2009 Summer

CLASS OF 1957 NEWSLETTER, JUNE 2009

Most of our classmates will be entering the Big 70 this year. A few have

already. As I look back over the almost 70 past years I realize that I have

been given a very special gift, lifelong friendships. I still meet socially with

friends that I started kindergarten with. Talk about history. I have very few

regrets. Growing up in the 1950's was a joy, the innocense of our youthful

days are not to be for our grandchildren. I hope that all of you who look

back on your years in Watsonville feel good about your lives, no matter

how many crises or setbacks you've had. All the materialistic things goes

out the window when mortality takes center stage. No one really cares if

you're driving a Lexus or have a time share in Hawaii or are friends with

President Obama. All that matters is that you're still here & hopefully

enjoying your life & family & many friends that you made at WHS. By the

way, Happy 70 III

It looks like Harold Kelsey holds the honor of being the Senior of our

class & the baby goes to BJ Everton. So thanks for leading the way

Harold & BJ, what can I say but do a good job bringing up the rear.

50th Wedding Anniversary

Dennis Blum & wife, Carol

Marilyn Morgan & husband, Carl

Carol Tarkington & husband Ray

Marilyn Bogisich & husband Ed

Carol Tarkington & Ray celebrated their 50th anniversary in Branson,

their favorite place. They are downsizing to a gated senior community

JERRY BAKER'S GRANDPA

Carey Hannah "Jack" Baker served the Watsonville community in many

ways after coming to the Pajaro Valley In Sept, 1900. His first monthly

salary was $60.00, working as a car loader for the Earle Fruit Co. Baker &

his family moved into a home at 320 Van Ness in 1911. Mr. Baker worked

for various firms before running for Mayor of Watsonville. During his 24

years as mayor, 1927-1951, a huge levee was built along the Pajaro

River, which had flooded a number of times. Watsonville Airport opened

on Salinas Rd. in 1931 plus the present one on Airport Rd. whose

construction started in 1942. When Baker retired in 1951, this day was set

aside as Mayor Baker Day, the same day the dedication of the new Pajaro

Bridge was held. He was a charter member of the Elks Club, Director of

the Chamber of Commerce & the Apple Annual Asso. & chairman of the

Watsonville Growers & Packers Asso. Before Dale Skillicorn's untimely

death, Dale & Jerry were attempting to get something in Watsonville to

bear the name of his grandfather, possibly the Airport.

Georgeann Cowles will be president of the Watsonville Rotary starting

July 1. This is a letter from Georgeann to our class. I have a project to

work with the PVUSD's After-School Program. My vision is to start an

After-School "one-to-one" Rotary reading Buddy program in the

elementary schools, & to staff our program with Rotary volunteers &

Volunteers of Rotary. Watsonville Rotary currectly has a reading buddy

program at EA. Hall Middle School we could also expand. Thus, I am

asking if we have any Class of '57 retired, semi-retired or working

classmates that would like to volunteer to join me in staffing this program,

as I am in the planning stages & working with the Director of PVUSD's

After-School Program. Our classmates Bill Beecher & Chuck Allen are my

cohorts in this project. Bill has completed vast research & shares his

know/edge of the importance of identifying & helping our children in the

early grades. Many of you are, or were in the profession of educating our

children & the rest of us are aware of the importance of a reading

foundation in the early years. Our motto: If not now? When? If not us?

Who? Please contact Georgeann at: geiskamp@aol.com or( 831)254-2111.

Dennis Blum & his wife Carol celebrated their 50th on April 5th with

several in attendence who participated in their wedding 50 years before.

Dennis'gift to Carol was an Alaskan Cruise. As for the aging thing, Dennis

will be 70 in July. He really doesn't think that he thinks like an old man

should think but his kids & granddaughter are quick to let him know that

the generation gap is really evident. Hard to believe since Dennis has a

computer, cell phone, e-mail & is on Facebook.

Ralph Shugart will be celebrating his 70 in Sept. He & Lee will be

married 51 years on July 29!!

Janice Baird will be 70 in June. They are planning a trip to S. Dakota with

friends to attend a family reunion. Also on tap is their annual trip to

Ashland, OR. with her daughter, granddaughter & friends. Janice's

youngest grandson graduates from high school & youngest

granddaughter enters Middle School.

Harold Kelsey's granddaughter & her husband graduated from BYU.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude, with 3.94 grade average. She will

teach 7th grade students Biololgy & Oceanography.

Dave McDaniel is going back to Najing, China in Sept to attend the

wedding of a former student & visit her family & former students located in

Nanjiing, Sanghai, Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou & Bejiing. Dave taught at one

of the oldest universities in China for a year in 2005 & made many friends.

His granddaughter is living with him while she attends college. Dave is

writing his memoirs.

Bets Corrigan is taking a cruise to Alaska in June. They will be 7 days on

the ship & then 8 days on their own seeing the beautiful countryside. '

Fred Cadiente turned the big 70 on May 2. He still feels good & fit so to

him age is just a number. He has been doing some substitute teaching at

Gilroy High School to keep busy & enjoying his 8 grandchildren with one

more on the way. Fred & his wife Bobbie will celebrate their 39th wedding

anniversary in Aug. with a trip to Cabo San Lucas.

Maryella Kerns writes that the Washington legislature had a successful

session with testimony before them paid off with a special proviso for

extra allotment of funds to the medical board in this economic downturn to

support hiring more legal staff & doing more physician education. They will

celebrate their good fortune when the Governor signs off on the budget.

Bill Beecher & his wife Inez spent several weeks in Antarctica &

Argentina during January. They made 9 landings on the southern most

continent. They were on a Russian ship with weather 32-38 F. There were

114 travelers from Australia, S. Africa, Canada & the States.

IN MEMORY OF STEVEN SELDEN & MARY ELLEN ATKINS

Steven Selden died March 7th at Domincan Hospital in Santa Cruz. Steve

was born in Oakland, CA. & moved to Watsonville when he was very

young. Steve retired in 2001 after working forJ.M. Smucker Co. & Granite

Construction, He was a fan of the 49ers from the time they played at Kezar

Stadium. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy & coached Little League

Baseball. Steve leaves his wife Sharon of 42 years; daughter Cheryl and

two grandsons, James & Sean Alaga, two brothers, Bill & Richard & two

sisters, Barbara & Susan.

Mary Ellen Atkins died January 25th. in Bakersfield. She had just retired 6

mos. from the Visalia Hospital. She was born in Watsonville & moved to

King City after graduation. She leaves 2 sons; 7 grandchilren & 9 great

grandchildren & 1 great great grandchild; brother, Loren, class of '56.

Jim Pickett, class of 1954 died Dec 8th of pancreatic cancer. He was

born in Aromas & raised in Watsonville.. After graduation he served in the

Navy. He was one of the first members of the neo nuclear Navy, serving

20 years. Jim is survived by his wife Margaret of Redmond, OR.: three

sons, one daughter & eleven grandchildren. Jim was a member of the

famed "dirty dozen" which had its roots at Mintie White School.

Barbara Beard's father, Harry Beard died Jan. 23. He was born in

Wellington, Kansas. He met his lifelong sweetheart, Norma at Los Angeles

High School . During WWII he worked as a welder at San Pedro

Shipyards for Bethlehem Steel Corp. After the war, he & his bride traveled

the west coast for a year. In 1949, they settled in Aptos. He retired from

Lonestar in 1976. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Norma, his

daughter Barbara & son in law, Don Stracener. His two granddaughters,

Christine & Cathy, three great-grandchildren & one great-greatgranddaughter.

Marybeth Hockel Varcados died Jan. 23 surrounded by her family.

Marybeth was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She moved to Watsonville in

1947 where her dad taught school at WHS. Marybeth is a WHS graduate,

class of '58. She began her career as the Society & Clubs editor for the

Register Pajaronian. She later completed her degree in journalism at

Berkeley. She later worked for the Santa Cruz Sentinel. She is survived

by her husband of 46 years, Peter; daughters, Diana & Sophis, her

granddaughter, Zoe; two brothers & two sisters.

Beverly Sampson's sister Barbara Sampson Marsh died Jan. 26.

Barbara was born in Watsonville & was a graduate of WHS, class of

1951. Barbara was a beauty, earning the title of Watsonville Fourth of July

Goddess & Apple Queen. She is survived by two daughter's Lynette &

Lisa;son Christopher; three grandchildren & her sister Beverly.

Janet Pelichs' husband Dale Skillicorn died March 14th. Dale was born

& raised in Watsonville & was a graduate of WHS, class of 1954. Dale had

served on the Watsonville City Council since 2002 & was the Vice Mayor

of the City. As a youth Dale dreamed of making it in Hollywood, but as he

grew older, he grew more & more involved in his hometown, volunteering

for a myriad causes & getting into politics. He was a true statesman & a

public servant of the highest order, always fair, dedicated & committed to

the community Having grown up within a few blocks of each other in

Watsonville, Janet recalled watching her husband's interest evolve from

dreams of becoming an actor as a young adult to becoming an advocate

for his hometown. Dale is survived by his wife Janet of 30 years; son

Mark; stepdaughters, Valerie & Christina; 5 grandchildren & brother Jack.

Gary Costa's mother died March 24. She was 92 & was born in Potter,

Kansas. She lived in San Diego & was a member of the LaJolla Artist club.

She leaves 2 sons, Gary & Ronnie.

Kenny BIanton's mother Dixie Blanton died April 10th at the age of 95.

She was born in Winchester, Tenn. She & her husband, Preston, who

died in 1982, raised their five children in Watsonville. Mrs. Blanton started

working in food services for Watsonville schools in 1957. She is survived

by four of her children, Don, Ken, Gary & Beth; 12 grandchilren; 22 great

grandchildren; two brothers & two sisters. Her son Glen died in 2008.

Frank Vlach, class of '54 died May 9th. He leaves his wife Mary, 8

children & 20 grandchildren. He was a teacher at Consumnes River

College.

Merle Worley's mother, Lucille Worley died May 25th. She was 94. A

native of Texas, she had lived in Watsonville since 1942. Mrs. Worley is

survived by 3 daughters, Glenda, Merle & Sharon; a son, Hollis; 16

grandchildren & numerous great-grandchildren & great-great

grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Virgil.

Our City has lost three very important & dedicated people to our

community recently, Dale Skillicorn, Pat Martinelli & Betsy Woopert owner

of Granite Rock. Our City mourns their passing. Their shoes will be hard

to fill.

Nancy Bilicich, Mr. & Mrs. Bilicich' daughter has been selected to fill Dale

Skill/corn's place on the City Council for the remainder of his term.

Two Watsonville born sisters, Donna & Kathy Mekis pen the book

"Blossoms into Gold" on Pajaro Valley's Croation immigrants. It's an

amazing story, how a few immigrants were able to create an apple empire

in the Pajaro Valley.

Ken Dobler & Betty Sue's grandsons, Brian & Gregory are pitchers for

the Astros baseball team here in Watsonville.

Ed Fagalde & Adrienne spent the winter at Lake Almanor instead of

going to Palm Desert this year. They had never lived an entire winter in the

snow. Ed did a lot of snowblowing! He actually enjoyed it. Adrienne

purchased snow shoes & loved snow shoeing up & down the golf

course. Now it is golf season & Ed Is out on the course almost everyday.

Adrienne plays twice a week.

Marilyn Morgan's son Steve is in Iraq again until Oct. He is Commanding

Master Chief in the Navy SEALs.

Betty Sue & her husband had a great trip traveling to Holland, Michigan

for the Tulip Festival. Holland is a little Dutch town perfectly groomed with

thousands of tulips & windmills. Part of the trip was spent with Bev

Clements in Texas. Always a favorite spot. Bev is the best cook ever!I

Round trip was 6300 miles. Nothing like the great USA.

Wedding bells for Sally England as her daughter Christine was married

to Mike Rexroad on April 29th which was the same day as Bill & Sally's

44th wedding anniversary. Mike is local & his parents retired to Aptos. The

two met at Seascape Golf Course & have been playing golf together ever

since. They are living in Los Gatos. Mike's mother, Elaine is in Adrienne

Marmo's card group & Adrienne knew they were engaged before Sally

did. It is really a small world!!

FOUND

JIMMY DICUS lives in Dublin, CA. with his wife of 49 years, Marg. They

have a boy Michael & daughter Patricia & two grandsons. After high

school, Jim joined the Army for 3 years. He met his wife Marg who was

also in the Army in Washington, DC. She was a West Virginia native. After

the service they moved to Dublin where Jim was hired by the Emeryville

Fire Dept. He retired at 30 years as asst. chief. Jim was certified to teach

fire science at Chabot Jr. College & Hayward State. He had a great

career. He is now enjoying his hobblies, fishing & gardening.

Stan Arnbrister is living in Chowchilla, CA. with his wife, Faye Herrick,

class of '59. They have been married 51 years. They have a daughter,

Deborah & three sons, Stan, Jr. & David & Curtis. Stan had several

careers, Western Union Telephone Co., vegetable broker, drapery

workrooms & electrician. After his retirement, he built a home in

Chowchilla. He has 12 grandchildren. His boys are all in the service, Army,

Marines & Navy. Stan stays active playing volleyball, racquet ball & golf.

They are active in the Senior Center & play Bingo. Great life.

Dawn Barnes lives in Springfield, Oregon with her husband John Smith.

They have been married 52 years. They have an adopted boy & girl. They

moved to Oregon 4 years ago. Dawn continued her education & became

a registered nurse. They enjoy bowling & playing cards & gardening in

their retirement. Dawn's mother lives in Reedsport & is 93 & in good

health. They are enjoying the retirement life. Dawn recently made

connections with her special high school friend, Betty Farr in Oregon.

Kenneth Clewett returned to his roots after high school graduation,

moving back to San Jose. He lives next to the old family home. In 2000, he

retired as a electrician for a large company in San Jose. Ken & his first

wife Diane had 4 children, Bonnie, Nancy, Linda & David & have 5 grand

children. In 2007, Ken married Alma, a Filipino lady. He has since been to

the Phillipines to meet her family. They attend the First Baptist Church in

San Jose. Ken went to Mexico for 2 months to attend the Summer Institute

of Linguistics.Ken's father Mr. Clewett was our Physics/Biology teacher.

Mr. Clewett died in 1988. Ken stated that his father said, You are taking

Physics from me. He didn't regret it.

WATSONVILLE HIGH ALUMNI 2009 HALL OF FAME

Lorraine Stucki, Class of 1949. Alex Solano, Class of 1952. Richard

Stubblefield, Class of 1969. Diana Vargas, Class of 1974. Congratulations

Next school year will be a critical one for WHS. In addition to the district

cuts, we are also facing the challenge of no funding from the Zoe Ann On

Fund, due to the on-going negative performance of the stock market, it is

likely there will be no distribution from that fund next year. The District has

cut all sports & music programs, Any ideas on how our class can help with

this problem ? If you wiould like to donate to WHS please make your

check to: Watsonville High School. You can mail it to me & I will give the

donations to the school in our class name, if you wish.

Betty Bjur 190 Bjur Dr. Watsonville, 95076

Who remembers........

The name of the class clown?

The name of the football homecoming queen?

President of our Senior Class ?

How many graduated in our class?

Class advisor?

Who lost his contact lenses in the middle of the football game?

The name of the class Valedictorian?

Name the 3 in the ABC trio?

The name of the best Apple Company in Watsonville?'

A HUGE prize awaits just email the answers too: GTObjur@charter.net

Luane Vidak is shown May 23, 1954 with a heavy bore .22 rifle with a

trophy she won in a state shooting competition(PICTURE LOST IN SCANNING PROCESS).

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