Remmick-Hubert Special Page - Lodi Union High School, Class of 1960-Newsletter
Vol. 7: 2 Feb: Page Twelve
Life is strange for all of us, many twists of fate. I have not seen anyone since 1990 when I came out for the 30th reunion....
Katy (Daugherty) Love
Joe Carruesco
Nice to hear from someone in Lodi. Not too many of my classmates are here in the Northwest. I keep in touch with Mike Zeitner who is in ____WA.
I'll look for you E-mail.
Tom Dearborn
Don Goodman
PS. would you happen to know how to contact any of these people? Grover Bethards, Wayne Madden, Wanda Herman, Mike Sullivan. Any help would be appreciated . Thank you again.
Just completed reading your latest newsletter and it was fun finding out a little bit of the background history of some of our friends. It's amazing how much alike our childhood days were, and yet a lot of us did not know each other until well into high school. The recollection of the various marble games sure brought back memories. I also have "all of my marbles" from the late 40's into the early 50's. I must have about 500 marbles that are about 50 years old. I remember playing cowboys and shooting BB guns by the hour. I can't imagine any child today doing what we did and in many cases today, would not even be allowed to own a BB gun or play cowboys. One item I believe you mentioned that really sparked some interest was you stated your Dad served on the New Jersey. I have always had a big interest in battleships and just recently a sister ship of the New Jersey, the Iowa, was placed in storage in Suisun Bay. If by chance your Dad is still alive, I think it would be fascinating if you and he could put together some recollections of what it was like to serve on such a ship. The Iowa class battleships played a big part in WWII and even Korea and Vietnam. In fact, the Japanese surrendered on the deck of the Missouri in Tokyo Bay in 1945.
Would anything like this be possible as I certainly would love to hear anything about his experiences?
My best to you and thanks for all of your effort to keep us apprised of the past and present of our classmates.
Dave [Christofani]
Well, I went 8 years to Empire Grammar School, Empire,CA (east of Modesto), as did my dad.
The vice principle was a classmate of my dad's, as were several teachers at Downey. My dad went to Modesto High back when as it was the only high school in town. Most of my classmates went on to Downey.
On a whim, I registered my email address on classmates.com for Downey.
Out of the blue came an email from one of the girls I went to Empire with; some 46 years ago.
Seems when Downey had their reunion, as we did in 2000, several of the Empire grads got together
They took a picture together and have planned a reunion of Empire Grads, class of 1956.
So, this summer, July 20th, I will be off to a BBQ at one of the grad's houses in Oakdale, CA.
She emailed me the picture, and I can actually remember some of the features of a couple of them.
It took going to our reunion to realize that it is important to keep your younger life refreshed.
Just thought I would share my "blast from the past" with you.
Margie [Garrison]
November 4, 2001
One down and three to go (quarters, that is)
Greetings from MCAS, Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan.
Started off October by getting two new students, even one ON my birthday. No thank you, I have enough already, but lost one of the original students last week. I always say, when a student leaves, will there be tears or cheers and just who determines whether it's tears or cheers? Well, I'm still cheering over the departure of this last one.
Really lucked out on my birthday and didn't have to celebrate by myself, which made turning 59 a little less traumatic. There's a once-a-month-dining-out-group and October's outing happened to fall ON my birthday, 10/_. Our original destination was closed, so ventured to another, "The Bluebird" and the eight or so course set meal was as delicious to eat as it was pleasing to the eye. The chef, who had cooked a few meals in his days, performed his artistry before us, so we were also entertained. So far, it's been the best meal since I arrived and also the most expensive. However, the group insisted on treating me for my birthday, so it ended up being an extra special day, indeed.
I ended up purchasing a new pair of sunglasses at the post exchange (PX) and they're the PITS. If I were at home there'd be no way I'd buy, keep, and much less wear them. However, I don't have that luxury here and because of the lack of communication out of the gates, I'm basically stuck! ARG!
Joined the local Officer's Club Group not because I wanted to, but because of my sponsor. I think I've been to the one and only meeting that I'll attend. Thought perhaps there might be a bridge group possibility, but no such luck. Basically, they're NOT my type of people, but I'm trying to jump through all of the correct hoops and do as my sponsor suggests, however, she's young, what does she know? Should just stick to my own basic instincts. She means well.
I did put the word out on email at school for bridge players, but wasn't overwhelmed with responses. Actually I do have three responses, enough for a gathering, but finding the day and time has now been tricky, plus the group doesn't "feel right".
Have had several of the teachers over for dinner, as I don't have a car and pay back favors with food. It also forces me to clear up my small "Q". The last of the furniture was finally put in place on 10/24, so I'm now finally "put together". A secretary was delivered so now I don't have to hide all of my paperwork when company arrives, but rather just shut the door on the bookcase. . . so the living conditions are improving.
Have been out on the economy for Chinese, Italian, and of course Japanese food. Security is still tight, but at least now we're able to leave the area if we'd like to.
They came to pick up my borrowed TV and ended up programming mine to get more channels, so I now have more entertainment than I know what to do with, including the Beverly Hillbillies
I recently bought a bicycle and helmet. Went in to look one afternoon and came away the owner of a new used bike, complete with basket, light, bell, lock and rack. It's an upright "old ladies version", but, that's me and it said my name. Haven't used it all that much as we've been having so much rain. In fact, it's raining as I write. Enough already!!!
We had our NEO (Noncombatant Evacuation Operations) training recently. They bused us over to a big airplane hanger and we passed through ten or so stations to make sure that all of our papers were in order in case of an evacuation. This week we'll have to go and be fit for a ventilator which will be issued once we have the training and then measured for the correct size. No gas masks here like we had in Korea. As we left the area we were asked to turn in a slip of paper with our name, etc, for a drawing to be held. Well, the next day, I was called out of a teacher's meeting as I was wanted in the office. All sorts of thoughts went through my mind!!....something was wrong at home, some kind of emergency, angry parent, etc. As I approached the office, the secretary could see a worried look on my face, I guess, as she said that it was good news. I had won one of the prizes which was a CD player. BINGO!
Joined my sponsor for an Italian dinner recently on our way to a Princess House party. I think that I was the ONLY one who didn't make a purchase. I told her up front that I didn't want anything, but she insisted that I go. I do enjoy seeing other people's homes. Japanese ovens are VERY different from ours and they have storage bins under trap doors in the kitchen floor. Won a cookbook as a door prize. Another bingo!
During the month we celebrated Educator's Day, Boss' Day, had release time for grade level planning, ice cream social, and one day two of my students (boys) were caught red handed throwing rolls of T.P. out of the upstairs W.C. (I do have several who come to school to goof-off. – Spare me!.)
Went on a 5 KM walk on the seawall which surrounds most of the base as an event celebrating Domestic Violence Month. Couldn't talk anyone from school into going with me, so I went by myself. Didn't know one soul, except one of my students was there. So, the race/walk began at 3:30 PM and it was a gorgeous afternoon. I had never been up on the sea wall before. I could hear someone walking right behind me and he finally caught up with me. We ended up walking the entire course together as we were walking about the same speed. He was a thirty-eight year old Marine who had recently had back surgery, so I heard all about it and more. I was a good listener. So the gimpy one and the old lady crossed the finish line together, but the important thing was that I made it. Didn't matter that it took me almost an hour to do it. I think my student said that he ran it in 37 minutes.
Took a tour to Daisen Mountain last Saturday with a group from the base. They finally had enough people to allow a bus to depart. It's a national park and a ski area and was just gorgeous. Reminded me of our Yosemite area, kinda, sorta. The colors were breathtaking and the weather cooperated all day except as we were nearing Iwakuni on our return, it started to rain. We left at 5:00 AM and returned at 10:30 PM, so needless to say, it was a long day. Spent nine hours, more or less, on a bus. Did get all of the papers that I took read/corrected, and finished reading a book, plus they showed two videos.
When I first got off the bus, some lady approached me and started asking about my vest, which I had purchased in Taegu, Korea. Come to find out, she's from Taegu and knew of the Buddhist temple/college where I had bought it. She's married to an retired American military man, now working as a civilian, who came along, as did her two sons. She and the two sons made it to the top, but not the overweight retired American. He was struggling at station #1. We didn't play, "Do you know?" as she had been gone too long, but I knew when I looked at her that she didn't look Japanese, nor did her children. Really had a lot of practice with "Konnichiwa" as the hills were alive with MANY people in that area to enjoy the fall colors. Each would speak when passing with a, "Konnichiwa". I acted as a photographer for many climbing the mountain that day.
Many of the group hiked all of the way to the top of the mountain (which isn't as high as Mt. Fuji, but they said was more difficult) which consisted of eight stations. I had no intention of climbing all of the way, but rather, went to station #2 and then headed back and walked around the town. There was a creek that we had to cross, so got my feet a bit wet, and then a pretty temple/shrine was on the other side. I then walked to a ski area which was billed as the largest ski resort in western Japan. Finished off the walk with a big bowl of a Daisen speciality!. can't remember its name, but it was the first thing on the menu and turned out to be good and filling and hot.
Our next stop was at Yonago Hot Springs (Kaike Onsen). Had never experienced one of those in Korea and they were everywhere. Figured that they looked at me strangely enough with my clothes on, so I wasn't about to take them off . Well, here I figured, what the heck!..who really cares? Plus I was tired from sitting on the bus and then walking the town, so I just followed two of the Japanese girls who were on our tour and did what they did. Had to put our shoes in one locker upon entering the door. Then had to put our clothes in a different locker and left wearing only the locker key on a wristband. I tried out all of the different pools until I figured I'd dried out my skin enough. Got dressed and walked to the end of the block to the ocean front. Was a very scenic place, but very quiet with not many people on the streets.
The other night I was invited to the home of one of the teachers who lives on the Japanese economy for dinner. Had a delightful time, but by the time we left, the house was so cold and so was I. I've been told that the insulation is paper thin in the Japanese houses and now I know first hand and it isn't even that cold here yet.
The next night I was invited to the home of our art teacher and his wife for a tea ceremony and dinner. They live just down the street from me, so it was an easy walk. Their house, on the other hand, was toasty warm, like my "Q", as we have insulation. He's been studying the tea ceremony ritual for forty or so years and is quite a master at it. A Japanese lady was the honored guest, so was seated in a special place. I sat next to her and basically tried to copy what she did. It was very informal so we were able to talk and he'd explain what he was doing and what I was suppose to do in response. Well, this went on for about one hour. Then his wife served a delicious dinner. We all sat on the floor the entire night, which was about five hours. He's an American who's been in DoDDS for many years and she's Japanese, born and raised in Tokyo. They lived in Germany for 25 years and raised their family there and just came here to Iwakuni last year. So most of his experience with the tea ceremony was learned while he was in Germany. He performed it that night as it was a full moon which made it extra special. They are both delightful people with so many interests and I came away very energized, even though it was ll:15 PM and way passed my bedtime. Luckily the green tea didn't keep me awake. The special guest was a friend of theirs who's taking lessons in the tea ceremony along with her two daughters. Her husband is a civilian on the base. Once we found out that he was in charge of the commissary, we put in our requests. However, we didn't write them down, but I'm hoping knowing her will perhaps get a few more items on the shelves here. I've requested three items that I could get when I was in Taegu, but because this is a smaller commissary, I've been told that they can't be stocked here. However, we plan to gently request again and this time to the boss.
Anyway, the tea ceremony is a whole different language with very precise movements. I was very impressed and I must admit that the tea was very good. It was green and frothy and you had to slurp it at the end as a cue to let everyone know that you were finished.
Friday, Nov.2, was a teacher's workday, so no students. Spent the day working on report cards as that was the last day of the first quarter. I was given an hour's worth of training on egrades, which is a computer program in which I'm suppose to enter all of my grades. Well, maybe by next quarter's end I'll have it mastered, as it was just too much to take on this first quarter. I was able to enter only three subjects worth of graded work, but I still relied on my paper and pen sheets to make the final averages. I just used the computer printout as a comparison.
Next week, we'll be having parent conferences so no school for the students on Thursday and Friday. Must get busy now and finish one last report card that I've been putting off until I can no longer put it off. I keep putting it down to the bottom of the stack and I'm at the bottom, so now I must face Terricus' report card. It will not be a happy one to fill out for me or for him. But, I just keep telling them that I'm the scorekeeper. I just give back to them what they've given to me. Well, Terricus hasn't given me too much, so we all know what that adds up to be.
Please excuse all of the mistakes.
Marsha Sanger
[JARH__t Note: Other e-mails have followed and have been just as interesting. I placed this one here because it's the start of her adventure in Japan]
Ann (Armstrong) Bauer
[Early Sept, before 9.11 issue....]
This Says it All!!!!
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma School officials remove "God Bless America" signs from school in fear that someone might be offended.
Channel 12 News in Long Island, New York, orders flags removed from the newsroom and red, white, and blue ribbons removed from the lapels of reporters. Why? Management did not want to appear biased and felt that our nations flag might give the appearance that "they lean one way or another".
Berkeley, California bans US Flags from being displayed on city fire trucks because they didn't want to offend anyone in the community.
In an "act of tolerance" the head of the public library at Florida Gulf Coast University ordered all "Proud to be an American" signs removed so as not offend international students.
I, for one, am quite disturbed by these actions of so-called American citizens; and I am tired of this nation worrying about whether or not we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled in New York and Washington, DC when the "political correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others.
I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. In fact, our country's population is almost entirely comprised of descendants of immigrants; however, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some native Americans, need to understand.
First of all, it is not our responsibility to continually try not to offend you in any way. This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language, and our own lifestyle. This culture, called the "American Way" has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. Our forefathers fought, bled and died at places such as Bunker Hill, Antietam, San Juan, Iwo Jima, Normandy, Korea and Vietman.
We speak English.... Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society--learn our language! "In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some off-the-wall, Christan, Right Wing, political slogan--it is our national motto. It is engraved in stone in the House of Representatives in our Capitol and it is printed on our currency. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation; and this is clearly documented throughout our history. If it is appropriate for our motto to be inscribed in the halls of our highest level of Government, then it is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools.
God is in our pledge, our National Anthem....
We are proud of our heritage and those who have so honorably defended our freedoms. We celebrate Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Flag Day. We have parades, picnics, and barbecues where we proudly wave our flag. As an American, I have the right to wave my flag, sing my national anthem, quote my national motto, and cite my pledge whenever and wherever I choose....
Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion about our government, culture, or society....
[Please help me to keep this list of E-MAILs updated]
Lost contact [e-mail has changed, I've made an error in entry, they've changed servers] with:
Mary Bell Venerable
Delores Bribaudo Cooper
Joseph Eastman
Bernice Enzi Hanger
Charmaine Flor Cruz
Fred Frothinger
Chalres Gronroos
Jacquelyn Hesi
David Johnson
Kenneth Lambert
Mileata Lerza Morton
Joyce Leventini Saco
Shirley Mock Loving
Dale Kretzer
Robert Okamura
Cheryl Reutter Nitschke
Gary Seibel
Ronald Suess
Mike Sulivan
Sharon Sumstand Williams
Elvira Thornsberry (Williams)
William Tomita
Dexter Volbrecht
Mack Whipple
Janet Woehl Franco
Kathy Youdall Burlinson
