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Message Forum
| 12/17/10 03:06 PM |
#48
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Manuel Avila
I agree with Debbie! And if I cannot have good health then let my Alzheimers kick in so I do not know any better!
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| 12/23/10 05:11 PM |
#49
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Kathy Bermudez Forcum
Merry Christmas to everyone. Love you all and may we have the best New Year ever. Thinking of you all at the holidays and hope it's a good one for you. Love Kathy
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| 01/31/11 11:03 AM |
#50
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Manuel Avila
Happy New Year everone! Been chaecking out the site to see if anyone is writing. Nothing new from me. The family is in good health even with the flu rearing its ugly head. Debbie Mungia Knowles had a foot operation and is doing well. Talked to her on the phone couple of days after and she sounded well. Have to get over to see her.
Left my beard on after camp in October. Looks grey! I will keep it on for awhile even though it makes me look older than I already look. About the only upside is I do not have to shave as often. Not that I shaved everyday. Cannot hold a job so I do not have to look pretty for anyone.
Keep in touch, Manuel
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| 02/01/11 04:16 PM |
#51
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John Davies
Thanks for the note Manny. I hope Debbie is getting back on her feet after the "repair". I have been waiting for updates from everyone. Went to Key West for a few days....tipped a couple of brewskis at the Hemingway bar (Sloppy Joe's) in honor of the times we all read Hemingway literature in Mrs. Ganzfried's eighth grade reading class....seems like only yesterday!! Hope everyone is well, Happy New Year, and hope to get a few of our classmates to chime in every now and then. Take care.....John
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| 02/03/11 05:26 PM |
#52
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Debbie Munguia Knowles
Happy Belated New Year to everyone. Finally had surgery on my right foot last Thursday. It was originally scheduled for March and September 2010 but my parents were hospitalized both months it was scheduled so I had to cancel. My dad passed away October 28, 2010 and my mom is hanging in there. My daughter and grandchildren are visiting from Alaska to help me out while I'm off my feet. I need to have surgery on my left foot as well but at this point, I'm rethinking that one.
The reunion committee will be meeting soon to start planning the "60th". The committee agreed to keep the website for another year. We hope to start hearing from everyone...let us know what your plans are for the new year.
Keep in touch everyone!
Debbie
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| 02/28/11 05:08 PM |
#53
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Manuel Avila
Deanna has a birthday coming up so all of us "older" classmates should wish her a joyous time on her special day. Do something silly so that when the day seems cold and dreary, whatever day that may be, you can at least think of the silly act and have a good chuckle. Sometimes I laugh out loud and have tears streaming down my face at some of the "stuff" I have done. And no I will not tell you guys!
Manuel
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| 03/07/11 10:47 AM |
#54
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Manuel Avila
First of all, Happy birthday to Dave E. Have a good one big guy. By the way, I was to note at the Reunion you have finally come out of your shell. Good talking to you. Now, I wish someone else would make some comments on this message forum because I am sick of looking at my tired old face. I might have to change the picture!
Manuel
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| 04/04/11 12:30 PM |
#55
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John Davies
Hey everyone!! I see a whole bunch of birthdays are coming and going. I am mystified that everyone says they are 59.....probably a misprint....we are only 39 now aren't we??? It's been awhile since I logged on to this site. I was hoping for a few more stories from our younger days...surely there are some left to be told!! I remember in 5th grade in Mr. Johnston's class, he took a few of the guys in class to Crystal Cave somewhere over around the Greenhorn mountain area. I remember Larry M and I were part of it. We rode in Mr. Johnston's Corvair Monza. I think there were 5 of us kids. I don't know how we all got into that "car". We survived the trip. And there were the purported eraser throwing incidents in Mr. O'Donnell's 7th grade science classes, although I don't actually remember seeing anything.....we must've been one of the well-behaved classes! And Coach Dorrington smoking his pipe during PE in junior high school. And Mr. Wipf getting mad at Tom Booth and I for putting a golf ball in the sink drain in the science lab, and then filling the sink with water. I don't know how they ever got the ball out of that drain. It was a perfect fit!! All this falls under the category of good clean entertainment....doesn't it??!! Take care everyone, and let's slow down on the birthdays just a little...I'm starting to feel old!!!
-John
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| 04/30/11 11:47 AM |
#56
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Manuel Avila
Glad to hear from someone else on the site! I used to think that 59 was old until I arrived at this exalted age. Now I know I was right! We took my granddaughter to Disneyland on April 28th. First of all, I told my daughter my granddaughter would not remember going because she is too young. I did not tell my daughter I would not remember because I was too old! I forgot to take my Motrin so by the end of the day al my joints were aching, old football injuries, and I was wishing for a wheelchair. I did not get one because they are for old people. But I made it!
Mr. O’Donnell did throw erasers in class because I remember one “winging” past me in 7th grade at Tompkins. I had my head down until it went by. Do not remember the recipient.
A non classroom “episode” I somewhat remember is when a few of kids were riding in a convertible car. It was at night and we were heading towards the high school on “D” Street. We were at Mojave Street and had to slow for the dip in the road. Kathy Bermudez started to slide out so I grabbed her to keep her in the car. Now, I may be totally wrong about the story but Kathy will have to set me straight. I do not remember who was driving or who else was in the car. Maybe I was just dreaming about Kathy.
I do agree with John about getting more stories into the site.
Manuel
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| 05/06/11 03:06 PM |
#57
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John Davies
Manuel, now that you have mentioned Kathy Bermudez, I have a Kathy Bermudez story. When we were in 3rd grade, going to the old Catholic School over on Mill Street, there was this kid named Clinton Bates (he must've moved while we were still in elementary school, because I don't remember him after 3rd grade). He could run like the wind. He would challenge anyone to a race anytime, and he always won....until one day, when Kathy apparently grew tired of watching these events go on endlessly. She stepped up to Clinton and said something like "Hey Dude, would you mind if I challenged you to a race, even though I am just a little girl!!" Well, OK, maybe she didn't say it exactly like that!! Anyway Clinton took her up on the challenge. The races always started next to the sidewalk outside the classrooms, and went probably 50 yards across the playground where you had to touch a fence, then come back to the starting point. OK, OK, I'll get to the point.....Kathy beat him by at least 2 yards!!!!!! She was forever my "hero" after that!!! A day that will live forever in my mind..........
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| 06/12/11 11:17 AM |
#58
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Manuel Avila
Living on Acacia Ct. for awhile, I have a couple of Kathy stories but I will hold onto them for blackmail. I was talking to someone about the old days and started thinking about the families that lived in the area. There were the Avila's, Douglas's, Bermudez's, two Vasquez families, Hawkins's, Sander's, Yearton's, Summy's, Gilliland's, Hammon's, Redelsperger's, and Melton's. Most of the kids were our age or younger. Rick Davis lived up the street but still in the neighborhood. We move later to Fir St. up by Tompkins and lived two houses from Marvin Williams. Those were good times then.
Manuel
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| 07/03/11 02:22 AM |
#59
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Kathy Bermudez Forcum
O.K. guys, thanks for the Kathy's stories. Manuel, yes it was a good neighborhood and I'm so greatful to have the kind of childhood that we all shared. We were a close bunch of kids and I feel that we still are. Everyone take care and see you soon. Love Kathy
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| 07/14/11 09:56 AM |
#60
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John Davies
Manuel and Kathy.....You both make me a little homesick, even though I haven't lived there since high school. Even though I live in Florida now, and have lived in Bakersfield and LA and Sacramento, it seems that my real heart still lives in Tehachapi. I lived on Valley Blvd, and hung around A street with the Anthony's, McLaughlin's, Johnson's, Carter's, Sausman's, Johnston's, Ganzfried's, Ramos's, Davis's and probably others. I guess I would cringe to know who is no longer with us, but I still smile when I think of the comraderie and closeness of all those families and all those kids. What an awesome experience that was. Am I getting old when I start thinking like this??? Well, no matter, it was great and I still enjoy thinking back on those days. I did have a great time last year driving around town when we were there for the reunion and reminiscing about those times. Many things have changed, but many things are still pretty much as they were. I did see a couple of gray-headed people that looked a lot like some kids I knew back in the 60's!!! Imagine that!! Anyway, thanks for the the thoughts that joggled my last few good brain cells and brought back some great memories. Take care.....
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| 08/12/11 10:26 AM |
#61
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Steve Helms
Thank you Manual & Rick for the Birthday wishes....
I did have a great Vacation 4300 miles on my Harley... We went to Canada this year... Beautiful relaxing ride...
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| 08/16/11 10:05 AM |
#62
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Manuel Avila
Steve, you traveled quite a lot of miles. You need to describe more of what you saw and did, especially in Canada. That is a drive and trip most of will not make any time soon.
Happy birthday to Carolyn Kirkendoll Johnson. The years keep on rolling on! One feature of getting old is I can go back and read the short bio's of our classmates and be inspired and entertained again and again because I forget after a few months!
The end of summer is coming upon us soon and school here in Tehachapi will be starting within a week or so. I remember, long term memory, when it started after Labor Day. Times change.
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| 09/12/11 08:06 AM |
#63
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John Davies
I am hearing all sorts of news reports back here in Florida about the wildfires in Bear Valley and Stallion Springs. It sounds really serious. I don't remember who lived around those areas, except for Kent and Janette. I hope everyone is OK. Maybe someone can give us all an update. In the meantime, please take care and be safe......John
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| 10/30/11 12:06 PM |
#64
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Manuel Avila
Back from my stay in the mountains. Noticed Susan Gilliland-Close is celebrating a birthday and I hope it is a joyous celebration!
While I was in the mountains, two giant sequoia redwood trees fell down in an area called "Trail of 100 Giants" about 40 miles above Kernville. It was caught by tourists on film and no one was injured. This happened 4 miles from our camp. A group of us went to view the trees when the trail was reopened. Big trees! The two were side by side and even though they are lightening blasted on top, they are 150-200 feet long. If you are into looking at something older than us, it is a nice ride up the canyon and into the mountains. Steve H., it is a nice motorcycle ride too.
John, you wanted to know about the fires in Tehachapi. From what I heard and saw, they were not threatening in any manner. We were downtown celebrating Octoberfest when they started. We drove home and watched the flames crest the mountain west of Golden Hills. The wind was blowing from East to West and it started to rain so I was never worried about the fire coming down the mountain. It was a little excitement for the area though. There were fifty lightening strikes in Kern County that day and a couple of those spread and burned for a few days. Mother Nature doing some Fall cleaning.
I will quit rambling for now. I agree with John in that we need more people to make comments whether they be good, bad or indifferent to keep in contact. I noted a couple more of our classmates have been added to the "Memoriam" page of our site. Take care.
Manuel
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| 11/22/11 12:01 PM |
#65
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John Davies
Manuel, thanks for the update. The tall trees in the tall mountains of California don't exist in Florida. Our tallest "mountain" is less than 300 feet in elevation, and although we have pines and oaks, the tallest of them is probably less than 100 feet tall. Those big trees in the Sierras are majestic. I love standing next to them. One thing I've noticed about this country is that great history is mostly in the eastern half of the country, and the great geography is mostly in the west. I should have paid more attention to those classes in school.
It's hard to imagine it's been 48 years ago today that the Kennedy assassination took place. We were all in 6th grade. We were witnesses to a monumental piece of history, one that none of us will ever forget.
I don't know why I thought of this, but does anyone remember Nelson Roulette, the head janitor when we were in high school? That guy could work circles around anyone I've ever known. He was pretty amazing!! There goes my mind again, searching useless memory banks in my head, coming up with strange stuff. Old age apparently brings on these types of things!! Huh, oh there's those voices again, oh never mind, uh, ok.........
Another year is almost "in the books". I hope everyone is healthy and happy and enjoying life. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.....John
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| 12/22/11 10:26 AM |
#66
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Manuel Avila
John,
Sometimes different thoughts pop into my head also. If I sit still long enough they float away like the seeds of a dandelion. Like those seeds, they will pop up again at a different time and place!
I too remember Nelson. I cannot remember him ever saying anything but he hustled around the campus. For his sake and ours, I was glad "our" school was inside, not exposed like the new high school. I think the winters were colder and wetter way back then
I just read where Marlynne joined the ranks of the unemployed. Good for her! Larry Morphis also retired a few months ago. We have also had a few classmates quietly celebrate another passing year.
Had a "newcomer" ask why the light poles at the football field were placed the way they were. Told him I did not know. They were placed after I left and before I came back. I told him, we played on Saturday mornings in the Desert Inyo League. The only night games I remember were against Paraclete.
Merry Christmas to all!
Manuel
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| 12/22/11 01:12 PM |
#67
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Debbie Munguia Knowles
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you. I pray the coming year brings us all good health and happiness.
Sad to say this past year we heard of classmates passing away as well as parents of classmates. I for one lost my dad last October 28, 2010 and Marlynne and John lost their mother this past year. My condolences to all.
If everyone is still interested in the 60th, please let the reunion committe know. Hopefully the committee will meet after the first of the year to start planning, if there's enough interest. Are we really going to be 60? Ouch! Some have already tunred 60 and we know who you are. Ha Ha
Merry Christmas!
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| 01/16/12 01:51 AM |
#68
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Tom Thompson
Regarding Nelson Rowlett, even though my family moved to Inyokern after 6th grade, we used to visit several times a year. I remember Nelson, his wife Pauline and their daughter Trudy because I lived across the street from them in the Ashe Tract on Brett Street. Althought I haven't notice too many names from the Ashe Tract, I know they are out there somewhere. Anyway, thanks for the sparking of a memory from not so long ago.
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| 01/19/12 08:21 AM |
#69
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John Davies
I would be very happy to attend the 60th birthday reunion.....come and get me! I'll be the old guy sitting on the park bench feeding the pigeons!! Manuel, you mentioned the Desert Inyo League. I heard it has changed a lot since we were in school. I still remember (I think!) the teams were Tehachapi, Mojave, Paraclete, Boron, Desert, Rosamond, Bishop, Lone Pine, Kern Valley and Trona. Were there others? Do you remember the baseball and football fields at Trona were 100% sand? There are probably laws against that sort of thing nowadays, huh? We did have it pretty tough, I mean, with the deal of having to walk 7 miles to school, uphill, in the snow, and then do the same thing in the afternoon, and the trip was still uphill!! Yeah, those were real kids in those days, not these little computer game footballers of today Well, at least that's our story, right!!??
I hope everyone had a nice Christmas and New Year. It's 2012!!! The last thing I remember was 1968, sitting in Mrs. Christiansen's German class next to Chris Cote and Rick Davis. "Wie gehts? Was ist den los?" Where did all those years go??? Wow!! Well, anyway, good health and happiness to everyone and hope to see you all this summer.....John
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| 01/31/12 10:04 PM |
#70
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Kathy Bermudez Forcum
Hi everyone, I"m ready for our 60th. Happy New year and hope everyone had a good Christmas. Sorry to hear about Katie. I would of like to have seen her before she passed. It's like we're here one day and gone tomorrow. It's sad and I want you to know I love you all. I'm glad that we got to share our childhood together and a chance to see each other grow. Well , enough of that . To many great day ahead 60 to 70. Love you all Kathy
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| 02/03/12 07:04 PM |
#71
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DeAnna Gassaway Brooks
Happy belated New Year!
I have enjoyed finally taking a little time off here in Arizona and have so enjoyed looking at everybody's pictures and messages. I feel so sad about the classmates that have died... Katie especially hit my heart!!! She was the first one I met when my mom moved back to Tehachapi and married her high school sweetheart. I was around 4 years old and my sister Suzie was 2.
I plan on attending our 60th birthday bash if it is still on. Let me know if I can do anything to help with graphics, etc.
My two grandsons, Eljah and Tobias are excited they are going to have a baby sister in March named Taleah.
I am heading back to Newport Beach and hopefully I won't be such a work-a-holic anymore.
Love you all and can't wait to catch up!
DeAnna
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| 02/07/12 11:04 AM |
#72
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John Davies
It is so sad to hear of Katie's passing. Yolanda, that was a beautiful message you left on her memoriam. Yes, it seemed like a standard phrase "Katie and Yolanda". There was definitely a special bond there, like sisters. I remember when I was in first grade and I was not able to make the swing go back and forth. Katie showed me how to make it happen. She was my dance partner in 3rd grade in Mrs. McElrath's class....although I apparently didn't retain much as far as dancing goes! Yes, Katie was intertwined in all of our lives for so many years.....lucky for us!! Yes, life will go on, but there is a piece that will be forever missing. Katie, if you can somehow see and hear us, thank you for the wonder and blessings you brought to all of us!!
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