A luncheon was held recently at Peachwood's in Santa Cruz. In attendance were Gene Gimelli, Glenn and Joyce Pearce, JoAnn Caruso Syvertson, Bill Kogura, Jan Massey Spano, Jerre Byrne Bruyn and Jan Valenti Gimelli.

Our resident photographer Glenn Pearce records the proceedings as everyone prepares to order.

Jan's reaction seems to mirror all of ours when Jerre told us she still plays tennis 5 times a week! Jerre's coming to the reunion, but Jan unfortunately has a month-long European vacation scheduled for September. Poor thing.

JoAnn recently moved to the retirement community The Meadows in Los Gatos. She told us she has her eye on a fellow retiree, so she's not all that 'retired' just yet. Jan loves her jewelry, some of which she designed herself.

A sad announcement from her daughter Arietta: Joyce Robinson Bunnell has passed away. 'It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I need to report on the passing of my mother, Joyce Robinson Bunnell, class of 1954. She passed peacefully on August 6th with her family by her side'.

Betty Barone Rapisarda passed away in April of 2012.

Kathy Barter Strobel sends us this picture to which we can all relate.

Here's Marie Silveria Theurich telling us to 'Salute THIS, y'all'.

San Jose High Heritage Room

Mr. Mark Briggs has been the impetus behind the preservation of historical memorabilia at San Jose High. It began with a small collection in a corner of the library and with the latest restoration, has become the Heritage Room with photos and objects spanning the years from the beginning of the school.

Here are some photos before the restoration project.












Many people were involved in the project. Barbara Peddy was in charge and Principal Cary Catching and her staff were invaluable with their assistance. The Class of '55 made a $1000 donation, and the painting and installations were supervised by Pat Mark (of Mark Electric).

Here's an excerpt from his letter to his Electical Union:
"I am a graduate of the San Jose High Class of '55. Mr. Mark Briggs, who is 90 years old and has been battling cancer, has had a lifelong dream and been working tirelessly towards this goal of a historical museum to showcase some of SJ High's many contributions to our community. It is in this shared dream that many of us have joined with Mr.Briggs' efforts to display as many as we can of the archives, artifacts and other historical items from the school's storied 150-year history. It is our sincere hope that current students, alumni and members of our community will one day very soon be able to enjoy the works from generations past."

His union came through with a donation of $5,000! Tap Plastics donated all the window UV protective film and Cambrian Glass gave a discount on the cabinet glass. Many others contributed time, money and encouragement.

Following are photos during the restoration.













And now for photos of the final project (although it will never be 'finished'). The purpose of this room is to display the school's history through objects and photos and to educate students and researchers about San Jose High School's affect on the community.



















At the opening celebration of the Heritage Room restoration project, I noticed that our '54 graduation class photo was missing. After some inquiries, it turned out that Adrienne Etheridge Durfee actually had an original which she was willing to donate. Before she did so, I made a copy which is posted here. For those of you who don't even remember we took such a photo, myself included, here's a chance to see how much you've changed over the years.....






If anyone has any memorabilia he would like to donate to the Heritage Room, it will be very much appreciated. Photos, school newspaper clippings, banners, prom cards, etc. are all welcome. Please contact me for Mr. Briggs' email address and phone number.

vacations

A belated 'Happy 75th' to Kathy Barter Strobel, who had a surprise celebration in December. Well, the party was a surprise, but not her age...... Maybe we'd all like to forget? Unfortunately she can't make it to the reunion since she lives in Victor, NY.

It's Yvonny & Marie!!! Meeting up in Hollywood recently, we find Marie Theurich, the real estate lady, on the town with Yvonne Satariano Santi. The town will never be the same... and they're both coming to the reunion in September. You've been warned. Our intrepid travelers, Bill and Jean Nix recently returned from a trip to South America. Here they are in Rio.

They continued on to Argentina.

And here they are at Iguassu Falls, one of the largest in the world located on the border of Brazil and Argentina.

Here's Glenn Pearce during a recent visit to southern California

He worked for Sylvania at the Air Force base in Luzon in the 60's and recently went back for a nostalgic visit.

Bill and Jean Nix recently spent 30 days on a river cruise from Bucharest, Romainia to Amsterdam, Holland on the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers.

Here they're enjoying a stop in one of the old towns along the way.

Here they are posing in front of a huge picture postcard of a European royal estate.

I'm happy to report that after 30 days confined together on a river boat, they're still talking to each other......... Stay tuned.

As promised, Phyllis Ianello Chamberland sent some photos from her 4th(!) Hawaiian cruise. She says the cruise itself left a lot to be desired, but Hawaii is still the most beautiful place in the world.

Here she and Dick are off on a helicopter ride over Maui, a live volcano and Molokai.

Phyllis came across this photo and thought everyone would enjoy a nostalgic look back. I'm sure the girls are recognizable, but for those of you experiencing 'senior moments', that's Betty Meisenheimer, Frances Leach, Carol Laws and Phyllis in the back row. Up front are Barbara Marshall, Elaine Asanuma and Dorothy Roberts.

Jean and Bill Nix went to Finland and Norway earlier this year, and will be leaving in September for a month-long river cruise from the Black Sea to the North Sea.

Phyllis Ianello Chamberland and her husband have just returned from a trip to Cancun, Mexico, and she sent us a few photos to prove it.

Here she is with Dick in front of the pirate ship which took them on a dinner cruise through the lagoon.

And here's a shot of the hotel. Not too shabby.

This is an image that should be familiar to a lot of you soon if not sooner, and there's no use denying it.

Norma Achelpohl Morrell sent us these photos of her 75th birthday party with the comment, 'Oh, my!'

Here she is with some of her friends.

Norma returned recently from a trip to Georgia to attend her granddaughter's wedding.

She also spent some time touring the beautiful countryside after the festivities.

Glenn and Joyce Pearce just returned from a month-long vacation to Hawaii and the Philippines. Here's Glenn relaxing on the hotel balcony overlooking Diamondhead.

On their second day on Corregidor they had a private guided tour.

I don't know what it is, but Glenn seems very proud of something he found at the Hidden Valley Springs.

Norma sends us this picture with the comment, 'Can anyone's vacation top this?' I'm not sure what she means, but I'm assuming she had a good time....

"We zip-lined in Mexico in 2009 and...



this year in April we were in Hawaii and para-sailed. I'll send some pictures in February after we get back from our Cruise to the Caribbean." Phyllis

"We went to John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino in Sparks, Nevada for a juggling festival with our grandson Michael in August."





"Here we're at the Tor House in Carmel with my son Jack and nephew Richard."


"Lunch with Jeanne Moellering (class of '53) and her brother Ed (class of '55)." Joyce and Glenn

"In June I drove about 2400 miles for my vacation. I went camping in my conversion van at Thousand Trails camp sites, just me and my shi tzu. First out of Yuba City, then north visiting family in Roseburg, OR, friend in Albany, OR, another friend in Bremerton, WA, and on up to La Connor, WA. Then on to my main destination, Coupeville, WA. on Whidby Island, my grandson's home. He just returned from his deployment "over there". I had the pleasure of passing on to him , for his 30th birthday, the Morrell family rifle, an old octogon Winchester?-type rifle that originally belonged to his great-great-great-grandfather. It goes to the oldest son of the oldest son. His daughter is my 7th great-granddaughter. His family is now expecting my 9th great-grandbaby." Norma

Click on this picture and get a load of that big, happy grin!!! Jean looks pleased too. I'm not sure who enjoys having their picture taken more, Jean or her friend.

This camel doesn't look as happy. Perhaps Bill has gained a few pounds? Our intrepid travelers, Bill and Jean Nix, just came back from a trip to Israel and also, I forgot, where was that again.....?

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Please email photos of your vacation so we can vicariously enjoy it with you. peoh2@yahoo.com

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