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Gerald Shutman

Many thanks to Modie, Clay, Phil and everyone who helped put the reunion together. It was really great to see old friends and meet some new ones, including Barry, Randy, Joe, Ron, Katy, Pam, Marc, Mike, Camay, Margo, Miriam, Bill, Pauline and more. There were others I would have liked to see, I hope you see this and are doing well. 

As to words of wisdom, I've always relied on a variation from the great bard Stephen Stills, "... be with the one you love, love the one you're with."

Gary Hesse

Our senior year in high school was a most unusual year with the politics going on around us, Viet Nam those of us going on 18 having to deal with, and more.  I wish that I would have had more tools with which to deal with life, but hey, we were 17 or 18 years old and trying to enjoy our last year of high school and trying to figure out our next step – college?

Anyway, there was an incident of voter fraud in our senior year which transpired in the ‘election’ of the homecoming court.  The boys who served on the boys league commission had the responsibility to interview and then vote on which girls would be chosen.  They were interviewed and then judged on approximately 10 different things – poise, etc.  10 categories with 10 points each – 100 points possible for each candidate.  It was a good approach, but popularity did play significantly.

Stan Lazarian was the boys’ league commissioner; I was his assistant (having lost the election to Stan).  The evening after the interviews we met at Stan’s house up in Sierra Madre Villa and counted the votes.  We tallied the votes, added them up for each interviewee, and then divided by the number of ballots.  The top scores decided the homecoming court and the highest score was the homecoming queen.  10 of us then paired up and went to the homes of the homecoming court princesses and queen to congratulate them.

Well, there was one interviewee who was not popular with 3 of the judges, and they gave her zeroes in every category.  At the time we were not experienced enough to trash those ballots and divide the tallied score by 3 less.  So, 50 years later, I would like to apologize to Ahme Sawicki – she should have been on the homecoming court.  This has bugged me for 50 years and I wish we would have handled the matter differently, but the most things we had voted on up until that time was class elections – most of us were not experienced to deal with something like this although there were three who unfortunately were (in a sinister way).

That evening Tom Barnes and I went to the home of Becky Furman to congratulate her on being chosen as one of the homecoming princesses.  It was fun – I had been in parochial school (grades 1-3) with Becky then reconnected with her in high school!  Rest in peace Becky.

Anyway, I wanted to get this off my chest – it wasn’t a topic for a reunion, but I wanted to let go of it and now was a good a time as any!  Time to focus on that 55^th reunion cruise!

Keith Anvick

Ok, to answer my own question about Life Affecting Words of Wisdom - "Social Security is meant to be supplemental income in the retirement years".

When we graduated from PHS, I got a real summer job to help pay for college education.  I received my first paycheck and was surprised at the deductions of Income Tax and Social Security.   So I went to the Sierra Madre Public Library and investigated Social Security and Income Tax.   The first thing I learned about Social Security was "Social Security is meant to be supplemental income in the retirement years".   

I forgot about that statement until years later when my girl friend (now wife) and I were living together in San Jose and our tax situation was becomming too complicated for us to handle.  So we went to a CPA to calculate our taxes.   He informed us of our tax liability, however if we each invested in an Individual Retriement Account (IRA) that we could legally reduce our tax liability.   We began to realize that we were not as immortal as we use to be so we followed our CPA's recommendation.  Every year after that we invested money for retirement to "supplement" Social Security.   Through the years we also learned a lot about how businesses really operate, the stock market, and investing.  

In 2013 we moved from California to Washington State (the Portland, Ore. region) because our income was declining living and working in the Silicon Valley.   (We also discovered a fact of life in High Tech - Youth is far more important than Knowledge & Experience.)   After a couple months living in Washington, we realized that we didn't need to work if we adopted a financially conservative lifestyle and actively managed our investments.

I had always thought I'd "retire" between 68 - 70.  Little did I know that that assupmtion would be wrong because of an afternoon at the Sierra Madre Public Library.

Kenneth (Ken) Marschall

Thanks, Gary, for the interesting story/confession.  Good to get that off your chest.  Sadly, voter fraud (even by adults), mostly registration fraud, is alive and well and tolerated in the U.S.  I continue to find it inexplicable that we have to show proof of identity to, say, borrow a library book but not for something as important as voting.  That’s apparently “violating someone’s civil rights.”  Unbelievable.

< I got a kick out of those classmates who pulled me aside to tell me they were no longer Republicans! >

We’ll see what happens in the Nov. election.  The latest polls show Trump’s popularity rising, currently at the very same percentage as Obama’s at this point in his first term.  With every vicious, vulgar attack and threat against the First Family or those who support the administration’s goals, more people are moving to the right.  If the left keeps it up, they’re assuring a reelection in 2020.

Joe Silver (Silver)

Gee , I didn't know being a Liberal in this great country is wrong, and since when is this forum to be used for politics. We all seemed to have a great time  at our High Scholl Reunion.

Kenneth (Ken) Marschall

I wouldn’t want this forum to turn into a political debate either, but Laurie “got a kick” out of mocking Republicans here (since deleted by moderator). Her comment begged a sober response.

Laurie De Vault

 My intent is to express my appreciation and warm feelings for all involved in the reunion. PHS was not a happy place for many of us, and I know dozens who are reluctant to come to the reunions because of how they felt back then. I was bullied for being a "commie" and "hippy" but when I confronetd my tormenter at the last reunion and received a heartfelt apology, it really helped. What ultimately matters to me is how we treat each other, not our political views. I have found everyone to be warm and welcoming and I hope we can maintain this feeling of comraderie and civility during these pretty divisive times. 

Barbara Bell (Dwyer)

I’m still coming off the high of the wonderful weekend spent with my classmates. It was fantastic to see so many familiar and not so familiar faces. I just wish there had been more time to catch people spotted across the room who were then gone when you finally got there. Modie, Clay, Anne, Phil and team, thank you for all of your time and work making our 50th such fun. Hopefully we can keep the friendships and “good vibrations” going here and elsewhere until we can meet again. For those who are interested in a cruise for our 55th reunion, it will be awhile before we can come up with anything definite - cruise schedules are usually released about 2.5 years ahead. Thanks again for the great weekend and the great memories!

Rita Vitale (Weir)

I had amazing time at the reunion reconnecting with classmates.  I made it a point at the reunion to reach out and talk to people that I never talked to in high school as I was not very social. It was wonderful to get to know these people. There are not enough words to thank all the people involved who made this reunion fantastic!!  Till the next reunion, I wish everyone love, happiness and good health.

Scott Crowe

What a great reunion, we’re glad we came. Thank-you to the committee & volunteers for all their planning & hard work. A question about the formal photo taken for the memory book on Sat nite—is there a way to purchade a copy? If we were supposed to sign up for it at the time, I guess we missed it!

Keith Anvick

Heck, I'm an Independent and have been offended by both sides for decades.  Get over it guys....

We were raised during a time to respect each other's opinions although we might disagree.  Go back to your fundamental values and don't be personally offended if somebody expresses an opinion that might be different than your own.

Unfortunately we live in a time when the media is preaching intolerance and emotional behavior.  This is not the first time in our nation's history when people were so polarized.  During and after the American Revolution, things were just as bad.  (Read The Federalist Papers by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay. Takes a couple of weeks to read, but a lifetime to understand.  (Available on Amazon))    The second period in American History was the Civil War.

Whenever I travel to other countries and retrun home, I always appreciate more how much we have in spite of our differences.

Mike Baker put it best in his Posting of June 22.   Please go back and read the 4 points he made.....

Keith Anvick

Modie (Martin) Katz

To ALL

PLEASE... let’s keep this Message Forum clear of politics. 

It has been a pleasure to read our classmates backgrounds, adventure and stories. 

If you want to write to an individual classmate, look them up under Classmates on the right hand side bar and have your conversation there. 

Thanks for All of your support in producing a GREAT reunion. Pictures, videos and more will be posted shortly for all to enjoy. 

Kenneth (Ken) Marschall

Laurie, I apologize if I misinterpreted your comment.  It came across to me as a snarky jab at Republicans/conservatives, and I thought I might respond with a few enlightening words.  In rereading my response, I think I overreacted. A lot of us are on edge these days for obvious reasons.  I’ll try to be less sensitive / more careful in the future.

Philip Denslow

Some photos Modie took during the reunion:

Philip Denslow

Classmate Barry Schwam played the Star Trek theme on his Theramin at the reunion!

Click here to see it.

Eloise Fredrickson (Pollock)

Many thanks to each person who contributed their time, efforts and money to the 50th Renunion.   I enjoyed the Saturday night gathering and regretted not attending the other events.  It was quite an amazing feeling to be fifty years post high school graduation!  But the years have been good, and I have experienced God's blessings in so many ways.  My greatest sadness was missing numerous friends at the reunion who have already passed, but it was wonderful to see the vibrancy of those in attendance.  Cheers to the coming years!

Laurie De Vault

Thank you Ken Marschall for your apology. I understand your initial response. It's fine! (I cringe at mean-spirited comments coming from both sides of the political spectrum!). But what's weird now is that my response to you has been edited! Did you notice? It was all there and then it wasn't. The first few sentences in which I explained about the experience of my classmates coming up to me at the reunion have now vanished. I wonder what happened. I hope we don't have someone changing our posts.

Sue Warrick (Eicherly)

I loved hearing about the memories we still cherish! I looked forward to this reunion more than any Other I was at least glad I got to come friday . .  ! Even though I felt horrible . Can’t believe I was so sick . I’m still recovering slowly  3 ER VISITS , 1 urgent care and 3 doctors later and still sick 😷😫😫z guess I did too much before the reunion .>p>

Still working dealing with horrible tenants and somehow managed to get a bad flu!! But wearing my songgirl uniform ( remade ) by  my beautiful friend Anne Haskell made me feel 18 again!!

 I So wanted to talk to more people I trully cared about . Just didn’t have the energy ... but to all of you I knew or didn’t know in high school I’m really glad you came.

Life has gone by too fast . And the wisdom we have now  I wish we had had then . I know my life could have been so different had I just dealt with knowing what love really was .. wish “he” and I could have spoken to each other just to be able to say hello would have been nice . So if you read this Malcolm  hello .. glad your life turned out well .. give Chloe a hug.. Zac Megan and baby Everly and always Tiffany .. . I miss them terribly ... your a good Christian man ... pray for our whole family ... 😢💔

Anne Hassell (Nelson)

My Dear Classmates, What an overwhelmingly great response to our 50^th reunion! Thank you so much for your kind words on our web. I am thrilled when reading all your comments on the PHS site. My big goal was to try to make all our supportive husbands, wives and friends feel welcome, and have as much fun at our reunion as possible, hence name tags for everybody. Thank you for wearing them. I was so happy to see you all enjoying yourselves. You ALL are a great bunch of people and have become GREAT additions to society. I was truly blessed to have gone to school with such a high caliber group of people as you ALL are. I wish I could have talked with more of you. I’m sorry I was so busy, but I enjoyed having some special conversations with so many of you. Thank you to my team. You were fun to work with. God bless you all, and start saving up a little money at a time for the next reunion – hopefully a three-day cruise. That will be a kick!

Laurie De Vault

Could someone please explain who is in charge of this website? I really appreicate all the work that has gone into it, but I'm concerned that someone may be editing our posts. Could Clayton or Modie please explain? I hope we are all equal here, that no one is trying to control us. Our posts should never be changed unless they are profane or personally insulting or totally inappropriate. And, if they are edited, we all need to be informed of such.

My sharing of how classmates came up to me at the reunion to tell me how they are no longer conservatives was not meant to be insulting or mocking. It was an interesting and rather amusing experience that I felt like sharing. Why would someone delete this? We will from time to time write or read something that may be objectionable  (I have read a number of posts that I didn't care for, but would never want to censor that person). If you take offense at someone's post, perhaps you can respond accordingly (privately or in the public forum) or simply ignore it.

I think it's fine for people to discuss whatever they want.... baseball, politics, memories, religion, etc. and to not be censored or controlled (i.e. "stop it"). However, the old saying about not discussing politcs or relgion does have merit!  

As Ken said, we may be too sensitive and a bit on edge these days. These are difficult times, but so was 1968! Anyway, I don't want to feel as if I'm back in high school, being controlled and repressed, restricted from exercising my right to free speech.

We are all adults here and expect to be treated as such.

Keith Anvick

I agree with you 100% Laurie........

Keith

Joe Silver (Silver)

What really surpised me the most, was how much Pasadena has changed over the 50 yrs.; especially the High School. I used to walk from my home on New York Drive and walk down Allen Ave. all the way to Colorado(no bus service then) and walk down one side all the way to Raymond, and back the other side to Allen and back home.  Except for some churches, I recognized NOTHING. I knew my memory was feeble, but  I got lost very quickly driving around town.  Thank you all for the great time Judd, Marc, and Mike, and to the whole comittee for a GREAT time.

Dr. Thomas Barnes, M. D.

Wow! Such an amazing reunion!  Was so great to catch up with so many wonderful, lifelong friends!  Thank you Clay, Modie, Anne and all the other fab classmates who made this possible!  Sarah, Emma B and I look forward to the next get-together!!!    And Mr. Mark C ! Thank you for looking after us as you have for the last 30 years!!!!

Thomas

Thomas Barnes, MD  Newport Beach, CA  

Drthomasbarnes@gmail.com   949 400 4579

Barbara Brandstetter (Ower)

Modie (Martin) Katz

To All, In answer to the questions concerning this web site: Cheryl Osti was the root administrator for most of our past class reunions. I took over that position five years ago and was able to find other classmates from the class of ‘68 to act as web master and administrators. All positions are volunteers. The web site is private and only for those from the Class of 68 and is funded by donations from our classmates. Inappropriate posts can be deleted but to my knowledge only one has been deleted in the past five years and none have been modified. 

This site has worked well in bringing us together for our reunions and meetings and it is an open forum for all classmates to share thier life stories but the purpose has never been a forum to advocate one’s political or religious beliefs.

I asked at our 50th reunion dinner whether there was anyone who wanted this position going forward but received no volunteers.  So Clay and I agreed to do it again because we want to keep this going for the next reunion, when hopefully, new volunteers might step up.

Both Clay and I hope that everyone will “stop” posting things that might offend other classmates whose views might differ from their own and continue to share their life stories.