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Class of '53 Classmates that are gone but not forgotten...

AGUILAR, SAM
ALEXANDER, PAUL
ALLINGHAM, PAT

ARMAS, PAUL
ARNOLD,  DONNA
BEAUCAIRE,  ARLENE
BECKSTROM,  ERIC
BOLLINGER,  BOB
BOWER,  MARTHA   BRIDGEMAN, LEON
BROWN, CRYSTAL
BROWN, CURRY
BURMEISTER, GAIL
BURT, WALTER
CAMPBELL, ROBERT
CARPENTER, JAMES
CLARK, PATTY FRANZ
CLARK, ROBERT           COLLINS, CHARLES "CHUCK"
COLLINS, GEORGIA
COOPER, PHYLLIS CARPENTER
DASNEY, SHARON
DAVIS, MARILYN
DAY, JAMES
DE GROOT, MARLENE JOYCE
DENKEWITZ, JACK
DUARTE, VIVIAN
EASTIN, JEANNIE
ELLIOTT, KATHLEEN
ELLIS, DON
EVANS, WALTER
FRANKLIN, MYRTLE
FULKS, VALERIE
GENTRY, THOMAS
GOODELL, HARRY
GREGORY, LARRY
GRAY, CHARLEEN
GROOM, DONALD
GUSSETTE, ROBERT
HALL, JAMES
HAMILTON, JEAN ROBERTA
HAMILTON, PATRICIA
HAMILTON, ROBERT
HARTMANN, RONALD
HARVEY, TOM
HARWICK, CLYDE
HIGHTOWER, NEIL
HOLMES, LOIS JEAN
JELINEK, GEORGE
JEREMY, JOHN
JESSEN, EILEEN
JESSEN, TOM
JEWELL, PATRICIA     LOU
KENDALL, ART                      KIPP, ROBIN
 
KIRCHGESTNER, MARGOT
KLINGER, RICHARD
LANGDON, ANN
LARSEN, KEITH
LEWIS, TOMMY
LORENZINI, RAY
LOWRY, LANDON
LUTES, GERALDINE
MACHADO, RAY
MATHEWS, THOMAS
MATZINGER, MARTA
MC CAUGHNA, DAN
MC CLANAHAN, ARLENE WILSON
MC COY, CHARLES          MEYER, GEORGE MARSHALL
MUSCAT, JOHNNY
NIENDORFF, CHARLENE GRAY
NISSEN, BEVERLY
NOWA, HAROLD
OSTERGAARD, DEWARD JERRY    OVERMAN, MARY BETH
PARKER, PHIL
PASLEY, LAREE
PELOS, BUDDY            PLIMPTON, RICHARD WAGNER
PURBAUGH, GLEN
PURBAUGH, JIM
ROBERTS, DONNA
ROENNE, EVELYN
ROSS, CAROL
ROTH, CHRISTINE
SHARP, PEGGY
SHOOK, JOHN
SIDEBOTHAM, ROBERT
SMITH, WILLIAM IVAN
SPANN, MARJORIE
SPERL, DAVID
STICH, ROBERT
STOLTZE, JEAN
SWANSON, JOHN              TOWN, DICK                     TUTTLE, DONALD
USSERY, GLORIA
VIGGERS, JAMES
VINING, RICHARD
WATENPAUGH, JOHN
WILLEY, MYRNA            WINNETT, EARLINE
WOEHLER, WALLACE
WILSON,ARLEEN
WRIGHT, JACK
YORK, JANICE
ZATINSKI, MELVIN




 


 

'53      

* * * * * * *

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR OUR

MAD ALL-CLASS REUNION

ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER  USS MIDWAY MUSEUM

OCTOBER 1 -2, 2010

 

OUR PAGE

1953

MONROVIA, ARCADIA, DUARTE

HIGH SCHOOL

Issue 144

  •  

  • 1953                 2010

    KATHI PHELPS HENRY

    EDITOR

    E MAIL: writekathi@juno.com

    SNAILMAIL: PO BOX 1162     

    Sierra Madre, CA 91025

    TELEPHONE:  (626) 355-7892

    * * * * * * *

    Sad News Robin Kipp '53 died on Feb 25th 2010
     
    There will be a memorial service for him on Tuesday, March 9 at
    St. Teresa's Catholic Church  2800 E. Ramon Rd, Palm Springs
     
    The service begins at 10 am and there will be a reception following.
     
    His wife, Judi Kipp, can be reached at (760) 776-8216
     
    We send our love to Judi and their son Steve.

    * * * * * * *

    NEWS FOR CLASSMATES
     
    EDITORS COMMENTS:  Good to hear from you Paul.  I advised Paul there is no longer a list.  Thanks for the mini-update on what you are doing.  Thanks too for you concern.  I am fine and have not slide off the mountain!!
     
    from: "Paul Floth" <pefloth@kingwoodcable.com>
    To: "kathi henry" <writekathi@juno.com>
    Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:05:51 -0600
    Subject: I dropped off the list
    Message-ID: <04DB76DEED2A4145B8E096CF6D32ABB4@office>
     
    Kathi
     
    Somehow I dropped off the mailing list for your "Our Page" and I always enjoy receiving and reading.  Could you tell me how to get back on the list.
     
    I hope all is well with you and that you had a wonderful holiday season.  I have been watching the news on your weather and the mud slides.  Hope it is not affecting Sierra Madre.
     
    Things are good with us.  I am still working as Executive Director for the "Independent Energy Human Resources Association" and playing golf a couple of days a week - except the weather in Houston has been really cold through December and January - so I have had to miss a few days. The Association keeps me busy about 60% of my time, which keeps me out of trouble.  I enjoy the work and the opportunity to stay involved and stay in touch with my professional acquaintances.  Visit our website at http://iehra.com/
     
    Please get me back on the list so I can stay in touch.  Thanks again for all you do to keep us in touch and informed of our friends of yesteryear.
     
    Paul


     

     

    Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 9:50 AM
    Subject: Re: hello to you, Skip
    Ed. Comments:  Glad you liked viewing Mt Whitney in Duane Gray's Christmas card and glad you still pop in to look at the web page.  Thanks for the mini up date on your retirement years. I don't hear from many of our classmates and like to encourage them to write.
    From: "Victoria Deberry" <victoriac@austin.rr.com>
    Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 10:40:38 -0600
    Subject: hello
    Just thought I would write and say hello. I am living in the Texas Hill Country at Driftwood, Tx. Stay here in the winter and try to spend most of the summer in Colorado. I manage to play a lot of golf and take care of 7 acres. Hope all is well with you and thanks for keeping up the Web page. Good picture of Mt. Whitney and it looks the same as I remember it on many of my trips. An interesting Web page is owensvelleyhistory.org as it covers many things I remember growing up, Thanks Skip Parker



    __________________________________________________

     

    HAPPY NEW YEAR
            2010

              I hope it was a good year for those of you reading this web page.  We lost some of our dear 1953 classmates in 2009 and that is sad for us and their families.  I just keep on truckin' as your 1953 editor.  I will continue as long as my eyes and fingers work, not to mention the pesky brain of this computer system and my own!

     

            Usually I keep my promises, but I confess that the book for the 1954 '55th reunion came and because Bruce and Mariellen Staller did such a good job on their 1954 web page, nothing further is needed.  Photos of all 1953 classmates, with the exception of Lois Molone'53 Gaston, are scattered throughout the 1954 page.  Group photos are terrific… my daughter gave me a new digital camera for Christmas.  I had better not make any more promises though!!! 

     

  • Ed. comment January 30:  I could not resist this irreverent tale received form classmate June Haviland '53 Brenan.  Many of you may have received this forwarded item before, so forgive me.  No!  I am not in competition with the Humor Page.
     
    "A TRIP TO Costco "
    Yesterday I was at my local COSTCO buying a large bag of Purina dog chow for my loyal pet, Biscuit, the Wonder Dog and was in the checkout line when a woman
    behind me asked if I had a dog.
     
    What did she think I had, an elephant? So since I'm retired and have little to do, on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the Purina Diet again.

    I added that I probably shouldn't, because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes
    coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms.

    I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load your pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it
    again. (I have to mention here that practically everyone in line was now enthralled with my story.)

    Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned me. 

    I told her no, I stepped off a curb to sniff an Irish Setter's butt and a car hit us both.

    I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard.

    Costco won't let me shop there anymore.

    Better watch what you ask retired people. They have all the time in the world to think of crazy things to say.
     
    Received from MAD Graduate June Haviland '53 Brenan.  You animal lovers will enjoy this (I hope).  Maybe even you dieters!
     

     

    Christmas is behind us but...

            I love getting Christmas cards and especially those with pictures.  Here are some of the photo cards I got.

     

    Some love their animals

      Marlene Tiegen '53 and Ralph Weaver

    they love their pooches

    in Monrovia California

      George Soetje '53

    the card from Sagle, Idaho

    speaks for itself, "four legged girls"

    Some love Adventure

      Duane Gray '53

    hiked to the top of Mt Whitney

    in September, 2009

    "life is good"

     

     Marilyn Nollac '53 Spears

    is pictured in Turkey

    cruising on the Bosphorus with Istanbul

    "not Constantinople" in the background!

     

    KEEP IT UP GUYS!!!

     

    UPDATE ON OUR SCHOLARSHIP

     

              The 1953 Scholarship fund stands at $25,754.23 as of December 31, 2009 (interest included).  There have been no new contributions during this period.  Below is background on the scholarship.  A $1,000 scholarship will be given in June, 2010 to a worthy Monrovia High School Graduate.         

     

                Background on the fund established at our 50th reunion in 2003.  Duane Gray volunteered as chairman and suggested that everyone contribute $200 and we could reach our goal of $60,000 to keep the scholarship operating in perpetuity by the interest generated.  Based on the current economy, that probably will not be the case.  The Monrovia Schools Foundation invests your money conservatively to keep it safe.  The $1,000 will be awarded annually to students until the account is depleted.  The WOW

    was established if a contribution of $1,000 or more is made.

     

    To Send A Donation to our 1953 Class Scholarship Fund:

    Make your check or money order payable to:

    MSF (Monrovia Schools Foundation) Class of 1953

    P.O. Box 2447

    Monrovia, CA 91017

     

    Be sure to indicate the name you graduated with.  If you wish to remember someone with your contribution please so indicate.  The number after a name indicates how many contributions.  If underlined it is a recent donation.

     

    We Thank and honor the following contributors (note gals are listed by their maiden name if we have it).  Some have donated in honor of another as written in italicsWe have 91 contributors as follows:

     

    Anonymous - 2

    Alfred Alarcon - 2

    Richard A. Alutin

    Robert Alutin - 2

    Carol J. (Anderson) Wilmsen

    Noma E. (Andrews) Foltz - in memory of her sister, Carol

             Andrews Fuller

    Meredith (Babeaux) Brucker

    Thomas R. Bandy - in memory of Thomas M. Harvey

    Jerry & Celeste Binnings

    Jack W. Beschta - 2

    Cynthia (Billig) Davis  - 2

    Nancy (Billman) Thompson and George Thompson

    Eugene Bishop - 3

    Donna (Bliss) Vinton

    Richard R. Bolton - 3

    Lee Brown

    Wanda Joanne (Bullard) Bartlett - in memory of husband,

             David L. Bartlett  5  HURRAY !!!!

    Keith Burns

    Mary Jo (Burns) Dalmont

    Kay (Carrol) Collins - 2

    Kazon (Collins) Allen

    Katherine (Coopland) Horn - In memory of Charlene Gray     

             Niendorff and Carol Sue Ross King - 3

    Evelyn (Cox) Carpenter & Dennis Carpenter - In

              memory of Phyllis Carpenter, MHS '57 - 2

    Dennis Carpenter - In Memory of Don Ellis - 3 (see above)

    Audrey (Crellin) Beatty - in memory Helen & Bert Luebbers - 2

    Marg (Crusan) Stockett

    Katherine (Delaney) House - 2

    Sandra Dunn – in memory of Eileen Jessen

    William Dyer

    Sally (Eggstaff) Welsh

    Loween (Falcon) Mayer - in memory of Myrtle Franklin

    Patricia (Fortner) Kinnan and husband Jerry - in memory of

             Vivian Elmgren  - 2

    Viola (Fuehr) Panman - 2

    Joe Garcia

    David George

    Janet (Gervais) Crandall

    Charleen (Gray) Niendorff (deceased)

    Duane W. Gray 3  HURRAY Mai Le Gray Scholarship

    Jack E. Groat - 2

    Pat (Herr) Overshiner

    Joy (Hobbs) Friedmen

    James J. Jameson

    Veeva (Hamblen) Presnell - in memory of Patricia Hamilton &   Patti Franz - 2

    Ann (Hayes) Hobbs - in memory of Patty Franz Clark

    Joseph R. Henry

    Susie (Hester) Taylor

    Richard Hoon - in memory, equally, of Roger Hoon &

             Diane Hoon

    Gail Howard - 4

    Stan and Jolinda Hughes - 2

    Robert Irone Jr. - in memory of those mates that

         are no longer hanging around to contribute. - 2

    Gretchen (Kambeitz) Cacciotti

    Arthur Kendall (deceased)

    R. J. & Diane Koch

    Shirley J. (Martin) Minter

    Mariellen (Matthews '54) Armas Staller - in

             memory of Paul Armas '53

    Dennis C. Mavity

    Kathy McClanahan – in memory of Arlene Wilson   

    Fleur Mitchel

    Marilee J. Musgrove-Brown – in memory of Phyllis Cooper

    Bert and Arlene Munsell

    Rene (Napier) Eder - in memory of Vivian Elmgren, MAD

       History Teacher - 2

    Marilyn (Nollac) Spears - 2

    Jocelyn (Orth) Pyle - 2

    Joanna (Payne) Jones - in memory of Gail Bermeister - 3

    Kathi (Phelps) Henry - in memory of Charlene Gray

             Niendorff - 2

    Pat (Pilon) Garman

    Roger Pollard - in memory of Gary Adams ‘54

    Joe Rayle - in memory of Clyde Harwick and Chuck Collins - 2

    Mary Ellen (Romney) MacArthur, Ph.D. - in memory of 

             Thelma Thompson, mentor and friend

    Sally Ann (Scharfe) Jacobs

    Lasley (Scholl) Biven - In Memory of Art Kendall - 3

    Barbara (Scott) Ruff

    Fred Selin, in memory of his wife, Norma Selin - 4

    Kathleen (Shepherd) Campbell - in memory of Patty Franz

                                 Clark - 3

    Patricia (Shimp) Mordecai

    Larry Shoberg - 2

    Bob Shugert - In honor of Phil Parker

    Carolyn (Snyder) Jordan  - In memory of Muriel Holmgren,

             Robert Long, & Ed Ryan - 4

    George Soetje - In Memory of George Meyer - 2

    Charles and Mariam (McFarland) '52 Stein - In Memory of  

             Bernice Carpenter - 4

    Marilyn (Strauss) Carpenter

    John A. Sturgeon - in memory of Art Kendall - 4

    Marlene (Teigen) Weaver - 2

    Marlene Town – in memory of her husband Dick Town

    David Walling & Waly - 2

    Bruce Wasserburger - in memory of Art Kendall

    Carol (Weber) Bryan

    Stewart Weitzman

    Peter Wynn

     

    Thanks to all of you! 

     

    Go Green MAD!  Those that want to go for a  “Hurray” ($1,000 or more) will have “Hurray” and your name in GREEN on Our Page, 1953.  But, Only if you wish.

     

    Many thanks to each one of you!

     

    Remembering Junior High School in 1949

     

    I guess we all have those "oh my gosh" moments.  Here is one that happened recently.  An old 8th grade operetta program dated May 12 and May 13, 1949 dropped out of a 2009 Christmas card.  The program enclosed with Mary Jo Burns '53 Dalmont's card caused me to remember lyrics I learned when I was 13 years old.  A tune reverberated in my brain,

     

    "If you need an artist's model I feel sure he'll fall for memy success is guaranteed!"

     

    Yes, a 60 year-old notice of the operetta "Paints and Patches", the junior high students' presentation from FIRST AVENUE SCHOOL in Arcadia, set my brain humming.  Keep reading to the bottom where that program is posted.  Maybe YOUR name is in it.  Do you remember the songs and lyrics?

     

    In 1949, I was skinny and badly needed braces.  My father, a high school graduate from Danville, Illinois, worked in a California machine shop.  In his off hours he and my mom remodeled old houses they purchased for very little.  Mother was born in Ireland and attended school only through the 3rd grade.  By the time I attended First Avenue, my parents and I occupied and they sold four homes in El Monte, Monrovia, Duarte and Arcadia.  We lived in our tiny fifth home at 17 Wheeler Street, Arcadia.  This house was later a dry cleaners (my parents tried that business).  Then, the folks became real estate brokers and my home was a live-in office during my time at MAD.   I was a terrible show off, always getting in trouble in grade and Junior high school.

     

     From the looks of the program (shown below) everyone had to participate.  Remember, back then the "arts" were in integral part of education. The speaking and solo singing roles needed an audition.   After auditions, the part of Miss Perriwinkle was given to me as a comic role for the May 13th performanceMarilyn Nollac sang and danced on May 12th (Mrs. Lucille Nollac choreographed).  Short of my mother begging that I still be allowed to perform, my first stage performance might have been delayed until high school.  Water-on-the-knee developed from a fall and I had to wear an ace bandage. Darlene Frommer is the 3rd name shown in the program above Kathleen PhelpsI feel sure I performed instead of Darlene (she is not pictured as a graduate from MAD).  I made the role even more slap-stick…and limped!!! 

     

    Many students who went on to Monrovia Arcadia Duarte High School participated.   Some on the list below are gone, but remembered.  Others still read Our Page, 1953

     

    Charles Wilson

    Don Roberts

    Pat Shermer

    Karen Lewis

    Barbara Briggs

    Joan Lawler

    Carroll Frey

    Marilyn Nollac

    George Calderwood

    Bill Dyer

    Bob Olson

    Richard Whitehead

    Harry Yates

    Mary Jo Burns*

    Richard Plimpton

    Rita Montanez

    Barbara Sockman

    Jacqueline Forman

    Gretchen Kambeitz

    Marilyn Strauss

    Mary Pascevic

    Rita Keddie

    Myran Willey

    Joy Hyder

    Joe Henry

    Barbara Malloy

    Robert Irone

    Phyllis Cooper

    Janet Gervis

    Veeva Hamblin

    Lasley Scholl

    Carol Jacobs

     

    *Mary Jo Burns Dalmont remembers that this was the first performance where she and Richard Plimpton were paired up at the piano.

     What are your memories…about yourself or others?  Email: writekathi@juno.com

     

     

     

     A Thought to Ponder:

     

    The sovereign cure for worry is prayer.

    William James

     

    courtesy Jean Bouchebel, World Vision International



    HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY


     
     


     
    A friend sent an early "Valentine" to see if it will make it around the world by Feb. 14th.
    For God so lo
    Ved the world,

       
     That He gAve

               his on
    Ly

             
    BegottEn

                     So
    N

                    T
    hat whosoever

          Believeth
    In Him

            Should
    Not perish,
          But have
    Everlasting life."


    John 3:16