John Hein

Sylvia: If you mean Lon Garner, take a deep breath, count yer Mississippi's to ten, and read on:

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/secret-service-agent-acquitted-in-assault-case

From what I can reconnoiter here, Mr. Ruhl was a great teacher and an unsung hero, to say the least. I never darkened his classroom threshold.....DOH !!! Remembers me of Lulu singin' the title track from the movie "To Sir, With Luv".

Peggy Johnson

Marlene - I just read your post about Mr. Ruhl - wow!  had no idea.  That is interesting.

Al - that is so funny about the Christmas trees that Alhadeff would buy for 99 cents!  LOL!  I was in the Bel Canto Choir that went to Europe and he was in that along with Bruce Glant and the rest - what a time.

I think we should have a reunion - I think I missed the last one.

When is the next one?  When was the last one?

Also remembered PIha - nice people.

John MacLeod

Mr Hein............I'll see if this works.  Mr Ruhl would have been 17 when he was in Europe.  He joined up before completing school.It says in his obit he had to drink a lot of water and wear a belt full of coins to make the minimum weight.

http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=1991130&slug=2998356

Read an article a number of years ago about a 12-13 year old who served in the Marines in the South Pacific.  Sitting in a foxhole he made a comment about it being his 14th-15th birthday.  Needless to say he was sent home.  The article I read was about him trying to get his Veteran's benefits.  It took a while but he got them.

John MacLeod

Mikey Holman.............Thanks for showing up to the site.  Somewhere in the forum some misinformed individual says that you had discipline problems in school.  I find that hard to believe.  I remember Mike Christie coming out of the gym teachers office with a goose egg over his left eye.  Mr Mackie??  Never had Mr Evans but I remember hearing about the tennis shoes.  Had Mr Post for wood shop.  Never had Kermode for metal shop.

Did anyone attend the rumbles behind the Serve-U?  I remember someone sharpening up steel rods in metal shop.

Hey don't forget Wolf's Hobby Shop on Rainier or Nancy and Eddie Zobich's Hobby Shop on Empire Way with the huge slot car track.

John Hein

John Mac: Thanks for the link. John Ruhl really was a war hero above and beyond the call of duty, eh what? Makes me wish I woulda had him for a math class. Too bad he died all too soon just as he finished his labor of luv. The only vague memory I have of him is that he seemed like the silent, cerebral type. If I would've seen what he probably saw as the liberation of occupied Europe was underway, I'd probably still be in counseling. And credit where credit is due; Korea was no walk in the park either. I really hope that someday the global community will figure out a way for us to stop killing each other. "And I think to myself, what a wonderful world"- Louis Armstrong

I remember Wolf's; just north of Graham on Rainier, across from the fire dept.. Gotta a Miss Thriftway hydro kit there....balsa wood if memory serves. By the time the World's Fair made the Space Needle a landmark, Miss Thriftway became Miss Century 21, usually with Bill Muncey at the helm. I also remember all the slot cars over on Empire (now MLK way). There was a drive-in on Empire & Graham with the best soft ice cream cones in the known universe. Zesto's on Rainier, and in Ballard, had Green River shakes that seemed to disappear via straw way too fast. Anybody remember Courtesy Chevrolet? Ironic name; I went there once to look at a GTO (we're all old enuff to remember Pontiac), and the salesman didn't like the cut of my jib and told me to take a hike. I'm sure I had well in excess of $2.00 on me; so what was his problem? Never bought anything there ever. That's probably why they went under.

Peggy Johnson

John Hein - lol!  funny post  - you write really well - enjoyed it.

Sylvia Lovegren (Petras)

John Hein -- holy moly!  I think it was LON not Leonard and the guy in the article sure looks like him...  Oy.  

John Hein

Sylvia: Oy, indeed......'nuff said.

Peggy J: I'm glad you enjoyed it and I relish the compliment; aw shucks, and thank you. I find solid credence in the old adage "Truth is stranger than fiction"........

Ric Rivera

Yawl Snippets, funny stuff make fascinating reading from the phone too.   Great conversation all around.

JRH - see what you mean bout the moisture etc. to add to that I found my Sharks '63 - '65 especially '65 was yellowed by all the aged DNA fingerprint oils, signage including my own thumbing thru left on non-archival paper.

JRH & John Mac - Thats funny, it was Zobich's hobby's on empire way that was my first balsa wood Miss Thriftway. That was better built than the 2x6 swung behind a bicycle. Speaking of bicycles here's a snippet Jory Randles RIP showed me how he modified a tricycle inverting the mainframe onto front wheel forks there by increasing the length. Made for a great ride squatting on the axle.

Peggy J - I too was on that trip to europe '66 Bel Canto Choir. Do you Remember? We were as lucky to have made it back out from the Iron Curtain at Check Point Charlie. Wasn't that a stark and poignant mark of history untouched since the end of the world war and then into a cold one. Armed guards patrolling empty streets. Spooky! Maybe it was in Nice, France we had to go through the men's lavotory to enter recital hall. Weird! And it was D Blanton who let off the firecrackers at bedtime.in the hotel stairwell 2nd level where the gals were sleeping. And I digress and confess getting drunk with the seniors guys (B Glant could be?) and gals to remain nameless at a pub in Glasgow Scotland, while all walking back home down the country road relieving ourselves laughing. What else could you do but sing "Why Don't We Do It In The Road". The road was not well lit. What can I say? It was a wild but great time, the Seniors had it good. Oh wait, that song didn't come out yet. . Haven't heard when the next reunion will be. Maybe others out there know and will grace these pages when news happens now that most all are retired.

Peggy Johnson

Ric - Hi - you went to Europe too?  Wow - I don't even remember what you looked like -  sorry about that  Time flies, huh?

I was one of the youngest of the group so I remember the pub but I don't think I stayed very long there so I don't think I was one of the ones walking back, but that's a funny story.

By the way Dr. Kohler passed away, so Andy Anderson has taken over but haven't heard anything about that in a while.  Usually there is an email, but I think I'm off the list since my emai address changed.  Too bad about Kohler.  He's the kind of person you think is going to last forever - strong spirit.

I will have to look at some pictures to remember you.  lol!

The choir had a reunion apart from the regular Franklin High reunion.  So not sure what's been going on since.

We also can't forget Gary Locke....saw him at the reunion a long time ago.

Peggy Johnson

Rick - that was Darrel Blanton?  he was such a fun guy huh?  Whatever has happened to him?

Ric Rivera

Peggy J – Yes! That’s Darrell Blanton hope I’m wrong but thought I saw his name as being deceased. Maybe another choir member will know. He was funny and know gals liked him very much. His sister Patty is still in the area I'll contact one of her longtime friends.

Ric Rivera

Peggy J – Know whacha mean bout emails and computer crashes losing all email too. Yes, I heard R Kohler passing into spirit. He was fun good people. You remember his criteria for being in the choir? You had to be able recite your part of the section you belonged to in class consistently when called upon. So there was lots of expected vocal training goings on.

I think back now, jeez was that me. And yet, from all the practice a phenomenon of dischord happened not in rehearsal but in concert in Europe. You remember this one? We gave a concert Frankfurt, Germany singing one of their respected anthem like songs, when one of choir sections keyed off flat and it cascaded. As sure as our eyes were rolling side to side looking and hoping that we get back on the right trac; we kept our composure. By the end of the song it wasn’t too awful sounding but strange no less ending half step lower in something like Harmonic Minor where 6th and 7th are flat and sharp. It should of been a Major chord ending. Whoa! Ouch! Yikes! Talk about mass dynamics, the group collective gone awry. Doh!

Ric Rivera

Peggy J – Oh!  golly g wizz ...  I thought I was going to be under the cyber facial recognition radar.  I'll have to come about and post a current one sometime.... You’ll find me somewhere.  say here in comment #s 633, 743. Also, don’t know if you know that pictures of the ’08 reunion are in the “Classmates Profiles”/ “Reunion Pictures Aaaaaa” I’m there locking arms with Teri Escobar. And big thanks to Virg Descarger  the recorder photographer of the event.

Peggy Johnson

Ric - I don't remember that - you have a good memory - I do remember playing accordion on the breaks of the choir in the churches though - that was fun!  I liked Teri Escobar too - haven't talked with her since that time.

Time flies!

Gee I hope Darrel hasn't passed. 

Ric Rivera

Peggy J – Hey Hey….Time does fly bye….. we live another day sharing the past. So say we all!! ….. and watching the connections blossom. …. Yikes! Hopefully the day doesn’t come too soon when I can’t remember what I did 5 minutes ago. Ya know, Old Timers …… Whoa! Godzilla, is that anything to do with, "What did I came into this room for"? .....Funny, the work life still affects me, the likes of multitasking one priority for another. The boss would tell us to focus and say it to yourself and or make a list.…..Aah! Ha! Now, you were the one playing the accordion. That was always a pleasant break. ...Enuff rambln'.....

We both missed the group seeing Dorothy Rodes at Egan’s so next time we’ll have to board “Take the A Train”!.....And maybe also see Tony Mamon if still in the area.

Ric Rivera

Here is another Bel Canto '66 Europe trippy trip .....Purple Haze .....Foxy Lady...Strawberry Fields Forever.......In London at the beginning of the Psychedelic Hippie movement we were afoot off the buses and in and out of stores dressed in our red blazers and short hair getting greets, smiles, laughter and stares from the beautiful people of Piccadily street....what a contrast.

Peggy Johnson

Ric - wow - what a memory - remember the red jackets!  I still have pictures and articles written by Abolafia, who is a dentist now. 

Yeah - Overton Berry plays at Egans too once in a while. 

Ric Rivera

Peggy J - dentist huh! wonder if Jeff Abolofia '67 still plays guitar? Back then it was class of '67 Ed Raeztloff, Bill Tobin, and Jeff A.

Think it was early 70's seeing Curtis Stovall '66 RIP with Overton Berry Trio at the DoubleTree Inn southcenter. Hmmm. In the thanking credits is that you?  

In msg #774 Yes! Maybe the bizarre event of Frankfurt, Germany should be forgotten in the blink of an eye.

In msg #'s 770, 772,773 & 776 - Yes sad to say Darrell Blanton '67 RIP went into spirit from a motocycle accident in the 70's.

Ric Rivera

Here is a picture of the old I-90 tunnel aka dragstrip stepping on it pedal to the metal eastbound. 

Peggy Johnson

Ric - Wow! I can't believe both of them died - so sad - too soon. 

Thanks for the picture of I90.  I remember I could drive down I5 at 2:00 in the morning and there were 5 cars on the freeway.  My how things have changed!

Peggy Johnson

Ric - Overton Berry will be at Egans on November 15th, but you have to have a reservation.  Fills up fast!  There will be a trio with guest artists - super!

He is also playing at the Sorrento on October 11th - he and his bass man.

Glenn James Schoenmakers

Drive down I-5 at 2 or 3 in the morning - yes, at over 100 MPH. Unless those 5 cars were highway patrol. Late at night or early morning most highways were deserted. Times are a changing !!!

Sara Thompson (Thompson)

I have been enjoying all these posts - lots of memories from early years and high school. I still live in the neighborhood (Columbia City; it has changed a bit) and my kids went to Franklin. They graduated 10 years ago and our 50th is just around the corner. I am president of the Franklin Alumni Association and Foundation - and I'd like to put in a plug for everyone joining (you can join via our website). Take a look at our website and Facebook page. We have a newsletter that comes out twice a year, sponsor a Hall of Fame (details on the website) and have a grants program to support programs at Franklin as well as scholarships for graduating seniors. Let me know if you have any questions.  Sara

John Hein

Greetings and salivations to all FHS 68'ers. I took a road trip thru the Methow Valley this week to witness the scorched earth first hand. I had the extinct pleasure of chatting with a coupla other 68'ers. In Winthrop, I managed to locate none other than Richard Wasson. We had a brief but most enjoyable chat; he seems healthy, wealthy & wise. Richard, pleez join the blather herein. From Winthrop, it was on thru the charred ruins from Twisp, to Carlton, to Methow, and all the way to Pateros. Most of the camp grounds at Alta Lake are damaged, and several houses on the golf course are compleatly destroyed. On to Chelan, where I had another brief but wonderful coffee shop confab with Larry Epstein. The other side of the Cascades seems to agree with Larry as well as Richard. Twas great to see them; I'm thinkin' I need to do that more often, and I highly recommend it before the seasons change. All for now, hope all's well with everyone. Njoy.