Dec. 2009
Watsonville High School
Class of 1957 Newsletter-"High Times"
Winter of 2009
Newsletter Web editions, Winter of 2009 Vol. 1 No. 1
Class of 1957 Newsletter, December, 2009
This has been a year full of history for our city. Headlines read on October 17, 2009, "A DAY WATSONVILLE WONT FORGET' ' Twenty years may have dimmed most memories, but Watsonville residents vividly recall where they were at 5:04 p.m. on Oct. 17 when the Loma Prieta Earthquake struck. The earthquake measured 7.1. I know Clarice remembers well, as Oct. 17 was also her 50th birthday. Two major jolts of reality. I was in the Sizzler Restaurant with my friend Adrienne. Since we are teachers the first thing you do in an earthquake is dive under a table or desk, which is what we did. My husband who was standing with his salad in hand started laughing as he noticed 2 rather large rear ends sticking out from the table covered with salad. Outside of the restaurant were many downed live wires & you could see smoke all over Watsonville from burning homes. That was the end of our Ford's Dept store & our dearly loved Bake‑Rite. Bakery. 250 homes Were destroyed & another 800 were damaged. Every major road in & out of the county was closed or partially blocked & all power was out. I don't think that Watsonville was ever the same since. Quite an experience.
Forty years Aptos High School opened its doors for the first time. It is a beautiful campus & a great school.
Fifty years ago, Sylvia Armstrong's parents, Dutch & Nina Armstrong closed their doors to Landis Fountain in Freedom to make way for the extension of Green Valley Road to Main Street. Landis was famed for their menu names, like a huge ice cream concoction called, "Idiot's Delight,"and quirky features like a mock parking meter in meterless Freedom. The building dated back to 1885.
Fifty Years ago, Dec. 1, Dale Skillicorn was hired to direct plays for Monterey's First Theatre. The first play he directed, Fatal Wedding, recelived tumultuous applause & a critic's praise for its "varied & appetizing fare." Dale hopes someday to have his own theater.
CAPITOLA SAYS GOODBYE TO CAPITOLA THEATER. After 61 years the Ciy Council of Capitola agreed to tear down the building due to fire safety concerns. Demolition will not take place until after the first of the year. Barry Swenson bought the property to build a hotel on the site. I'm sure most of you remember spending time in the beautiful theatre with your date.
Seventy five years ago on Nov. 24, 1934, in the Evening Pajaronian:Black & Gold" section stated "No PE today" was the confident comment
of many students surveying the sea of mud on the field left by recent rains. But Coach Emmett Geiser ordered, "Line up, boys, this is a fine day for
relay races. "
Seventy five years ago on Dec. 8, 1934 the new Veterans Memorial Building was dedicated in an impressive ceremony. A brief history was given on American military action from the Civil War to World War 1.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH TURNS 150. Many of us were married in the beautiful First Christian Church on East Lake. The famed Watsonville
architect William Weeks designed & built the church. Inside, the sanctuary is a serene place with thick redwood rafters high overhead still covered with original artwork. Behind the pulpit sits a functioning pipe organ from 1914. The stained glass window facing the altar casts a brilliant light over the room. The church is a landmark in our community.
I have been thinking back on the many years I have lived in Watsonville. Many changes I know. My biggest concerns 50+ years ago were, do I have a date to the football game Friday night or do I have enough Regal blue stamps to fill the gas tank so we could cruise the drag one more time or money enough for a Pronto Pup, to present day where we are celebrating our 70th birthday or 50 years of marriage or being greatgrandparents or taking care of our parents. We have come a long way & it has been a great ride. Watsonville has been very good to me & my family. My high school memories the best. I love seeing many classmates that I went to school with for 12 years in the market or church or a social event that still live here in the area. So as we head into our 70's, it is full speed ahead. Live & enjoy each day & be thankful for your hometown, called Watsonville.
IN MEMORY OF SANDY HILTON
Sandy Hilton passed away this year. I do not have the exact date. She suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for many, many years. She spent several years in the convalescent home in Salinas before her death. You may remember her father from Hilton Studios here in Watsonville. I think he took our senior pictures. Sandy leaves three children.
John & Pete Alaga's brother Nick, class of '54, died Nov. 26th. A native of Watsonville. After serving in the Navy, he became involved in the electrical industry. Nick is survived by his sife, Dana; two sons, Nick Jr. & Randy; three brothers, Pete, John & Bill all of Watsonville; four grandchildren & two great‑grandchildren.
WATSONVILLE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS
Go Wildcatz!! The last time Watsonville won the division championship was 1994. Feels so good to be the champs again. It has been a great
year. Our quarterback, Jerry Alvarez broke Josh Blanton's record (bittersweet) for passing with 2727 yards & 32 touchdowns. Jerry &
receiver, Fernando Olivarez were named co‑MVPs of Monterey Bay League. Jerry was also named The Sentinel's All‑County Player of the
Year. We are very proud of our team. Most of the players this year were seniors. We wish them all the best as they continue their education &
become alumni of our alma mater, WHS. It was great hearing Edmund Surich, the late Nick Surich' son, call the plays for the game over the radio
waves. Edmund is an alumni of WHS.
Carole Hiatt, still our Fiesta Queen at Freedom School has been busy this year attending weddings, 3 to be exact. She traveled to Maine for a Jewish wedding & then onto Cape Cod for a week. She returned to CA. for another wedding. The third wedding was her granddaughter Cristin Murphy who married a local Aptos boy Tyler French, Oct. 3rd. Many of Cristins accomplishments occurred while attending Cabrillo College. She was MVP of the Cabrillo Women's Soccer team, earning the WAC, an all tournament honor.
David McDaniel writes that he just retumed from attending his first Chinese wedding in China. He was even invited to the moming ceremony
something almost unheard of in Chinese tradition. The moming ceremony, the most exciting part of the day, is only for family members of the bride & groom. It would be nice if the West incorporated some of those traditions. Beijing had much less pollution than before the Olympics while Nanjing
had much more. Nanjing's population has increased in 4 years from 5 million to 75.
Class of 1957 website http://Sites,google.com/Sitelwhsc/assofl957 Great job John Higaki. You will find many pictures of our class.
Don Armstrong reports that he is back among the employed. Given the hit on his investments this past year, & a son who has decided to go to medical school & an offer he couldn't refuse from his former business partner, he is consulting in the call center business part time. He still saves time to whack & lose golf balls instead of complaining about aches & pains & Medicare.
Ken Dobler & his wife Anne went to an Idaho fishing hole to do some fly fishing & then onto Jackson Hole, WY & wherever the map led them. Anne took Ken to Nashville in Nov. to celebrate Ken's Big 70. He enjoys country music.
Ralph Shugart & his wife Lee threw themselves a superb 70th birthday bash. They had a wonderful Jazz Combo with 70 guests for dinner & plenty of wine at their garden party. They also went to Wyoming, passing by the Lincoln Highway. They arrived in New York Grand Central Station after a week. On their return trip they visited friends in NJ., N C., Fl., TX & CA. In Fl. they spent 5 days In Key West
Dan Pini writes about his grape picking season. What a dreadfull thing to be doing at retirement time. They have a 1999 R V diesel with 19,000 miles on it & 4 tires deteriorated on it from just sitting so he put 4 new tires on it & it hasn't turned a wheel yet Dan made contact with Lee Simmons. He would also like to get in touch with Larry Stone.
Joan Mezger's son in law Brad Tompkins has been‑coaching football for 25 years. His legacy started with his Dad, Dewey Tompkins who was Soquel High School's first football coach. The stadium bears his name. Her grandson Travis played quarterback for 4 years & became a coach too. Brad is currently coaching at Scotts Valley High. Joan's daughter has been a football coach widow for most of her married life. Goes with the territory It is a wonderful legacy & they were featured in the Sentinel Newspaper, 3 generations, father, son & grandson.
Glen Kimoto attended Monterey Pennisula College & then transferred to San Jose State after graduating from WHS. He married Judy Dewar from Santa Cruz in 1962. He happily taught Junior High School science for 38 years in San Jose. Since retirement in 2001, he likes RVing. He enjoys
aikido, woodworking, bicycling & traveling.
Jimmy Carter writes that he has 2 good sons, 2 good daughter in laws. Even his wife tells him he is still the man of her dreams except for the baldness.
Marilyn Morgan says the big news In their home is that their son Steve Lewis is home from Iraq. Marilyn & Carl celebrated their 50th anniversary this summer with a family reunion & their second honeymoon trip to Yosemite, a gift from Steve & his family. Marilyn spent her 70th birthday at Pajaro Dunes with close friends.
Jane Sullivan had 100 guests at her cocktail party celebrating her 70. Old tennis friends, bridge friends, golf friends & 49er tailgate friends were there. She was presented with a very special gift. It was a 49er jersey with her favorite players numbers on it .. on front was #16, Joe Montana, on one sleeve #42, Ronnie Lott & the other sleeve was #84, Brent Jones & for the finale, on the back it says COBB, Jane's married name. Under COBB, #70. Jane wears it to the 49er games. What a lanN Jane's grandson stated after being told how many were coming, "I don't even know that many people." Jane went to an Invitational Tournament in Oakmont & noticed on the list that someone was born in Watsonville. It turned out to be Mary Ann Flath. They found each other & had a great visit. Jacques Marceron has been remarried for 2 years now. His second home is in Bullhead City, AZ He is going strong, currently living in Sacramento. Jacques attended WHS his senior year.
Steve Siebes took their annual trip to Branson, MO. for 2 weeks. They saw 11 shows, all were great. They also enjoyed Sedona, AZ
Bob Fenner turned the big 70 in Aug. He was in Ohio with his wife Gail, officating at the National High Power Rifle championships. After Ohio they visited Nigara Falls & Old Ft.Niagara where the Niagara river meets Lake Ontario. It was the 250th anniversary of the British taking over the Ft. from the French. Recently, he officated at the CMP Western Games & Creedmoor Cup matches in Phoenix with a side trip to Wichita to vist their daughter Katherine & celebrated their granddaughter's 17th birthday. Bob is still working part time at his areospace job in satellite communications.
Clarice Giberson spent Thanksgiving in AZ visiting their grandsons, now 9 & 11. In Dec. they leave for the Netherlands to celebrate with their daughter at the award of her Ph.D in Nutrition. They will also get to see their grandson, Declan in Rome for Christmas.
Babe McVary writes that she is "out of her wheelchair", walking again. It has been a long time since her hip surgery. She goes to physical therapy & is a very "Happy Woman"
Jim Gibson took a trip to the gold country & later visited his daughter & family in Temecula. They spent a few days at a resort in Indio.
Bob Osborn won the quiz in the last newsletter He won a free movie at Starlite Drive In, one pronto pup combo, one free tank of gas at Regal. Clarice came in second. Goodjob!
SALLY ENGLAND, DAR
Sally is a member of the Los Gatos chapter of DAR. The DAR is the largest women's volunteer organization in the country. The members all have at least one ancestor who was a Revolutionary War patriot. The Los Gatos chapter celebrated their 80th anniversary. They have 106 members. Sally's Revolutionary War ancestors were Lt Charles Trafton, his son, Charles Trafton of York, Maine. Lt. Trafton died in the war in Rhode Island. Sally's picture brightened the headlines in the San Jose Mercury Newspaper where they featured her membership in the DAR.
Marilyn Bogisich & Ed were given a party by their daughter on Hilton Head Island, SC. celebrating their 50th anniversary They had relatives & friends from CA., OR., GA., MA. & SC. They had a large town home for the week & everyone came over each morning for breakfast. They all met on the beach for a family photograph. The cake was topped with the same top they had 50 years ago. They started their life together in Berkeley, then Santa Clara, Cupertino, San Jose, Atlanta & now live in Aiken, SC. Man‑y family events are planned for the holidays. Marilyn & Ed will spend her 70th birthday in Dec. alone. No more parties. They have a daughter & two sons.
Ron McLeister's wife Lorraine passed away Oct 17 She is survived by her caring husband, Ron & their sweet beagle, Molly; loving children, Laura, Eve, James, Holly & 9 grandchildreq: stepchildren Christine & Mike. EVONNE BALDWIN'S GRANDSON NICK
Evonne's grandson Nick Pengelly returned from Iraq Oct 7th. He was honored at the annual Veterans Day parade in Watsonville as a native hero. When the Twin Towers came down on 9111, Nick was a student at WHS. He joined the Marines right after his senior year. In 2006 he came home after serving his time in the Marines. In Oct. 2008, he was recalled to the Marines & was sent to Iraq where he led a squad of 18 men on missions. He says that his experiences in Iraq made him a better person. It was life‑changing. Nick is now back home with his family & 2 year old son. Pengelly plans to join the Watsonville Police Dept. He is glad he had the opportunIty to serve in the military & give back to his community.
LOST & FOUND, PAT BUTTON & Kristine Parker
Pat Button is living in Tehachapi, CA. She has been married to Gene Stirm for 36 years. Gene is an artist, writer & actor, They have 2 sons & a daughter, Don, Mark & Malinda. Pat has her own business, Patricia's Alterations. They enjoy spending time at the Hot Springs in the Bishop area. Pat's mother was a Native American. Pat is tracing her own ancestry through her DNA. Several of us had lunch with Pat in November. Great to see her again.
Kristine Parker resides In Carmichael, CA. She & her husband have been married for 30 years & have their own business, Dick James Assoc. Inc. They have two children, Michelle & Todd & 8 grandchildren. Kristine is a pilot & has competed in air races for 7 years. They own their own plane. Kristine said that she. was very shy in high school. She graduated from Fresno State. Kristine's mother was at teacher at Santa Cruz High school in the "50's"
Jim Gibson our researcher found Glen Ackerman. Glen lives in Pearblossom, CA. near Palmdale. We have found serval of our classmates in the last few years, Jim Dicus, Betty Farr, Dawn Barnes, Cindy Apel, Stan Ambrister, Kenneth Clewett, Frank McCombs, Carol Tory. Betty Sue & her husband & 4 cousins caravaned in their RVs to Alaska in Sept, 7400 miles. What a beautiful State. First stop was Tok, Alaska to the nearest body shop. You know you are in trouble when there are 7 body shops in a town of 935 people. We were the 16th RV to pull in with radiator problems due to the lovely roads in Alaska. While we were leaving 2 more RVs came in. $2000 later, we were on our way to the North Pole, my favorite spot So much wild life, lakes, mountains along the way Among the famous people in Wasilla are Sarah Palin & our own Grant Wrathall. Nice town just outside of Anchorage. Other major towns we visited were Seward, Fairbanks & Valdez. Even saw McKinley Great trip!
Adrienne celebrated her 70th birthday in Ames, Iowa at the home of her cousin Fred Vallier, class of '55. Adrienne & Ed drove back to attend her aunt's 95th bilrhday on July 6th. The cousins from California & elsewhere who traveled there for the aunt's party helped celebrate Adrienne's July 4th birthday as well. It was perfect, said Adrienne & she felt like a kid again when they all went running around with sparklers. What's 70 anyway, just a numbed!
Jules Maderos writes that while cleaning out a closet, he noticed an old wooden coat hanger that said, Frank J. Oliverus Custom Tailoring, 460 Main Street, Phone #56 on it. So, how many old businesses can you name that made up Main Street in the 1950's? To get you started, how about Royal Cafe, Busy Bee Tavern, Star Cafe, Alexander's Men's Clothing, National Dollar Store, Bob's Lunch, Daly Brothers .......
Merry Christmas to all & to all a good night. Wishing you all the very best as we begin 2010!!
Betty Sue Henry Bjur 190 Bjur Dr. Watsonville, CA. 95076 or e‑mail
GTObjur@charter.net We want to hear from you. If your name hasn't appeared in the newsletter in the last year, promise me to do something really fun or important in the next 6 months & tell us about it. We love hearing about grandchildren too.
This Newsletter was scanned and the scanner sometimes does not recognized all the letters and the format changed when I did a cut and paste, I tried to proof-read the scanned version, but I am sure that some errors were not picked up. The paper edition had a picture which did not copy over.
It is what it is.
John