Banning High School - Class of 1971 Newsletter
June 2004

BHS Class of 1971 Official Website Address:
banninghighbroncos71.com

News Central Cheryl Mann (now Gallardo) happily at work at her News Central typewriter.
Email address: cheryllee03@aol.com
NCC Cartoon Character compliments of Web Dude David Lightell
Email Address: lightell@sonic.net

Life is full of twists and turns !!!!!

By our age, we have learned that life is full of twists and turns. Some of those twists and turns, although bothersome, are gentle enough that we can ride them out and continue on with our everyday lives.
On the other hand, and figuratively speaking, some of those turns are not quiet as gentle, and are better described as "hairpin turns" that we are not expecting and sometimes, we lose control. "Hairpin turns," are of course, much more dangerous and can cause us to CRASH !!!! Once we have "CRASHED," more than likely we will be left with a few injuries. The injuries sustained will then require time and effort on our part in order to bring healing, and therefore we find ourselves re-prioritizing our lives in order to put our time and effort towards helping the healing process begin.
I tell you all of this to say, that News Central Cheryl Mann (from here on out referred to as NCC), experienced a "hairpin turn" in her life and unfortunately, SHE CRASHED !!!!! My crash required me to re-prioritize for a while; put those thing off that could be put off; and concentrate on that which was at hand. For that reason, you might find that in this issue, and possibly the next issue of our BHS Class of 71 Newsletter, that some of the News is a few months overdue. But, I still felt that I needed to share those tidbits of news since many of you took the time out of your very busy lives to sit down and type out an email to me or send yet another photo of you and the new grandbaby.
NCC (cheryllee03@aol.com) would like to send a great big THANK YOU to Our BHS Class Webmaster, Web Dude David Lightell (better known as WDD) for continuing on with our Class of 71 Website business during NCC's absence. The Class of 1971 couldn't have asked for a more dedicated and talented Webmaster, and for that, we are thankful. As I've said before, your the BEST Web Dude EVER......Speaking of WDD, let's see WUZZZZ UP with the Cyber Guy himself.

From The Desk Of Cyber Guy Lightell.

Hello, fellow Banning High School Alumni and friends. I want to wish you all a happy and healthy 2004, hope you have a great year! As we begin another year of our website, I want to thank all who have contributed to our website, by sending your pictures, ideas and contributions.

We have a few new items on the website: http://banninghighbroncos71.com, so be sure to check it out. We now have photos from our 20th Year Reunion posted on the website http://banninghighbroncos71.com/reunions/reunion-1991/, and the 30th Year Reunion pages have undergone a facelift http://banninghighbroncos71.com/reunions/reunion-2001/.

The Photo Gallery section has been expanded to include a photograph, supplied by Warren Anderson: A 5th Grade Central Elementary class picture taken in 1964! along with the signatures on the back of the photo. This is great you guys! Check it out at http://banninghighbroncos71.com/gallery/64/5th-grade-central.html. Thanks, Warren!

Also, soon to come to the photo gallery, if not already posted by the time you read this, will be our class graduation picture, thanks to Cheryl Mann.

Be sure to come back often to our website, as our site will be going through some changes in the next few months. If you have any photographs that you would like to share with your classmates, please send them to me, "Web Dude David Lightell (lightell@sonic.net) or to "News Central Cheryl Mann" (cheryllee03@aol.com). These can be current pictures of you and your family, reunion pictures - especially pictures from our 5th and 10th reunion (oh, that would be great!), or pictures from the past back in our school days. But please don't send any pictures from the future as they have a problem showing up on a web page. (ha! ha!)

Take care everyone, and hope you enjoy the website. Web Dude David Lightell.

Cherie Hall (now Wells)

Cherie's NEW email address: cwells@dc.rr.com

In March, Cherie emailed NCC the above picture of herself and 5 year old Granddaughter Alicia. Alicia is the daughter of Cherie's youngest son Jared. Cherie also shared that she has a Grandson named Miles, (the first child of Cherie's oldest son Cole), who at the time Cherie emailed NCC, was 13 months old and learning how to walk. Cherie said "Miles just spent an entire week with us and "WOW WAS GRAMMA EVER BUSY. BUT I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT." Ahhh how cute, your such a good Grandma Cherie. If I'm not mistaken, I believe that Cherie has a total of 4 grandchildren, 3 from her youngest son, and one from her oldest son.

Cherie and hubby Jim Wells (BHS Class of 69) love "kickin it" at the Beach and plan on spending most of their summer there in their 5th wheel. Cherie said that she and Jim try to get away as much as possible in the summer to get Jim out of the heat. As he is still working in construction in Palm Springs and the surrounding desert areas. Cherie said that it is so relaxing and cool there and said that since Jim still works down in the hot desert, that the beach is a perfect getaway for them. NOW, would you guys believe, that hubby Jim and long time friend Mike Hoff still love to get in some surfing while at the beach. He must be in better shape than NCC because I'm not sure I could handle surfing anymore.

Cherie shared that she and Fellow BHS Alumni Judy Scriven (Smith) still keep in touch and that Judy works there (in Banning) for the District Attorney's Office in the Child Support Division. Hey Cherie, why not ask Judy to come online with the rest of us?

Cherie never fails to convey to NCC just how much she ENJOYS reading the Newsletter and looking at all the pictures. She always tells NCC how much fun it is to take a walk down memory lane with NCC. Thanks Cherie for always giving NCC a pat on the back.
By the way Cherie, recently my Bro Randy Mann and I were "kickin' it" down at The River. We were "talkin bout the good ole days." Randy shared with me about when your hubby Jim moved into town (Banning) and how they became friends. Randy was telling me stories about "Molly," Jim's raccoon. We were wondering, whatever happened to Molly?

Randy & Polli (Pauline Jost) Turner Celebrates 25th Wedding Anniversary

Ahhhh, this picture is precious....Doesn't Polli Look So Pretty?

The BHS Class of 71 is very proud of Polli (Pauline Jost) and Hubby Randy, for recently celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary by performing a renewing of their wedding vows in Victoria, Canada. Congratulations. You two are my heroes.

You can learn more about The Turner family by visiting their family website located at:

The following is an email NCC received from Barb Allsworth Lee after she received the flowers that the Class of 71 & Friends sent to her following the sudden passing of Barb's husband Larry.

"Cheryl, thank you and the Class of 71. The flowers were wonderful and contained my favorite lily, the Star lily. It was so fragrant that it brighten the whole house. The service went well even in gale force winds. Again, thank you for all the love, support and prayer sent my way. It has meant so much to me to know so many people care. Again, thank you for your help and support. Love, Barb"

Dear Barb: NCC prays that this Newsletter finds you well on your way to rebuilding the foundation that crumbled beneath your feet so suddenly. May God strengthen you with each new day and keep you in the palm of his hands. Please DO send NCC an email and let me know how you are doing.....Love, Cheryl

A couple of months back, NCC sent out a News Flash to everyone asking that you email in with news of what's going on in your lives. NCC sends out just such News Flashes now and then in order to gain lots of info for the Newsletters. As always, NCC received many wonderful emails with info of vacations, anniversaries and new grand children.

However, one particular email broke my heart, rendered me speechless and put me on my knees in prayer, for Our Precious Diane Kropp Barnes.

Diane shared with NCC details of the year 2003 which brought much tragedy, sickness and heartache to Diane and her family. Diane shared with NCC that the year 2003 was "a horrible year" and that she is "praying that God will grant her a good 2004." NCC believes that all of us need to come together as one, and agree in prayer on behalf of Diane and her family, that God will bless them, open new doors for them and keep them healthy.

Diane told NCC that in March of last year, Diane lost her Grandfather to a heart attack. In June, she learned that her mother had cancer of the throat and her Aunt (her Mother's sister), cancer of the lung. Her Aunt died on August 4, and her beloved Mother on August 9th. In July, her husband David nearly lost his life from carbon monoxide poisoning. While Diane was visiting her Mother in the hospital, Diane got a horrible feeling that something was wrong with David. She called home, cell phones and every neighbor but could not reach anyone, including her husband David. Around 11pm Eastern time, she received a call from a neighbor who said that he was at the hospital with David who was receiving Oxygen for high levels of carbon monoxide due to using a gas powered saw in the basement on the cement (cutting out for plumbing). The Fire Dept. had to be called and they nearly lost their cat and 13 week old puppy.

Two weeks later, Diane's niece Emily was in a serious accident in Oregon. She wasn't wearing a seat belt and was thrown out the front wind shield onto the highway. Emily sustained head injuries, back and hip injuries, crushed her foot and broke all toes on her right foot. She was in intensive care for one week and in the hospital for 3 weeks. Thank God she is alive. Now keep in mind that all of this happened while "Mom" was still alive and she was beside herself. Diane tells NCC that she spent most of her summer in 2003 in Oregon with family and also for the burial of her Mom.

In October, she learned that her sister Karen (only 45 years old) was dying of Hepatitis C and Diabetes. Diane flew to Oregon and the day she arrived was told that her sister would pass away within 24 to 48 hours and was instructed to move her sister over to hospice. Diane's sister passed away on November 9th. Diane said she misses her Sister and Mother "sooooooo much."

While Diane was in Oregon for her Sister's funeral, Diane's husband David became seriously ill with a fever of 104. Upon her return home, she made him an appointment with the doctor. The doctor called Diane and told her that David was seriously ill and could have died had she not gotten him to the doctor. He was near renal failure due to sever bladder and kidney infection. They put a foley catheter and David had surgery on December 16th for prostrate and bladder reconstruction.

Now, to top everything off, David learned in December that his company was going to close down his business and David was beside himself to find out that his job would end in March of this year.

Diane told NCC "Needless to say, this has not been a very good year and again, I pray that our Lord Jesus has a better year planned for us in 2004." Hope all is well with you. Diane."

Dear Diane - NCC cannot express to you enough through an email, just how sorry I am to learn of all the heartache you had to endure during the year 2003. For one to lose their Mother is tragic enough, but to have to endure so many heartaches in one year, is more than any one person should have to ever experience. My prayer for you Diane, is that God will bring healing to your broken heart. Again Diane, I am so sorry. Please know, and I mean this from the bottom of my heart , if you need me I'm just an email or phone call away.... Love, Cheryl

SURPRISE !!!! Guess who else found us? Yep, Fellow Alumni Carol Miller. NCC received the following email:

"Hi Cheryl: I'm Carol's sister Susie Miller Hartshorn. Carol doesn't have e-mail but could you send notices to her through me? She's here today and was having fun looking at the pics and letters on your website. Thanks, Sue"
Oh Yippee.....It's so cool when we hit a "double whammy"....Not only will we now have contact with Carol, but Sister Sue too..... Sue of course is a graduate of the Class of 74 and lives in Palm Desert. Carol lives in Redlands, has two children, Mark 22 & Katie 16 and works as a nurse/phlebotomist at a blood bank.

Welcome Aboard Carol and Susie. And remember to please email us now and then to let us know what's going on in your lives....NCC

News From Other BHS Classes

John & Marla (Brandes) Baird
John BHS Class of 67 & Marla BHS Class of 69

Email address: marlabaird@aol.com

From Left to Right: Daughter Jennifer, Daddy John,
Bride Daughter Heather, New Son-In-Law Darren, Mom Marla & Daughter Laurel.
And of course our Very Own Talented Class of 71 Mark Brandes was not only
the Proud Uncle of the Bride, but also the Photographer of the wedding photos.

Ahhhhh, Marla Brandes !!!! Just thinking bout Marla brings a smile to ole' NCC's face. Do we go back a few years or what girlfriend? Yep, we sure do !!! As a matter of fact, NCC and Marla go back soooooooooo far, that NCC was with Marla on her very first date with long time Hubby of 33 years, John Baird, BHS 1967.

NCC has to stop and smile whenever I reminisce over that night when Marla and NCC went on a double date with two of Banning's finest of Handsome Hunks, that being, John Baird and Tommy Kellum, BHS 69. The guys took Marla and I to Palm Springs to see the movie, "Gone With The Wind" at the Camelot Theater. But you guys wanna hear what those "creeps" did to Marla and NCC? The Guys were almost an hour late picking us up !!! Marla and I were most certain that we had been STOOD UP !!!! But they finally showed up and off we went to Palm Springs and had a very nice time. Now that I think about it Marla, what was their excuse for being late? ha ha ha

John and Marla have lived in the same house since 1978 in Palm Desert and have 3 beautiful daughters, Jennifer 30; Heather 26; and Laurel 19. Daughter Heather recently wed a great guy who is a CHP officer. Heather and Darren honeymooned in Australia. Daughter Jennifer is working on her 3rd Masters degree and Daughter Laurel is studying to be a Montessori teacher.

Marla tells NCC that hubby John is "such a special guy". She said he is "romantic, a committed Christian and has acquired a great business that is well recognized in the community for its quality and integrity". Well Marla, it sounds to NCC, that you have hit a POT OF GOLD and I couldn't be happier for you and your family.

According to Marla's emails to NCC, it sounds as if Marla has been, and still is, busy as a bee. Over the years as her daughters were growing up, Marla of course was very involved in her daughters sports and cheerleading events. Marla also belongs to the National Charity League (NCL), a mother-daughter group. AND, Marla leads "Moms In Touch", a prayer group of Moms who gather together to pray over their children and their schools.

It's funny how when we are younger, we don't even know when to recognize a blessing when it comes our way, but learn over the years to realize when the Good Lord has bestowed a blessing upon us. Such as, not only was NCC blessed to have been with Marla on that very first date with hubby John, but NCC was also in attendance at John and Marla's wedding over 33 years ago. I now realize what wonderful memories the Lord was instilling in my heart so that I can look back over those times and smile as I reminisce that day that John and Marla became ONE. What a beautiful bride Marla was and what a wonderful blessing it is for NCC to realize that I was allowed to be a part of those two very special events in John and Marla's lives.

Marla shared with NCC that the same Pastor that performed their wedding ceremony 33 years ago, Pastor Rodney Platte, was also the same Pastor that performed her daughter Heather's wedding ceremony. Isn't that special? John and Marla also renewed their wedding vows at their church for their silver wedding anniversary and guess who officiated the ceremony? Yep, Pastor Rodney Platte, that's even double special. Alana Denier and Doug Gunther were again their honor attendants. Marla tells me that it was a very moving and incredible ceremony. And get this all you BHS ladies !!! Marla even wore her original wedding dress for the renewing of her vows !!! Can you believe THAT ? Good job Marla, you go girl.....

Last year John and Marla purchased a beach house in San Felipe, Mexico and spent a week there. Sounds like fun, can the rest of us come along next time? I make wonderful tacos ..ha ha ha

John and Marla have remained friends and still spend time with other BHS Fellow Alumni such as Jay & Robyn (Weals) Jahn. Next time you see Jay & Robyn, please do tell them hi from NCC.

It is with pleasure, that NCC announce the details of the upcoming BHS Class of 74 Reunion. This event will be held on Saturday, July 31st, 2004 at the Calimesa Country Club. The evening will begin with a no-host cocktail hour from 6 - 7 pm, and continue with dinner, entertainment and dancing from 7 - 10 pm. The Master Of Ceremonies will of course be, none other than Duke Vernoy (better known as "The Dukester"), with an area disc jockey providing music for your dancing pleasure. The cost of the evening will be $50.00 per person, and the dress code will be business/casual. All registrations for the reunion must be received no later than June 25th. A family picnic will also be held on Sunday, August 1st, 2004 at Yucaipa Community Park from 12 noon to 3:00pm. This will be a bring your own picnic event.

The BHS Class of 74 has extended an invitation to all BHS Alumni to join them. If interested please contact Jolene Chambless-York, email address: misjo55@sbcglobal.net or "the dukester himself" at: banninggrad1974@yahoo.com.

If you happen to have contact with any BHS 74 alumni, please do take a moment to contact them and make sure that they are aware of this upcoming Reunion.

NCC thinks it would be a fabulous idea if the Class of 71, or for that matter any BHS Alumni no matter what Class, joined the Class of 74 on Picnic Day. How bout' it guys? Shall we pack our lunch baskets, grab a blanket and meet up with our fellow alumni at the park? Let's do it !!!! If you are interested in joining in, please email NCC.

Anyone recall the name Eileen Fetro? If not, just take a look in your old yearbook under the Class of 1972 and you will surely recognize her face. That's what NCC did, and sure enough, even though I personally did not know Eileen in school, I remembered seeing her face once upon a time.

Eileen sent a surprise email to Web Dude Dave and informed him that she had found us through the Internet and was so surprised to find us there. Eileen writes:

"David, I just found this website last night. It's AWESOME!!. I don't know if you will remember me or not, but my maiden name was Eileen Fetro. I only went to BHS for my Freshman year. All of you that I hung out with were Sophomores. That was you (David Lightell), Evan Reidhammer, Cindy Stumpf, Lorraine Lebert and Barb Allsworth. It was a great year that I was there and you all made it very memorable. I talked (email) to Barb a few years ago, but have since lost contact. I usually hear from Cindy at least once a year. Otherwise, I have not seen anyone else in probably 30 years. Still living in Phoenix, AZ but get back to Banning once in a while. I still have an aunt that lives in Yucaipa. Hope to hear back from you. Until then, take care. Eileen Thill Fetro."

Wow Eileen, we are so happy you found us. We always get so excited when we are able to reconnect with yet another "one of us." We have added your name to our online mailing list and look forward to hearing where life has taken you. In our Class of 71 Website you will find an email address list which can help you to get through to some of your old friends... Have fun reconnecting......NCC

Well Guys, not that NCC doesn't have more news to share, but I think this Newsletter is getting pretty long, so I better stop for now. Considering that it has been awhile since NCC has put out a Newsletter, NCC does already have another Newsletter in the making.

Until next time remember, that there are many things in life that will catch your EYE, but only a few that will catch your HEART, pursue those.....

Have a GREAT summer and remember to email NCC.... News Central Cheryl Mann Gallardo