2014 Winter

Watsonville High School

Class Of 1957 Newsletter-"HIGH TIMES"

2014 Winter Original written and edited by Betty Bjur

VOL.35 E-editions by John Higaki

CLASS OF 1957 NEWSLETTER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY & welcome to the 3/4 Club. It's great to be alive! Whoever would have believed that those crazy 50's teenagers could get so old so fast? I say, full speed ahead & enjoy the ride. Celebrate life to the fullest, we still have a lot of living to do, places to go & people to see.

THOUGHT FOR THE YEAR

Growing old is a privilege denied by many.

25 YEARS AGO, WATSONVILLE HIT BY 6.9 EARTHQUAKE

AT 5:04 P.M. a major earthquake struck our local area, leaving downtown Watsonville looking like a war zone, with one fatality, 70 people injured, 150 homes lost or badly damaged. By nightfall, WHS football field & Callaghan Park looked like refugee camps, people too afraid to return to their homes. Watsonville was unprepared for the destruction. Chimneys were simultaneously falling down, gas lines were hissing, water lines separating, it was terrifying, in total disbelief. It all happened on Oct. 17,1989, Clarice's 50th birthday. I wonder what she has planned for her 100th? Before the earthquake, Fords was the downtown foundation, the meeting place, the place to be. Today, the site of Ford's is shuttered, waiting for someone to move in & make Watsonville downtown come alive again.

WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE QUAKE HIT?

Marvin Byers: Just stepped out the front door & heard a roaring sound to the north. I could see the streets moving towards me like an ocean wave. Our home moved over 3 ft. & fell into the basement 2 ft.

Glen Kimoto: I was driving on Hwy. 17 from my teaching job in San Jose. I was on the last downgrade near Santa's Village when it felt like 4 flat tires at once.

Janet Tindall: I was coming south on 101 in Morgan Hill when I felt like I had 4 flat tires. I pulled over & a man yelled, "lady we just had a major earthquake". The drive home was a nightmare.

Colleen Connor: I was in my new townhouse just getting ready to go downstairs.

John Higaki: I was working at East Side Union High School as Director of Human Resources. Scared the heck out of me.

Kathy Crossno: I was getting an eye exam. I dove for cover under the sink, after 15 seconds, we all went outside to make sure the world was still there .

Don Beukers: I was in my office in San Jose, I ran out & watched the street turn into a roller coaster. Went back in, turned on the radio & heard about the devastation.

Jane Sullivan: Sitting on my bed, reading & watching the Giants ballgame on TV. I live 90 miles away, but when 2 golf balls rolled off my desk, I moved quickly. The water in the pool was sloshing.

Ken Dobler: I was hiking up in the mountains above Watsonville & noticed these black beetles were coming out of the ground. Next thing, the earth shook & a cloud of dust was rising over Watsonville.

Grant Wrathall: I was in Denver, CO. going to school on the Boeing 737-300 in order to upgrade to Captain on that equipment. Had to get home to check on my son, etc.

Maury Bye: I was sitting at my desk in San Jose Police Dept. in front of a huge plateglass window. Concerned about the window shattering, I dove under the desk.

Ken Gray: We just passed the summit on Hwy 17. I thought there was something wrong with my car's steering...until I dodged rocks coming off the hill.

JimGibson: I was at work. However, I was listening to my groups computers powering down, & batteries coming up, then heard the batteries being shaken off their racks & the computers powering down again.

Barbara Beard: In the middle of the kitchen, everything flying out of the cupboards. Adrienne & Betty Sue: We were in Sizzler restaurant & all of a sudden all of the glassware & pots & pans started falling & the windows were shaking & the staff & customers screaming. We dove under the table as all good teachers do. We demanded a rain check for our meal & left.

Marilyn: I was sitting on the upper deck at the World Series. I thought it was going to collapse. It took us 11 hours to get home to Watsonville. All roads were closed. LOOKING BACK

25 years ago, The Fall of Berlin

55 years ago, Hawaii became the 50th State.

50 years ago, Loma Linda Restaurant burned to the ground.

60 years ago, Elvis' radio debut in Memphis, singing "That's All Right"

65 years ago, The Lone Ranger premiered on ABC-TV.

75 years ago, Grapes of Wrath was written, John Steinbeck.

75 years ago, The Pep Creameries "drive-in" at the corner of Carr & Third opened. 100 years ago, World War 1 began. The world we inhabit was created.

100 years ago, the Royal Grill opened for business.

50th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

BEN & JANICE BAIRD WILSON, JULY 18

JIM & SHIRLEY GIBSON , NOV 21 KENNY & ANNE DOBLER, Nov 28

Jan Baird & Ben celebrated their anniversary on a cruise to the British Virgin Islands on the Oceania Cruise Line. It was a cooking cruise & they joined the group of chefs from Sonoma Best. They played Trivia with a group on the ship & won first place because Jan knew the answer to: Who was the astronaut that stayed in the spaceship & didn't walk on the moon? Do you know the answer?

Jim Gibson & Shirley celebrated at the Worldmark facility in Solvang. Their daughters & families came & they had Thanksgiving in a Danish restaurant . On Saturday evening they went to a nice restaurant in Los Olivos. The daughters had prepared a seven line tribute to them & everyone read a line from memory. The daughters also made a memory book of personal milestones from their lives including the cost of postage stamps, gallon of gas, loaf of bread for each year, very special time with their family.

Kenny Dobler & Anne were high school sweethearts & were married at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church here in Watsonville after a 7 1/2 year courtship! Anne was a RN & Kenny worked in his produce business. They celebrated at a dinner with their friends& family. The family danced to We Are Family.

The earliest planting of apples in our valley was in 1850's. The first orchard was planted on the Silliman Ranch.

Santa Cruz Boardwalk was named the world's best seaside park, 8 years in a row.

Nancy Bilicich is the new mayor of Watsonville. She is the daughter of Louie & Louise Bilicich, class of 1969. Nancy was also named Woman of the Year .

Ed Kelly was presented with a lifetime achievement award by the PV Chamber. Ed was a graduate of WHS in 1958. Ed is known as the "Voice of Watsonville Football" & very active in the local sports programs including Special Olympics.

Kristine Parker's daughter, Michele got her pilots license & they flew in her Cessna 182 to New Orleans for the 99s International Convention. They had a wonderful time with the other women pilots from around the world. Kristine had a successful hip replacement surgery. No pain now & walking like a normal person. She was back to work after 3 weeks.

Jo Ann Flores had knee replacement & will spend Thanksgiving in rehab. She lives in Washington & wishes she could share all of their rain with us.

Carole Hiatt spent 35 days in England, York, Cotswold, Morton & Marsh. She was in Scotland during the referendum. Her favorite place is still the USA, she loves America.

Kenny Dobler & Anne traveled to Spain, Portugal & the Spanish & French Basque Country with Gail Shurek Haas, class of 1958 & her husband. They stayed in a hotel that was once a palace, traveled several days to various places outside of Lisbon & Fatima with a private guide, so they didn't have to spend hours in museums. They flew to Barcelona & met up with more friends. They took the bullet train to Madrid, visited Avila & Toledo, flew to Santiago, loved that city, so old with quaint little streets. They flew to San Sebastian, in the Spanish Basque Country & into the French Basque area. Kenny enjoyed the countryside & farming.

Ralph Shugart & Yvonne spent 3 wonderful weeks in Ireland. They rented an apt. in Killarney & drove all over Southwestern Ireland on the wrong side of the road & didn't scratch up the left side of the car too much. They visited friends near Belfast & all the tourist sites. Their friend calls the Giant Causeway "a pile of rocks".They were glad the Kerry won the Nationals in football. Ralph did not kiss the Blarney stone, but visited the castle.

Georgeanne Cowles' son John Eiskamp was named Santa Cruz County Farmer of the Year. He spent many summers working for both his grandfather's farms, Dr. Eiskamp & Mr Cowles. That experience later inspired him to enter a life of farming. He grows raspberries & blackberries.

Joan Mezger's grandson Steven Wright was named pitcher of the week for the Red Sox last season. _

Dan Pini writes that he finally got brave & had his left knee replacement in St. Helena, CA. This procedure was developed by Dr. Coon, a lessor invasive surgery done by a robot. It took 40 mins then 1 hour in recovery, stayed overnight. In 2 weeks he was doing therapy in Jacksonville, OR near his home. The third week he was getting around with no assistance, now back to normal & no hurting. He highly advise if anyone needs this done, go to this place. They do knees & hips.

Jane Sullivan went to New York in May. She takes each grandchild just before they raduate from 8th grade. They stayed 5 days, saw the sights, several plays & had a

great time. She has down this 3 times & the last time will be in two years, as she has two 7th graders. They will always remember this trip to New York with their

"Jammy".

APTOS HIGH CLINCHES CHAMPIONSHIP

Four years in a row, Aptos High wins their league championship a & two years in a row, they have won the CCS championship. They have only lost 6 practice games in four years. Playing for Aptos this year were Betty Sue's grandson, Gregory, Kenny Blanton's grandson, Marshall and John Alaga's grandson, Sean, Gene Bradnell's grandson, Jerrad & Gino Stefanini"s grandson, Gino. Betty Sue's son is the defensive coach. What a great four years it has been.

IN MEMORY OF LOUISE BILICICH

Mrs. Bilicich, who taught PE for nearly four decades, died She was 91. She lived in Watsonville most of her life & married WHS head custodian Louie Bilicich in 1945,

"the love of her life". She was inducted into the WHS Hall of Fame in 2013 as a friend of the Wildcatz. She had a very fulfilling life & remained active in our

community.

Jim Ludden's wife Carol passed away July 7,

Joel Roach passed away peacefully on July 29 after a long illness. He was 78 years old, class of 1954. He was born in Magee, MS & moved to Watsonville at the age of 8.

He began his career with the Southern Pacific Railroad. He leaves his ex wife, Janet Woods, 3 daughters, Judy, Joanne & Jennifer, 8 grandchildren.

Danny Lester, died at his home surrounded by his family Aug. 15. Danny was in the class of 1956. He married his only love & lifetime soulmate, Patty Copriviza on June

11,1960. They had 5 children, Mark, Sean, Joseph, Lori & Kelly in their first 6 years of marriage. Danny was full of life & adventure & relished worldwide travel. He

leaves his wife Patty, 5 children, 5 grands & 1 great grandson.

Nancy Stolich Copriviza died Sept 9 at her home in Watsonville. She was a graduate of Notre Dame School & went to University of San Francisco for nursing. Nancy &

Tony raised two sons, & enjoyed all the family activities. She leaves her 2 sons & 4 grands. She was preceded in death by her husband Tony & brother David, class of 1958.

Mike Larkin's wife, Estelle Larkin passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on Aug 28 after her 10 year battle with breast cancer. She graduated from Live Oak in Morgan Hill in 1957 where she was a cheerleader. Estelle & Mike spent 56 wonderful years together. She was a loyal Pittsburg Steeler, 49er & Giants fan & supported the Salsi Little League, Pop Warner football programs. She was also a classic car show enthusiast. She leaves her husband Mike, & 2 children, Cindy & Ian, 4 grands. She was preceded in death by her son, Michael.

Jon Ashcraft passed away Sept 17 at the age of 71. Jon was a WHS graduate, class of 1962. Jon loved life & valued family. He was a Giants fan for life. Jon is survived by

his wife, Jill; son Erik; daughter, Katie; 2 grands. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr Harry & Mrs. Katherine Rodgers Ashcraft & his sister Judy. Harold Kelsey's son Richard, died Sept 23.

Georgina Deretich Chuck, class of 1959 died Dec 1. She attended San Jose State. She was very involved in reunions & luncheons for her class. In 1962 he married Alex

Chuck. She is survived by their 2 sons, Mike & Sam; 5 grands & her sister Sophie.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all & a very HAPPY 2015!! PEACE ON EARTH!!! Betty Sue Henry Bjur: GTObjur @charter.net