John Hein

Well, really, what Bales did was give us a laff & a relished memory that's just as funny 50-something years later as it was when we were young and immoral. To be fair, we've all committed similar acts. As Benny Hill would say, "everybody has the right to be stupid, but some people really abuse the privelage". Words to live by. When Tom B. and I went sailing back in September (priceless, really gorgeous day cruising the San Juans) we recounted many episodes from Whitworth, Sharples, Franklin, and some noteworthy eras since. I wouldn't trade those memories for anything; the good, bad, and ugly. That's what we're stuck with now anywise, so ya might as well enjoy it, eh what?

Ric Rivera

The recent induction obstacle  #833 - #835 stories by Glenn S, JHR and Marty H are all very interesting life connections experiences. Thank you all for sharing. My induction story of that period is since JRH have the same birth month I decided to have an early choice if I could thus avoiding becoming a SSS best fit plug where needed. Down street from Steve Muscatel’s Diamond lot on 1st Ave walking into the recruiting doors and choose mc mp and off then off to the packed induction center near Magnolia. Went thru a battery of doctors to get an agreement on my condition which, also having my own doctor’s letter describing mild psoriasis. In the end they and the recruiter said, sorry son you got a 1Y for now. Whew! A year or so later the classification was struck and become 4F. That condition also kept me from having PE in the later years at Franklin. Around that time period the closest I ever got to uniform services was being in USC&GS as civil service. While in Pearl Harbor a number of us got our hands slapped for not saluting rank. Arrg! Mate. 

Arrg on war. Steve Gourd and Walt Henry went in together. When Walt didn’t come back alive Judy was devastated and Steve lived with a lifelong guilt. Yes, Barry M let’s want a better world, be and give joy and happiness for if we feel and think of unpleasantness it could be self-prophecy.

Barry M- That is interesting story when i live there in the late seventies there was brewing consternation, a dichotomy of sorts that the Japanese were still buying up real estate on the Waikiki side. Discrimination of sorts happen. It's how we deal with it and move on.

Worked as an assistant mgr. for a Hawaiian Japanese decendant owned resturant his dad told him." to handle the windstorm you must make like the tree and bend with it. Yes! Good advice Movin on down the road.  

Marty H- I did not know that about Kalamath Ore. My cousins lived there in the '50's 

From the article that is great advice from Marty.
>Martin tells his Boy Scouts to focus on things they’d like to accomplish and spend time with those they cherish. Needless to say, Martin is gratefully following his own advice.<

Ric Rivera

MEDICARE enrollment, Supplemental Ins plans and high price drug obstacle. That is one to speak up on with your congress person. Got to have us involved rather than just the Drug companies and Doctors deciding the drug cost.

 I was going to email JRH but decided to say it here because we are all on the same ship. Granted that everyone’s story is different as the weather is against the blue sky. If you’re collecting SS you are automatically enrolled, however.

While getting snail mail bombardment of courting supplemental insurance information I slipped into one of those seminars. One of those was Non-Profit Regency. I decided not to court United Health since having previous issues from this For Profit entity in the past.

It is a good idea to get Part D supplemental to help share the cost. if you don’t there is a 1% penalty every month you delay enrollment unless you have other creditable coverage. 

Also every state has SHIBA that is State Health Insurance Benefits Advisor that can be of further assistance. There are also health plan insurance brokers to help out.

John Hein

OK, so I'm culling thru boxes of things I've had stored for way too long, and I find a buncha pictures. This one is from 3rd grade. I'd be the 1st to concede it's the poorest quality, but it's outta the newspaper, circa 55 years ago. Front & center are Jim Eastwood & Debbie Kashino. To the upper right are Steve Mansell & Marcia Wuest. Center/back, that's moi mugging for the camera, and I'm not sure who I'm dancing with (don'tcha hate it when that happens?), but it could be Marsha Gross. I honestly don't know who's on the left Bruce Henderson (?) and ???. C'mon Whitworthers, who are the mysterians in the photo? Credit where credit is due: Elsie Karvonen taught us the dance routine. My disdain for ties may be in it's seminal stage here.....but I digress. Ain't we the cutest little rascals? 55 years ago? Say wha' ???

Al Ovadia

John, this is awesome. Had I known this was coming, I would have never transferred to Graham Hill. I do remember dancing as well, must have been in fourth or fifth grade at the House of Leon. My mom put me in dance classes. Susan Marino and I were paired up and danced in the city competition. I'm sure her feet are stilll aching as I stepped them multiple times.

You have inspried me to dig dep in my childhood memory archieves. I will post some shots soon.

Sylvia Lovegren (Petras)

John,  that picture is awesome!  And I had to laugh -- I don't think Debbie Kashino has changed one bit. 

John Hein

Al O.: Dig the pix & post !!! We'd really enjoy a look-see. I remember the House Of Leon name being bandied about in 5th-6th grade, but it just wasn't something I had any interest in. I was active in Boy Scout Troop 231 at the time, and working on merit badges, volunteer projects and such kept me occupied.

Sylvia: I getta laff too everytime I see this pic. And you're right about Debbie K.; she's still as kind & gentle now as she was then. She had an impressive dance repertoire. I remember like it was yesterday she'd entertain us with hula dancing, and explain the story being told. That also was in 3rd grade.

In 6th grade there was some kind of dance, ya know, sock hop, mixer, shim-in-the-gym, whatever the hip term was at the time. Our 6th grade teacher (Ben Nakagawa) announced that he'd be there and appoint dance partners. I thot, hmmm, we're on our own time, it's not part of the school curriculum, so I opted out. I got enuff of being threatened and intimidated in class, I didn't need that on my own time. From that time on, I went to dances to see/hear the band, but had little interest in dancing. So I guess I was unwittingly in the vanguard of the 60's rebellion, always question authority, campus anti-war protests , and marches for civil rights. So, thanks for that Ben; you planted some seeds that are still growing today, like oak trees stronger than ever !!! Funny how something so seemingly insignificant can still be shaping our character a half century later, eh what?  Njoy

Jim Eastwood

Hello All,

JR, I loved the picture and my tie.  It propelled me into 15 years of 3 piece suits.  I only have one now and use it for funerals and weddings.  I think I asked Debbie out for dinner and drinks  but she was tied up.

Jim

John Hein

Jim E: Only one 3-piece suit now? That must mean you gave up the all white disco suit, a la John Revolting. I remember the old "I'm tied up" ploy, fer sure. I sure wish I had more pix, but as far as I know, that's the last of 'em, alas. Any idea who the unknowns are?

Al Ovadia

The only dancing I wanted to do at that time was around the bases playing baseball for Lakewood Police Officer's Guild with David Azose, Tommy Rhodes, Ron Saxby and others. But, John, as I am sure you might remember from coming over to my house, my mom can be very convincing so one night a week for I think ten weeks, it was House of Leon.  LOL. 

I do laugh a little when I remember that time. I am coaching Little League now and I remember our field and backstop vs the fields of today with scoreboards, grass (what a concept) snack shacks, etc. Personally, I preferred those days, it was more fun and less pressure. My managers were Mr. Bailey and Mr. Opasich, who I think lived down the street from Debbie Kashino. 

John Hein

AL O.: I don't recall going to your house, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. I remember being invited to play basketball at several different places I'd never been before. I think I went to Phil Anderson's for basketball, and too many other places to remember. Dave Azose is still in the area, and Tom Rhodes is a dentist in....I think in Auburn, if memory serves. The last I heard anything about Ron Saxby, his brother Doug (RIP) told me he'd moved to L.A., but Doug has been gone since the mid-seventies, so it's been awhile. All those years I didn't know their dad ran a tire store. I bought a couple tires from Doug circa '74, that's the last I saw of Doug and haven't heard anything about Ron since that time. Where are ya, Ron?

I never played baseball in any formal little league, but played alotta baseball at many different diamonds. I was never much of an athlete, but that didn't mean I didn't have fun getting on base and trying to make it home. Mostly I played shortstop, but did some time in the outfield as well as behind the plate as catcher. I like the superbowl, but the world series is still my favorite; you know there'll be at least 4 games. This year, the Giants took it to the Royals, a la Kung Fu Panda Sandoval. Great series, unless you're a Royals fan.

Peace, out.

Jim Eastwood

Hi All,

JR, it was the white disco suit I still have. Got a problem with that.

Al, I was on that team too.  The funniest thing that ever happened was one game when Mike Michelson was playing right field.  He was looking at a plane flying over, was picking his nose, and did not notice the high flying ball heading at his head.  It actually knocked him on his butt.  As he laid there, he got no simpathy from anyone because they were all laughing so hard.

Mr. Bailey, Tom's dad, was the Seattle cop who dragged for bodies in front of our house on the lake. It was usually after the races and the usual drunks usually fell overboard.  My mom would not let us go swimming until the body was pulled out.  By the way, a cop friend of mine says 85% of men who have drowned have their flies down.  Strange but true.

Jim

John Hein

Jim E: Still got the white disco 3-piece, a la John Revolting? WooHOOO!!! You be stylin'.....and thanks for all the other images. The drowned drunks with flies down statistic actually makes alotta sense, when ya think about it....I remember Tom Bailey, he was a really nice guy. I remember 2 guys named Opasich, they were cousins. One was Joe, and I don't remember the other guy's name....... both played sports. I do remember watching you play baseball at Lakewood playfield. Seems to me Steve Mansell was the catcher, do I have that correct? He got clobbered by a batter during a game with a wild swing of the bat, but fortunately the face guard saved him from getting a serious percussion. Too bad nobody thot to take some pix..........

Al Ovadia

I'm going to find our team photo. It's in a box somewhere. Opasich who played with us was Steve. I also almost broke my nose as we used to take infield from the sidelines when we had batting practice . I was playing first and watching the batter and someone called my name. I turned and bam, right on the schnoz.

Al Ovadia

I'm upset as I couldn't find my Little League pix but will keep looking. I did find these three gems.

7th grade shot. There were some serious high water pants going on. Dr. Dean Kashino and Dick Wasson in particular. Bruce Leaf, may he RIP, was clearly the fashion leader of the class looking studly with his white shirt and tie.

Franklin Kite Flying Contest: Tracey Dahlby, David Azose, Doug Woo, Dennis Perry and John Dunham. I think the kite was about 12' talll and we actually got it off the ground.

Graham Hill Safety Patrol: Stephen J Appleyard on the city-wide safety patrol certificate. He made all of us at Graham Hill very proud. I got kicked off patrol for daring someone to cross without the flag. It was either Jim Gritzen or Dick Wasson I recall.

Thanks to all for helping me to remember some of the most fun times in my life. I left Seattle after the UW and this forum has allowed me through your postings to trigger hidden memories. 

Al Ovadia

It might help if I uploaded the photos. Forgot to call out our very own Nancy R in the upper right third row. 

John Hein

Al O: Great pix !!! Thanks for posting, quite a hoot. Bruce Leaf & John Dunham, RIP. I don't remember a kite club. I thot it was my charisma when someone told me to go fly a kite......I think maybe the guy with the high water pants you're calling Dean Kashino is actually Rod Kawakami. Rod & Dick Wasson are definitely ready for a flood. Was it because of all the rain, or was showing off the argyles in vogue?

If memory serves (iffy), that's Steve Lanman next to Rod K.. Steve disappeared during 7th or 8th grade; anybody know where he went?

Al Ovadia

Dean is in the white pants.

Al Ovadia

It was a kite flying contest that the school held as a one time event.

John Hein

Al O: You mentioned that you're coaching little league. A coupla weeks ago whilst foraging thru some boxes of memorabilia, a came across my catcher's mitt. I also have my fielder's glove (somewhere?) from grade skewl diamond days. I'd gladly donate these items to a little league team that could put them to good use. If memory serves, the fielder's glove was from Sears, and the catcher's mitt from Valu-Mart (remember Valu-Mart, in Georgetown?). They're both in good shape and ready for some pitches, grounders and flies. Lemme know.  

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

I think I got my bowling ball for junior high bowling league at Valu-Mart.  Funny thing, I never got another one and I still have it.  My hand isn't much bigger than it was then, so, in a pinch, I can still bowl with it.  Funny what we remember.

Al Ovadia

Thanks John. All the kids have their own gear but appreciate your offer but all the kids have their own gear. 

Nancy, did you bowl in HS at Holly Park? That was a lot of fun. 

I believe Steve Muscatel's (RIP) uncle owned the bowling alley.

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

Yep, that is where we bowled.  It was a lot of fun for someone who isn't particularly athletic.  :)

Martin N Hill

In my Asa Mercer days, my mom would take my brother and me to Rainier "60" Lanes right down there across MLK, not all that far from Franklin.  We learned to keep score the old fashioned way.  Great times back then!                        

Marty

John Hein

I remember Rainier and Imperial bowling alleys. One of them was popular for it's pool tables. One of them had a really great cafe. I would stealthfully exit Franklin's campus at lunch so as to avoid the IBF screws, traverse a backstreet or two to the bowling alley and enjoy lunch and a hot chocolate at one of those bowling alleys....can't remember which one. I do remember how much better lunch at the alley was than at the skewl cafeteria. I don't recall doin' lunch in the cafeteria at all in our senior year. Dag's was always an option, of course, but the burger/fries/coke combo got old in no time; enter the bowling alley........

I remember the Holly Park bowling alley too. I bowled there with Jay Franco and Don (O.D.) Lorenz as team mates. I was never much of a bowler; I couldn't get that wrist-spin action to work for the life of me. Plus, it was a l-o-n-g walk home afterward. It took me awhile to catch on to how you score strikes, spares and such, but I finally got it. Jeez, it was s'posed to be fun and then there was all this math, which reminded me of Miss Fredericks, and those were not pleasant thots........