan says" our bodies are still recovering & one can only

appreciate the modern day automobile conveniences. Dan & Jean

brought the '32 to the Watsonville Car Show in May.

Betty Henry's grandson Gregory won the County Hoop Shoot this

year. His father, Greg & grandfather, Allen also won their Hoop Shoot

contest when they were 11 years old. We are keeping it in the family.

Albert Fort, class of '56 died Dec. 26, 2007 here in Watsonville with his

family at his side. After high school, he went into the Marines with his best

friend, Don Blanton. Al worked for PG & Eat Moss Landing, then became

a contractor. He leaves his wife, Betty Jean of 50 years, a daughter,

Claudia & one son, Donald. Three grandchildren & three brothers, Wayne,

Alden & Gary & his sister Helen.

Diana Casini's brother Omero died Jan 12. He was born in Italy & came

to the USA in 1948. He worked in the agricultural industry. After retirement,

he enjoyed traveling & being with his family. Omero leaves his wife or 47

years, Lorrie; a daughter Sandy & son Omero, Jr.; his sister Diana; three

grandchildren.

David Willey's brother Michel Frederic died Feb. 6. Michel was in the

class of '54. He received a BA in political science from San Jose State. He

is a graduate of Hastings College of the Law. Michel joined the Naval

Reserves in 1954 & went to Officer Candidate School. He is survived by

his wife of 20 years, Susan and three brothers, James, David & Stephen.

Neal Holbrook's mother Dorothy Fairhurst Holbrook passed away at

her home in Watsonville, March 10. She was born in England. She

immigrated to North America at the age of 3 months with her parents. Dot

& her husband Paul were avid motor home camping enthusiasts before

Paul's death in 2000. She is survived by her sons, Neal of Thailand & Bob.

She has also left behind seven grandchildren & eight great grandchildren.

Dick Hardy's mother, Betty Hardy died March 26. She was born in Gilroy

& attended local schools. She was a homemaker with a love for all types

of needlework, cooking & gardening. Her greatest joy was loving & caring

for her family. Mrs. Hardy is survived by her two sons, Don & his wife

Arline (Hansen), class of '57 & Dick & his wife, Carol Erickson, class of '60.

John Higaki's mother Kazuko Higaki died April 5 in Watsonville. She

was born in Hilo, Hawaii & left Hawaii in the early 1920's & returned to

Hiroshima-ken, where she attended school. She married her husband,

Haruso in Hiroshima in 1937, & they came to the USA three months later.

After sharecropping for several years, they started farming on their own in

1956. In 1976, she was the first person outside of Japan to be named a

winner of Tanka poetry, an ancient form of poetry. She once flew to Japan

& had an audience with Emperor Hirohito. Mrs. Higaki is survived by three

sons, John, Art & Bob. She was preceded in death by her husband &

three sons, James, Dick & Thomas.

Betty Jo Parker's mother, Mary Parker died May 1 in Kyle, Texas. She

was 87. Mrs. Parker was born in Deaver, Wyo. She is survived by her

daughters, Betty Jo & Connie; 2 sons, Lee & Wilbur; and many

grandchildren & great-grandchildren.

Rachael Zuniga's brother Eduardo died May 2. A lifelong resident of

Santa Cruz County, Mr. Zuniga split his time between here & Kauai,

Hawaii. Mr. Zuniga's family owned Zuniga's Restaurant for many years. He

was a carpenter by trade. He is survived by two daughters, Dustti & Tawni;

a brother John; three sisters, Rachael, Rose & Teh; & two grandchildren.

FOUND, CAROL TORY

Carol was born in Iowa. Her family moved to Watsonville & she started

WHS her sophomore year. Her favorite teacher was Mrs. Roach who

taught Home Economics. She married her husband Jesse in 1957 after

graduation. Jesse was in the Army so ihey lived in many places, San

Francisco, Monterey, Panama, Alaska, Georgia & Arkansas. They have 3

children, 3 grandsons & 2 great grandsons. While the children were

young, Carol was a seamstress in her home, later she was the Executive

& Personal Secretary for the Cypress Community Church in Monterery

area & other employment was an office manager & staff manager. Jesse

passed away in 2003. Carol now resides in Arizona.

HAPPY 70 ED FAGALDE

It took 70 years for Ed to finally get the wish he had wished for on almost

everyone of his February birthdays. He wanted to celebrate with a

barbecue. It was always too cold in Watsonville & way too cold in the

snow country of Lake Almanor. But because of the snow at Lake Almanor,

Adrienne & Ed spend 3 months in sunny Palm Desert as do several other

Lake Almanor friends. Sixteen snowbirds played in a special golf

tournament in honor of Ed's big 701. Following that, the snowbird group &

other friends moved on to dinner at a Mexican restaurant where Ed was

crowned with a sombrero & serenaded by all. The next day he got his

long-awaited barbecue. The group continued to help him celebrate at the

condo where he & Adrienne stay in the winter. It was a beautiful day to sit

out & party! At long last!!

Bob Fenner writes that he & his wife Gail enjoyed their trip to Europe,

Amsterdam, Brussels & London. Bob was in the UC Cal Band that played

& marched at the Brussels' Worlds Fair in 1958. A group of former

bandmen decided to make a return trip with instruments on the 50th

anniversary. The ceremony in Brussels in which the Mannequin Pis will be

outfitted in a Cal Band uniform, circa 1958, then a formal dinner at the

symbol of the 1958 fair, the Atomium. Bob also retired, sort of. His

company allows him to work part time. They plan to stay in Southern

California as two of their children still live there along with two of their

grandchildren. Their oldest daughter lives in Kansas.

Pat Blair had surgery May 12 . She is happy to report that the kidney

tumor was a benign, non cancerous growth. There was a 95% chance

that it was cancer but she beat the odds.

Dee Beckwith writes that she is working part time in the health care

Industry. The Medford, OR. area is a mecca for retirees so the need is

endless. Dee's children are living their own lives & are very successful.

They reside in Watsonville, Anchorage, & Alabama.

BUD & KATHY MANN TAKE A BIG DIP ON THE GIANT DIPPER AT

THE BOARDWALK

We did it!!! After 50 years! Then had an ice cream at Mariann's. Bud &

Kathy have been thinking about riding the Giant Dipper (roller coaster) at

the Boardwalk for quite a while. They always loved it in high school. Their

daughter Carrie was in Santa Cruz & on a whim rode it by herself! Bud &

Kathy got jealous, so,after church, Kathy persuaded Bud to go with her &

they did it!!! A few aches later & after an ice cream, they were glad they did.

Have a great summer.

Betty Sue Henry Bjur

190 Bjur Dr.

Watsonville, CA. 95076

GTObjur@charter. net

Marvin Byer's home won the House & Garden of May in our City. The

blue oval Historical Jfust Landmark, known as the James Ingham House,

was designed by famed architect William Weeks. It was built in 1896 for

Ingham, a wagon maker. It is a beautiful Queen Anne style home.

Mr. William Weeks designed over 100 houses in the Pajaro Valley in the

late 1800s & early 1900s. Some of the valleys most recognizable

structures are his, including the gothic-style St. Patrick's Cathedral on Main

Street & the circular bandstand in the Watsonville Plaza, also the first

Watsonville High school, The First Christian Church & The Notre Dame

Academy. His signature slim Greek columns, patterned shingles &

elaborate ornamentation signal a bygone era when labor was cheap &

innovations in agriculture had created a new wealthy class. His designs

created a memory for many who live or have lived in Watsonville

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