Book Review & '50 class 60th

No matter whom you voted for, its time to move forward. Keep your cool and think positive. Let’s enjoy the remaining years in our lives. We only pass through it once!

And thanks canine, Barney, for an early Christmas present. After all those years of careful training, you took a big bite out of the media for all of us!!

Like many folks, we bought a mixed bag of candy at Costco for Halloween. Whoever decided the variety of goodies that went into the bag did a good job. I am not a big fan of sweet stuff, but handing out the treats to the “tricksters and treaters” brought back some tasty memories. Remember Baby Ruths, Mars Bars, Abba Zabbas, Mounds, Hershey Bars, Snickers and Three Muskateers? It was fun sampling each one – so much for my sugar level…

My favorite remains the Abba Zabba. It is considered a West Coast tradition that dates back to the 1920’s and is made of Chewy taffy with a peanut butter center.

Which Brings Me To This Week’s Review, The Emperors of Chocolate, by Joel Glenn Brenner ( 1999). This National Bestseller gives the reader a behind-the-scenes look at the two giants of the chocolate industry, Hershey and Mars. Brenner’s thorough research of the industry chronicles the origin of these two secretive companies and their clandestine operations. Unlike their products, the story is anything but sweet! Forest Mars and Milton Hershey hold the key rolls in the dueling confectionery business. Dating back to the early 20’s, the personalities of these two men shaped their companies, and their legacies live on today. The characters are real, and their stories almost unreal….

Brenner undertook a routine assignment while working for The Washington Post – “to write a feature story about Mars, Inc., detailing the company’s response to Hershey’s emergence as the nation’s No. 1 candy maker.” As a result of this assignment, the author decided he needed “the rest of the story.” So he spent the next several years researching the Hershey Company. Of historical interest, Mars is a closely held private company. Hershey, on the other hand, is a publicly owned company. At one time, these two giants made 18 of the top 20 candy brands. This unique story looks into the secret world of candy making, including historical and financial facts, along with the personalities of the Emperors. Forest and Milton practiced there trade differently. Reportedly, they behaved at opposite ends of the spectrum. Forest Mars commanded his operations in an autocratic manner. Milton Hershey was known as a sensitive and caring person. He shared his dreams of success by supporting the world’s richest orphanage. The town of Hershey, Pa. is named after him. Rich in taste and tales, Benner will help you unwrap the secret world of sweets…..

In a few days it will be Veterans Day. Traditionally, it is a special day to honor those who have served in our armed forces. Note: the government has declared that the attributive (no apostrophe) rather than the possessive case is the official spelling. This annual American holiday (both State and Federal) is usually celebrated on November 11^th, depending upon which day of the week it occurs, i.e., if it occurs on a Saturday, then either Saturday or Friday may be designated; if it occurs on a Sunday, then it is moved to the following Monday. Originally it was celebrated as Armistice Day and marked the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended WWI. According to Wikipedia and historians, “major hostilities of WW I were formally ended at the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month of 1918.” President Woodrow Wilson was the first official to proclaim Armistice Day in 1919. In 1954, President Eisenhower changed the name to Veterans Day.

Veterans Day is more than a day off. It is a time to pause and reflect on where this great country has had to do battle, and to thank those men and women who have protected this Nation from its enemies. Many of us have served this country in ways that helped us grow up. One of the most revealing thoughts came out of my 48 year old son’s mouth a little over a year ago after touring the USS Midway Museum. He said, “dad, I really think I missed something by not serving in the military.” Deep down in my heart I knew he was right, but I was also glad that he never had to taste war. The love and respect he voiced for his country and the people who defend it brought tears to my eyes.

This week I had the pleasure of attending the United States Marine Corps 233^rd birthday cake cutting ceremony on the parade grounds at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot here in San Diego. The event was highlighted by a pre-ceremony concert, presentation and retirement of colors, national anthem, several birthday messages, including the Depot’s Commanding General, Brigadier General Angela Salinas and a colorful uniform pageant that featured the uniforms worn by marines since its inception. It was an inspiring program and helped me focus on the true meaning of “Old Glory.”

Thanks to all veterans. Not only have you helped make this day, but my life, also.

Many classmates have registered their interest in attending our 60^th/All MAD class reunion in 2010. If things continue to progress in the right direction, we should have a great crowd. Please continue to express your ideas with us. They can help shape the event. Stay tuned……

Thanks to my brother-in-law, Larry Larson ’50A, and his delightful daughter, Linda, they introduced me to this week’s book, Creature From Jekyll Island (Fourth Edition, 2008; 600 pp). Sounds weird, but don’t let the title turn you off…

First, the author needs some introductory comments. He is a prolific writer who delves into some pretty weighty topics with unusual clarity. For example, he has dealt with the Supreme Court, the United Nations, taxes and international banking, just to mention a few topics. Griffin, himself, can be considered an intellectual libertarian who has aligned himself with such organizations as the John Birch Society. His literary talents have also been used to produce notable documentary films.

This week’s book has political overtones, but I wanted to capitalize on the timeliness of the subject, our monetary system, especially in light of our current global financial crisis. It reads like a novel, but is based on fact. The author G. Edward Griffin walks you through the creation of the Federal Reserve and how our banking system operates. He documents his research using Federal and Congressional records, United Nations documents and commentaries from leaders in the worldwide financial community. It is a narrative of how the banks have become the controlling entity in our daily lives and how they got there.

Disregard your current tax bracket, this read is for all of us. It’s scary enough to qualify for a Halloween gift. The focus of Griffin’s research is not so much to make the reader an expert in banking theory, but to shed some light on those individuals and groups that have brought us to our current financial condition.

My review outlines below the assertions used by the author to abolish the Federal Reserve System. They are his, not mine. It is up to you, the reader, to weigh his historical findings as you test the accuracy of his assertions:

The Creature From Jekyll Island was established in the early 1900’s by a super-bowl of wealthy men: Nelson Aldrich, Abraham Andrew, Frank Vanderlip, Henry Davison, Charles Norton, Benjamin Strong and Paul Warburg. As the old saying goes, “just follow the money.” Griffin’s account is one of the best history lessons I have been able to absorb.

Our 60^th reunion has taken on a new look. We hope you will agree with this bold move. We would like to invite ALL classes who attended MAD prior to the opening of Arcadia High School to join us aboard the USS Midway Saturday evening, October 2^nd, 2010. Let me set forth the logic behind this change. When we attended Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte High School (MAD), the school was fed by three cities. Many of us had younger and older friends who walked the same MAD halls before and after the class of 1950. Many of us even married some of them. Now that our reunions are dwindling in number and attendance, for reasons obvious, why not hold an ALL MAD reunion aboard an aircraft carrier that is identifiable with our era? (It’s better than a submarine!) The Class of ’50 is not abandoning its 60th get-together, rather, it is opening the reunion to other MAD classes for one giant social event. Your comments are invited……

I guess it is our Irish and Scot (not Scotch) heritage that drew us to these two beautiful places recently. With names like Regan and Bruce (the maiden name of Vangie’s mother) gin our heritage we yearned to wandered where out ancestors once roamed.

Day 1 & 2: San Diego, Dallas, Dulles and Dublin was the route of our American Airlines flight. We arrived the next morning around 7:30 . Our game plan was to rent a car (small 5 speed SUV) and circle the Island heading South and clockwise. When I was planning our trip, I knew the areas we wanted to visit. What I didn’t know was where we would stay along the way. I found a website named Irish Tourism. Com, a group dedicated to helping visitors organize their trips. They helped us reserve a mix of recommended B&B’s and hotels, directions to each destination and sights of interest along the way. After missing a few turns on several round-abouts, we drove South on the M5 freeway and then East towards Enniskerry where one of the great world gardens, Powerscourt, is situated in the foothills of the Wicklow mountains (the largest national park in Ireland – 65,000 acres). Nearby, is Powerscourt Waterfall, Irelands’s highest waterfall. Ashdene B&B was our first stopover in Avoca where Ireland’s oldest (1723) working weaving mill is located. Ashdene is nestled in a classic setting near the Avoca River and surrounded by sheep roaming the hillsides. We had dinner in a wayside pub at the Meetings of the Two Rivers. Vangie , always on the alert for any gambling device, spotted a lottery machine next to the bar. She gambled one Euro and recouped the price of our dinner and reinforced my belief in the “luck of the Irish!” The next morning before shoving off, I checked the tires and found a large bubble on the left front tire. Fortunately. There was an old established tire shop, Brady’s, in the nearby village of Arklow. They had us back on the road in minutes. “Big 0” should take a lesson from Brady’s….

Day 3: Leaving Avoca, we traveled Southward towards Enniscorthy, Wexford and New Ross, home to the Dunbrody Famine Ship and the Kennedy homestead). Having previously visited the Waterford Crystal Factory, we bypassed Waterford going South to the coastal fishing village of Dunmore East and to our second stopover at the four room Brookside B&B. We dined on a delicious baked seafood pie in the village at Spinakers by tournament. The rain pounded us at night, but it didn’t dampen our spirits, nor those of the golfers who were also staying at Brookside.

Day 4: Next stop on the schedule was Bantry. Entering County Cork and just East of Cork city, was the resort area, Youghal (pronounced “Yawl.” The film “Moby Dick” staring Gregory peck was filmed here in 1956. Youghal has a fine beach and is located at the mouth of the River Blackwater. Nearby, the Cobh Heritage Center is situated on one of the world’s largest natural harbours. It was the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic in 1912. Cobh was one of the main ports of immigration from Ireland to the U.S. during the famine of 1847. We bypassed “kissing the Blarney Stone” in Blarney because of having been there and done that before, but more importantly, for sanitary reasons! It’s gross!! Vangie wanted to spend some time in Kinsale , and locate a restaurant she remembered from her previous visit. She found it – the Vintage. It was closed and “for sale.” We wandered the streets and had lunch at JJ Edwards, a local hang out. Another winner!! All of our accommodations included the typical Irish breakfast of hot or cold cereal, toast, fruit, eggs, bacon, sausage, cheese, tomatoes, beans, tea or coffee, milk, light cream or heavy duty cream. Our third stop was at the Maritime Hotel by the bay in Bantry. the The tide was out and several boats rested on the mud and kelp. Dinner was just down the street at O’Conner’s, more salmon….One of the main attractions in Bantry is the Bantry House and Gardens. It is the annual site for the West Cork Chamber Music Festival. Megalithic monuments and ancient standing stones are numerous in the area.

Day 5 & 6: Killarney. The route to Killarney took us around the south-west corner of the island as we headed north through the villages of Glengarriff and Castletownbere. We left the main highway and drove along the South coast of the Beara Peninsula, a route called the Ring of Beara. Since it was Irish coffee time we stopped in a little fishing village called Castletown Bearhaven. A film was just made there this summer, “On Dine.” We traversed over the mountains to the north coast of the Peninsula following the Kenmare River into Kenmare which is located at the point where the River Roughty opens into the estuary of the Kenmare River. Killarney is about 40 scenic miles north of Kenmare where we located our B&B, The Alghret House (named after Alan and Ghreta, the owner/operator.

The next day we visited The Killarney National Park with its three interlinked lakes, Muckross House (a restored stately 1843 Victorian Mansion) and Ross Castle (15^th Century). There are many other beautiful areas to visit in and around Killarney, including the famous Ring of Kerry.

Day 7: County Clare, Dromoland Castle. From Killarney, our travels took us again north towards Tralee, Newcastle and to the charming village of Adare, Sitting at the top of the village is Adare Manor, former residence of the Earl of Dunraven and now a 5 star hotel and golf resort where the next three Irish Open Golf Championships will be held. We bypassed much of Limerick and headed Northwest towards Bunratty Castle (1425) and the village of Ennis. Bunratty is a popular tourist attraction with a neat collection of furniture and where you can even enjoy a medieval banquet, or just drop in to the popular pub next door, “Durty Nelly’s. On to Newmarket-On-Fergus, the home of our next overnight, Dromoland Castle (16^th century), situated on 375 acres. It is considered one of Ireland’s premier hotels. The woodlands, lake and golf course surrounding the castle provide guests with unparalled beauty and leisurely pursuits.

Day 8 & 9: Galway was the next stop for two nights. Leaving Dromoland, we headed out to the coast through Ennistimon to the magnificent Cliffs of Moher overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. They are 8km long (from Hag’s Head to the south to Obriens Tower (1835) to the north) and 214 m high. On a clear day you can see the Aran islands. We did. At the northern end of the Cliffs of Moher is the small coastal village of colorful Doolin, home to many music pubs where music festivals, some spontaneous, attract many crowds. The houses were all painted bright colors as they dotted the landscape. The ancient and famous caves of Aillwee are just north of Doolin located in the Burren, a mountainous limestone region that stands apart from much of the typical Emerald Isle. About one-half hour from Galway is Dunguaire castle in the village of Kinvara. “A.B.C.”, Another Bloody Castle was not on our list of things to do, so the last stop of the day was The Menlo Park Hotel, near the River Corrib in Galway. When I asked the bartender at the hotel where to have dinner, he responded “don’t eat dinner here. Go downtown to McDonaghs,” We were glad we did. The fish and chips were outstanding. On the way back to the hotel I got in a heated argument with a Nigerian cab driver. He started to tell me the virtues of voting for Obama. Needless to say, I didn’t tip him The next morning we took a bus west to the beautiful Connemara region to board a ferry (45 minute ride) to the largest of the Aran Islands, Inishmore. It was about 6 miles long and 2 miles wide. We hired a tour guide, Diane Flaritty, who was born, raised and lives on the island. She drove us around most of the island to historical sites, including the grounds of the seven churches where her relatives were buried, and to a mile-long footpath leading to an old fort on the highest hill on the island. We could look across Galway Bay and see the Cliffs of Moher on the mainland. The ferry took us back to Galway where we returned to the Menlo Park Hotel. Curious about the origin of the hotel’s name since Menlo Park is a city located just South of San Francisco, we were told by the restaurant manager that two wealthy men started it and later moved to California in the Bay area where the city, Menlo Park,, was named after them - small world.

Day 10 & 11: County Donegal, Donegal Bay and the Sandhouse Hotel. Still heading north, we left Galway heading towards Donegal Bay, a 3 to 4 hour drive depending on what you wanted to see along the way. Near Sligo, the Ancient Tombs of Carrowmore, the Yeats Memorial and Donegal Castle remain popular attractions. I had told Vangie that we would be staying two nights at one of my favorite hotels right on a sandy beach overlooking Donegal bay. Enroute, we stopped in Bundoran for an Irish coffee (what else?) at the Great Northern Hotel, a destination resort surrounded by a challenging golf course overlooking the ocean. Just before reaching the Sandhouse Hotel, we stopped close by at the Smugglers Creek Inn for lunch. Nestled on a cliff and hidden from the main road, the Inn provided great food and views, and, of course, Guiness. The Sandhouse Hotel was just as I remembered it. Situated on sandy Rossnowlagh Beach and surrounded by rolling hills, this charming manor house (originally a fishing lodge) dates back to the late nineteenth century. Our third floor bayside suite was spacious and individually decorated in classical style. We slept to the rhythmatic sounds of the waves as they were pushed and pulled by the tide. The following day we explored the Galway peninsula following the southern coastal villages of Donegal and Killybegs (a fishing port where the largest blue fin tuna ever caught in European waters in 2001–968 lbs!) and then continuing on to Rossan Point. We took a one-lane mountainous road back to Donegal by way of Ardara, dodging sheep all the way….

Day 12: Belfast. On the way to the north coast Giant’s Causeway we crossed the border into Northern Ireland through Londonderry, a walled city completed in 1618. The walls (26’ high and 30’wide) have served their protective purpose well since they were never breached. Also known as “Derry,” this city is best seen either with a tour guide, by taxi or on a river cruise. I found many street signs interesting since taggers had crossed out the “London” part of Londonderry. About a mile before the Causeway is the Old Bushmills Distillery, the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery (one of my favorites). There are many sites to see along the coast, one of the most popular being the Carrick-a-Rede-Rope Bridge which spans a wide chasm to the tiny Carrick Island. Turning the corner from the north Antrim Coast we headed down the north-eastern coast through the villages of Cushendun, Cushendall and Glenarm. These areas are filled with natural beauty and one can find many historical monuments dating back to the Stone Age. After a long drive, we arrived in downtown Belfast at the Jury’s Hotel. Taking advantage of the daylight, we took a “hop on- hop off” city sightseeing tour of the city. Evidence remains of the turmoil between the Catholics and the Protestants as seen in the murals, statues and monuments dedicated to the “freedom fighters.”

Day 13 Dublin: The two hour drive to Dublin on the freeway M1 was uneventful and culminated our circle tour of Ireland. We stayed in Bewleys hotel near the airport in preparation for the next leg of our journey - to Scotland.

The Highlands of Scotland: River Cruise – The Caldonian Canal From Inverness to Fort William

A one hour flight via Air Arann took us from Dublin to Inverness. We were to meet our tour director at the Glenmoriston Hotel at 4:00 PM for transport to the barge, the Scottish Highlander. So, with several hours to kill, we roamed around the town of Inverness which is situated along the beautiful River Ness. At the appointed time we met the other six guests and the tour guide and drove to the Scottish Highlander moored at nearby Dochgarroch and received a champagne welcome. The barge was built in 1931 for grain transport. It was converted into a hotel barge in 2000 and refitted in 2006. It has accommodations for up to 8 passengers in three staterooms (11’6” x 10’) and one suite (12’ x 12’ 4”). We had the suite and it was spacious, clean and comfortable. Each cabin had a private shower, basin and toilet and were fully tiled with a heat radiator. Towels, washing gel, hand soap, shampoo, hair dryers and bathrobes were supplied daily.

Here are some of the barge’s specifications: Dimensions – Length 117’; width 16’6”

The Saloon/Dining room is 20’ x 12’ and finished in yew and Brazilian mahogany with a Walnut dining table seating 9. The bar was fully stocked and open 24/7 and all drinks were included in the cruise price.

The Highlander accommodates all guests at a single sitting for each meal. The cuisine was excellent and bountiful. The wine varied and complimented the food.

Our tour guide took us by van to the 14^th century Cawdor Castle, immortalized by Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and contained a superb collection of tapestries, pictures and furniture. We roamed the beautiful landscaped gardens, including a maze created with a trimmed hedge. We also visited Culloden Moor, an open battleground where the MacDonald and Campbell clans clashed in the 13^th century. It was here that the Jacobite army fought to reclaim the throne of Britain from the Hanoverians for a Stuart King. Over 1,200 died in just one hour. Culloden was a short and bloody battle – the last to be fought on British soil. After lunch back on the barge, we cruised Loch Dochfour to Fort Augustus passing Urquhart Castle and the south shore of Loch Ness. The barge had six mountain bikes on board. Several of us rode from one lock to the next one (s) following the same route as the Highlander.

After breakfast we cruised up the staircase of 5 locks through the village of Fort Augustus. We moored close to the village and roamed around the town on foot until lunch. In the afternoon we went by van to Urquart Castle which is nestled along the shore of Loch Ness. Returning to the barge, we visited Invermoriston Falls and saw the local heather-laced golf course, where the official green keepers are sheep! I had some delicious venison for dinner at a local restaurant behind the former Abbey which is being converted into a hotel.

Our next early morning cruise took us to Cullochy Lock by way of Kytra. After lunch we drove through Glen Moriston, a stunning highland countryside, to the romantic medieval Eilean Donan Castle, setting for the film Highlander. The castle has an idyllic island setting with multiple views of three sea lochs. After being abandoned for 200 years, the castle has been completely restored. I tried my hand at fishing, but no luck for the Irish.

This morning we left Cullochy and cruised through two locks at Laggan and through Lochs Oich and Lochy to Gairlochy. The early afternoon was spent riding a cable car up the highest ski mountain in Scotland in the Nevis Range. We hiked up another mile and absorbed the surrounding beauty of the highlands and its lakes. On the way back to the barge we visited the World War II Commando memorial (the first Green Berets) and the woolen mill at Spean Bridge. Unfortunately, credits cards can be used in most places, and I soon learned that I am married to a shopper!

From Gairlochy we drove south and parallel to Loch Linnhe to the battlefields of Glencoe and its museum. The ruggedness of the highlands can best be seen along the Glen Coe Highway (A82) at the foot of Ben Nevis, a mountain climber’s paradise. The cascading water falls amidst the heather and rocks are numerous while the sheep move unattended on the hillsides. On the way back we toured the Ben Nevis distillery and tasted a wee dram or two or three…The last leg of the cruise was to Banavie and Neptune’s Staircase, a flight of eight locks – a magnificent engineering feat that connected the Atlantic Ocean (to the West) to the North Sea (to the East). Tonight we were treated to a special farewell Captain’s Dinner. Our modest and competent Captain said a few words, but the best remark was that we the guests) had just experienced the best weather all summer during our week on the Caledonia Canal

I thought it would be a good way to wind-down our lengthy trip by staying in one of my favorite hotels, The Airds, for three nights, just 27 miles south of Fort William. The hotel faces Loch Linnhe, the Isle of Lismore and the Ardgour hills. Originally an 18^th century ferry inn for passage to Lismore island, the Airds has eleven bedrooms which have been artistically designed and decorated in a variety of styles from sophisticated country house to contemporary and fresh. The two lounges with fireplaces provide relaxing moments to chat with the other guests, read or sip your favorite beverage. Reputed to be one of the best restaurants in Scotland, guests can enjoy a dinner menu that changes daily with fresh seasonal ingredients using local produce. The wine list is impressive and varied. Nearby, there are many places to enjoy either walking and/or cycling. One trek took us out to the end of the road on the peninsula along Loch Linnhe where we had unobstructed views of the islands Mull and Lismore. Circling back on the inward side of the peninsula we skirted along a path through farm lands where Highland cattle grazed against a landscape of dense trees, ferns and brush.

The next day we took a one-half hour drive to the scenic seaport town of Oban where you can take one of the ferries to the Hebridean islands, or like us, shop and have an Irish coffee. On the way back we visited an old abandoned castle and had fish and chips by the dock at Port Appin. It was time to pack our stuff and prepare for the next day three hour journey to Edinburgh to catch our Aer Lingus flight back to Dublin.

The drive to Edinburgh was spectacular. We headed south towards Oban, then east at Connel. It seemed like we were always beside a lake, river or stream. The countryside grew from rolling hills to heavy forests as we passed through Tyndrum and the Trossachs National Park. At Killin we went south to Stirling where we picked up the M9 freeway and drove east to the airport where we returned our rental car and flew back to Dublin. Arriving late afternoon in Dublin, we checked into the Clarion Hotel next to the airport. The game plan was to tour Dublin the next day.

We took the city bus to Dublin and then hopped on a double decker tour bus to see the rest of the city. Starting on its main street, O’Connnel, we saw the out-of-character Millenium Spike, Trinity College, shopping district of Grafton, National Library, Museum and Gallery, St. Stephens Green, Temple Bar, Castle, City Hall, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Guiness Storehouse where they make 10 million glasses of beer each day(!), Heuston Station and the 1,750 acre Phornix Park. Whew!! It was time for a pint and a late lunch at Mulligans. Back to the Clarion for our last night in Ireland.

We never saw the darkness of night on our American Airlines flight home. We left Dublin at 10:30 AM and arrived in San Diego by way of Chicago at 7:45 PM (there is a 7 hour difference in time). Thanks to Michael Connelly writing skills, I was able to read one of his latest thrillers, The Overlook, during the flight.

Gary,
Thought you might like to view the barge we were on in Scotland. We cruised the Caledonian Canal for 6 days.

The other picture is one of the classic restored castles in Ireland. 700 acres - the castle is surrounded by a great gold course and lake. We stayed there one night.

Vangie and I returned from our trip to Ireland and to the highlands of UK/Scotland last night. The last time I visited these countries was in 1994. Some things have changed, some have not. There have been noticeable economic advancements in Ireland, especially, but the people remain the same, friendly and loveable. You would not have expected the highlands to change much. They haven’t. The beauty of these two places remains imbedded in the landscape and the people. We drove over 2,000 miles around Ireland mostly following its scenic coastline. Driving on the left side of the narrow roads remained a challenge, but having a wife that kept saying “stay on the left, dummy,” kept me alert! In Scotland, we took a six day barge trip from Inverness to Fort William along the Caledonian Canal. With only seven people, plus a crew of four, on board, we traveled at a slow pace and enjoyed the many side trips to historic sites and walking in the highlands.

During my recent trip, I had a chance to read several books. The following brief reviews should give you a flavor for their contents:

The Dive (a story of love and obsession) by Pipin Ferreras (2004): For those who like the challenge of holding your breath under water and to see how deep you can dive, then this true story is for you. Simply put, how deep can one dive on a single breath of air without the use of any breathing apparatus. Throughout his career, Cuban born Ferreras reclaimed the world championship free diving record several times each time his records were broken. His life took on a new meaning when he met Audrey Mestre, a French Marine biology student. Like Pippin, she became obsessed with free diving and learned the sport under Pippin’s tutelage. The strategy of reaching deeper depths took on a new dimension when “no limits” became the answer. “It was based upon the concept that the faster you can reach your targeted depth, then the sooner you can turn around and come back for air without going through decompression.” This concept was enhanced by having the diver ride a weighted sled down to a specified depth, and then shoot back to the surface through the use of an inflatable device. Pippin’s obsession for diving was only matched by his love for Audrey. His life was crushed, however, when she suffered an untimely death while attempting a world record of 170 meters off the coast of the Dominican Republic. The Dive could be a story of life, itself, which has its ups and downs. The downside (literally) is that if you don’t come up for air, then its adios amigos!

The Overlook by Michael Connelly (2007). Connelly remains one of my favorite authors. I have previously reviewed some of his other books, most recently, Echo Park (2006). They are well written, easy to follow and contain some of the best characters found in any literary series of this genre. As a former police reporter for the Los Angeles Times, Connelly knows the ins and outs of how the LAPD operates. It is also fun to read about familiar landmarks in and around the Los Angeles area. His lead character is legendary Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch, a homicide detective who seems to be constantly struggling with the world around him, especially his superiors. His strong sense of what is right and what is wrong often puts him at odds with others. Bosch’s new young partner, Iggy Ferras, soon learns that his mentor is a man with uncanny intuition as he turns a crime scene upside down in order to get the correct results.

The title, The Overlook, refers to a place on Mulholland Drive that overlooks the city and where a man, Stanley Kent, is murdered, execution style. Harry is called upon by the Homicide Department to run with the case. The crime takes on an unusual shift when he learns that cesium, a radioactive material, had been removed by Kent from a nearby hospital prior to his death. Kent had been authorized to control the use of the material for medical treatments of cancer patients. Prior to his death, he learns that his wife is being held captive by people who want the cesium. With his wife’s life at stake, the abductors arrange to meet Kent with the radioactive material at The Overlook. The case takes on two dimensions, homicide and national security. The FBI enter the investigation like a heard of stampeding buffalo and much to his chagrin try to “take over” Harry’s homicide case. FBI Agent Rachael Walling, Harry’s one-time lover (Echo Park), is put on the case and the wrong kind of sparks begin to fly as the Feds maintain that national security issues supersede the murder case. They have strong evidence that links the murderers to an international terrorist group who might want to use the cesium for wide-spread destruction. Additionally, Iggy, the junior partner, becomes uncomfortable with his senior partner’s behavior as he circumvents the conventional ways of performing an investigation. So Harry is faced with the usual downtown politics, an arrogant FBI, a disgruntled partner and an ex-lover who are all causing great turmoil for Bosch. The reader can’t help but support Harry’s tenacious behavior as he goes about unraveling the case. The book is not lengthy (just under 200 pages) so you can enjoy a fast read with a super-sized surprise ending.

Vangie and I will be traveling to Ireland and Scotland in September so I will give you time off from my ramblings. We will toast you each day with some Bushmills as we circle the Emerald Isle and visit the Highlands.

Last Wednesday, your humble co-chairs and spouses held a special reunion planning session at the Del Mar Race Track Turf Club. Don Cottle and I felt the need to keep in close touch with each other in an equestrian backdrop, just like Santa Anita loomed in our backyard years ago. In between races we reminded each other that our upcoming 60^th reunion needs a special “punch” – one that will provide some fun and stimulation to the Class of 1950. Here are our thoughts. Everyone out there feel free to give us some of yours…..

Against the landscape of the Turf Club at the Del Mar Race Track, D.C. and J.R exchanged some thoughts and ideas (not necessarily in the order below) about the MAD Reunion to be held aboard the USS Midway Museum on October 2, 2010. Here is a recap of their discussion*:

1.0 Reaffirmation of the location on the hanger deck; estimated attendance @ +- 100; adults only (no children nor grandchildren)

3.0 Inclusion of other classes, namely ’49 and ’51: handle on a case by case basis, but not extend open-ended invitation

5.0 Check do-ability of having Marine Corps Band for opening ceremony and Miss California singing “opener”

6.0 Main Program – speaker, entertainment (magic show?); slide show; instead of self introductions, prepare and distribute in advance, a book similar to the one used for our 50^th reunion with a page for each classmate, including space for a current photograph

8.0 Develop a quality souvenir program, including pictures and personal bio. (Bob Scharr art work). Hire videographer to record reunion events for DVD to send to all participants

14.0 Places to stay in and around San Diego. We will provide a list of hotels and rates. Attendees will be responsible for their own reservations

Remember Superman? Faster than a speeding bullet; more powerful than a locomotive; able to leap tall buildings….

Clark Kent (a.k.a. Superman) was one formable guy, humble, intelligent, clairvoyant - a cross between Hercules and Sampson.

Dean Koontz in one of his early bestsellers, COLD FIRE (1991), created a super-hero, Jim Lionheart (you got to love the name), and like Clark Kent, Jim possesses a psychic ability to foresee people in distress. Unable to explain the origin of the transmission and reception of these signals, he is driven to believe that he is on God given missions – to save lives.

…..I always had trouble accepting that it was God working through me, it seemed like such a crazy idea. But I lived with it just because there wasn’t any better explanation.

I am not a sci-fi fan, but Koont’s writing skills kept me fully engaged as he details each episode using a unique landscape of words and ideas along with a great deal of suspense. Jim’s travels have no geographical boundaries. His divine “callings” seem to emanate from a built-in GPS (my emphasis) as he finds himself traveling anywhere on a moment’s notice to practice his humanitarian feats.

One such mission finds him going to Portland Oregon. He rescues a young student while he is crossing the street in front of his school from a speeding truck driven by a drunk driver. Coincidentally, the incident is witnessed by a local newspaper reporter, Holly Thorne, who wants to interview Jim. As Jim is rapidly leaving the scene, she finagles driving him to the airport in order to obtain enough information to write a story. He is not about to reveal any thing of substance, however. After her strike-out with Jim, she has frequent flashbacks of this mysterious man. Frustrated in her job as a reporter, Holly stumbles upon other rescues made by a mysterious person who fits Jim’s description. Unable to get him off of her mind, she takes some time off from her reporting duties and sets out to find him. She soon learns that tracking him down does not lead to immediate friendship. The former teacher, Jim, is not about to exit his shell in favor of sharing his life with a stranger, especially a reporter. Certain weird events occur that bring the two together. As the story unfolds, the reader will struggle, along with the main characters, about who is directing Jim’s actions. Is it God, or is it through some other intervention?

Enter “The Friend” and “The Enemy” from his forgotten past. Jim’s past is riddled with questions that need to be resurrected. The rest of the story shifts to his early childhood and the places he grew up. Haunted by the death of his parents at an early age…he submerged himself in a world of fantasy and developed a multiple personality.

“The Friend” helps him understand that each person he has saved is special and “if allowed to live, will make a major contribution to the betterment of mankind.”

Follow the two “past busters” as they encounter good and evil. Things get pretty far out, but Koontz will hold your attention (maybe not your imagination) to the end.

Without fanfare, your committee is actively going about its duties laying the groundwork for our reunion in 2010. The end product may seem like a long ways off, but believe me, if the wheels were not in motion now, we would not be able to pull-off the best reunion, ever.

For those who like to mess around on your computer, you might want to tap into the Midway’s website in order to become better acquainted with the ship: www.midway.org

One of the reasons we have chosen this noteworthy ship for the site of our 60^th Reunion is that it represents our era - one that circled our lives, then and now. It was commissioned during our high school years and subsequently became a beacon for international service. Likewise, the Class of 1950 reached out into the world and set an example for those that followed in its wake, also.

You don’t have to be a jock or a sports’ nut in order to enjoy one of John Grisham’s latest novel (2007), Playing For Pizza. Unlike his legal thrillers, this New York Times bestseller is a lighthearted fable about professional football, Italian style. The reader is not required to have a technical pigskin background in order to follow and appreciate the story. Rick Dockery, the third string back-up quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, has never been able to climb out of his lackluster career. He has bounced around between teams like a squib kick sends a football on an unpredictable pattern down the gridiron. Its show time and Cleveland is in the AFC Championship game. Up 17 points with minutes to go, the #1 and #2 quarterbacks are sidelined due to injuries. Rick is suddenly cast into the limelight and proceeds to lead (?) his team to a defeat that would even surpass the Battle of Waterloo….Overnight he became known as a national “loser.” In addition, to finding himself in the local hospital nursing another concussion, he finds out from his slick talking agent, Arnie, that he has been cut from the Brown’s roster. He was even named by a local sportswriter as “the greatest Goat in the history of pro football.” Arnie, sees the handwriting on the wall when other teams would not return Arnie’s calls in his attempts to find Rick another backup QB spot for Rick.

Italy is know for many things, its art, cuisine, music, landscape, but American Football?? Arnie suckers Rick into continuing his fading career in Parma, Italy by playing for the Parma Panthers, a semi-pro team with a hodgepodge of characters who love the game and were willing to “Play For Pizza!” Note: the author visited Parma and based this novel on his observations and experiences - real football, real life, but fictional characters.

Grisham has developed a flaky character in Rick. His lack of purpose other than playing football, chasing women and living the high/low life of a bachelor leads to a plot marked by self discovery. His loyalty to the Panthers is tested when Arnie finds a Canadian team that is willing to offer him a contract. His response may be the turning point in his career. The reader may enjoy the historical tidbits of Italian culture, especially the many food scenes. Parma, like so many other Italian towns and cities, is noted for its parmesan cheese, good vino and pasta dishes.

Playing for Pizza, although an accurate title, is really about a bunch of maverick players whose careers run from blue to white collar jobs. Their love for playing football is almost as great as their love for food and drink.

The Italian Super Bowl becomes the focus of the story. The Panthers have never been to the Super Bowl, and Rick has been hired to fulfill the mission.

Rick’s love life provides little stimulation to the story. It does give the reader more historical perspective of the countryside rather than focus on his sexual conquests.

The book is a fun and fast read. Caution: be prepared to call Dominos Pizza while trying to decide whether the Parma Panthers will win the Super Bowl.

Now that we have locked on to a date (October 2, 2010) and location (The Aircraft Carrier Museum in San Diego), our “Ponderings Paulette” is moving ahead with a “search and find” committee currently made up of Paulette and her husband, Don, Elsa Siefert, Joretta, Darrel Jeffries and Mary and George Russell. Their first official meeting is next week (see her website for more details). They have taken on the task of rounding-up our lost mates so that every living classmate knows about our 60^th Reunion well in advance. It is a big job and they will need your help. So step forward volunteers and put a smile on the Committee’s face. Maybe each person from our class could send the names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of other class member that they stay in touch with to the committee. Duplicate submissions will be welcome for cross-check purposes.

On Thu, Jul 10, 2008 at 11:01 AM, jim regan <jjregan55@cox.net> wrote:

JULY 11, 2008

REUNION NEWS

Ahoy ship mates!!! Welcome Aboard!!! On behalf of your 60^th Reunion Committee we are pleased (maybe even elated) to announce that our reunion will be held aboard the USS Aircraft Carrier Midway #41 (now a museum) ported here in San Diego Harbor. The date of the reunion is Saturday, October 2, 2010. Get-togethers before (the 1^st) and after (the 3^rd) will help us tune up and wind down, so mark your calendars now. There will be no excuses accepted since you are receiving a 28 month advance notice.

About the Midway: With an unmatched naval history, the Midway had a 47 year career-longer than any other carrier- one that began at the end of WWII and ended with the liberation of Kuwait. “An odyssey that was shared by 225,000 Americans, most of them only a year or two out of high school.” We were just 9^th graders at MAD when the Carrier was commissioned. So it is an important part of our generation.

In 1946, Midway was the first carrier to deploy in the winter into the Artic Ocean.

Ultimately Midway aviators taught the rest of the Navy how to fly among icebergs. A year later, Midway was the only ship to launch a captured German V-2 rocket. It became known as the dawn of naval missile warfare.

Midway, too, was known for its humanitarian missions. In 1975 on what became known as the Night of the Helicopters, more than 3,000 refugees were flown aboard when Saigon fell. Only 16 years later, Midway again came to the rescue when Mt. Pinatubo erupted in the Philippines, the largest volcanic eruption of the century. More than 2,000 lives were saved by Midway crew.

Today, Midway has embarked on its final mission as a flagship naval aviation museum. It is the most visited floating naval ship museum in the world.

Note: We will have special docent led tours arranged for reunion attendees

Now that the date and location have been determined, everyone has a special assignment.

Stay alive. Why? Because you will not want to miss our 60^th.

Much more to come…….

Hi Gang,

We did it!! We can now officially place October 2, 2010 aboard the Aircraft Carrier Midway on our calendar for our 60th Reunion. This is really going to be neat. I will take some pictures and post them on our website. Now it is up to all of us to spread the word. I will continue to provide updates as the days, weeks, months and years go by.....

Welcome aboard mates......

JR

Sidebar 1: As you can see by the title of this webpage, I will be reporting on the progress of our forthcoming MAD 60^th Reunion in 2010. A committee is being formed and we are looking for more volunteers. Please take a look at the attached committee list and see how you can donate your talents. Even though we have 28 months until show time, certain things need to get firmed up now (like dates and location). Next week, hopefully, I will have a firm commitment for the dates and location. In the meantime, take good care of yourselves so you will be around come 2010!

Sidebar 2: The Fourth of July (Independence Day) is a time to take pause and reflect on its meaning. It is more than hamburgers, hotdogs and fireworks. It is an annual celebration of our independence from Great Britain as codified in the Declaration that was signed July 4, 1776. Happy 4^th…….

Many of my reader friends told me to read Greg Mortenson’s and David Relin’s New York Times Bestseller, Three Cups of Tea. So, I did. It is a captivating and moving real- life story about a mountain climber, Greg Mortenson, who became obsessively motivated with the notion of building schools in remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially for young girls. In 1993, after being rescued in a failed attempt to scale K2, the second highest mountain on earth (28,251’) located in the Karakoram part of the Himalayan range between North Pakistan and China, Greg soon discovered a whole new world-one depicted by a mountainous landscape filled with unparalleled beauty, yet basked in a culture very different from his own. A place where political turmoil, economic and social poverty, religious freedom, age-old cultural mores and values, all seemed to run against the grain of Western Culture. But beneath it all, Greg found the people, although lacking in formal education, to be firmly ensconced in their way(s) of life. It was as if they possessed a tribal gene that brought simplistic fulfillment to their daily existence. It was against the shadow of K2 in the Katakortam mountains in a small Pakistani village called Korphe that Greg soon learned that he had a mission in life – to reach out to these people in a way they had never dreamed – to help them improve their children's education and to gain literacy. His premise being that education is the cornerstone for improving one’s quality of life. He was a man with a mission, and his mission was to build schools, especially for young girls. Three Cups of Tea is a story about one man’s commitment to help a group of people help themselves. Over many cups of tea, Greg learned that the first cup was an act of courtesy and a time to talk business. If a second cup was offered, then it meant that you had moved to a higher level of friendship. The significance of having three cups was to indicate that you are now considered part of the family. Many times while drinking tea, it came to pass that Greg made promises to build schools in remote villages. His interaction with the leaders of each village provides a never ending story of promises and fulfillment. He did, in fact, build over fifty schools during a ten year period. Each project was unique and took on a character of its own. Back in the U.S.A., funding each project became a never ending and consuming task Through the course of his work he established the Central Asia Institute in Bozeman, Montana, and with the help of donations from others, he continues to live out his humanitarian dream.

Greg’s personal life was hard, not only for himself, but for his family. As the reader is introduced to his personality, it becomes apparent that his adventurous spirit, although dashed by his failed attempt on K2, never really left him. His tenacious efforts lifted him to the highest heights of humanitarianism, just like his idol, Mother Teresa.

Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns and Three Cups of Tea have a common thread, they all give the reader a better understanding of the people and lands of Afghanistan and Pakistan, along with a greater appreciation for our country.

THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE HAVE VOLUNTERED TO HELP OUT: (Good start, but we can use more mates)

Don Cottle, Paulette Dunn Smith, Darrell Jefferies, Mary Rector Russell, Joretta Griffin Bunyard, Gary Dayton, Larry and Marjean Brownwood Larson, Rich Humble (no dogs allowed), Ian and Harriett Campbell, Elsa Seifert and Bob Schaar.

PRE-PARTY (Friday): REGAN RESIDENCE 1300 W. Walnut POST-PARTY (Sunday A.M.): TBD

Hi Everyone,

Just thought I would let you know what is going on.....

I have received numerous positive responses from our mates regarding the dates and location for our 60th Reunion. 100% of the respondents said that San Diego would be great and that either the first or second weekend in October was ok. A final decision will be made shortly. In the meantime I contacted the Aircraft Carrier Midway Administration about availability, cost, etc. They sent me a ton of info to mull over. I will be meeting with them next week. Paulette, Mary, Elsa and Darrell have taken on the BIG assignment of putting together a master list of our mates and they will spearhead communications with them. They will need everyone's help in searching for lost souls.

I have asked Gary to change my Book Review Page to "60th Reunion." Hopefully, it will give us a better line of communication with everyone (not that everyone reads my page).

Vangie and I, and with your help, will host the PRE-Reunion party (friday evening) at our house. We can accommodate at least 100 mates. Plans are to use the inside and outside areas of our house. For now, we will have a couple of bars set up, lots of finger food and a buffet table. Dress will be casual, of course (come as were when the ship went down!).

I will compile a list of hotels in the area. Not Priority now, but I will have it done in the next couple of months.

I was wondering if we should create/have a theme?? It might be fun for someone to coordinate the origination of a title for our Reunion. We could even turn the task into a contest.

Bob Sharr should fit into our Committee somehow. He is so talented. I will e-mail him and ask him point blank what he would like to do for the Reunion ( e.g., posters, placemats, a cover for the program, or ???).

Co-Chair, Don Cottle, has some great ideas. And, with his contacts, he will most likely pull a rabbit out of his hat. His enthusiasm has been quite evident, right from the start.

One pitfall that I want to mention is time. It is important that we ALL keep moving ahead. It will be easy for us to slide back into our easy chairs thinking that we have plenty of time to accomplish our goals. After all, it is only 28 months until October 2010!! WRONG! We really have so much to do in so little time. And who knows what roadblocks may come our way??

So long until next time.....

First Sidebar: We have just recognized one of the most important dates in our Country’s history, Memorial Day. Formerly called “Decoration Day,” this Federal holiday was previously held on May 30^th, but was changed to the last Monday of May by Congress in order to facilitate a three day holiday. Reportedly, Memorial Day was first held in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania in 1865 to honor Union soldiers who last their lives during the Civil War. It was, of course, expanded to cover all those U.S. men and women who have since died while in the line of duty. In addition to individual and group observances held throughout the country, this day of reverence has become a three day time to party, barbeque, watch the Indy 500, and you name it. End of Sidebar

Second Sidebar: Many of our classmates have served our country while in military service, especially in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The service and contributions of our mates will never be totally known. Periodically, stories of their military and civilian careers surface. This week, Gary Dayton has featured one of our deceased classmates, Chuck Hoggatt. I thought I knew Chuck fairly well since we were on the track teams at MAD and at Occidental College. Wrong! I had no clue about his service to our country. His son, Greg, sent me the Eulogy he delivered at his service. I thought it would be appropriate to share it with our website readers. So here it is. End of Sidebar

Charles Vernon Hoggatt was born November 10, 1932 and passed away February 28, 2008.

Raised in Southern California and after a brief attempt at college, joined the Air Force Reserves. Commissioned a 2^nd Lt. in Feb. 1955. Attended flight school and obtained his wings and eventually rose to the rank of Captain and Aircraft Commander of the C130 Hercules. Served several tours of duty in Vietnam, flew countless missions around the world and received a multitude of flying commendations from the Air Medal to the Bronze Star and others. He was ultimately a casualty of the reduction in force and forced to take a rank cut and lost his flying status. He went into ground safety and served out his career, and retired after 22 years of service at the rank of Major.

Chuck was fortunate to find his life partner and soul mate in 1974. He married Ethel in July of this year and was able to live a long and happy retirement with her here in Palm Bay (Florida). Together they traveled, lived and loved.

In May of 1961, in his first marriage, he was granted a son, who was able to carry on the family name as he was the only son of an only son. Even as a victim of divorce in the late 60’s he strived to be a good and loving father, instilling good morals and character in me. Chuck took on the role of Step Father to Ethel’s children and even helped raise them with the same ideal of good morals and character.

Two grandsons and numerous step grandchildren were his reward with time, and again, he tried to instill the same morals and good character in them as they were truly his beliefs.

Masonry was a part of his life as passed to him from his father and father’s father. Initiated in May of 1958 in LaSalle Lodge #1049 in Niagara Falls New York, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft in November, because of the war, he would have to wait till May of 1967 to be raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. He would have completed 50 years of Masonry this May. He did not stop here, he further went on to join the Scottish and York Rite, Royal Order of Scotland, and would like his father join the Shrine. It was here that he really enjoyed the service to others. He joined the Legion of Honor in the Shrine and would be the first elected Commander of the New Azan Legion of Honor. Taking pride in his military service and pride in other members of the Shrine who had served in the military, he began to venture out to Shrine Legions and rose to State Commander and even created new and lasting friends in the Southeast as well as in the International Legion of Honor.

The annual wreath laying ceremony was his greatest joy. This event held at Arlington every Veterans Day, was a particular solemn and Honorius occasion. It was 25 years ago that the International Legion of Honor began its official participation in this event. This last year was the 25^th anniversary of this event. My father being frail and sick from his illness wanted so bad to go and be the first person, who would complete 25 consecutive years of attendance, I knew that he would not be able to make it unless he had help. In November of last year I assisted him with going and he received an outstanding award and recognition of being the first and only 25 year consecutive year participant.

Opinionated, proud, honorable, strong morals, excellent character, stubborn, kind, caring, compassionate, all words describing the man, the husband and the father. But words cannot effectively tell you who Chuck Hoggatt was. This was done through his actions towards all mankind. It seemed that in his retirement years, he was always taking care of others, first both his parents. First his father who suffered a debilitating stroke and later his mother who required constant care until she passed. He even took care of his mother in law who lived with he and Ethel till she passed. He never faltered or complained about this self obligation as he felt it was his duty to take care of them. His greatest fear was that someday family would have to see him in dire need of care and he could not stand the thought of having to have someone take care of him. Thus many of you may not know just how sick he really was, for his pride was that of not wanting those of you who knew him to feel sorry for him.

While being raised in both an active military as well as a divorced home, I only spent time here or there with him. It was not like the today’s children of divorce, every other weekend at a different house or seeing the parent at activities, but I only saw my father at limited times. He was either stationed overseas, or on the other side of the country and weekends just were not possible. However, there were times we spent together that shaped me and made me who I am. The one summer I spent with him in California, he signed me up to play Little League baseball. I arrived and joined a team that was already in progress, but he worked with me and taught me how to play and make friends in a new and strange place. As the summer closed we took a trip south to LA, enjoyed the typical things a kid wants to know, Disneyland, Universal Studios, and my first Professional baseball game, thus, that’s why I am a Dodger Fan. Our trip continued across to Vegas, Hoover Dam, down to Arizona, where he stopped the car alongside the road and just had to have a picture of me standing by one of the large cactus in the desert. I slipped on a rock and gouged my leg pretty good, but I don’t know what hurt him more, seeing me hurt, or performing the field sterilization of the wound and using his good Scotch and wasting it upon my leg. Our trip continued through the Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, and eventually ending up in Kansas, the home of my Grandparents and the Hoggatt families. There he taught me to fish, rabbit hunt, all about the Hoggatt Family history. I to this day can vividly see these memories and still miss these times and places of our heritage.

Eventually, I moved to Florida and upon his retirement, he moved here also. This was a time in my life as a young person that I became interested in other things than spending time with Dad. Summer jobs, football and friends all seemed to take precedent over making up lost time with my father. But he was an understanding father who knew these things were (in my mind) important to me, and he was patient and let me do them. I remember one time he came to town and picked me up after school. It was the night of a football game and he was here to see me and watch me play. I never knew at the time what it meant to him, but the coach let him ride on the team bus with us both to and from school.

There were many more conflict in schedules between my teenage life and spending time with him, but it was not until after high school and in my young adult life that we actually grew closer to each other. At my first marriage, the birth of my two sons, his grandsons the heirs to the family name, my second marriage, my promotions within the Fire Department and finally my want to seek light in the Masonic Lodge. I have had the proud privilege to have my father raise me both in Masonry and in life.

My stories can go on and on, but finally, prior to him succumbing to his illness, I was able to tell him this:

While he was so proud of me and told every one of my accomplishments, I was the one who was actually prouder of him. His accomplishments in life, Military, Masonic and who he was and what he instilled in me are greater than anything I could ever achieve. My memories of all the things we have done will live with me forever. I only hope that I can give a fraction of want he has given me to both of my sons.

Sidebar: Sometimes visitors to our country are fascinated with what makes the U.S. tick.

The growth and development established by our forefathers through “The Pilgrims’ Progress”, though often taken for granted by us, provide those from the “old countries” with an enviable glance of just how a young (relatively speaking) country has been able to become the world’s leader in so many areas. Recently, some of our good friends from England spent a few days with us. The wife of my friend asked me several questions about the westward movement. I soon learned why she was so interested. She was reading Stories of Young Pioneers In Their Own Words by Violet T. Kimball, an anthology of events that took place as immigrants from around the world and American families ventured west via the overland Trail in the mid-nineteenth century to Utah, California and Oregon. Emanating from as far away as Europe, thousands of individuals, families and religious groups, e.g., Mormons, usually began their foot, horse or wagon (even wheelbarrow) journey west from such notable places as Independence, Missouri and Council Bluffs, Iowa. These hearty souls were lured by the thoughts of freedom and independence, the offer of free land and the opportunity to live in a healthier environment with abundant resources.

The author, Violet Kimball, has assembled some sensitive and captivating writing by some of the young folk who participated in what some call the greatest test of physical and mental courage, the Westward movement. She backs up these tests of courage from written journals and records made along the trail, and some recorded years later. Walking barefoot over 1,000 miles across desert sands dodging thorns from prickly pears, bearing freezing temperatures (sometimes below zero), facing starvation and diseases along the trail were just a few of the hazards and conditions that faced these hearty souls, both young and old. The author has skillfully categorized this trek by using a narrative approach to back up her research. All of the written observations were made by persons nineteen years of age and younger. Adult diaries were also used to further explicate their earlier experiences. For example, one chapter is devoted to Daily Life on the Trail. Here is one quote from Eliza McKean, age 13 in 1847:

I can still see the plains with the shimmering heat waves, the dark masses of buffalo moving over the rolling hills toward the Platte, the campfires of buffalo chips and later sagebrush…I walked most of the way across the plains, as did many other young folks.

Each chapter contains a profile of one youth – one that supports the theme of the topic.

Another chapter’s topic supports Romance and Marriage. Although moral attitudes were reflective of Victorian times, adults realized that they did not control the flow of hormones! Catherine Thomas, age ten in 1851 recalls:

I certainly can remember vividly the skylarking (flirting) and good times the young folks enjoyed around the campfire…Our play games…”drop the handkerchief” and post office,” and other kissing games were innocent. (Note: even spin-the-bottle)

The lure of the west was not confined to the Northwest. Oregon was only one locus of attention. One Splinter group diverted its route to Utah to establish Mormon Zionism - the Promised Land, while others headed to California in search of gold. Regardless of their final destination, the Westward Movement expanded this Country’s frontier as never before.

Kimball, herself, has traveled all of the trails in her book in order to establish her own sense of the landscape. Combined with autobiographies, records, and over 500 diaries of young persons, and with some back up by adult diaries, she has, in my opinion, made a significant contribution to unveiling a special group of young heroes… “Wagons Ho”

I plan on giving my grandkids a copy of her book. Maybe they can relate to the words of their own age group since mine are categorized as being from the Dark Ages…..

Sidebar #1: With the upcoming elections, war in Iraq, global unrest, the summer Olympics under siege, illegal immigration and a host of other issues, I often wonder how we keep our sense of mental balance. It is so easy to whine, bitch and moan about everything going to “hell in a hand-basket” that I find myself trying to control my feelings as these happenings surround me and invade my daily life. The reality is that life has always been a living landscape of strife, turmoil and unrest- never ending ups-and-downs depicted by divergent views, some pushing the very limits of our zones of tolerance.

Fortunately, there are good things that also affect our lives. Like the genetic makeup of chromosomes, they have the potential to ooze the “good, bad and the ugly.” Unfortunately, we cannot take time-off to escape this bombardment, so we need to put everything in perspective. As Bill Gates once said in his speech on Entitlements, “life is not divided into semesters. You don’t get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself.” So where do you find the “good side” of life? I believe it is already there. It is up to each one of us to put things into perspective while uncovering the love and beauty that surround us. End of Sidebar.