Annette Dinolfo Bennett shared this video on FaceBook, and I think it describes all of us in the Class of 1968. How did we ever survive?

Bill loves fishing for FISH these days! He’s on the right with the red shirt.

Bill Reimers, 1968

We had a nice exchange with Burbank High ’68 grad, Bill Reimers today who said that he was a registered nurse for most of his career, with a specialty in anesthesia. For the last two years, though, instead of fishing for veins for drawing blood samples or starting IVs, Bill has a great time fishing and hunting in Utah where he moved to be near his oldest son. He has been retired for two years now and loves not working!

Bill has three adult children: Justin, who is a fireman/paramedic in Utah, and has a five-year-old daughter and infant twins. Another son, Chris, is an engineer in Arkansas, who graduated from Oklahoma State in 2010 and married his college sweetheart, a middle school math teacher. His youngest daughter, Lindsay, is a model and “absolutely gorgeous!!! Looks like her dad in my younger days, sans the beard, of course!” Lindsay just started paramedic school in the Antelope Valley.

Bill’s middle son, Chris and daughter, Lindsay

I remembered that Bill Reimers and Cheryl McNulty were chosen as Class Sweethearts and in fact were briefly married in 1971. Bill called her recently and they talked for quite awhile to catch up. Bill’s second wife, Annette, who was mother to his three kids, died at age 45 of breast cancer. Bill says “Being a parent has been the best and most enjoyable part of my life… and still is.” He was too busy raising the kids to think about remarriage, and “now we are pretty old for starting up a new relationship.”

Thanks so much, Bill, for checking in. We’re so envious that you’re retired!

Bill Reimers’ three children at Yosemite.

Dale Rubin, 1968

We recently heard from our BHS’68 classmate, Dale Rubin, whom you may recall, was the other half of the “Dynamic Duo” team which editorialized in the Burbank Hi-Life student newspaper. You can go back and read that post by clicking here. At that time, I had found Dale’s summary on Linked-In: Dale has been engaged in the private practice of criminal defense work in the Los Angeles area for almost 38 years. He is experienced in capital defense work in both state and federal court and has been qualified as “learned counsel” by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Dale has tried over 100 murder trials. He is a member of the United States District Court, Central District of California, Criminal Justice Appointments Panel. The Law offices of Dale Rubin provides aggressive advocacy on behalf of our clients. 

Dale, in a recent picture on Facebook

Dale said that after law school, he backpacked around Europe by himself for a year. His 38-year old law practice specializes in death penalty defense work and he is highly respected by his colleagues. He has been awarded with an AV Preeminate Rating, meaning that he has received the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards reflecting the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and Judiciary. He also received a special recognition award from the California Public Defenders Association in April 2005 when he served as lead counsel for the Thomas Goldstein state court defense team. He provided “remarkable and unyielding application of legal skills to assist Mr. Goldstein, an innocent man who spent over two decades in prison for a crime he did not commit and in setting free this innocent man.” The case even appeared in The New York Times, which you can read by clicking here, “Wrongly Convicted Man Gets $7.95 Million Settlement.”

One of Dale’s colleagues wrote: Dale is an exceptional lawyer with great courtroom skills. He is accomplished in both State and Federal Courts. He treats his clients with courtesy and dignity

Dale has been married for almost 30 years. He met his wife in the old Van Nuys Superior Court where she was working as a student worker during college. They have four wonderful children, two boys and two girls. The three oldest are college graduates and working, while the youngest is a senior in high school and will be starting college in the fall. Then he and his wife will officially become empty-nesters! Dale says, “OMG, I become the only child!” Dale doesn’t plan on retiring for another four or five years.

Thanks so much, Dale, for taking the time to write. Dale adds, “I honestly hope that no one we went to high school with will ever require my services!”

By the way, if you want to go back and re-read any of the other posts on this blog, click Archives in the masthead. And keep those cards and letters coming!

Norm Sabin, 1968

I guess it was my story about criminal defense attorney, Dale Rubin “Our own Perry Mason,” that prompted another attorney in our Burbank High Class of 1968 to write —  it was so good to hear from Norm Sabin! Norm is presently living in Chattanooga, TN and is an estate planning attorney.

But law wasn’t Norm’s first or even second career. After spending four years in the Air Force (including one year in Thailand during the Vietnam War), Norm became a Systems Engineer, and worked for 12 years for IBM, Control Data and Storage Technology, finishing with Integrity Solutions as Vice-President of Marketing.

In the 80s during the economic downturn in Colorado, he went through a bankruptcy and ended up back in the Air Force reserves, flying C141s. He also flew for World Airways for about four years and had “numerous adventures including several inflight emergencies.”

In 1991, he went to law school at the age of 40, and graduated in 1994. The first fourteen years of his law career were spent as a litigator, first in insurance defense, and then doing plaintiff’s work. He formed Sabin & Associates 5-1/2 years ago and specializes in estate planning and elder law. His company helps families preserve their wealth during and after their lifetime, including wills and living trusts, legacy planning, family-owned businesses and farms, incapacity planning, IRA and retirement planning. He even addresses estate planning for the LGBT community and their unique needs, as well as protection for beloved family pets!

Proud parents, Norm and Pat Sabin, with daughter Daris

But it was the story on his company’s website that caught my eye — “Attorney Sabin Presents Daughter to the Tennessee Supreme Court,” In this story in the Hamilton County Herald, Norm got choked up when he presented his daughter, Daris Freeman, for acceptance to the state bar. “The realization of what she’d accomplished overwhelmed me,” says Sabin, who’s seated with his daughter in his 4th Avenue office, where his estate planning and elder law practice is based. “She’s done well. For the last four years, she’s been working 50 to 60 hours a week at … [Unum] while going to law school, which involved traveling back and forth between here and Nashville two or three times a week. And she graduated in the top ten percent of her class. When you put all of that together, it’s awesome.” Go back and read this well-written story by David Laprad by clicking here.

Norm and his wife, Pat, have three children, Daris, Kelsey, and Zachary, and two grandchildren. He says he doesn’t plan to retire until probably “48 hours before my funeral!” 

Guess that’s going to be a l-o-n-g time from now!

I’ve known Norm Sabin from KINDERGARTEN days! Can you find him in this picture? Click to enlarge. *Hint: look in the back row

Graham Young, music teacher at John Muir Jr Hi Burbank

Okay, Burbank High Class of 1968, I know it’s been a LONG time since high school graduation, and memories are fuzzy, but think back to junior high, and things are even more obscure. It was Don Ray (aka Don Ripley), BHS’67, who started the conversation about Mr. Graham Young, the chorus and stage band teacher at John Muir Junior High. Twenty years ago, Don found out that Mr. Young had retired from teaching to pursue a career as a studio musician. He had apparently played the trumpet in the Dixieland band at Disneyland. Don asked whether he had done anything for TV or the movies, and Mr. Young replied, “Do you ever watch The Waltons? That’s me playing the trumpet at the start of each show.” Don said that at the time he spoke with him, he was retired and playing once a week on the Queen Mary. “What a great guy. What an inspiration.”

But that’s not all. A search on allmusic.com credits Graham Young with 106 recorded performances on trumpet, guitar, cornet, flugelhorn and bass for such leading musicians such as Henry Mancini, Roy Eldridge, Tex Beneke, Anita O’Day, Captain and Tennille, and Gene Krupa. And he also played for the 1975 Robert Redford movie, “The Great Waldo Pepper.”

24K Gold Trumpet Mouthpiece, E4 Graham Young

There is even a Graham Young mouthpiece for the trumpet, which undoubtedly is named after the John Muir teacher! Check out this website, which says that “Graham Young played with Henry Mancini’s orchestra, Gene Krupa, and Roy Eldridge, among many others.”

It’s Mr. Young’s influence as a teacher, though, that made the most lasting impression and played an important role into molding us into the people we are.  James Hill (aka Junior Hill), a professional jazz trumpeter, wrote that “while attending John Muir Junior High School in Burbank, California, I had the good fortune of having Graham Young as the director of the stage band. Without a doubt, it was because of Graham Young and the natural talent that I was born with, that has made music and trumpet playing my life-long passion.”

Another studio musician, Larry Brown, who has worked with everyone from Etta James, Tower of Power and Andy Williams to Willie Nelson, George Harrison and Kenny Rogers, said that one of his biggest influences happened at John Muir. “I’ve also got to give a thumbs-up to some of my teachers when I was a kid. A guy named Graham Young was my junior high school teacher, who was an amazing trumpet player and studio musician here in L.A. But he still found the time to teach junior high school, and his love of music and that excitement that he instilled in me back then has always hung in there.”

Linda Duffendack Oxley (BHS’67) wrote: Graham Young was my musical inspiration to move forward in my life in choral music. He had a long and extensive list of credits in the professional film, television, movie and band world. Yet his passion was teaching young persons to live and love music! In addition to all those named above he also was Henry Mancini’s first call whenever Mancini toured or recorded. You can hear him on many Mancini’s famous tunes. In 1989 I hired him and he put together a small dance band for my parents 50th wedding anniversary party. It was great fun because the big band era was his and my parents favorite styles of music. Also in the 80’s he played Easter services for me a couple of years when I was directing at Westwood Methodist Church. It was a classical gig and he certainly could to do that equally as well as swing band! We had a lot of fun with the student now director and teacher relationship on those mornings. He was a great musician and a wonderful person. Terrific memories! Thank you!

’64 Muir Music Directors and Accompanists. I posted this photo previously and found myself second from the left. To my right is Marilyn Williams (BHS’67). On my left is Kenda Vaughan. To the far right are Linda Duffendack and Cheryl Boyd.

I’m sorry to say that I don’t think I ever took either mixed chorus or girls chorus while at John Muir, even though I have spent the last 48 years accompanying rehearsals with choirs of all kinds. However, I do remember that Mr. Young’s choirs and the stage band at John Muir were outstanding. Another of his former students, Jolene Firgens, asks, “Does anyone remember in choir when we sang ‘Moon River’ before it was ever released? Thanks to his (Mr. Young’s) friend, Henry Mancini.”

’64 John Muir Mixed Chorus

’64 John Muir Girls Chorus

I found a University of Michigan School of Music alumni newsletter (1977) in which Graham Young wrote about himself (Master of Music, 1951): “living in Burbank, CA and extensively involved in recording, movies and television, has played for such movies as Jaws, King Kong, and the Towering Inferno, and T.V. shows “Emergency,” “The Bionic Woman,” and “Raid on Entebbe.” He also works with Henry Mancini.”

Cathy Palmer (BHS’67) also wrote a blog, “The Legacy of Mr Graham Young, Music Director at John Muir Jr High.”

The Shopping Bag store on Glenoaks. Photo from the Burbankia website.

Rex England 1968

If you have a SUPER memory, you might recall that the Shopping Bag store was on the corner of Glenoaks and Irving, and near Currie’s Ice Cream and J Scott Drugs. And if you happened to have gone into the store in 1967, you might have had Rex England bag up your groceries for you. Rex started out as a bagger in the Burbank store, then became a meatcutter. In addition to working for the Burbank stores, he also worked at the Glendale, Sunland and La Crescenta stores before he moved to Grass Valley, CA (near Sacramento) in 1978. The Shopping Bag grocery chain was acquired by Von’s in 1960, and at that time it was their sixth largest competitor. The merger was challenged by the FTC on antitrust grounds, and the chain was eventually sold to Fisher Foods. Read the whole story here.

Rex England is retired and enjoys the outdoors.

Rex continued as a meat cutter at the Lucky Supermarkets in Grass Valley for three years, then in 1981 he went to work for a family-owned market that has the old-style meat market with over the counter service. He retired in 2003, where he now enjoys the outdoors with his wife, Lynn — skiing, hiking, white-water rafting, jeeping and cycling. Most of all, Rex and Lynn have enjoyed their numerous dogs over the last forty years of marriage.

Rex’s wife, Lynn, just retired after 36 years in the local medical community. Rex writes that they have been married since 1974 and that Lynn was a 1968 graduate of Villa Park High School in Orange County. They never had children but have always shared their home with two or three rescue dogs.

Thanks for writing, Rex! It was great to hear from you!

Jeremiah Clarke, 1674-1707

I work in a school, K through grade 12, and just finished playing my last service for the school year. During last Sunday’s Baccalaureate, I couldn’t help but think back to Burbank High’s Class of 1968 Baccalaureate forty-six years ago at the Starlight Bowl. I’m sure that no one except me remembers it! Because, you see, for me it was a nightmare!

As you may recall, I was sitting at the organ and supposed to play processional music. I played Jeremiah Clarke’s “Trumpet Tune,” for the processional and his “Trumpet Voluntary” for the recessional. No problem there–these pieces are used a lot for weddings and other grand occasions and I had practiced them well.

The problem is that each of the pieces only lasts three minutes or so. Now, do you remember how many kids were in our class? Over six hundred, and I had only brought the “Trumpet Tune” to get everyone in and the “Trumpet Voluntary” for everyone to march out. Which meant that I played each of the pieces over, and over, and over, and over . . . I think I lost count of the repetitions after about thirty or so, and I started flubbing up. A missed note here, and a missed note there. STOP THE WORLD! I WANT TO GET OFF!

I felt like I was running an uphill battle! Do you remember the story of Sisyphus? In case you’ve forgotten Greek mythology (and I dare say that most of us have!), Sisyphus was punished for his deceitfulness, and required to push a large boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down. Repeat, and never stop.

Forty-six years later, I know better, and bring several pieces of music in related keys to play for long processions, whether they be graduating students or shy brides.

Class of 1968, do you have any memories of Baccalaureate that you would like to share? Use the Contact Us form above or send email and/or pictures to burbankhigh1968@gmail.com.

Anyway, here is a version of the piece as played by Gregory Pierson:

And here is the Trumpet Voluntary, also known as “The Prince of Denmark’s March.”

Candidates for Prom Queen and Prom King from Burbank High School, 1968. (L-R) Susie Meyers, Kathy Musson, Mindy Poe, Claudia Babbe. Back row: Jim Gustad, Greg Horton, Bob Reitherman and Pat Sullivan. Don’t they all look gorgeous?!

We’ve come to the end of the school year where many seniors are involved with graduation activities and going to proms. If you look up “Prom” in Wikipedia, you’ll find this:

In the United States, and increasingly in the United Kingdom and Canada, prom (short for promenade)[1] is a semi-formal (black tie) dance or gathering of high school students. This event is typically held near the end of the senior year (i.e., the last year of high school). Prom figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students. High school juniors attending the prom may call it “junior prom” while high-school seniors may call it “senior prom” or “senior ball”. In practice, this event may be a combined junior/senior dance.

Betsey Nash wore the same dress to two events!

At prom, a Prom Queen and Prom King may be revealed. These are honorary titles awarded to students elected in a school-wide vote prior to the prom, and seniors are usually awarded these titles. Juniors may also be honored, but would be called “Prom Prince” or “Prom Princess.” Other students may be honored with inclusion in a “Prom Court.” The selection method for Prom Court is similar to that of Homecoming Queen/Princess, King, and Court. Inclusion in a Prom Court may be a reflection of popularity of those students elected and their level of participation in school activities, such as clubs or sports.[3][4] The Prom Queen and Prom King may be given crowns to wear. Members of the Prom Court may be given sashes to wear and photographed together.

Those of you who are on FaceBook know that a few weeks ago, several pictures from Burbank High’s proms were posted. Betsey Nash admitted to wearing the same dress to the prom and to another event, then passed the dress on to her niece’s friend twenty years later!

Jan DeJaegher and Neil Hershenson.

Jan DeJaegher also sent a prom picture (1965) with herself and Neal Steven Hershenson.

Class of 1968, if you still have your prom pictures, won’t you share them with the rest of our class? Send pictures to burbankhigh1968@gmail.com with a description as to who is in the picture.

And it’s summer vacation, which means it’s time for travel. Please send vacation photos for our “Signs of Burbank High Grads All Over The Universe” feature!

I also found a picture of Donna Canzoneri and John Wray which was posted by their daughter on FaceBook.

Michael Katzman’s new book

Our classmate, Michael Katzman, is now a published author of the book, 47 and Not Married: What Am I Going to Tell My Wife?, now available on Amazon. Click here for the link. Here’s the official synopsis:

Rationally believing that his dreams were far out of reach, he settled for an ordinary timeline: Finish high school, go to college, work in family retail business, and get married. It was a plan to settle in early and easy. It didn’t go that way.

As the years went on, his timeline swerved in ways he had never imagined, eluding the settled life he believed he would just fall into. Every strategy to get back on track–wife, kids, backyard barbecues–led to unexpected adventures, narrow escapes, and professional success. However, when he reached the age of forty-seven and still unmarried, he became obsessed that he had numerous bizarre personal habits to hide. How was he going to explain this to his wife?

If you look at a previous post in this blog, you’ll recall that Mike, along with Dale Rubin, were part of the Dynamic Duo of the Burbank Hi-Life newspaper which wrote a satire column each issue. From the author’s bio: For most of his life Michael Katzman just went with the flow. Believing that he was destined to work in the family retail clothing business, he never considered that he would return to college, become a teacher, computer programmer, data analyst, technology consultant, and expert in the field of standardized testing prep. Having given up becoming a writer in college, he would later edit hundreds of college essays, write motivational school programs and speeches, win grants, and compose documentation for schools. His motivational theatrical productions were seen by tens of thousands of students in the Los Angeles area. He lives in various locales in California.

One of Mike’s students gave the book five stars, and says: “Now it makes sense — this was my English teacher from 10th grade: Do you have a teacher that you just cannot forget? This guy is one of those for me. I had Mr. Katzman as my English teacher in ’82 and ’84. This is the story that he never told in class. Mr. Katzman has a way of telling a good story. It’s easy reading, it’s like watching a narrated movie. Images are vivid, you can feel the heartache and you just want to root for the underdog! If you ever wondered what teachers did after school, read it here. I will never be able to think of Mr. Katzman same way again :). ps If you think my grammar or spelling is bad, blame Mr. Katzman.

Dale says: “Michael tells me there is a very familiar character in chapter 5. Let’s all support him and buy his book!”

Cheryl McNulty, 1968

Some of us have been fortunate enough to be married to our soulmates, which have been defined as:

A person with whom you have an immediate connection the moment you meet — a connection so strong that you are drawn to them in a way you have never experienced before. As this connection develops over time, you experience a love so deep, strong and complex, that you begin to doubt that you have ever truly loved anyone prior. Your soulmate understands and connects with you in every way and on every level, which brings a sense of peace, calmness and happiness when you are around them. (Urban Dictionary)

Cheryl McNulty Hall — doesn’t she look great!

When asked what she’s been up to for the last 45 years, Cheryl McNulty Hall answered: OMG that is scary! It’s hard to believe it’s been that long!

She has been married to her soul mate and love of her life for 39 years this November. They live on the beach in Channel Islands (Oxnard area) and love it.

When she graduated from college, she went to work for a dentist and was the office manager for 14 years. That’s where she met her husband, Hugh. He was the sales rep for a dental company. They moved to the beach and she went to work as a sales rep for a title company for the last 27 years until the market crash a few years ago. So she had her real estate license for the past 30 years and that’s what she’s doing and has never looked back!

Daughter Heather and son-in-law Cole Ganser 

They have a daughter, Heather, who graduated from USC in 2005. (Yay, another fellow USC grad!) She got a scholarship to the Marshall School of Business where she graduated and that’s where she met her husband. They are both in sales and live in Ventura about 7 miles away. (That’s where my son lives!) They don’t have any grandkids yet but are working on it with a trip to Italy!

Daughter Heather and son-in-law Cole in Italy for vacation.

Cheryl is still fortunate enough to have both her parents and they live in Summerland on 13 acres which they got after we all graduated from Burbank High.

Cheryl just got back from a vacation in Mammoth where they took an RV and went camping and fishing.

Cheryl and husband, Hugh, love fishing.

Keep those cards and letters coming!

(And thank you all for your words of condolence and sympathy on the August 28th passing of my husband Carl Crosier, who was also my soul mate for 37 years.)

Election season has come and gone — people complain that the political ads dominate the airwaves for too long, but for a political junkie like me, I love it all: the ads, the debates, and the commentary. And two newly-elected officials are from Burbank High!

One of our BHS’68 classmates, Steve Raine, has just been elected to the City Council of Coalinga, CA and the husband of another classmate, Gene Hernandez (married to Louise Good Hernandez) is the new mayor of Yorba Linda, CA! These two good men will prove that it’s not politics as usual!

Steve Raine, Coalinga City Council member

I was curious about their campaigns, and here’s what I found on a FaceBook page for Steve Raine. He writes:

Steve Raine, 1968

Coalinga Needs Raine. The strengths of my City Council campaign are comprised of OUR strengths. We need to “COME TOGETHER, COALINGA.” Our power and effectiveness is in our unity, our sharing, our trusting and relying upon one another. This does not mean we need to think alike. It does mean we need to listen to, and respect, what others think. It has been my privilege, in various settings and situations, to see people with very different opinions come together. Through admiration and appreciation for one another, they have crafted a new “solution” or “answer” that was an improvement over either original suggestion. Together, with all Coalingans, our future is bright, our future is promising. Together, with all our citizens, we can make a difference.

Coalinga has a complete festival for the horned toad.

If you’d like to read more about Steve on this blog, you can click here. Steve’s town, Coalinga, CA is located 10 miles west of Fresno where “Key community events include the Annual Horned Toad Derby,  Annual 4^th of July Fireworks Display, and Wham-O-Bass Hot Air Balloon Festival.” Being especially interested in finding out more about the Annual Horned Toad Derby :-), I see that they even have a Horned Toad Derby Parade and a Horned Toad Derby Queen and Princess contest!

Gene Hernandez, mayor of Yorba Linda

Louise Good Hernandez

As you may recall, at the 45th class reunion I sat at the same table as Louise Good Hernandez and her husband, Gene. Check out my post on Louise, “Groovy Grandma!”

Here’s what I found on Gene’s campaign: Mayor  Hernandez was born and raised in Burbank, California, and is a third generation Californian. Mayor Hernandez received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Administration of Criminal Justice from San Jose State University and his Masters of Science Degree in Management from Cal Poly, Pomona.  He is a graduate of Class 15 of the California POST Command College and Class 154 of the F.B.I. National Academy.  Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez entered law enforcement as a police officer with the City of Fullerton in 1972.  He transferred to the Orange Police Department in 1975 and attained the rank of Captain, with his last assignment being the Administrative Division Commander. Other assignments included: Detective, Motor Officer, SWAT Team Member and Team Leader, Accident Investigator and Project Manager for the then new Orange Police Facility.  In 1998, he assumed the Chief of Police position with the City of Chino and held that position until his retirement in December of 2006.  Before and since retirement, Mayor Hernandez has become actively involved in community and professional services.   Mayor Hernandez has been married for 43 years to wife, Louise, and has three children, four grandchildren, and all reside in the City of Yorba Linda.  Mayor Hernandez is a 27 year resident of Yorba Linda and his passion is hands-on community volunteerism and world humanitarian travel. You can check out the complete biography here.

Gene Hernandez BHS’67

Yorba Linda is in Orange County whose most famous resident was President Richard Nixon, and where the Nixon library is located. According to Wikipedia, Yorba Linda has been identified as one of the richest cities in the U.S. by the U.S. Census Bureau, which shows a median household income of $121,075, higher than any other city in 2006. One of the unique things about Yorba Linda is the fact that it does not have its own police department — the City of Brea provides police services for both cities.

Congratulations to Steve and Gene!

The Mighty Class of ’68!

This photo was posted to FaceBook recently, and it reminded me that I need to get back to writing this blog this year. Many, many thanks to all of you who sent condolences and messages of sympathy to me in the death of my husband, Carl Crosier, whom some of you met at the 45th Class Reunion. I’m afraid I have been inundated with projects ever since, and haven’t had time to get to the class blog.

Here are the names of classmates who were identified in the photo: Cheryl McNulty, Mike Zook, Mindy Poe, Cindy Drucker, Karen Parrish, Larry Klassen,  Sally Paquette, Betty Jo Toth, Roxanne Lewis, Robin Neklia, George Parsons and Marilyn Kasper. Hey, if any of you in the picture could write and let us know what you’re up to or what were the circumstances of the photo, please do! Post your comments below or email me.

Gail Hanson Carman

Say, I just heard from Gail Hanson Carman who writes, “Hi Kathy, I think I’m in that photo, green outfit with a black fireman hat on….sure looks like me and I remember going to NBC for the photo shoot but don’t remember all the details so it certainly might be me.” Gail says that she’s been living in Orlando, FL for the past 19 years, and works part-time with “Visit Orlando” as a convention assistant. She is able to meet many, many people from all over the world since Orlando hosts many international conventions. Gail also volunteers at a local hospital and is enjoying part-time retirement. Her husband, Ron, is working part-time at Hollywood Studios, one of the parks at Disney World. Lucky for Gail and Ron, they live so close to the theme parks and enjoy them frequently! They also have a son, 34, who is living in Boston and works in an engineering firm. you might remember that I wrote about Gail in this post: “Frolicking in Florida“.

Gail continues,

Steve Raine, pastor turned politician!

Steve Raine, 1968

Steve Raine said: ’68 was a Great class…! I’m proud to be part of it. Speaking of Steve, here is his “official” photo as a new Council member in the city of Coalinga, CA. If you would like to read about more of our classmates’ role in politics, see my post “Politics as usual…NOT!”

Send me news of your adventures, children, grandchildren, job changes, retirements, etc. You can email me by clicking the link.

Greg Sanders, 1968

Last fall, Jim Ranshaw and his lovely wife, Patti, came to Honolulu on a cruise and they had just visited with BHS’68 grad Greg Sanders on the island of Lana’i. You may remember that Greg wrote this previously: I live on the island of Lana’i where my wife Sharie and I are the mental health providers for the whole population of 3000 or so. We love it here even though we are very busy and isolated, hence I won’t be at the reunion. I got a call from Jim Ranshaw out of the blue and that got me thinking about Burbank Hi and I found the webpage. So, aloha to everybody and feel free to email me anytime with news of the folks. I haven’t been back to Burbank in decades so I’m sure lots have happened, unlike here. The arrival of our baby goat made the newspaper…with a photo!

In fact, Dr. Greg writes a monthly advice column for the local newspaper, “Ask Dr. Greg” and Jim brought me a copy. I was happy to see that the free newspaper, Lanai Today,  is available online, so you can easily find the latest article from January 2015 which I am posting here.

Dr. Greg Sanders’ latest column

In case you want to know where the island of Lana’i is, check out this map and website: “The whole island of Lanai is relatively undeveloped. There are about 30 miles of paved road, no stoplights, one airport, and one city.” My husband and I stayed at the luxurious Lodge at Koele twice and absolutely loved it!

See the island of Lanai on this map of the Hawaiian Islands. Most people (including myself), live on O’ahu.

Greg Sanders teaches oil painting as well as being an artist in his own right.

But what I was really intrigued with was that Greg is also an artist!

Dr. Greg Sanders, Lanai High Behavioral Health Specialist serves as one of the drawing and painting mentors. He is currently teaching oil painting to four students meet him after school several days per week.“We like Dr. Greg because he tells us jokes, but he never laughs at his own jokes,” said one of Sander’s mentees who didn’t want to give his name. “Oh and he’s also a good painter himself. Oh, and he’s always on time and is always there, no matter what. And he likes the pictures we paint.”

Here are some samples of Greg’s artwork. At the Lanai Art Center, you can see a more complete gallery of Greg’s work by clicking here.

Hey, all you other Burbank High grads who live in Hawaii, (and there are quite a few!) please send us your news!

Roger Baton rides his sweet 15-year-old horse, Belle, a registered Kentucky mountain horse. He says anybody could ride her because “she’s very forgiving of human stupidity!”

Roger Baton, 1968

How many of you remember learning about Daniel Boone and Boonesboro Fort in elementary school? BHS’68 grad Roger Baton does! He never would have guessed that one day he would actually be living in Daniel Boone country, let alone be living just down the road from Old Fort Boonesboro, Kentucky.

Roger and Marilyn Baton. Marilyn was in the Class of 1968 at John Burroughs.

He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, then earned a Master’s in Sociology in addition to graduating from nursing school. “I did a lot of time in higher education. Looking back I would have saved time and money if I’d just settled on nursing first!” Roger retired in 2011as a nurse from the Department of Veterans Affairs, is married, has two sons, four daughters, and ten grandchildren.

Roger writes: This is beautiful country here in the bluegrass state but I must admit that I have yet to see any blue grass. It’s just green like everywhere else. I live two miles out of town on a small five acre farm where we have a couple of horses and a bunch of dogs and cats. Used to manage a three hundred acre farm outside Winchester a few miles raising hay, cattle, and horses and even boarded a few horses for friends. When I retired I decided to downsize my activities and my little farm keeps me busy enough to suit me.

Roger says that Kentucky is truly the thoroughbred horse capital of the world. He wishes all of you could see the extravagant thoroughbred horse farms out there. “Those horses have it better than most people!” He says: “You class of ’68 men remember to treat your wives like a thoroughbred. It will keep her from becoming a nag!” (A little Kentucky humor!)

Oil Painting by Roger Baton of BHS’68 grad, Tony Young.

Tony Young, 1968

Roger has also taken up oil painting, mostly of horses, and shared this work (right) which depicts BHS’68 grad Tony Young. (Roger, since you painted his backside, this could be anybody!) Roger and Tony rode horseback into Zion National Park in 2013, and apparently Roger rode behind him, which is how he remembers the trip!

Another one of Roger’s projects of which he is most proud is that he bought an old beat-up horse buggy last spring and fixed it up. Check out the Before and After pictures below.

Before

After

“I’m saddened every time I hear of the passing of one of our classmates but we know that sooner or later our number is up. Personally, I find joy in the thought that this life is only temporary and that we will all see each other once more. My best to each and every one of you. Happy Trails, Y’all!”

Thanks for writing, Roger and for all the great pictures! It was good to reconnect after all these years!

“We grew up together,” says Roger Baton of the classmates in this picture.

Roger Baton was kind enough to send this picture taken in 1998 after the 30th Class Reunion. In case you can’t recognize these folks, here is an ID list:  (L-R) Tony Young, Robyn Pickett (John Burroughs class of ’68), Craig Smith, Roger Baton, Bill McMurrin, Bill Cushenberry, Craig Weber, and Wendy Manning.

Roger says, “We had our own reunion beforehand and had a great time.  It’s interesting to see pictures of them today and how much older we all look!”

Well, Roger, here’s how most of us remember these folks!

Tony Young

Craig Smith

Roger Baton

Bill McMurrin

Bill Cushenberry

Craig Weber

Wendy Manning

No, they haven’t changed a bit!

Here’s another more recent photo, taken in St. George, Utah, in July 2013. In case you’re wondering, Craig Smith is an optometrist (still working), Roger Baton is a retired nurse, Bill McMurrin is still working as an architect, and Tony Young is a retired high school coach. Roger says, “Less hair for a couple of us and Snow White for Tony!”

Craig Smith, Roger Baton, Bill McMurrin and Tony Young, July 2013

Roger wrote that he and Bill McMurrin and Tony Young try to get together each summer for a week of trail riding in Zion National Park.  Bill has a cabin in the mountains bordering Zion National Park and according to Roger, he is a wonderful host, providing everything including the horses. “All we have to do is show up and Bill takes care of us.”

They will be getting together the last week of June this year and will be joined by BHS class of 1969 graduate Ray Cannon.  “We usually sit on the cabin front porch every evening and walk down memory lane talking about all the things we did when we were young boys growing up in Burbank.  We never get tired of it.”  Says Bill McMurrin: “We need to do this as long as possible cause we aren’t getting any younger!”  “I love these guys with all my heart,” Roger quips.

Thanks for sharing the photos, and Class of ’68, keep those notes and pictures coming!

The premiere of All Star Blitz, the game show which launched the Hernandez’ future!

Louise Good Hernandez

Is it luck, skill, or knowledge of trivia which helps game contestants win? Maybe it’s a combination of all three, but in any case, Louise Good Hernandez says it was her husband Gene’s appearance on the short-lived game show, All Star Blitz which enabled them to put a down payment on the house they still live in. The show aired on ABC from April to December 1985, with competition from The Price is Right and Family Feud. Peter Marshall was the host.

Louise Good, 1968

Louise writes: Our first daughter was born in 1970 and our son was born in 1972.  Our youngest daughter was born in 1985.  My husband, Gene (1967 BHS grad), took a few weeks off from work at that time and tried out for a game show—All Star Blitz. He won cash, a trip to Las Vegas and the Pocono Mountains, plus a bedroom set.  We used the cash ($20,000) as a down payment on the house we still live in.  That amount of money wouldn’t get anyone too much in real estate these days!  

On the show in which Gene appeared, he remembered that the stars were Barbara Eden, Dennis Weaver, Nancy Dussault, and Charles Nelson Reilly. Gene won by identifying the phrase, “A Stickler for Detail” in a puzzle.

“It really was fate that Gene even had the time to go to Hollywood for the taping…and that he even agreed to do it.  I have to thank my sister, Margaret, for talking him into it,” Louise continues. “Gene was a short-lived contestant on Concentration, too, without a win.  Our family was on Family Feud back in the late 80s—without a win but having had so much fun.  It’s tough being under pressure.”

Real lions — no cages!

Meanwhile, Louise is retired as a self-employed medical transcriber, and she and Gene took the trip of their lives in 2014 with safaris to Botswana. “We are both retired and spend 65% of our time volunteering for non-profit organizations (Yorba Linda Woman’s Club, YMCA, Rotary, Church, etc.)  We love to travel and went on safaris in Botswana in 2014.  That trip was probably the most exciting of our travel experiences.  

Yes, the animals were THIS close!

“We stayed at three camps in Botswana —Duba Plains, Abu and Mambo Camp.  Our rooms were raised canvas tents with all the bells and whistles of a five star hotel.  By no means was this considered “camping.”  HA HA!  We started our day with a wake-up call at 6:30 a.m. and ended at 10 p.m. —no WiFi, just good old-fashioned fun!  To see nature in the raw was incredible.  We ended the trip in Cape Town.”

This camp was similar to the one Louise and Gene went to:

Camping, indeed!

Petting a baby elephant

Safari transportation

More wildlife.

With many of us in the Burbank High Class of 1968 born in the year 1950, it’s now 2015 which means that we will be turning 65 and eligible for Medicare! Can you believe it! Seems like only yesterday we were standing on the stage at the Starlight Bowl with our whole lives ahead of us. And now what many of us are looking forward to is a change of lifestyle, RETIREMENT!

Jackie Casimano, 1968

Jackie (Lena) Casimano

Jackie (Lena) Casimano wrote, “I’ll bet many of our classmates will be retiring this year. That’s really something to celebrate! After a lifetime career of teaching middle school art (at Kamehameha Schools in Makawao, Maui), I too, will be retiring at the end of May. I will  sell my upcountry home and move to the Bay Area to be near my older daughter and family. Really looking forward to it!”

Steven Lester

Our classmate, Steven Lester, whom I wrote about in 2012, (“From one of the quietest people“) says he is now semi-retired and ready for retirement.  “Because of a non-job injury and the stresses of driving a bus for twenty-five years, I can no longer meet the standards of a CDL medical exam, requiring me to go on a FMLA sick list.  I am finding life without labor strangely satisfying.  In November, I will be retired outright, so this period is a learning trial for that time in the future.  I’m ready for it beyond any doubt at all.”

Jan DeJaegher, 1968

Jan DeJaegher

Jan DeJaegher, however, took early retirement and now lives in Illinois (see my post, “Retired and loving it!“) and responded to Steven’s Facebook post: “You can get social security at 62. I did. It’s the best. I live within my means, and have NO debt. The Midwest is extremely friendly to all, and you can even check out a fishing pole from the library to go play Tom Sawyer if you wish. Come visit me in Quincy. I’ll have you volunteering at the Quincy Community Theater in no time.”

Mary Bozeman, 1968

Mary Bozeman Ellerbeck

We also heard from Mary Bozeman Ellerbeck who says she’s retired, and whose favorite hobby is wildlife photography. She thinks the best place to vacation, though, is Colorado — Estes Park, to be specific. Mary has been widowed for nine years and recently started seeing her husband’s best friend whom she has known for 30 years. She has one daughter and one granddaughter.

Maybe Mary should team up with retired classmate, Louise Good Hernandez, who went on a safari last year! See my post, “It started with a game show!”

Anyone else retired? How about writing to tell us what you do with your time?

And guess who else will be retiring! Oui, c’est moi! Yes, your blogmaster will be joining the ranks of the leisure class at the end of this school year, and can devote even more time to this and other blogs!

Spanish Club, Latin Club, Health Careers Club, Camera Club, Writer’s Club . . . these were just a few of the many clubs Burbank High students could join to pursue further interests.

But now, nearly forty-seven years after graduation, there is one club that several of us never wanted to join, and yet find ourselves members: The Widows Club. Some of you may have heard that I’m the newest member (I think) — with the death of my husband, Carl Crosier last August. Among other Burbank High Class of 1968 members that I am aware of are Sallie Shelton Thomas (her husband, classmate John Thomas died June 4, 2013); Roxanne Leko Lewis (her husband Thomas Lewis died October 12, 2013), and Mary Bozeman Ellerbeck. 

Mary Bozeman, 1968

Mary Bozeman Ellerbeck

It all started with Mary filling out the Contact Us form at the top of the page. She is now retired from being an office manager in a medical office. Mary said she and her husband, Lenny “Doc” Ellerbeck were married twenty-five years, but it’s been nine years since she became a widow. They lived in Omaha, NE where “Doc” was a loan officer and collection manager at a local credit union until he died of a massive heart attack.

“We ended up having a large funeral for Doc as his sister-in-law’s Mother passed a couple days before he did so the entire family was in town . . . the small family affair we had planned turned into a large gathering. It was beautiful, with his favorite music and lots of family speaking.”

She went into a deep depression after he passed and was just going through the motions, until her sister suggested that they move to Colorado. They moved to Loveland, about 20 minutes from Estes Park, where Mary got into photography and filming wild elk. After a couple years, though, she moved back to Nebraska to be with her family.

Lenny “Doc” Ellerbeck

Mary had some very insightful words on the grief process: “When you suffer a loss as we have, it is like a huge hole in your heart with rough jagged edges like shards of glass and it even hurts to breathe.  Over time the jagged edges smooth over like pebbles in a mountain stream.  The hole is always there but the pain is less and you can actually breathe again. . .  just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you will find your balance again. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to work through your grief. You have a right to be sad or angry — we all work through it in our own way.”

Mary Bozeman’s daughter and son-in-law.

Thankfully, Maryʻs daughter, Shelly, moved in with her for a year so they had each other to lean on. Shelly is now married to a wonderful man who thinks of Mary as his own mom, and Mary now has a beautiful granddaughter, Liberty. The best news is that Mary’s husband’s best friend of 30 years, Gary, came to the funeral — and the three of them (Mary, her daughter, Shelly, and Gary) went back to Colorado to spread “Doc’s” ashes.

Mary’s granddaughter, Liberty

“Gary and I had been in touch all these years and although I went on some dates, none had any spark. Well, last spring Gary came to visit me here in Nebraska (he now lives in Phoenix), and lo and behold, there were sparks! It seemed kind of natural as we had known each other for 30 years, and after much soul searching and discussion, we decided to give the relationship a try. So far, so good, even though it is a long-distance relationship for now.”

Are there any other members of The Widows/Widowers Club in the Burbank High Class of 1968? If so, please write so that we can support each other.

The last post I wrote on joining the Widows Club must really have struck a chord. We heard from three other people, so far, who have unwittingly “joined the club”: Jodi Tillotson Huddleston, Bill Reimers and Henny Golnick (wife of BHS’68 grad, Roger Golnick), and you can see their comments by clicking here: “A club we never wanted to join.”

Louise Good Hernandez, while not a widow, sent along the link to an excellent article by Lauren Shaw. Lauren is in fact the niece of BHS’68 grad Jan Wahler Hill (who promises to write soon!) I am reposting the entire article here, because reading it may be of comfort to anyone going through the grief process or in need of encouragement of any kind.

Without apology.

I am pretty sure that I cried every day for most of my first year of graduate school. Well, maybe I took off a few Saturdays and vacation days.

It was a lonely and difficult season of life, and I shed a lot of tears.  I cried many, many of those tears by myself. I cried in the shower and I cried in the car. And, when I did cry in the company of others, I apologized, embarrassed of the hot tears that dared escape in the company of another. 

I am definitely not alone in how I handled those tears. Since those days I have met many people who only cry alone. And, if they happen to cry in front of others, they are sure to apologize. I wonder why we apologize for our tears. Why do we feel ashamed and embarrassed by this honest expression of emotion?

I am sure that there are many reasons why we hold back our tears and apologize when we let them escape. I think perhaps we forget the message of the tears. Tears tell us something. People cry because something matters to them. This is why a mother cries when holding her baby for the first time, why a young person cries when they experience heart break. It’s why we cry at weddings and funerals, when we fight, and when we are afraid. It’s been said that there are six core emotions: happy, sad, angry, scared, excited, and tender. I have seen people cry when experiencing each of these emotions. The tears tell us that something is happening in our hearts, and that always matters.

Some people argue that sometimes they just cry; it’s not a big deal. Or, they cry over a “little thing” and apologize because the trigger for the tears does not seem to merit crying over. But the tears are still telling us something important. They are telling us that something is happening in our hearts that needs attention. If something is happening in your heart, it is crucial to attend to it. Imagine yourself tearing up because you cannot find your shoe. Normally this would not even phase you, and so you brush the tears away, look for the shoe, and go on with your day. Later the cashier at the store will not accept the merchandise you want to return. Once again, the tears threaten. Once again you hold them in, and start to label yourself as “overly emotional” or “dramatic.”

Choosing to restrain your tears while standing at the Customer Service desk at WalMart is probably a good idea. Dismissing these tears is not. These tears are an indication that something is happening in your heart. Perhaps they serve as a reminder that you are in the middle of a difficult emotional time; maybe you are grieving a loss or anxious about an upcoming transition. Or maybe nothing of great magnitude is happening, but you are feeling overwhelmed with life and physically exhausted. Either way, something is going on in your heart, something you need to pay attention to, understand, and respond to.

Another reason that I see people apologize for tears is that they fear the response of others. What if their tears make someone else uncomfortable? What if their friend does not know how to handle the tears? What if people think they are being overdramatic, or label them as needy? And these are real risks. However, there are also real risks in closing off your heart and choosing not to share what is going on. If you hole up, isolate, and hide your true self and true emotions, you may find yourself locked up in a prison of your own making. If you shut off your tears often enough, they will stop flowing, and your heart will harden. This is no way to live. You can only claim responsibility for your own choices, actions, and judgments. You can choose to live with an honest and vulnerable integrity, risking judgment because you believe that intimacy and community are worth the risks. 

There are many, many reasons why people hold in their tears and apologize for them. And I know that there are times when holding in tears is the wisest, best decision. There is a time and a place for everything. 

Yes, for everything, even tears. Letting those tears fall and sharing them with someone else can lead to healing. It can show us how to care for and nurture our own hearts and the hearts of those we love. It can deepen relationship and lead to encouragement and hope. So the next time the tears threaten like a thundercloud and the time and place feel worth the risk, take it. Let the tears fall without apology.

By Lauren Shaw, Ph.D.

Phil Dionysius, 1968

We just learned about the death of our Burbank High ’68 classmate, Phil Dionysius, who died on March 26, 2015 in Firestone, CO. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Phil is survived by his wife Jodie, four children, brother, sister, niece, and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Esther Dionysius.

Phil died in Firestone, Colorado.

Phil served in the U.S. Army and did one tour in Vietnam. He also was stationed in Germany and was in the reserves, being honorably discharged in 1985. He moved to Colorado with his family in 1979. He was married to his wife, Dana from 1969-1993 and they had four children together. He married his current wife, Jodie, in 1993. He loved his family and friends and his love for animals was beautiful. He will be greatly missed.

If you have any remembrances of Phil to share, please write them in the comments section below. You can also leave condolence messages for his family at this link.