BANNING HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 1971 NEWSLETTER

EDITION – 1 VOLUME – 2

March 2002

 

***HELLO FROM THE EDITOR***

Leina Enriquez, Mike Janis and Cheryl Mann (Click to enlarge)

Hello again– This is your Editor, Cheryl Mann Gallardo. Never in my wildest dreams, did I think that the Newsletter would be welcomed with such enthusiasm by all of you. I received such an overwhelming response, that I was backed up with email for 3 weeks. I am overjoyed that everyone enjoyed reading about each other. And for that reason, I will continue on (the Lord willing of course).

Several of you have started emailing me to ask about the whereabouts of each other. Do you remember the old television show "LAUGH IN"? I am starting to feel a little like Lily Tomlin from that show when she did the segment of the " telephone operator"…."One ringey dingey, Two ringey dingey…I’ll put you through now". I have been able to recently put many of you in touch with each other and it warms my heart to see many of you reconnecting.

Many of you have made comment in your emails, asking why I would want to put myself into this position of creating the Newsletter with an already very hectic career and raising two little ones at my age. Let me answer you this way. I realized many years ago when my precious Mother passed away, that life boils down to no more than memories. When I weigh out those people that I have wonderful memories of, believe it or not, many of you classmates rank way at the top of that list. I enjoyed my school days so very much and have great memory of many of you. I thank God that we had a small school so as to give us all the opportunity to know each other, party with each other, have classes together and most importantly, continue to build memories together even now.

Other things I enjoy doing are of course spending quality time with my 4 children. I also enjoy planting and caring for my vegetable and flower gardens. I suppose I could put my time and effort into planting a larger garden or nurturing a few more rose bushes, but I prefer to put my time into building memories with people. Like I have said before, this Newsletter is my labor of love to all of you. Of course, when my day comes, when the GOOD LORD calls me home, I would like to think that many of you will have good memories of me.

Let’s talk about: KARL MILLER

Karl & Paula Miller (Click to enlarge)

Hey Gang – Karl has a question for you, he asks: "DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT BHSPA STAND FOR? From scanning the e-mail list, there are at least 4 classmates online that should remember this, and maybe a few more". If you think you know the answer to this, email Karl or Cheryl.

News Central Cheryl already has the scoop on this, but I will hold off until the next Newsletter to see what all of you have to say.

Karl is married to Paula (26 years now) whom he met while attending Cal State Long Beach and got married while still in school. They currently lives in Irvine, CA and have 3 children, Kyle (24), Summer (21) and Kaleigh (15). Karl worked in manufacturing as an engineer for 20 years after graduation and now is the VP of Operations for a major machinery moving company in LA. You can check out his company’s website at www.coastmachinerymovwers.com. Karl tells me that the job has been quiet interesting as he has been able to travel both nationally and abroad on business. He tells me he once went to Korea on 48 hours notice, spent 24 hours getting there, spoke for 5 minutes, saw the sights for the rest of the day then 24 hours home. As a result, he ended up with a big account in Montreal. What a life. Karl was sent by his company to New York on Sept 10^th with plans of going to England on Sept 12^th, but unfortunately he was stuck on the New Jersey Turnpike at 8:45am Sept 11^th when the Trade Center was attacked and all plans were cancelled. Karl told me that on that morning, while he and his co-workers were stuck on the New Jersey Turnpike. They assumed that the gridlock was normal and did not think much of it. When they realized that they were going to be late for their appointment, they called their customer and he informed them of what was believed at that time to be a private plane accident at the WTC. Upon their arrival they found the entire company in shock and every TV and Radio turned to the broadcasts. Everyone they met was in total shock as everybody had a story or knew people that worked downtown. Upon heading back to Newark that afternoon, they watched as the 3^rd building collapsed. They spent the next 2 days trying to regroup, checking on flights and conducting business by cell phone and laptops. Karl tells me that after this ordeal, it was never as good a feeling as t be home at 3am on Saturday. Karl still finds it hard to believe that he was there and as close as he was to "ground zero". Let me just say this Karl, I thank God that you are home and safe among us.

Karl tells me that he and his wife Paula, enjoyed the 30^th class reunion in Desert Hot Springs. As a matter of fact, they had such a good time with all of us, that he has asked that I keep him informed of upcoming events such as the 50^th Birthday Cruise and mini gatherings. You got it Karl and Paula, old News Central Cheryl will most definitely keep you posted.

Because I usually work on this Newsletter late at night once I get my wee ones into bed, I have noticed that Karl comes online about the same time (I see him sign on through my AOL Buddy List and now and then Karl will IM me or I will IM him, to say HI). I have wondered many times, "WHAT THE HECK IS KARL DOING UP THIS LATE". Well, Karl emailed me and answered my question. He tells me that he doesn’t always get to the computer everyday to check his email because he has 2 daughters and his wife that beat him to the computer and he has to wait until they get off the computer, before he can get on. Poor Guy! Karl, your starting to sound like my Dad when he used to complain that I was always on the telephone, however, now days we are complaining that the kids not only have the computer, but they also have the telephone lines tied up too. You better think about this Karl, your starting to sound like our parents did. That is not a good sign Karl!

Karl admitted to me that he is guilty of not keeping contact with our classmates in the past 20 years. He would like to know if anyone has information on the whereabouts of David Ring, John Brinton, Joe Mirci, Jamie Hendon, Ted Strader, Yvonne Jensen and Rita Shearer. Karl is hoping that the physical mail out of the last Newsletter that I put out via the U.S. Mail, will be successful in finding some of these people and getting together with them maybe for the 50^th Birthday Cruise. Karl very much likes the idea of a physical mail out of the Newsletter to those not online with us because he thinks it might "give them a kick in the butt" to make contact with the rest of us. If you have any info on any of these classmates, please contact myself or Karl. Also if any of you classmates feel like Karl and I, regarding the mail out of the Newsletter every 3 months to those classmates not online, please feel free to send me a book of postage stamps to help out with this crusade. Mail to: Cheryl Mann Gallardo, Madrone Estates Business Office, 200 Burnett Ave., Morgan Hill, CA 95037. I very much want to thank Cathy Hall, Sheila Simpson, and David Lightell for their support in this area during the first Newsletter mail out. I appreciate your help and support in the way of sending me postage to defray my costs. I have been successful at making contact with 3 new classmates so far because of the mail out.

Karl was kind enough to email me with the following email after the release of my first class Newsletter:

"Cheryl – I read the Newsletter the day it was posted with great interest and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is very interesting to relive some of those BHS days as well as reading what classmates are up to now. Keep up the good work as Editor. I for one thank you for the hard work it takes in doing this job and look forward to the 2^nd edition".

Let’s talk about: KIM EDMUNDSON

Warren Anderson, Kim Edmundson, and Sam Brower (Click to enlarge)

Right before the New Year, Warren Anderson had emailed me and said that he and his wife would be going to Mesquite, Az for the New Year along with Sam Brower and his wife. Warren was very happy to report to me that he had just learned that the Band that would be playing for the New Year Party, was that of Kim Edmundsons.

Kim has been living in Carmel since July 2001 and works with the Monterey Symphony Orchestra. After his show "Diagnosis Murder" on CBS was canceled last season, he tells me he needed a break from Hollywood and decided to come to Carmel to concentrate on "classical" and "jazz" playing for a while. However, he will be moving back to LA soon as he is involved with several shows now including "24" and "the Simpsons". But he claims it is going to be hard to leave Carmel. Kim does travel back and forth between the two cities for his recording sessions.

Kim has a new Jazz CD and website if you would like to check it out. The link is:

http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/183/the_alan_oldfield-_kim_edm.html

or you can go to :

mp3.com then click on "JAZZ" and then search for his name.

Kim tells me that he has played with the best of artists, but among some of his most memorable are President Bill Clinton at the Inaugural Ball when President Clinton was playing the Sax, and also with George Harrison of the Beatles.

Kim has shown an interest in attending an "Informal Gathering" of our Northern California classmates which I had originally scheduled to be in March. However, because I was not thinking of my grandbaby which is due to arrive anytime now, I have had to put it off until after the grandbaby arrives. So I only can hope that I can pick up this event and see Kim again before he moves back to LA.

It was wonderful to see you Kim and I hope to see you again real soon. Thanks for a beautiful day in Carmel. I enjoyed myself.

THE WAY WE WERE

This section was the brainstorm of classmate Dayna Taylor (Also known as "Dayna Bell"). I will start out by giving you the questions and answers of Dayna herself, but I will be picking 2 classmates per Newsletter to submit their answers. So if you receive the questions via email, please copy and paste the questions over to a new email, answer the questions and then email them back to Cheryl.

1. Favorite Teacher: Howard Noble, because he was thought provoking and fair-minded. Mr. Swanson comes in a strong second. He not only taught me how to swim, he was also soooooo cute!
2. Most Memorable Moment: Having a leading role in the Junior Play (even though my personal opinion of Mr. Teague, the drama teacher, was that he was an asshole.
3. Best Boyfriend: George Stewart – He made a stunning drum major and he could always make me laugh.
4. Best place to be: Idyllwild, I love the woods and it was a great way to get away from the desert scene.
5. Happiest time: There were many, but the one that first comes to mind is graduating after the 1^st semester, moving back to Los Angeles and being wild and crazy just before heading off to college.
6. Secret Crush: Joey Merci – "He wasn’t the best looking guy but he had a cool personality and was always pleasant.
7. Most Fulfilling Moment: Encouraging Debra White to run for Miss Banning and the fact that she won.
8. Most Embarrassing Moment: When my parents would show up at parties to take me home and it was barely 10 pm.
9. Most Scandalous Moment: If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you.
10. A Spiritual Moment: Going on a field trip with the Acapella Choir to a mountain town named Rim of the World and looking down on the clouds. To think we were actually high enough to be above the clouds! It was so amazing and something I’ll never forget.

TIDBITS OF INFO

Leina Enriquez Kaylor  My lifetime buddy Leina has emailed News Central Cheryl to discuss none other than our very own WARREN ANDERSON after she read the story in the last Newsletter about Warren and the Fox Theater Marquee. She writes: "So funny about Warren, but it doesn’t surprise me! I remember vividly, him loving to describe our (all of us girls) cafeteria lunches in the most gross manner. Telling us we were eating worms, dog food and all kinds of yukky stuff just trying to get a reaction from us. I tried to get him to admit this at the 20^th reunion but he still denies it". ** Warren do you have any idea how many days all us girls went hungry because of this? You silly goose you….We love you Warren and cherish our memories of you with all of us back in school.**

Paula Folkvord Wilting  Paula shared with me via email, her memories of the Jr. High Dances, she said: "I remember my first Jr. High Dance also, but what I remember was the first dance that everyone would dance was called "THE FREDDIE", remember? It was a strange little dance that everyone could do by themselves, thus no asking anyone to dance. Somehow we all ended up on the floor "DOING IT", the Freddie that is". **Boy Paula I’m sure glad you clarified that, I was getting worried when you said everyone ended up on the floor "doing it". I was thinking to myself, boy I must have missed that dance…ha ha ha (Oops, hope I didn’t offend anyone with that, just having fun with ya girlfriend…..)**

Johnny Faye Benson Wells  Johnny emailed in to say "HI, I’m in Pomona, CA. God is good and life is good. To bring you up to date, I’m working for a mortgage banking company in Rancho Cucamonga as the Human Resources Manager, have been married for 27 years, have 3 kids."

Johnny Benson (Click to enlarge)

"I had a wonderful time at the 30^th class reunion and I’m looking forward to the reunion in Ontario in June (All School Reunion) which will be just down the street from me." ** (Oh Good Johnny, we can all stay at your house hee hee, don’t panic Johnny, I’m just playing**) "I really enjoyed your newsletter and keep up the good work. My sister Mary Benson Martin would like to be added to our email list, she is from the class of 72". ** Johnny, the more the merrier, tell your sister she is more than welcome to be a part of the fun we are having with the class of 71.**

Dayna Taylor - Dayna reports to me: "I got a chance to see Sheila Simpson while she was in Wash. DC, and she looks pretty much the same which is definitely a good thing – especially after 30 years! That continues to blow my mind that so much time has passed and we’re still here to tell the story". ** Dayna, I was blessed to see Sheila at the 30^th class reunion and your right, she looks simply Mah-Va-Lous Darling. But, let Cheryl tell you a secret, we are only in our 40’s of course we’re still here to tell the story, you act like we are 110 years old. You need to come out and party with us and feel young again…..See you at the "All School Reunion" in June. Sheila and I danced our booties off at the 30^th reunion, you need to come join us.***

Don Thomson – Class of 70  Don emailed in to tell me that he just had his 50^th birthday (ouch) and that he can’t believe it. His wife took him out to dinner at a nice India restaurant. He said it was good food but he made the mistake of ordering his curry – SPICY. He said it was a" BIG MISTAKE, ABOUT A THREE ON THE HABENARO SCALE" (double ouch) He got new broadband connection for his birthday present and thinks it’s pretty cool. ***Well Happy Birthday to you Don and many many more my OLD (ha ha ha, I’m only 48) friend.

THE 4-D’s

In the January Newsletter, I had invited all of you to email in with any information, suggestions or comments. Well, I was laughing my rear end off at the following email I received.

DIANNA HARRELL ( AKA COOKIE)  emailed in to say "Hi Cheryl, sorry I haven’t had time to email you, busy getting settled in Jacksonville Florida. Just a little hot news that THE 4D’s WERE THE HOTTEST – HIPPEST GIRL GROUP TO COME OUT OF THE CLASS OF 71. CHECK US OUT, DAYNA (Taylor), DIANNA (Harrell), DORIS (Beecham) and DEBRA (White). LOOK OUT FOR A FLASH BACK MOMENT!!!!!"

Well, let me tell all of you this, Dianna was trying to bust my bubble. Because according to me, Leina Enriquez, Laura Gutierrez, Susie Mann, and Annie Whitmore, we thought for sure we were THE HOTTEST – HIPPEST GIRLS TO COME OUT OF THE CLASS OF 71. So I emailed Dianna, Dayna and Doris (I do not have Debra’s email address) and informed all of them of Dianna’s email. I then asked them, SO, ARE YOU GOING TO TELL OLD NEWS CENTRAL CHERYL JUST HOW HOT AND HIP THE 4-D’s REALLY WERE? COME ON, GIVE IT UP GIRLFRIENDS!!

The following were their comments that cracked me up:

DORIS BEECHAM - "As for the scope on the 4-d’s, well, I’ll never tell. But I will tell you this: The 4-D’s were Smart, Sassy, Sexy and So Much Fun To Be With".

DAYNA TAYLOR – "Yes, well this is news to me! Now, I can only speak for myself, but I did have my moments and it’s conceivable that from time to time, my reputation did precede me, but I’m leaving this one on Cookie (Dianna) since she’s the one to have put it so interestingly".

DIANNA HARRELL – "Hey lady, Yes we were something else !!!!! We had a lot of fun in our Banning High School Years. What a fantastic, funny, emotional, mini series it would be".

I emailed all of them back to inform them of what Doris had to say about the 4-D’s and the fact that they were smart, sassy, sexy and so much fun. Dianna emailed me back with this comment about Doris: "As the oldie but goodie song say’s "TELL IT LIKE IT IS", that’s Doris".

I want to thank all of you for coming out to play with News Central Cheryl

COMMENTS REGARDING THE RELEASE OF THE FIRST NEWSLETTER

I would like to let everyone know that I am in any way putting this section in to give myself a pat on the back at all, but rather so all of you can see just how much our classmates enjoy this kind of interaction (well most of them) so that when I’m ready to retire as Editor, someone will pick up the title. Personally, I think Dayna Taylor should be my successor because she emailed in to suggest a new section for the Newsletter and it was such a wonderful idea, I told her I thought she should take over when I retire. Dayna emailed back to say: "Hey Cheryl – one brainstorm don’t make no Editor". ***Dayna, who knows you might get so good at it that you end up the Editor of some famous magazine. I think it’s your calling in life sweetie. Ok, now in all seriousness, here are some of the comments from classmates after the release of the first Newsletter:

LEINA ENRIQUEZ KAYLOR – "Loved the Newsletter! What a lot of work you have done and who would have thought this was your calling".

KAREN CORONADO - "I am constantly amazed at your enthusiasm and stick-to-it-ness with all the business of our class. I love the idea of the web-site. Thank God you have the extra time to squeeze in between your other jobs to continue to stay active in this".

Diane Digby, Connie Sanford, Karen Coronado and Annie Whitemore   (Click to enlarge)

 

Victoria Le Blanc and Cathy Hall (Click to enlarge)		Dorothy Ashford (Click to enlarge)

VICTORIA LE BLANC – NORMAN – Now Victoria gave News Central Cheryl the run down and who is who by saying this: "I am Gloria Norman’s sister-in-law. I married Larry Norman (class of 69). I attended your 30th reunion as a guest with my cousin Dorothy Ashford and had a wonderful time. My brother Eddie Le Blanc graduated also with you and I keep him up to date with his class of 71."

Ruby (Johari) Stringer and Gloria Norman (Click to enlarge)

"I enjoyed all the stories and gossip of the Newsletter and I think what you are doing for your class is marvelous. YOU GO GIRL and please keep me in your e-mail of events." ***Victoria, we are pleased to have you on board with the rest of us and please tell Eddie that we would like to hear from him.***

DAYNA TAYLOR – "I think it would be a good idea to alternate the responsibility of getting the newsletter out to the people". ***Great idea Dayna, any takers out there?

DON THOMSON – (CLASS OF 70) – "I enjoyed the pictures. I wish someone from the class of 70 would do the same. Ya notice, I’m not volunteering". ***Don, can’t say that I blame you. Ha Ha, no I’m just kidding, I enjoy doing this, it gives me a chance to visit with all of you.

CHERIE HALL WELLS – "It was so great to get your newsletter. What memories you have brought back. Since Jim and I were unable to attend the reunion the pictures (with the names below) were especially fun to see. You produced a wonderful informative newsletter. It was great to read up on everyone".

DAYNA TAYLOR – "The 71 Newsletter was fun to read. I look forward to the next issue".

ANIMOUS CLASSMATE – "Cheryl you asked for comments about the Newsletter, so I would like to report to you that I did not like you in school and I suspect I still would not like you now. So let me see you print this one." ***Cheryl’s Comment – This classmate choose to stay anonymous and sent the email from an "undisclosed location", so I have no idea who it is or whether male or female, but let me just say this. I guess some of us just never grew up after High School. I am sorry you feel this way about me as I do not remember really having any enemies in school and got along with everyone. The real problem here is that this is quiet a loss for you, as anyone that does not like and enjoy me, has truly had a loss in their life. And the really bad part is, I like myself so much, it doesn’t really matter. (Sorry other classmates, but I’m a sucker for a dare) Should you ever decide you want to discuss this, please feel free to contact me on a personal basis at my email address. Meanwhile, this Newsletter that I choose to create is not about ME, it is about YOUR CLASSMATES. So try to enjoy it on that basis if nothing else. Have a good day.

CLASS WEBSITE

Website Address - http://banninghighbroncos71.com

In January’s publication of the Newsletter, I had put a Help Wanted section advertising for someone to come forward to create a website for our class. I am so proud to say that our very own knowledgeable class member, David Lightell, eagerly emailed me to volunteer his time and talent to this labor of love for all of us. David has been hard at work on this project and I have to say that he is a very enthusiastic and creative individual in this area. David has been wonderful to work with on this project and it has been amazing to watch as he constructs another link or comes up with another idea while developing the website. The creation of this website has been a dream come true for myself and Cathy Hall for over a year. We both are so pleased with David’s work. Thanks David from the bottom of our hearts. We know that it is not an easy task to find the extra time (if there is such a thing) to be able to do this between family and work. We will always try to be very patient while you are forming your masterpiece. We appreciate you and your talent.

David is currently on Easter vacation in the desert of Arizona (I love the desert this time of year, it is just so beautiful there) and will be posting this current Newsletter hopefully early next week. I believe that this will be the last Newsletter to go out by email and as of the June Newsletter (which may not actually get out until July because I want to incorporate information and photos from the "BHS Class of 71 Informal Gathering" in Ontario CA on Friday, June 21^st, and the "All School Reunion" being held on Saturday, June 22^nd also in Ontario, CA) I only will be putting out a News Flash to all online class members that the Newsletter is now posted on the website. David already has developed other links into the website, such as a photo section from our 30^th class reunion and past and current Newsletters. He is now working on a link which will contain a classmate family photo gallery. Eventually, we will be adding a missing classmates section, the e-address list for all online classmates and a announcement area that we will be reporting on other events as they happen. Should any classmates have any other suggestions or comments regarding the website, David would like for you to feel free to contact him at his e-address of: lightell@sonic.net

I also recently was able to locate Betty Weaver along with husband and fellow alumni, Fred Morissette (Class of 70) alive and well and living in fabulous Las Vegas, NV. Betty and I have been busy emailing back and forth and getting to know where life has taken both of us. Soon I will be flying to Vegas to visit my two adult sons who live there, and we are planning on getting together. I will report to you in the next Newsletter on the time and times of Fred & Betty.

Recently classmate Cyndi Baca emailed in to give all of us the email addresses for fellow classmates Mark Brandes, and Paulette Word. I will be making contact with these classmates shortly and will add them to our email list so they are receiving all class info going out. Thanks Cyndi for finding a few more to join in on the fun.

We still have many missing classmates that need to be found. If you have info regarding any missing classmates, please contact Cheryl ASAP and I will attempt to make contact.

UPCOMING EVENTS

CLASS OF 71 INFORMAL GATHERING – Whether you are planning on attending the "All School Reunion" or not, please try to attend this informal gathering for our class on Friday Night, June 21^st 2002(night before the All School Reunion) at 7PM in the Restaurant area at the Ontario Airport Doubletree Hotel, 222 N. Vineyard, Ontario, CA. There is no cost for this event and it will be a time of just kicking back and visiting, eating or having a couple of cold ones with old friends. Everyone pays for their own meals and drinks (unless you want to buy me (Cheryl) one too. Ha Ha Ha) If you live in the Banning area and have access to any classmates who are not online with us and not getting this information, please inform them of this event or contact me and I will send them out the information via U.S. Mail. We will just enjoy the company of each other and see where the night takes us. Who knows, maybe we will all end up out by the hot tub…Yippee

I am however asking that ALL CLASSMATES THAT WILL BE ATTENDING THIS EVENT, EMAIL ME ASAP and let me know of your intentions to attend so I can give the restaurant an approximate head count as to how many people to be prepared for. If you are not sure at this time whether you will be attending or not, but hope too, please let me know so I can check back with you prior to the event. I am thanking you for this courtesy in advance. As of right now, I am aware of about 20 of us who have intentions of attending this event. I will see you there.

ALL SCHOOL REUNION - This reunion will be a major gathering of all BHS alumni dating back to 1926 to current. Please do not miss this opportunity to reunite with old classmates, rekindle old friendships and make new ones.

VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER: REMEMBER TO JOIN THE BHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.

 

FAREWELL UNTIL NEXT NEWSLETTER IN JULY

Reunion Group Shot (Click to enlarge)

Well Gang, that’s all the news I have to share for this Newsletter. I hope you enjoyed hearing about one another. Please remember to e-mail me with any info, gossip, comments or suggestions that would benefit the Newsletter. Remember, without you emailing in, I have no news to report. Next Newsletter will be put out in July.

I hope to see ALL OF YOU at the INFORMAL CLASS GATHERING AND THE ALL SCHOOL REUNION in June. Please make every effort to attend this event so we can all gather together once again.. I love each and every one of you and pray that God will bless all of you each and every day….(Yes, even you, the one who doesn’t like me. Love, Cheryl Mann Gallardo (cheryllee03@aol.com).