Archives of the Newspage from 2015
Saturday 12/6/15--
Much of the post-reunion work for our 50th reunion is now complete. All photographs taken by the professional photographer and those contributing classmate shutterbugs have been posted under the Reunion menu of this website under 50th Reunion photos. Full evaluation forms were emailed out to all participants in October and were processed since the Thanksgiving submission deadline. They are now collated, the contributors are anonymous (as promised) and the Full Evaluation Report is available in a PDF format for those who'd like to review it.
Much of the post-reunion work for our 50th reunion is now complete. All photographs taken by the professional photographer and those contributing classmate shutterbugs have been posted under the Reunion menu of this website under 50th Reunion photos. Full evaluation forms were emailed out to all participants in October and were processed since the Thanksgiving submission deadline. They are now collated, the contributors are anonymous (as promised) and the Full Evaluation Report is available in a PDF format for those who'd like to review it.
Monday 9/28/15--
The watershed moment and events culminated this past weekend as Skyline, 1965 Titans celebrated their 50th year since high school graduation. It's a milestone in anyone's life, and fortunately, 44 attended our Friday night no-host event at Plank, 180 came to Sequoyah Country Club on Saturday evening, and 38 came to the Sunday brunch at the Buttercup Grill. There was a lot of visiting going on because we planned it that way. Preliminary reactions are very good, but we will see how that holds up when evaluations are circulated and returned, later this month. Many photos were taken by the pros and by our own crews, and the best of these shots will be posted on this site for all to see.
We extend thanks to those that came from great distances to join us. I'm talking about Mike Stekoll from Alaska, Jim Knudsen from Georgia, and Linda (Sherman) Whitecar from Florida. A special thanks to '65 English teacher June (Stark) Casey, counselor Desmond Casey, and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Adams (he was our band teacher and she taught at another Oakland School). They helped the '65 Titans celebrate, and did a little tripping down memory lane of their own.
An evaluation of reunion events will be circulated to those who attended. The Planning Committee will take the results into consideration to help the next group tackling a future reunion. At this moment, no one can be sure of the date for a next reunion, but if it's gonna happen, you can read about it right here.
The watershed moment and events culminated this past weekend as Skyline, 1965 Titans celebrated their 50th year since high school graduation. It's a milestone in anyone's life, and fortunately, 44 attended our Friday night no-host event at Plank, 180 came to Sequoyah Country Club on Saturday evening, and 38 came to the Sunday brunch at the Buttercup Grill. There was a lot of visiting going on because we planned it that way. Preliminary reactions are very good, but we will see how that holds up when evaluations are circulated and returned, later this month. Many photos were taken by the pros and by our own crews, and the best of these shots will be posted on this site for all to see.
We extend thanks to those that came from great distances to join us. I'm talking about Mike Stekoll from Alaska, Jim Knudsen from Georgia, and Linda (Sherman) Whitecar from Florida. A special thanks to '65 English teacher June (Stark) Casey, counselor Desmond Casey, and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Adams (he was our band teacher and she taught at another Oakland School). They helped the '65 Titans celebrate, and did a little tripping down memory lane of their own.
An evaluation of reunion events will be circulated to those who attended. The Planning Committee will take the results into consideration to help the next group tackling a future reunion. At this moment, no one can be sure of the date for a next reunion, but if it's gonna happen, you can read about it right here.
Saturday 8/8/15--
As a result of the emailed 50th Reunion reminder to all contact addresses today, I received a return message from Beverly Waage (pronounced WAH-gee), the widow of our former classmate Bob Waage. Bob passed away two years ago. This classmate was with me at King Junior High as well as at Skyline, and I spoke to him at length prior to the 45th reunion, which he did not attend. Bob and Bev lived in Paradise (above Chico, CA) and she said they had many happy years together.
As a result of the emailed 50th Reunion reminder to all contact addresses today, I received a return message from Beverly Waage (pronounced WAH-gee), the widow of our former classmate Bob Waage. Bob passed away two years ago. This classmate was with me at King Junior High as well as at Skyline, and I spoke to him at length prior to the 45th reunion, which he did not attend. Bob and Bev lived in Paradise (above Chico, CA) and she said they had many happy years together.
Saturday 4/25/15--
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of visiting with Linda (Avignon) Wikke and her husband Emil Wikke at their home in San Jose. I was in the area to produce a ZeroNetEnergy Seminar at San Jose City College, and had arranged in advance to make the visit. We had a great time exploring each other's lives since our youth, and reviewed some of the history of San Jose. This couple lives in an 1896 Victorian that they admire, and the sense of history is palpable in their neighborhood as we walked to what's locally known as JapanTown, where we had coffee in a nicely converted, vintage corner gas station. Lattes all-around!
I was actually about three years late with this visit. I made a motorcycle road trip back then and had planned to stop in San Jose to see Linda and other classmate Don Hackler, but too much time was chewed up in the Walnut Creek-to-Pleasanton corridor, where a great number of Skyliners now live.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of visiting with Linda (Avignon) Wikke and her husband Emil Wikke at their home in San Jose. I was in the area to produce a ZeroNetEnergy Seminar at San Jose City College, and had arranged in advance to make the visit. We had a great time exploring each other's lives since our youth, and reviewed some of the history of San Jose. This couple lives in an 1896 Victorian that they admire, and the sense of history is palpable in their neighborhood as we walked to what's locally known as JapanTown, where we had coffee in a nicely converted, vintage corner gas station. Lattes all-around!
I was actually about three years late with this visit. I made a motorcycle road trip back then and had planned to stop in San Jose to see Linda and other classmate Don Hackler, but too much time was chewed up in the Walnut Creek-to-Pleasanton corridor, where a great number of Skyliners now live.
Thursday 4/2/15--
We received word that classmate Page Perrin passed away 7/26/13 at the age of 66. After an early retirement, Page followed his passion for hang gliding and moved to Hat Creek Valley in Shasta County. The geography was excellent for hang gliding, and Page was a long-time enthusiast. An informative obituary provides interesting details of his life at: Hat Creek Rim.com
Saturday 3/28/15--
As a result of the bulk mail message for the 50th Reunion that was sent out this morning, I received a Contact Form message from Marian Urton, who lost our classmate Warren Urton, suddenly, last August. In my response, I sent my condolences, and the fact that I remember Warren from Mr. Rockeman's mechanical drawing class. He was a kind fellow and I liked him. Please join me in some good wishes sent his way. May he be with us in spirit in September.
We received word that classmate Page Perrin passed away 7/26/13 at the age of 66. After an early retirement, Page followed his passion for hang gliding and moved to Hat Creek Valley in Shasta County. The geography was excellent for hang gliding, and Page was a long-time enthusiast. An informative obituary provides interesting details of his life at: Hat Creek Rim.com
Saturday 3/28/15--
As a result of the bulk mail message for the 50th Reunion that was sent out this morning, I received a Contact Form message from Marian Urton, who lost our classmate Warren Urton, suddenly, last August. In my response, I sent my condolences, and the fact that I remember Warren from Mr. Rockeman's mechanical drawing class. He was a kind fellow and I liked him. Please join me in some good wishes sent his way. May he be with us in spirit in September.
Saturday 3/14/15--
Lo and Behold! After numerous years of undeliverable emails from an address that went stale, I found Steve Abouaf's phone number today and dialed him up. He's alive and well, and thinking of attending our 50th reunion. We shared stories about what each other's lives had been like, and reviewed what I knew about classmates he was curious about. Now that all his contact information is in place, he won't miss future invitations and emails, and he will visit this website for the first time as a result of our connecting today. It was a very pleasant visit for both of us!
Lo and Behold! After numerous years of undeliverable emails from an address that went stale, I found Steve Abouaf's phone number today and dialed him up. He's alive and well, and thinking of attending our 50th reunion. We shared stories about what each other's lives had been like, and reviewed what I knew about classmates he was curious about. Now that all his contact information is in place, he won't miss future invitations and emails, and he will visit this website for the first time as a result of our connecting today. It was a very pleasant visit for both of us!
Tuesday 3/10/15--
It happened again today. Someone we were never in touch with found this website and wrote in. It was Morag Strong. The first and last names she goes by now are Jennifer Keeth. So, in our records, she'll be listed as Morag [Jennifer] (Strong) Keeth. Sure, that's a mouthful, but the pathway to knowing which classmate is which starts with their original name, as it was in the yearbook. Why? Because that's how we can remember them. The name changes, particularly for the ladies is daunting for your webmaster or any record keeper who wants to stay up-to-date, but the effort will continue.
At least someone we haven't known about for decades is connected with us, once again. Welcome Jennifer! There are now 134 intended who will join us in September. Hopefully Jennifer will be among us, then.
It happened again today. Someone we were never in touch with found this website and wrote in. It was Morag Strong. The first and last names she goes by now are Jennifer Keeth. So, in our records, she'll be listed as Morag [Jennifer] (Strong) Keeth. Sure, that's a mouthful, but the pathway to knowing which classmate is which starts with their original name, as it was in the yearbook. Why? Because that's how we can remember them. The name changes, particularly for the ladies is daunting for your webmaster or any record keeper who wants to stay up-to-date, but the effort will continue.
At least someone we haven't known about for decades is connected with us, once again. Welcome Jennifer! There are now 134 intended who will join us in September. Hopefully Jennifer will be among us, then.
Thursday 3/5/15--
The E-vite messages went out to classmates on 3-3-15, and we bulk mailed to 341 email addresses on file. As expected, a number of them have gone stale, so they were returned (undeliverable). A few of these have been updated, thanks to a still-active phone number in our files, but many were not, and most of those carry no street address that will let us send invite postcards to the "snail mail only" crowd. So unless lost classmates get curious and call the school office to get hooked up to us through this website, they will remain lost and miss a chance to attend the 50th. That's all the more reason for others to select the Find 'em menu (above) and help with our search efforts. The good news remains, and that is we are getting responses from the E-vite, and many have confirmed their intention to attend.
Prices are now posted on the "50th Reunion" page, and payment is being accepted. As of Noon today, there are 131 planning to attend, with 27 "maybes." Get going Titans. The Early Bird pricing expires on June 30th!
The E-vite messages went out to classmates on 3-3-15, and we bulk mailed to 341 email addresses on file. As expected, a number of them have gone stale, so they were returned (undeliverable). A few of these have been updated, thanks to a still-active phone number in our files, but many were not, and most of those carry no street address that will let us send invite postcards to the "snail mail only" crowd. So unless lost classmates get curious and call the school office to get hooked up to us through this website, they will remain lost and miss a chance to attend the 50th. That's all the more reason for others to select the Find 'em menu (above) and help with our search efforts. The good news remains, and that is we are getting responses from the E-vite, and many have confirmed their intention to attend.
Prices are now posted on the "50th Reunion" page, and payment is being accepted. As of Noon today, there are 131 planning to attend, with 27 "maybes." Get going Titans. The Early Bird pricing expires on June 30th!
Wednesday 2/11/15--
Today, the 50th Reunion Planning Committee met by conference call and made progress on your event. The budget is nearly complete, and in our next meeting of 2/25, it will be reviewed once again and formally adopted. Shortly thereafter, our pricing for the reunion event of Saturday 9/26 will be posted here and on the 50th Reunion page of this Web site. Other events on 9/25 and 9/27 will then become the focus of the committee's time.
It is anticipated that once pricing is set, it will be discounted in steps for early purchase. In the past few months, there has been an effort to discern how many classmates might attend the reunion. Additional efforts toward securing this estimate will accompany bulk email updates to those classmates who've kept their contact information fresh with us. Soon, we will also post a list featuring who is planning to attend, and later, who is committed as a result of having bought their ticket(s) in advance.
Today, the 50th Reunion Planning Committee met by conference call and made progress on your event. The budget is nearly complete, and in our next meeting of 2/25, it will be reviewed once again and formally adopted. Shortly thereafter, our pricing for the reunion event of Saturday 9/26 will be posted here and on the 50th Reunion page of this Web site. Other events on 9/25 and 9/27 will then become the focus of the committee's time.
It is anticipated that once pricing is set, it will be discounted in steps for early purchase. In the past few months, there has been an effort to discern how many classmates might attend the reunion. Additional efforts toward securing this estimate will accompany bulk email updates to those classmates who've kept their contact information fresh with us. Soon, we will also post a list featuring who is planning to attend, and later, who is committed as a result of having bought their ticket(s) in advance.
Tuesday 1/6/15--
I was contacted this morning by our classmate Cheryl (Degler) Lloyd, who let me know that our own Jerry Garcez passed away last Sunday in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Jerry’s loved ones were at his hospital bedside. This included his three California resident children by former wife Cheryl. Their post-marriage relationship kept the family close, which as you probably know is more often the exception than the rule. Services will be in Arkansas, and an announcement will soon be made in the Oakland Tribune.
Jerry played JV football with me at Skyline, and only today did I learn that he sustained a serious finger injury that threatened the development of his musical skills with the accordion. Cheryl and Jerry traveled widely with a close-friends band of his that played weddings, family reunions, and assorted other gigs throughout central California, and Cheryl remembers those times fondly. Rest easy, Jerry. We’ll be thinking of you at the 50th.
I was contacted this morning by our classmate Cheryl (Degler) Lloyd, who let me know that our own Jerry Garcez passed away last Sunday in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Jerry’s loved ones were at his hospital bedside. This included his three California resident children by former wife Cheryl. Their post-marriage relationship kept the family close, which as you probably know is more often the exception than the rule. Services will be in Arkansas, and an announcement will soon be made in the Oakland Tribune.
Jerry played JV football with me at Skyline, and only today did I learn that he sustained a serious finger injury that threatened the development of his musical skills with the accordion. Cheryl and Jerry traveled widely with a close-friends band of his that played weddings, family reunions, and assorted other gigs throughout central California, and Cheryl remembers those times fondly. Rest easy, Jerry. We’ll be thinking of you at the 50th.
Monday 1/5/15--
Your webmaster heard by email from never before discovered classmate Gary Seifer, who lives in the North Bay Area and has been missing all this time. This Web site did it's job (again), and when Gary got curious, his search took him here. He and his wife will meet us for our 50th in September.
Your webmaster heard by email from never before discovered classmate Gary Seifer, who lives in the North Bay Area and has been missing all this time. This Web site did it's job (again), and when Gary got curious, his search took him here. He and his wife will meet us for our 50th in September.