2011 Winter

Watsonville High School

Class Of 1957 Newsletter-"HIGH TIMES"

2011 Winter Original written and edited by Betty Bjur

VOL.30 E-editions by John Higaki

CLASS OF 1957, DECEMBER, 2011

Hello Class of 1957!! Hope all is well in your part of the world. Watsonville is struggling with

home foreclosures, unemployment, budget cuts for our schools, company's failing but the

biggest news is Zuniga's is no longer. Hard to believe, one of our best Mexican restaurants

went out of business. We wonder what will be next....but we still have our beautiful ocean,

weather, apples, strawberries & Taylor's Hot Dog Stand.

CLASS OF 1957

55th CLASS REUNION

JULY7,2012

BBQ at APTOS PARK

More info to follow, date change due to availability

News from Watsonville:

Apples to Berries in the headlines. The demand for strawberries & raspberries has far surpassed

that of apples over time. Watsonville is better known now for their berries. Do these names

bring back memories, Scurich, Bachan, Pista, Franich, Rider, Mann, Buak, Martinelli.

I'm sure most of you are still enjoying Martinelli Sparkling Cider. Their company is still located

across the street from WHS & the big trucks still block Beach St. (Third St) backing into the

loading area.

E.A. Hall celebrates new gym. After years of waiting, E.A. Hall School sports a full-size gym.

The original gym was built in 1938. It features a full size court, with limited bleacher seating.

Guess we will just sit on the floor for the volleyball & basketball games. Oh well, so it goes.

WHS Class of 1941 celebrated their 70th year reunion. The 40 members rode on the back of a

1941 CMC fire engine at the 4th of July parade, followed by their luncheon.

WHS Class of 1956 celebrated their 55th class reunion at the Elks Club with a typical 1950's

luncheon, topped off with hot fudge sundaes. They had 130 attend. I brought our 1955 Chevy

to the reunion for display. It was great seeing so many friends. Marilyn Miller & her husband

Joe Freeman, Class of '56, attended the reunion. JoAnn Vear was in charge of the event.

50 years ago: WHS football field was named Geiser Field, in honor of "Mr. Football" Mr.

Geiser started coaching in 1930. He retired in 1955 after compiling a 25 year record of 101

wins, 46 losses, 6 ties.

75 years ago, 1936: A severe blow was struck againt the Wildcatz when Frankie Osmer, first

string quarterback & deadly ball carrier was ordered by his doctor to quit football for the season

because of appendicitis.Geiser is now hoping a guardian angel keeps his other boys from

harm before the big Salinas game at the school's Apple Bowl bleachers.

Ichiro Sam Sugidono, 89, a WHS grad received Gold Medal, the highest honor congress

bestows. He was one of the Japanese-American soldiers who served in the Army's renowned

442nd Regimental Combat Team in WWII. Even though he was sent to the Poston, AZcamp,

he was drafted & was part of the all Japanese-American unit. He is very grateful for the

award calling attention to a story that's unknown to many. I was privileged to have Sam's

granddaughters in my class at Mac Quiddy School. Great family

The Santa Cruz Boardwalk celebrated 100 years. A young man, named Nicholas rode the

merry-go-round from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM to celebrate its 100th birthday. After getting off the

merry-go-round, the reporter asked him how he felt, he said, I am

suffering silently I can only imagine.

WHS Teachers....there are 10 teachers that are alive & well: Mr. Haney, Mr. Moser, Mr. Slavich,

Miss Pogue, Mrs. Bilicich, Coach Johnson, Mr. Staley, Miss Thompson, Miss Ivanovich, Mrs.

Severin

Mrs. Severin was named Woman of the Year' She is 80 years old & began in 1956. She retired 20 years ago but remains very involved with the school. Mrs Severin taught Home Ec & was the first teacher to allow boys to take cooking. One of those boys was

Marvin Byers. He got an "A" in cooking. Sounds like the "teacher's pet to me." She also holds

a special education credential. Mrs. Severin loves working with teenagers. She thinks they are

wonderful. She took up skeet shooting, runs marathons, travels to Peru, Italy, Mongolia & most

recently went to Tennessee, where she worked with Women's builders for Habitat to install

baseboards. She serves in many organizations & committees in Watsonville.

Kyle Hunter was promised last year that his fellow teammates would get the diminutive Hunter

in the end zone his senior year. Hunter, all of 5'3, 105 lbs, who suffers from cerebral palsy took

a hand-off & converted a 2 point conversion on for the Aptos varsity football team, Nov. 4. Kyle

said, "It feels really good. Ail I remember about the play is crossing the goal line."'Following the

scoring play, all his teammates stormed the field & carried him off reminiscent to the movie

"Rudy." The team was charged with a 15 yard penalty, but no one cared. The announcer said,

"And the Heisman trophy goes to Kyle Hunter." It's something the guys wanted to do all year'

Kyle's the motivation & the comedian for the team, who everyone loves. The crowd went wild

cheering for Kyle. What a night!!!

In Memory of ROY CARLTON LARGE, Jr.

Roy passed away Sept. 8th. He was 74 years old. Roy was born in Wister, OK. He moved,

with his family to Watsonville in 1944 where he attended Pajaro School & WHS. In 1958 he

married his high school sweetheart, Carol Phelps, who lived & worked at his side for 53 years.

Roy & his family started Large's Metal Fabrication in 1986. Roy was a self-taught craftsman &

the shop was his pride & joy. Roy enjoyed racing & in 1967 he built his own car & began

competing. Roy was preceded in death by his parents & his brother Roger. He is survived by his

loving wife & best friend, Carol; his daughters, Cheryl & Jennifer & sons Robert & Roy; seven

grandchildren; his sister Suzanne.

Ken Christensen died July 20th after a long courageous battle with diabetes. Ken was born in

Fresno. He was a 1955 graduate of WHS. Ken met & married his bride Carol Tartala in 1959.

They enjoyed traveling to their favorite place, Hawaii. Ken liked dirt biking but his most

treasured times were with his family Ken will be forever missed by his wife Carol, two sons,

Kenny & Jeff; four grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Gladys & Alice. He was

preceded in death by his brother Tom II.

Brad Johnston's mother, Ellen Johnston passed away August 5th, at the age of 93. She is

survived by her husband of 64 years of marriage, Bill; two sons, Brad & David & daughter

Margaret, three grandchildren & one great granddaughter.

Diane Barbara Weizer died Aug. 19. Diane was a 1959 WHS graduate. Diane is survived by

her son, Derek & three grandchildren, her brother David. She was preceded in death by her

parents, Dr. & Mrs. Weizer.

Jeannine Hubbard's brother Garth Hubbard, class of 1955 died Sept. 12. Garth was a career

Naval veteran. He was on the personal staffs of Presidents Nixon & Ford at Camp David. In

1974, he received the Presidential Service Certificate for Honorable Service in the White House.

Garth leaves behind his beloved wife Patty, stepdaughters, Nicole & Jasmine, three

grandchildren, his brother, Don & sister, Jeannine.

Nick Kusalich died Nov. 24 at Stanford hospital from cancer Nick was in the class of '59. Nick

will be remembered by his family & friends & sister, Radeen, class of '55.

Bill Beecher's sister, Brenda, class of '58 died Dec. 1. Brenda was active in helping people

with drug & alcohol problems for the last 15 years. She leaves her son Patrick, daughter,

Christine; brother, Bill & sister Jean.

Jerry Chin writes: as a supporter of the WHS Foundation (WHSF), he urges his fellow

classmates to make a contribution to this worthwhile organization. Many of our successful Class

of '57 graduates were able to go forth in this world with their basic education in the school

district to include WHS. That plus their dedicated work ethics & some luck enabled them to

achieve wealth & notoriety in their lives around the world. Now is the time for them to donate

some of their hard earned discretionary cash to a worthy cause, the WHSF. Yes, Class of '57,

that time has arrived, it's pay back time. The WHSF accepts tax deductible gifts in the standard

categories of $1-$99, $100-$499, $500-$999, $1,000-$2,499, $2,500-$4,000, & anything over

$5,000 God willing. What's gratifying is contributors may donate "in Honor of" or in "the Memory

of a favorite teacher, classmate, administrator, or me. (In my case, it would be "in Honor of",

thank you very much.) WHS's purpose is as follows: The Foundation is a community-based

support organization having the primary purpose of improving the quality of the total school

experience for the students at WHS. Endowed- funds & other contributions enable the

Foundation to support excellence & development of programs, activities & facilities that will

provide all students with the opportunity to enhance & enrich their education at WHS. Please

send your WHSF gifts to P.O.Box 832, Watsonville, CA 95077-0832. It's tax deductible.

50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

MARILYN MILLER & HUSBAND JOE FREEMAN, NOV. 18

ED & ADRIENNE MARMO FAGALDE, DEC. 23

COACH GENE JOHNSON, 85, RETIRES

SIX DECADES COACHING IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Coach Johnson came to Watsonville in 1955 with his Fremont High football team to play a

doubleheader. That night, he told his wife Doris that Watsonville seemed like a nice place to

raise a family. It just so happened WHS was looking for a PE teacher, & Johnson took over as

the school's junior varsity football coach that fall. He also coached varsity football in Fremont.

His replacement was Bill Walsh, the legendary 49ers coach. Coach said, "Somewhere along

the line he passed me up. I'm not sure when." He was a good friend. In 1956, Coach Johnson

replaced Emmett Geiser as head varsity football coach. His football coaching ended in 1968 but

he remained at WHS in the PE Dept. In 1970 he began a four decade long career coaching at

Cabrillo College. He was inducted into the California Community College Sports Hall of Fame.

Coach Johnson's brother Marvin, played on the Los Angeles Rams' world championship team

in 1951 in his rookie year & later for the Green Bay Packers. His other brother, Jim, played

quarterback at San Jose State & was in the Cleveland Indian's minor league. Coach Johnson &

Doris celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. Doris said, "if you want to have the 64th you

better give it up & come home once in a while." He heeded Doris' advice but is having a hard

time sitting still. So if you need your house painted, just call the Coach.

NEWS FROM THE CLASS OF 1957

Harold Kelsey is a great grandpa. His granddaughter, Jillian gave birth to Norah, July 11. She

weighed 8 lbs, 8 oz, 20 inches long.

Georgeann Cowles one of the most prominent women in agriculture in Watsonville, was

presented with an award for the Down to Earth Women. Georgeann continues to make a

difference in our fair city.

Betty Sue's son, Greg Bjur is now coaching varsity football at Aptos High. They won the league

championship this year. Greg's two boys are playing on the Aptos team so he left coaching

Watsonville varsity so that he could go to his boy's games.

Jim Ludden isn't sure if he is class of '56 or '57. Well, we claim you Jim, so you didn't miss

your reunion this year. Jim tried to retire but is back at work, still in computer systems. The first

computer he used was in 1960. He is up against insulating their 95 yr. old house or moving.

Computers get cheaper but housing more expensive.

Kristine Parker has her first great grandchild, Alexander John Popa, born Sept. 9., weighing 8

lbs., 11 oz. He is a darling boy & growing by the day. This is the most exciting thing that has

happened to her all year.

Joan Mathews started off the year with the news that her husband Jerry has prostrate cancer.

After treatment, everything is good. In June their grandson returned from Iraq & they spent a

week in Hawaii. They visited Niagara Falls & made a road trip to Texas, Oklahoma & Arkansas.

They love the Cowboys & love going to their games. Their family continues to grow, a new great

grandson, 5 grandsons & 2 great grandsons, no girls.

Jim Gibson & his wife spent a week at Big Bear Lake & a week in Temecula with their daughter

& family.

Don Armstrong says "Mission Accomplished". All 6000 family photos are in his computer. This

year he is writing an account of his 4 years in the Navy, '57-'61. He was never shot at but boot

camp, radioman & submarine schools & serving in the Atlantic & Pacific was a great experience.

Colleen Connor & Gene met Bob D'Anna & Pam for a few days at Eagle Lake. Gene &

Colleen flew to New York City & saw the Jersey Boys & took a carriage ride through Central

Park before their cruise along the Eastern Coastline, Rhode Island, Boston, Halifax & Nova

Scotia.

JoAnn Flores granddaughter Emily is expecting a boy in Jan. This will be her 5th great

grandchild. JoAnn babysits with the greats, it wipes her out but she is always ready to do it

again. JoAnn's mother will be 94 in Dec. She was the class of '36.

Clarice Giberson & Richard attended her 50th class reunion at University of Redlands. Clarice

left a few days later for Rome, Italy to be with her daughter Gina & grandson Declan. She will be

home for Christmas.

Ken Dobler & Ann took a cruise out of Copenhagen, visiting Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Ireland

and ended up in London.

Maryella Kerns, no retirement for her. She purchased a Nissan Leaf, the all electric stealth car

and had a total hip replacement. Both the car & the hip were a good investment. Jerry Chin &

Moira visited Olympia in Sept. They had good times drinking Guiness & watching the salmon at

the Turn water Falls fish ladder with Maryella & family.

Marilyn Freeman & husband Joe have enjoyed many lifestyles & lived many places over the

years. Now they are enjoying traveling... one of the perks of retirement.

Jan Baird & daughter Carren have opened their new store, "Buttercup Cakes & Farm House

Frosting." The storefront is located at 109 Locust in Santa Cruz. They specialize in cupcakes,

specialty cakes, cheese cake, apple cake along with glutten free cupcakes & vegan. Their

grand opening was Dec. 10th. Betty Sue, BJ, Marilyn were there to celebrate .

Marilyn Bogicich attended a conference in Washington, DC with her daughter called Leading

Age, all about Seniors. They had 3 speakers, Mary Robinson, first woman President of Ireland,

Maya Angelou & Elie Wiesel who wrote Night. Marilyn had dinner with her niece Brodi & her

fiancee, Andy, brother Tyler & her sister-in-law Melanie. Brodi graduated from Cal Berkeley &

Yale & received her law degree. She also received her Ph.D in law from Harvard in June & is

working at the Pentagon for Panetta. Brodi's father is Randall Bogicich, WHS class of 1962.

The family was there visiting as Brodi had just gotten her ring. This was the first time the family

had seen Marilyn since she lost 55 lbs. Congrats!!!

Betsy Wong & Al have been traveling a lot lately, China, Utah, with her daughter & family,

Vancouver, BC visiting her niece, Halloween in New Orleans. In the meantime, they are busy

with family & still haven't lost all of their money in the stock market yet & Social Security has not

yet crashed.

Charlene Corrigan & her husband enjoyed time in Palm Desert & Lanai, Hawaii. Their three

new grandchildren are doing well, Lily, & twins, Andrew & Catherine.

Yoshi Yoshida & her husband had a good time in the Caribbean. They are enjoying life.

Betty Sue attended her 50th college class reunion in San Diego along with her husband &

Carol & Frank Harris. It was a great time being with our college friends again.

Bill Daniel & Gloria spent 18 days in China on a tour. They saw Beijing, touring Tiananmen Sq.,

Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven & the Summer Palace, the Great Wall stretching some 2,280

miles. Then to Xiam, home of the Terra Cotta Army, this was one of the most memorable sights.

Also visiting the Shanxi Provincia History Museum. Onto Chongqing & saw many darling

pandas. They took a cruise for three days down the Yangtze River. They saw the Three Gorges

Dam which is 5 times larger than our Hoover Dam. After leaving the river they flew to Shanghai,

their favorite city, over 30 million people. Last stop was Hong Kong & Kowloon on the mainland.

The city reminded them of San Francisco except 10 times bigger. There is so much building

going on in the city, cranes everywhere. The Chinese people were very friendly & several

wanted to have their picture taken with them. The overall experience was wonderful.

Bill Beecher & his wife Inez & sister-in-law spent 2 weeks in Bolivia & Peru. Most of their time

was on the high plateau at 12-13 thousand feet. It is a poor farming region that dates back

2,000 year. This is where the pre-lnca civilization started. There are terraced areas still being

farmed. Lake Titicaca is on the northern edge of the plateau. They discovered trout, which is

imported from BC, is one of the main dishes. It tastes a lot like salmon. Peru is economically

better off than Bolivia. The poor farmers have to build their houses as a "pay as you go". They

buy adobe bricks or clay & continue to build their homes as they can afford it. A little different

than America, no money down & the inability to make the payments. This was their third trip to

the region.

Lee Sampson was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in July. His drug therapy was going very

well, however, because of the therapy his white blood count was very low. An infection invaded

his body. A small adhesion on his right leg, commonly known as "flesh eating bacteria." The

doctors were quick to diagnose & emergency surgery saved his life. The infection continued to

enter the major organs through the blood stream. When medically well enough he was

transferred to a rehab center, but on Nov. 27, he returned to the hospital with another infection &

pneumonia. Due to the surgery, Lee has lost a great deal of muscle in his right & left leg. With

skin graphing & a lot of PT will get him back walking again & then home. His target is before

Christmas. His address is: 13729 Elkton Ct. Moorpark, CA. 93021 Lee sends his thanks for

the cards & notes you have sent. Lee, we hope you are ready to lead us in a cheer at our

reunion.

Marvin & Gary Marinovich are back in town Their plan is to train local athletes through a

program called Dynamic Integration training systems. By way of multiple exercises, including a

swimming pool, they hope athletes can reach peaks never realized before regardless of the

sport. Marvin played for USC & the LA Raiders.

Dan Pini is restoring a 1956 Chevy. He hopes to have it done by our reunion.

Betty Sue Henry Bjur GTObjur@charter.net

This was a long newsletter. Lots going on in our lives. I want to wish you all a wonderful

Christmas holiday. 2012 is just around the corner. Hope to see you ail again at our 55th

reunion, July 7, 2012.

DISCLAIMER: I'm using my brand new Mac Air computer. I'm sure all mistakes are related to

the Apple Company, not the typist. Eke.... Where is my Smith Corona?