Ecommerce Hosting

'54  "The Luckiest Generation"

Bruce & Mariellen Staller  Co-Editors…email your stories, pics and comments to mumarm54@gmail.com

MAD’54 for Feb 1, 2012…

Welcome to the page that celebrates the lives of the unbeatable, best ever class to graduate from Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte High, the Class of 1954.

Mariellen, Cherub and I hope that you all had the merriest of Christmases and wish you all a New Year filled with good health, happiness and fond memories to serve your next quarter century.

 

I modestly regret that we have not updated this page more frequently but (you knew a “but” was coming, didn’t you?)  I was one of 1700 members of the Screen Actors Guild chosen to be on the SAG Awards Nominating Committee.  This meant I spent a good part of my spare time watching “screeners” of much of the 2011 movies/tv shows.   There were 15 nominations to make in the various categories by late November.  Then the entire SAG membership voted and you saw the SAG Awards Show on Sunday a little over a week ago.  Hope you saw it and enjoyed it.  And be sure to see The Help and The Descendents and…..

But all this movie and tv stuff interfered with my reading.  I had started  The Clan Of The Cave Bear , a novel  by Jean M. Auel published in 1980. 

This is the first of a series of six books called Earth’s Children which take place during the Ice Age in Europe about 25,000 years ago.  Yesterday, I finished the fourth one, The Plains of Passage.  Ms. Auel’s novels are history, archaeology, human evolution, sex, herbs and rock  roll, psychology, romance, geography, weather, etc wrapped into compelling stories about “real” people by a brilliant writer.

 

And then my vision was impaired.  The other cataract had to go.  The operation was a success.  I saw my surgeon today and received a clean bill of health.  20/20 both eyes.  Wow.  Now I can go back to doing the webpage.

MHS Football Flash!!!

After winning its second CIF sectional title in a row, Monrovia scores again.  Defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy was the top pick of the Bruins to go to UCLA next year!  Congrats big guy.

Now, sadly, we report the passing of Tony Saccoman on 1/14/2012.  Tony had a thirty year career with GTE.  Duarte residents, Tony and Roberta’56 would have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on 1/28/2012.  Roberta’s family owned Johnson’s Music on Myrtle where we all bought our Swing 78’s.  It’s still there, now run by another Monrovia family, the Collins.  Tony leaves behind two children and four grandchildren. Condolences to Roberta and family at rsaccoman@yahoo.com .  If you have any memories of Tony you like to publish here email them to Mariellen. 

Tony Saccoman and Don Polifka at our Double Tree Friday Night 55^th Reunion Cocktail Party on October2, 2009.

Only In Duarte Is Truth in Advertising Carried to Such An Extreme… No, this is not Dr. Bob Huntington’s old office.  And it is just a car rental agency next door.  But is there more here than meets the tooth?   A little collusion perhaps? “Free Caddie for a week with every root canal.”  Perhaps not, but in the end we Duarteans are fortunate that it’s not a proctologist’s office.

 

Chuck Sihler Wins Big In Vegas.  Receives the Coveted George Warren Fuller Award from the American Water Works Association at It’s Annual Fall Conference. Congrats to Chuck at sihler1@verizon.net .

You asked me to briefly state what went through my mind upon getting the award, as I sat w/wife, Jan, at our Keynote luncheon,  After a few opening comments our visiting dignitary from AWWA was introduced. to present the George Warren Fuller Award.  As the AWWA [American Water Works Association] Vice President, visiting our Section annual fall conference, spoke about the George Warren Fuller Award, to let our attendees know what a "big Deal" it is accompanied by wide screen Photos of the man,  concluding with a request "will all Previous Fuller awardees come to the front of the stage", I was quietly telling Jan that these are the true leaders of AWWA - the backbone of the section, naming them as they came up - all people that I hold as friends.

 

After flashing lights and a musical flourish, I heard him say will Charles -[Rushing through my mind as to which Chuck or Charles might be receiving the Honor from the section] I glanced up & saw - - MY PICTURE! projected on the screens where Mr. Fullers pictures had been, moments before!.  I rose to hear the balance of my name and slowly proceeded to the stage, crying like a baby!

As I proceeded down the line of previous recipients, while my citation was read to the crowd, receiving congratulations and firm hand shakes, and a couple of hugs, I was overcome by the Honor I was about to receive.

 

After the congratulatory handshake, he asked me if I would like to "Say Something" - stammering for a couple of seconds, I then spoke about what a great organization we were all members of and to encourage all to attend our ACE -'12 [Annual Conference & Exposition] to truly know and appreciate what being an AWWA member means and what a great organization that they belong to.  

I did such a good job other friends asked me, after the luncheon,  how long did it take to write my speech and how long had I known I was this years recipient - every one feeling that i had had a couple of days notice - my answer I Did not have a clue but the speech was from another organization that i truly believe in Toastmasters!

 

Friday Night In Downtown

Last Friday evening Mariellen and I walked downtown Myrtle Ave. enjoying the savory smells of all the restaurants on a beautiful, clear night.   Passing Library Park we spent some time with the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers before shoving off to our perennial favorite, Rudy’s Mexican Restaurant, Colorado at Myrtle, and my favorite “Rosa’s Steak Salad”.

Finally, so that we may continue to reach you all, please send us your current address and phone number and email address.   mumarm54@gmail.com Our 60^th reunion is coming up fast and we want you in the loop.  Please also, and sometimes sadly, tell us about your MAD buddies.

Love to all,

Mariellen & Bruce Staller

 

It Was The Very Best of Times…
Nostalgia reigned at our M.A.D, 55th Reunion held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 3rd thru 5th,  2009
Your committee invited members of the classes of ’53, ’54 and ’55. 

Many thanks to our Reunion Committee of Bob Huntington, Gene Bishop, fearless leader Ray Infantino, Enid Arozena Busser, Larry Cullinane, Mariellen Staller, Buz Buster, Bruce Staller. 

Special thanks to Harriett Cravens Bernard’55. Kathi Henry’53 and Gretchen Cacciotti’53 for working so hard to ensure their classes’ attendance.

But There Was A Downbeat…

They were supposed to attend the reunion but within days of each other we received messages that Gary Price gardon1000@sbcglobal.net, Robert McKinley campmck2@cox.net and Tom Flournoy flojo36@yahoo.com had serious medical problems and would not make the Reunion.  Glad to report that they’re on the mend and still among us.  Please email them your get well thoughts and your take on the Reunion.

Buz Buster on the Monrovia Tour
On Saturday, about 30 classmates and spouses participated in the Town Walking Tour. Marilyn and I started off at the new library. The staff was so helpful in showing us this great addition to Monrovia.

For those of you who did not go on the tour try to visit the library and take a look around. Don’t miss the Heritage Room - it has all the Monrovia High School Annuals dating back to the beginning up to the current edition.

Today, there is an art gallery on Lime, right across the street from Library Park. The gallery occupies the space once held by Burton's Hideaway, which was Bill Burton's dad's bar.  It is the only art gallery still open in Monrovia.  Quite a few more bars, though.

It was great that we had people that were born and raised in Monrovia because it was like a living history lesson of the town. One person would point out that their grandfather owned a certain store and they lived above it back in the 30’s and another would point out that there was a store such as McBratney’s and a whole flood of memories would come back. Everyone in the group would add their information and memories regarding downtown Monrovia making the walk a meaningful tour.   It was truly a wonderful experience.
Buz Buster
THE FRIDAY EVENING COCKTAIL PARTY
held at the Doubletree Hotel in Monrovia was a smashing success.  Over 75 grads and their spouses got reacquainted over cocktails and appetizers.

That bartender poured ‘em with a heavy hand at the Doubletree. Tony Saccoman and Don Polifka wisely sit next to the Lifesaver ring.

Memorybook maker Enid Arozena Busser’54 and Marlene Little Willet’54 recount 55 long years.

Marilyn and Buz Buster chat it up with Doctor Jack Kistler (center).  Jack’s still in practice in the Riverside area.

A pensive Scott Morris (center) pondering on the 35year old Bordeaux or the Two Buck Chuck.  You’re in Monrovia, Trader Joe’s Hq., Scott.  Take the Two Buck Chuck!

Bill Holmes took most of the pics of this party and the Santa Anita bash.  Thanks Bill. Thanks also to Judy Tope for sending along the pics her family took at Santa Anita and to Derwood Crocker for several sharp Sat. Eve. Shots.

Sandi Russell Pearson’54 and Pat Scott Lonon’54 were early arrivals and ready for refills.

Bob Tope’54, all the way from Alaska, Barbara Treydte Steggall’54 and Mariellen Matthews Staller’54 catch up on the last five years.

Barbara Prior Jameson’54, Jim Jameson’53 and Gloria & Gene Bishop’53 are all smiles at Friday’s party.  Jim went to West Point, retired as U.S. Army Colonel and then had a second career as a stockbroker.  Gene Bishop was a MAD yell leader and later served as president of California State Bank which he and brother, Tom ‘55, started.

Lyle’53 & Lorna Fleming greet arriving guests.
They now reside in Chico, CA, south of Groucho and west of Harpo.

THE SATURDAY EVENING AT SANTA ANITA…

Over 160 MAD Grads and guests gathered in the elegant Directors Room to celebrate at least 55 years since graduation.  Note the beautiful staircase whose use later in the evening would deliver a musical surprise to us all.

Ethyl Vance Wilson’53 and Don Polifka.  Ethyl brought down the house when she strode up to MC Infantino and loudly declared I’m here to tell you that I’m very much alive!  Seems our ’53 webpage had been misinformed of Ethyl’s demise.  Later in the evening, Ray went from table to table and had each alumni introduce himself.

Long time Arcadia classmates Chuck Williams’54, Derwood Crocker and Tom Tobin share the evening’s special glow.

Dick Bradburne, bro-in-law, Bob Tope’54 and his sis, Pricilla Tope Bradburne’54, share a laugh.

Fresh from a day at the races, Howard Krisvoy’54 and wife, Miko, chat it up Viola Feuhr Panman’53.

  

Judy Coleman Aronson’55, Audrey Crellen Beatty’53, Marilyn Jones Buster’56 and Carol Muffley Simms’54 get reacquainted in style.

Four 55ers ready to make it to the buffet.  Barbara Dollar’55 identified John Craigmyle and Alan Heritage as the guys to the left of Jimmy Olson and Hal Folts.  For her prompt identification of John and Al, Barbara wins two meatloaf dinners at Monrovia’s V&H Restaurant.  Well, Barb, the V&H has been closed for about 50 years.  The meatloaf available to us is more than a little green. How strong is your stomach? Can you come to CA as the FDA won't let the stuff across state lines?  Let Mariellen know at mumarm1@aol.com .

Leonard Wilmsen’54 tells Molly Hughes Holguin’54 and hubby, Vic, about moving north shortly before graduation.  

  

John Bianchi’55 and his lovely wife, Nikki enjoying Bob Huntington’s talk.  Bob eloquently spoke on the “Greatest Generation” and his remarks follow:

Many of you have heard of or read Tom Brokaw's best selling book "The Greatest Generation" written in 1999. It tells of some of the WW II heroes and their personal stories - stories of bravery, patriotism, self sacrifice, etc. And modesty!   Tom Brokaw writes:

At a time in their lives when their days and nights should have been filled with innocent adventure, love, and the lessons of the workaday world, they were fighting in the most primitive conditions possible across the bloodied landscape of France, Belgium, Italy, Austria, and the islands of the Pacific.

On the 40th anniversary of the allied landing at Normandy, Tom Brokaw began to see - and hear - the extent of their accomplishments.

As I walked the beaches with the American veterans who had returned for this anniversary, men in their 60s and 70s, and listened ta their stories, I was deeply moved and profoundly grateful for all they had done. I came to understand what this generation of Americans meant to history. It is, I believe, the greatest generation any society has ever produced.

I'm really pleased to introduce two graduates of MAD who were bonafide members of “The Greatest Generation"

Frank Bell, MAD Class of 1936 and wife Ramona. PLEASE STAND. Frank and Ramona are 91 and 90 years of age respectively and celebrated their 69th anniversary last July. Frank was shot down in WW 11- he actually lost one wing of his plane and his wife thought he was killed. They live on McKinley Place in a home they built 60 years ago. He sold his Monrovia insurance business to some lIupstart" or "punk kid" named Ray Infantino.

Bob Humble, MAD Class of 1948 and wife Marilyn. PLEASE STAND. Bob attended First Avenue School and MAD where he played football and ran track. He and Marilyn, also a graduate of MAD, have been married for 58 years. After graduation he joined the National Guard and went to Japan and Korea. He returned home in 1952 and continued with the military, completed the Command and General Staff College, and after 40 years of the military he retired as a Colonel.

Adding it up, here before you are four people with a total of 127 years of marriage!

These MAD graduates are our own home-town heroes of The Greatest Generation. We deeply appreciate your patriotism and sacrifice, the "sacrifice" meaning to the military, not marriage!

WE SALUTE EACH OF YOU!

Frank & Ramona Bell celebrate Frank’s 72nd reunion and their 69th wedding anniversary.  Frank piloted an A-26 bomber over Germany during the closing months of WWII.  He was shot down but obviously lived to tell about it.

Bob’48 and Marilyn’52 Humble celebrate his 61st and her 57th reunions.  Bob served in the National Guard, Monrovia, and was called up for the Korean War.  He made the Army a career and retired with the rank of colonel. 

At the bar, but not a lawyer among ‘em, ‘54’s Chuck Sihler, Derwood Crocker, Bob Tope, Ray Infantino, Bob Huntington, Bruce Staller and Reggie Jack pause briefly for the camera.

Gene’53 & Gloria Bishop and 54er’s Ron & Barbara Griep Solar share a shining moment.

Jim’54 & Arlene’53 Fremeau and Pat Bennett Rankin’54  trading MAD recollections with Phil Smith’52.

Robert Schow, ’52 webpage editor Jane Nash Millet and hubby, Tom enjoying a laugh with Sally Nash (left).

Sally Nash listens as Jack Nash’54 and Joan Biddle LeBlanc’54 remember their days at Santa Fe Elementary School.

Jocelyn Orth Pyle’53 and Karen Wenzlaff Saunders’53 whoop it up as Judy Coleman Aronson takes the mike from Ray Infantino.\

A disappointed Phelps Wood ’54 listens intently as Beverly Gaebel Wood’55 tells him he may have but one dessert.

Buz Buster and Don Thomas’54 trying to figure what went wrong with their 8th race selection.

Committee Chair Ray’54 and Laurie Infantino are all smiles anticipating their move to La Quinta.

Former jockey, Wolfgang Backstretch, autographs Barbara Dollar Rogan’s’55 program as a smiling Hal Folts’55 looks on.  After leaving racing in 1965, Wolfgang took part in an experimental drug program that injected retired jockies with Human Growth Hormone.  Now 6’2” and 260 lbs, Wolf had a second career as a circus lion tamer.  “Once you’ve had the whip, you can’t give it up,” said Backstretch.

Background, left, Harriet Bernard Cravens, ’55webpage editor heads for the buffet as Tillie Tope Bradburne’54 and Rosemary Armstrong Brown find a seat.

Ken Clark & Margie Van Gundy Clark’54, relax, as Moe Witt’54 and Reggie Jack’54 argue the relative merits of brewski and merlot. A relaxed Cheryl Jack texts her daughter.  Editor’s note: for this pic we moved Moe to his left so he would not be in jeoprady under the horse’s tail.

Marilyn Nollac Spears’53, ‘53webpage editor Kathi Phelps Henry and Gretchen Kambeitz Cacciotti’53 are excited and surprised as….. 

And then, surprise.  A unit of the MHS Marching Band announces its arrival while wending its way down the stairs.  Now, reflect.  Who among us, at our age, would care to descend that stairway, your vision impaired and center of gravity compromised by that bass drum?

The band, under the direction of MHS Band Director, Daniel Magallanes, played school songs that we knew and many that we didn’t.  For many alumni its appearance was the evening’s high point.  Your committee made a generous donation to the MHS Band Fund administered by the Monrovia Schools Foundation.

And one more cheer from Yell Leaders Judy Coleman Aronson’55, Gene Bishop’53, Ron Linderman’54 and Buz Buster’54.

Finally, Isn’t this what reunions are all about?  Two old friends, a little worse for wear, sharing old memories and making new ones.  This reunion also differred from all our previous ones.  There were no living teachers present.

Now, please all stand for the MHS Alma Mater.  Thank you for coming and sharing this evening.  Arrive safely at your homes.  Keep your health and we’ll see you soon.
 

 

 

Lastly, you have the pleasure and sometimes sad responsibility to send us your news.  Please email to: mumarm54@gmail.com
Mariellen & Bruce 
END END END