*Ken Ayster               
*Phyllis Carpenter
*Elizabeth Color-Dark                             *Ron Cookingham
*Jane Cowan
*Berkeley Curtis
*Linda Dahl
*Loeta Doyon
*Don Dyke
*Henry Duarte            *John Walker Ehlers           *Barbara Evans
*Suzanne Failing       *Gary Fentress
*Paul Friedman       *Carole Ann (Snyder) Ford
*Nancy Grossman
*Lee Ann Hamberg
*Marilyn Hargrove
*Garth Harney
*Patty Hayworth
*Phil Hebert         
*Ken Heitman           *David Hentsch
*Roberta Hickey
*John Higbee
*Arlene Higgins
*Carole Jean Jones
*Ralph Knefelkamp    *Fred Knisley 
*Bob Lawrence
*Rosemary Leahy
*Rosie Lee
*Michael Loe               *Tom Logan
*Jane Martin
*Patricia Mills
*Sybil Moffitt 
*Yvonne Muller
*Jimmy Munoz
*Gloria Ower            *Fancy Nell Parker  *Patricia Peat
*Valerie Reed
*Lois Roine                   *Jim Rood
*Bob Russell
*Eddie Saffer
*Luella Sanders            *Bill Shank
*Larry Spear (Sustrick)
*Donna Stitch
*Rosemary Sturgeon
*Gary Sullivan
*Roger Threadgill
*Michael White

'57

 Donna Marto-Smith
Happy Jack, Az.
dogtrainerone@yahoo.com

Note new email address 10-3-09

  ..... and the year was 1957  

 

9-11-11

Carole and I were “besties” when we were kids in Monrovia. I will

follow this with pictures from our younger days.

* * * Bless you my dear friend from long ago, as you rest in God's arms.

       Donna

 

Carole Ann (Snyder) Ford (1940 - 2011

|

Visit Guest Book

 

Carole Ann Ford died on August 31, 2011, following her disease of almost 4 years of Progressive

Bulbar Palsy/ALS. She passed away peacefully, with her three daughters and loving care-giver holding her hands.
Born in 1940 in Lennox, CA, to Nellie and George Snyder VI, Carole remembered her childhood fondly. She was

a talented singer and accomplished pianist at a very early age, and shared those talents with those around her

throughout her life.
Carole grew up in Monrovia, CA, where she attended Monrovia Duarte High (was Queen of Monrovia in '57) and

Pasadena Junior College. She married Don in '64. In the following years, he worked in heavy construction, primarily

for Peter Kiewit Sons Co, which required frequent moves. Together they lived in Arcadia, CA (1964),

Los Banos, CA (1965 – 66), Chino, CA (1967), St. Johnsbury, VT ('68 – '70), Cherry Valley, CA, (1971-1972)

and Walnut Creek, CA ('72 – '77). In 1977, Carole and Don settled in Acampo, CA, where they started Ford

Construction Company. (Woodbridge Rd. from '77 – '94, and then Peltier Rd.)
Carole taught the piano in her early adulthood, passing her love of piano on to many children. Since 1984, one of

Carole's many passions was breeding and showing miniature horses and ponies under Windcrest Farm.
Carole possessed the capacity to know the heart and soul of others. She touched the lives of many with her strong

faith, zest, giving spirit, compassion, generosity, humor, and ability to connect with people. She will be remembered

for her love and support of others, her many musical and artistic talents, her hospitality, her laugh and stories, her

patriotism, and her ability to make the Christmas season so magical.
Carole's absence will leave a large void for the many who knew and loved her. We are happy she is no longer suffering,

and look forward to seeing her again, singing and dancing in heaven. Her talents, spirit and love are seen and felt

throughout the ranch that she poured her heart and soul into. She is loved, and will never be forgotten.
Carole is survived by her beloved husband of 47 years, Donald O. Ford; sister and husband Sharie and Jim Branch,

brother and wife George W. VII and JoAnne Snyder; her three daughters and husbands Wendi and Eric Moen, Jami

and Paul Phipps, and Kelli and Don Welsh; her adored grandchildren Robbie Moen, Owen and Kaleigh Phipps, and

Donald, Ford, Cooper, and Clem Welsh; her extended family, and her many good friends.
Carole rests in peace at the Historic Lodi Cemetary on Pine Street, and her spirit is now in heaven and with us. Friends

will be notified of a "Memorial Service/Celebration of Carole's Life" which will be held at the Ford ranch in Acampo in

October.
We recently found the following on Carole's desk- something she must have written when she still had the ability to write:
II Timothy 4: 7-8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing

 

4-26-11

HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED!!!!!

 

1957 Sandwich Menu from Woolworth's.... the year we graduated from High School!

 

Thanks for sharing Sharon!

 

That's back when a $2 a week allowance would go a long ways if you watched your pennies and......

$.50 an hour for babysitting, etc. was good money. Including tip, you might even make $3.00 an evening!

A "date" might even cost the guy $4.00 for a movie, popcorn and an ice cream soda.

If anyone doubts what we paid for a coke and a sandwich at Woolworths
In the 1950s, here's proof of the era we lived in.
 

I wondered who to send this to - who would actually remember eating at a Woolworth's.
Isn't it fun just to receive an e-mail that doesn't make you crazy but just brings back good memories?
For those of you who are too young to remember. Too bad. You missed living in a wonderful time.

Hugs, Sharon

1-11-11 

....from, A.J. Bima '57

 

Donna:

A history item for your site.   Got to grab the attention of any former Wildcat.

A.J. Bima

Football: Monrovia championship parade, 6:30 6 January 2011.

The city of Monrovia will hold a championship parade for Monrovia High School's football team beginning at 6:30 tonight. It'll proceed east on Colorado and head north on Myrtle before arrivig at Library Park, approximately around 7. The parade will have police escort and the footbal team will parade on fire trucks. Monrovia beat Whittier Christian 38-8 for its first ever CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division championship. It was the 10th try for the Wildcats. City dignitaries will speak upon arrival, as will Monrovia football coach Ryan Maddox.

 

MONROVIA -- A celebration 75 years in the making took place Thursday night at Library Park where city dignitaries honored Monrovia High School's football team for bringing home its first ever CIF-Southern Section championship.

 

In their 10th finals appearance last month, the Wildcats defeated Whittier Christian, 38-8, to capture the Mid-Valley Division title in front of a standing-room only crowd of 4,557 at Arcadia High.

 

Prior to bringing home the title, Monrovia was the only school in Southern Section history to reach nine finals appearances without bringing home a divisional title. Monrovia made its first CIF finals appearance in 1935.

 

The football team and coaching staff rode in a fire truck, school bus and carriage. It departed from Monrovia High heading east on Colorado Boulevard and turned north on Myrtle Avenue in the heart of Old Town District.

 

Monrovia principal Darvin Jackson said the city council organized the event, and that he was approached by a city council member about hosting a championship parade and rally.  "This was 10 times in the making," Jackson said, "so they understood the magnitude of this championship."

 

Monrovia football coach Ryan Maddox, in only his third season at the helm, understood first hand what it's like when a close-knit community comes together.

"Before I even came here, I knew this town was unique," he said. "It's as if they took a Midwestern town and put it in Southern California."

 

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz proclaimed the night "Monrovia Wildcat Day" and school board President Ed Gililland called on residents to donate to a fund set up by the board to help buy the team CIF championship rings.

 

The celebration was a homecoming of sorts for almost two dozen former players, including Bob Humble (1948) and Chris Hale ('84), who went on to play in Super Bowl XXV and XXVI with the Buffalo Bills.

 

Josh Lowden, who graduated in 2010 and was part of a Wildcats team that lost to San Dimas in last year's final, said the feeling was anything but bittersweet.  "You just have to feel happy, and it's sweet more than anything because we're all a part of it," he said. "We built off of the '90s teams and they built off of what we did last year."

 

Monrovia defensive line coach Mike Minter, who was part of the coaching staff that lost in the finals in 1997, 1998 and 1999, was overwhelmed with emotion.  "You always wondered when you were going to get that break," said Minter holding back tears. "To see all this is truly special."

 

A portion of Myrtle Avenue between Lime and Palm avenues was closed 45 minutes before the team's arrival, but it had no impact on local businesses.

In fact, merchants on Myrtle said they welcomed the celebration.

 

One by one the Monrovia High School football team was introduced before a cheering crowd of approximately 1,500 fans at Library Park on Thursday night.
A close-knit town came together to honor the Wildcats for bringing home the school's first ever CIF-Southern Section football championship after beating Whittier Christian 38-8 last month.

 

Monrovia quarterback Nick Bueno and safety Charlie Cimmarusti were taken aback by the community support.

"It's amazing, the turnout," Cimmarusti said.
 

Added Bueno: "We thought we would ride a bus, drive by, wave and then go back to school."

 

The parade and rally, organized by the city council, was 75 years in the making. Monrovia made its 10th finals appearance count, and the magnitude of the finals victory resonated with the past and present.

 

Bob Humble, a 1948 graduate, attended five of the Wildcats' 10 championship appearances. He also attended every game this season and, perhaps fittingly, celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary with wife Marilyn ('52) four days before Monrovia captured the Mid-Valley Division title.  "To watch (former coach Steve) Garrison's efforts die was heartbreaking," said Humble, proudly sporting a green jacket and black Monrovia hat. "Ryan Maddox was terrific turning this team around almost overnight."

 

Humble didn't need much time to think when asked who his favorite player was this season.

"Nick Bueno," he responded. "He's the best player I've seen for his size."

 

There was a heartwarming sight when senior captain Evan Sanchez was introduced. The tight end/linebacker who tore anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments halfway through the season and spent weeks confined to a wheelchair, walked up to the stage, albeit with the help of a cane.

 

Senior Dean Bisterfeldt can thank good sportsmanship from La Cañada's wrestling coaching staff, which allowed Bisterfeldt, who would normally wrestle last as a 215-pounder, to go first in a key Rio Hondo League dual meet.

 

Notably absent from the festivities was junior defensive linemen Ellis McCarthy. The 6-foot-5, 295-pounder on the same day took part in the U.S. Army National Combine in San Antonio.

 

Monrovia principal Darvin Jackson sported a monkey backpack with a white shirt that had "Monrovia X" printed on the front. He said it was nice "to get the monkey off our back", adding he wouldn't throw it away because Monrovia coach Ryan Maddox agreed to include the plush toy in the new trophy case that will highlight the new gymnasium slated to open Jan. 13.

 

 

11-10-10

Much thanks to Bob Davis, class of '58 for the following news.....
 

 

Hi Donna,

 

This is one of those "good news/bad news" messages.  The good news is that, after 50 years,

I met Jim Rodgers and Barbara "Bunny" McCready (not sure about the spelling) again. 

They are now husband and wife, and are living in Mesa, Arizona.  They stopped by last spring

and visited with my wife Pat and me at our home in San Gabriel.  We had a major "old home week"

session, digging out photos from the days of yore and catching up with half a century of life adventures.

 

The bad news is that Jim reported the death of John Higbee; John and Jim get credit for starting me

off on a life in the world of electronics.

 

On a happier note, earlier this year I was having dinner at a hamburger place in South Pasadena, and

noticed a party that included some "mothers of teenagers" women, and some teenage girls.  What got

my attention was Wildcats on one of the girls' green and white cheerleader outfit.  I introduced myself

as an "old grad" and we had a nice chat with a Wildcat spirit "high five" thrown in.  I mentioned that I

have always lived in the San Gabriel Valley, and have a "why go anywhere else" attitude.

 

Bob Davis

Class of '58

 

8-23-10

I had a call from Jerry, Donna's husband, this morning that he had just brought her home from the hospital. She had a heart bypass and a stint. She is doing good and they are hoping she will be recovered enough to make the Midway.

 

Happy 2010

from Donna and Jerry

 

I was going to put your stuff on here but when

you sent it, it got lost in the email I guess.
 

As an EMT here in Happy Jack, I have finally convinced Emergency Services, to put in place, trained service dogs. They have now been introduced to help cut costs.

Canines have been used for police work, search & rescue, tracking, service dogs and a variety of other tasks.  Now they're assisting Paramedics and EMTs and doing so at a much lower cost. 



See the example below..........................

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breathe, damn you, breathe!

 

Well, here is the  cure...

just smile and say...
Dear Lord,
I know you're watching over me
And I'm feeling truly blessed
For no matter what I pray for
You always know what's best!
 

I have this circle of E-mail friends,
Who mean the world to me;

Some days I "send and send,"

At other times, I let them be. 


 

I am so blessed to have these friends,
With whom I've grown so close;
So this little poem I dedicate to them,
Because they mean the "Most"!
 
 When I see each name download,
And view the message they've sent;
I know they've thought of me that day,
And "well wishes" were their intent.  
 
                                So to you, my friends,  

I would like to say,  
Thank you for being a part;
Of all my daily contacts,
This comes right from my heart.  

 God bless you is my prayer today,
I'm honored to call you "friend";
I pray the Lord will keep you safe,
Until we write  again.