The Finish Line

Time has marched on and we find ourselves nugged into Graduation Day and we see our official Finish Line Scribe on the 11th. It was like passing the twenty-six mile marker on a 26.2 mile marathon, which Merle has done nine times. The days leading up to Graduation are spent in a euphoric state. Spectators will be distributed within days and the school picnic at the City Park springs us from school an entire day. As life would have it, we are looking at each other in cap and gowns and the lights on the football field are about to brighten as we enter the next chapter in the book of life and continue our journey. We begin to understand the saying "It's not the destination but the journey that makes life exciting". So true - the excitement is in earning a diploma, not so much owning one. Well done Class of  '65, have a successful half century and we'll see you at the Lockhorn on June 27th, 2015.

That's Planning!

School Picnic

One of the top ten events of each school year is the School Picnic.  One entire day of the last week of school the student body gathers at the City Park.  It was a time to reflect knowing that each of us had achieved the next level.  Freshmen were no longer doormats.  Sophomores had moved to a respectable Junior status.  Juniors had elevated themselves to that level where they expected underclassmen to visualize words like monarch, royalty, sovereign, and regal when in the presence of a Senior.  Like Mr. “C” and his baton, we owned a scepter.  For proof check out our yearbook’s page 85 showing our high school band in the Citrus Fair Parade.  That is Bill Fredericks leading the talent. Check out the upper right corner.

Games like three legged races and tug-o-war created competition between classes.  We won the tug-o-war as Seniors no sweat but as Juniors we had bigger stronger jerks on our side of the rope and humbled the Seniors.  Charlie Greppi, Charlie Fayter, Ted Emmel, Ron Petersen, Stephan Longo and Ken Little will forever be disliked by those Seniors from the Class of ’64.

It was a day where massive amounts of ink were transferred to the pages of our yearbooks.  That ink is still there and it is interesting how what was written fifty years ago has played out.  Many of us will bring our Spectators June 27th knowing the second week of June, 1965 that we had until the fourth week of June 2015 before we could fill up more pages recounting events of the past five decades.

Spectator

On the “top 25 most prized possessions” list in our lives for many are our high school yearbooks.  This publication provides a summary of most of our school year, featuring highlights of the past eight months.  Containing academy award winning photos of the seniors and mug shots of the rest of the student body, “the book” also covered events of the year A to Z.  Taking possession of a Spectator is a parallel to taking a one lap to go flag at the Indy 500.  We know school is all but over.  Many of us excitedly have dozens of our classmates write something nice about us and we in turn sugar coat our true thoughts about them.  Was that nice?

Nearing one of the paramount happenings in our lives, our 50th High School Reunion, it is a good time to review our 1964-1965 school yearbook in preparation for our gathering north of the stoplight.

Parents

Growing up in the ‘50s and ‘60s in Cloverdale was about as good as it gets.  It was a time when schools, Little League, Blue Birds, Scouts, Brownies, Campfire Girls, churches, Citrus Fair, and other groups pulled together.  Parents were parents more so than ever.  We had the best from “Woman of the Year” for California, Mrs. Greenhalgh to every parent who helped make it happen. Mothers sacrifice so much in the parenting process many of the sacrifices going unacknowledged.  Fathers guided our youth on many fronts - spirituality, Scouts and school projects, to name a few. This unique period in our history saw Cloverdale working as a TEAM Together Everyone Achieves More.  No fathers of our classmates are with us.  However, Mrs. Cavagnaro, Mrs. Farrell, Mrs. Frederick, Mrs. Murray, and Mrs. Haehl are with us but have advanced medical issues. Mrs. Reeder, Mrs. Bogner and Mrs. Wilkison are delightfully spry and if we are real nice, they may “Book Us” for June 27th at the downtown chow hall.  Currently known as La Hacienda.  We were so fortunate to have old school parents.  Words cannot express our gratitude for their sacrifices that have played out in some way for nearly seven decades.

Cars

Late Spring Has Sprung

May- Three letters that mean the hunt is over and we have all bagged an education — agreed just because diplomas all look alike, the amount of education they represent varies widely.  For some the bar was positioned so an ant would squeeze under, others soared with the eagles. By May it is safe to say NONE of us are rabid to capture any morsel of knowledge put before us, which was sooooo characteristic of our class.  Well, some of our class?  All eleven or twelve previous Mays, we knew we’d be back in three months and resume where we left off.  May of ’65 was different. None of us will return to the ole watering hole known as high school in September. Every one of us chooses our path at this point.  Teri Williams and Alice Yip disappeared into the world never to be seen again.  Others felt Cloverdale is as good as it gets so why look at the city limit sign in the rear view mirror?  Frankie, Jeanie Farrell Barnet, Ted Emmel, and Nikki Ferrari Johnson chose this option.

Senior Trip

Events in our lives that occur once are rare. Sixteenth and twenty-first birthdays, first child, Golden Wedding Anniversaries, and Senior Trips fall in this category. Most any appropriate destinations where a 5:00 AM Saturday departure and 9:00 PM Sunday arrival in Cloverdale is doable is fair game. Inspired by Annette and Frankie's Beach Party movies, the Beach Boys, and Marc Black's beach buggy, our class chose Asilomar. At that time Annette was probably the most envied and admired woman in America. Most every girl wanted to be her best friend, and every guy wanted to marry her. Nine daring adults boarded a bus with nearly forty of our country's future leaders and vanished into the sunrise. Everyone experienced one of the most memorable events of our last year of high school. Being the forward thinkers we were as a class, several of us intended to create memories we would rerun at our Fiftieth Reunion on June 27th at the Lockhorn.  How's that for Vision?

Senioritis

As April shows on the calendar, Senioritis has become epidemic in our class. This is a rare condition in that teachers encourage the students to experience by doing things like kicking us out of Study Hall. We know we have them over a barrel. This is one time in our life we really pay no consequences for copping an attitude. If they flunk us, they look real bad. So, within limits, we are pretty much home free and many of us played that card to the max. The following baby photos of classmates are survivors of Senioritis, inspired by knowing class would be in session at two o'clock, June 27th at the Lockhorn with no instructors. We choose the current event of the moment.

P.S. Nancy Foster Colter was born with Senioritis. She could so derail Mr. Pawlan - thanks, Nancy. Countless topics were discussed in class that you brought up. We need to re-create those episodes. Stephan Longo could be Mr. Pawlan and who else but the REAL Nancy play herself.

March Memories

The windy, rainy days of Winter are fading and sunshine, lollypops and rainbows take their place. Spring is arriving, signaled by daffodils smiling at us from all directions. St. Patrick's Day was always "a hoot". Most everyone wants to be a Leprechaun for a day at some point in their life. Reality is wearing on many - just ninety days and we have a diploma and are all grown up. Then what? In the meantime, most of us are children by law so why change course? Conditions by March are such that we can resume activities that had taken a rest... Like racing our beach buggies. Our class owned three of these pieces of ... art. Marc Black, Belford & Rebottaro, and Blackmon & Reuser owned the pink slips on these champions. Every race they participated in our senior year they always placed in the top three. The machines are probably somewhere in China's metal wholesalers possession, but we are working on Marc, Dave and Merle to take the Green Flag in a fifty yard footrace on Main Street Cloverdale.

Postage Scale

Bill Fredericks

Bill leads Citrus Fair Parade - 1965

1965 Citrus Fair Queen's Court

1965 Citrus Fair Queen's Court

From left: Stephan Longo, Karen Bogner, escort unknown, Emma Landi from Geyserville, Arnold Mendoza, Susan Beck, Queen Jeannie, Charlie Fayter, Connie Erickson, Larry Wolfe, Darla Laier and Glen Ford. On June 27th we are hoping Stephan, Karen, Susan, Jeannie, Charlie, Connie, Larry and Darla will pose for a retake.

Citrus Fair

For nearly 125 years Cloverdale's Citrus Fair has lifted spirits of the townspeople in the dead of Winter. Held annually in mid-February, most of the town participates in some way.

One of the many events held during the Fair is the Queen Contest. Our Senior year the contest was dominated by our class. Jeannie Farrell wore the crown that year.Connie Erickson, Susan Beck, Karen Bogner, Darla Laier, and Emma Landis of Geyserville rounded out the Court.

Many events highlight the Fair. The exhibits, Lily Lemon Contest, Parade, live entertainment, and the Carnival, to name a few. Has anyone ever won a goldfish tossing ping pong balls that lived more than one day? The fish must be clones of mayflies.

As February slipped into the history book in 1965, no one ever imagined that fifty years would pass and our Queen Jeannie and her Court would still be considered the most talented, gorgeous, and successful group in Fair history. To prove their resilience, all five of these beauties may be attending our function. That in itself is reason enough for all other classmates to attend.

Balancing Albert

Albert was our class' shining star when it came to brilliance. As fate would have it, Class of '65 also housed probably the dumbest student to ever make the Honor Roll in the history of C.H.S. - Merle Reuser. Check out the initials.  While Albert excelled at Math, Chemistry, Physics and the likes, Merle was welding nails to Mr. Beltramini's or Mr. Nunn's possessions in metal or wood shop. How did he pull this off? By taking Wood and Metal Shop as a Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior, automatic A's were GIVEN to Shop IV students. If a sport was played another automatic A for P.E. By walking through the Shop and Gym doors, three A's were already on the report card. Geometry was a Sophomore class. The only thing remembered over fifty years detached from that class? What does an acorn say when it grows up? Geometry :). So that's how it's done, Albert.We'll set aside a place for Albert and Merle to swap stories about G.P.A.s and Solids June 27th.

Actual Report Card and Reveille article

Honor Roll

Of utmost importance and the main reason the school system exists is so one can gain an education. Academic excellence greatly influences the opportunities available as we enter the world of higher education. C.H.S. issued report cards each six weeks during the school year. To earn Honor Roll recognition a 3.25 or higher grade point average must be achieved. Our class had several academically gifted: Delores Andreini, Susan Beck, Glen Brunner, Nikki Ferrari, Nancy Foster,John Greenhalgh, Christina Grist, Bill Walton, Dennis Wilkison, and Larry Wolfe headlined our class. Dee, Susan, Nancy, Bill, Dennis (hopefully with his delightfully spry mother), and Larry will hopefully lead us in a spelling bee during our event. Also, students are required to carry four or more "solids". In our entire four yeas of high school just one Eagle out of the entire Student Body achieved the Honor Roll with six solids and a G.P.A. of 3.5 - Albert Duro. Albert, you have been wearing that crown over fifty years and didn't know it. He lives in Brisbane, Californis and will be at the reunion.

Our Own Language

Pumpkins

Pumpkins symbolize October and October owns two of the most significant events of our year - Homecoming and Halloween. Cloverdale has always been home to the most beautiful women. Beginning with Marie Vadon in 1921, this holds true today. The gorgeousness peaked in 1964 when Kathy Greppi Vadon, Jeanie Farrell Barnett, and Connie Erickson Barton lead the Homecoming Court. Kathy is married to Tim Vadon therefore related to 1921's Marie. Jeanie Was Citrus Fair Queen that year.  All forever beautiful.

A Small World footnote: Connie's Fifth Grade teacher was Mrs. Vadon, Tim Vadon's grandmother.

Dance

Just as Cheerleaders, Pep Band, and Athletes feed off each other and rev us up, Dance, Music, and Movies often revolve around each other in a similar fashion. Dance is a form of self expression to be judged by no one. So to all you guys who would not dance, that's all that need be said. Too bad you didn't know that fifty years ago but that's why June 27th has been set aside - a chance to redeem yourselves. If two rocks are pounded together one can dance. Dance is what is done on the way to a beat - simple!

Idolized by our age group, Annette and Frankie were as good as it gets. They danced, sang, and starred in movies.They played in five frothy, fun-in-the-sun films, probably the five worst movies with a common theme in the history of movies. The Beatles came to town in 1964 and they pretty much killed off the Beach Movie fans.

Annette left the room where she kept fan letters in April of 2012, letters numbering up to 8,000 a month while in her prime as a Mouseketeer. Announcing in 1992 that she had Multiple Sclerosis, her life played out over the next twenty hears. Frankie continues to perform.

Music

Every generation seems to have a brand of music that makes the generation before crazy. The '30s and '40s saw Big Band. That was the baseline. Then came the Beatnicks and their weirdness. By the middle '50s when we were old enough to get it on, Rock and Roll was in its infancy. Elvis, Buddy Holly and the likes melted our parents' circuit breakers. With songs like Alley Oop, Ahab the Arab, and The Bird, maybe they were justified? Between 1955 and 1965 there were hundreds of songs that kept us grooving. It was a time when America was different - better. Our country changed around 1968, probably because of Vietnam, and the charm, charisma, and energy had changed, never to be regained. We were there through High School - the Good Ole Days - so lucky to have been a part of it.

There were dozens of Best Singers. Bands, dozens of Bests there too, but one stands out. Never has this country been so taken as it was by the Beatles. They were everywhere all the time in their prime. The country rocked!

Long gone are the stacks of 45s, Technology and Ron Bandiera have brought us to a point where we can Get It On at the Lockhorn (check out page 85 of our Senior Spectator - somebody had Vision). Understanding Satellite Radio, Ron will take us back to the first half of the '60s.

We have named the top 49 songs during the Summer of 1965. Whoever fills out the top 50 with number 50 will receive a reward - a 45 record of your choice valued up to $25.00.

Sports

Football leads off our sports season and always creates a good following. Charlie Fayter and Ron Petersen were our co-captains and lead us to a 3-3-3 record. When was the last time any football team had three ties in one season? That has got to be a world record on some level. By mid-November football hands the baton to basketball for twenty-one games, entertaining us until Spring sports, mainly baseball and track, draws the spotlight. The team ended the season 13-8. Seven classmates were guided through the baseball season by coach Gene McKamey: Ed Bowen, Frank Davis, Charlie Fayter, Paul Giovannetti,Gordon Langevin, Greg Reeder, and Larry Wolfe. An unknown fact in the sports world at Cloverdale High is that the most accomplished and successful athlete in the 125 year history of the school is a member of our Class of '65 - Arnold Mendoza. See the January 8 post for Arnold's story.  His roots took hold at C.H.S.

Cheerleaders

Our next featured talent is the Cheerleaders. Would it be accurate to say they put more effort into their passion for what they do than any other group? Often the girls would be hard at it when the footballers took the practice field and still be going strong when the athletes departed. The guess is Cheerleaders put in at least two hours to every one of the football players.

But it was all worth it because they did all the work and all we had to do was show up at sporting events. At functions where the chemistry was there between the band and the papershakers, who needed the athletes? They would wind us up so tight!

Well done girls. We spend a lot more time now thinking about what it was like to be a teenager than we did as a teenager thinking about what it would be like at 67. Then things with wheels meant roller skates and cars. Now it's walkers and wheelchairs.

June 27th will provide us an opportunity for band members, Cheerleaders, and athletes to reunite and compare medications we are taking and their side effects.

Band

Cloverdale's students interested in music were blessed with Mr. Connelly for an instructor. "Mr. C" was not only the best in town but the best in the County and once was recognized as "Teacher of the Year" for California. At one point in his forty plus years at C.H.S. he took the musicians to Austria to compete on the International level. He had a gift that allowed him to get the best from his students.

Mr. C developed a lifelong love for music in dozens of students throughout his tenure. Each year about forty from the student body were band members. Most everyone enjoyed performances at schools, parades, Citrus Fairs, and a favorite of most, sporting events.

Nancy Foster Colter is our shining star from the Music Department. For over fifty years piano study has been a daily thing and is she polished! Larry Wolfe sings and plays violin - skills developed after high school.

Here We Go!

Early September and we have left the starting gate in pursuit of a high school diploma. Just nine months and our twelve or thirteen years of formal education will be history.

September is similar to being shot out of a cannon. Pep Band, cheerleaders and the footballers have spent August training so they could hit the ground running when classes began. By the end of back-to-school-week, team triangle—Pep Band, cheerleaders, and athletes were synchronized and feeding off each other, creating some of the most vivid memories from CHS.

We had two football games that September. Mendocino proved feisty and a 6-6 tie is where it ended. We took our frustration out on Healdsburg the following week, 14-0, us.

Closing the door on September we were inspired and motivated to gain momentum, knowing we had just 50 years to surface at the Lockhorn, two blocks north of “the stoplight” in downtown Cloverdale.

Service Organizations

Various Service groups supported and provided opportunities for students to accelerate and display their talents and abilities. American Legion Auxiliary sponsored several events during a school year. During the Class of '65's journey through the Cloverdale school system Dena Gambetta, one of the ten most influential people in the history of Cloverdale, often represented the Legion. They sponsored essay and poster contests. Girls and Boys State was a Legion affair as were citizenship awards. We were so fortunate to have these organizations challenging our potential.

The Top Brick

Our Senior Year was characterized by discoveries about life. This year was so formative it will be reviewed by month, September to graduation.

Nearly twenty of us met in Mrs. Bennett’s Kindergarten. We have navigated the waters twelve years and now the grand finale, our Senior Year. We are the top brick on the pyramid, the beings to be worshiped by underclassmen.

For most this was the most pivotal year of our young lives. We have just nine months, September to graduation on June 11, to decide how we channel our first year as an adult.

For the girls, motherhood, careers and higher education got the nod. The boys were faced with Uncle Sam pointing a finger and saying, “Uncle Sam Wants You.” About one third of the men in our class were in the military within a year of graduation. Another third pursued higher education and most of the others developed careers.

Being a Senior is something to which words cannot do justice—one must live it. And live it we did! Five decades will surrender their memories at our June 27th event. It will be a time to share the road traveled.

Like Father, Like Son

Our father-son team for the Class of  '65 is Bill Walton and his father, Mr. Walton. Both were blessed with generous amounts of grey matter. Mr. Walton is remembered as a kind, gentle sort who cared about and was interested in all students. He served as an Advisor for our class and did things like drive the bus on our Adventure to Asilomar, our Senior Trip. Retiring from teaching, he spent the rest of his days helping people in Cloverdale. A very compassionate man. Like his father, Bill parented four highly successful children, completed a successful career in the technology world, and now spends a lot of his time in "retirement" helping others. Bill is 100% responsible for setting up this blog for our class. Well done Bill and thanks from all the Eagles. Bill will be attending our June 27th event.

Front and Center

As Juniors our 1964 Tug-O-War team at the school picnic out-muscled the Seniors. This photo captures Charlie Greppi in a role he played so well - Front and Center. In ways Charlie has inspired those of us who knew him in different ways for over fifty years. His sister, Kathy, Class of '66, continues to place gold stars on the walk of life under the Greppi name.

Photo from an 8x10 which Kathy has.

The Worst

Since Friday, June 12, 1964 we have been saddened by the loss of Class of '64s Mike Hatfield and Ricky Stevenson, and our Class of '65 champion, Charlie Wright Greppi. For over 50 years this day ranks as perhaps the darkest day in the history of Cloverdale. Charlie is remembered in many ways, mainly for his athletic ability, the Charles Atlas of our class. The one quality Charlie is most remembered for - being nice to everyone. Greppis are that way. Mrs. Greppi was the North Star of nice. His sister Kathy - the more you know her the more you want to know her. There has been a void in many of our lives that was created that day. Charlie, you have been missed and we know our Senior Year would have been even better had you been there in person. You have been with us in spirit over fifty years and will continue to be until every one of us moves to your side.

Charlie's sister, Kathy Greppi Vadon, has approved of this post 100%.

Remembering

Congratulation class of 1965! Wow, 50 years―it seems like yesterday Mike Shannon and I escorted your class out onto the football field for graduation. My how time flies.

I want to thank your class for all your support in my junior year. I don’t think I’d have made it if not for everyone taking over for my brother. Charles to some, Charlie to others. “Me” I was just called “dumb shit.” I have fond memories of him as I hope you do too. The tug of war in your junior year? How could any of us forget that? Ha! The football games, the wrestling matches, basketball, baseball, dances, prom. Isn’t that what school was about? Wishing you a wonderful 50-year reunion. Hoping to see everyone on June 27th.

Love,
Kathy Greppi

With us in Spirit

Of the 56 classmates who are listed in our Senior Yearbook, The Spectator, we have contact information on 46. Nikki Ferrari, Bob Goates, Christine Grist, Mark Haehl, Arnold Mendoza and Danny Wallace have transitioned to another realm but have left us with many fond memories. At this time (January 2015) we have no contact information on Glen Brunner, Joe Giacolini, Terry Williams and Alice Yip.

Everyone who was ever a member of our class is invited to this reunion, which approximately doubles our 56. Of this second wave we are "challenged" as we have no contact information on about half of this group. A list of "unknown" is forthcoming in hopes the knowns will know an unknown ~ know what I mean?

Ultimate Shockwaves

Juniors

Sophomores

Freshmen

Unsure of ourselves in many ways, we set sail in September, 1961, on our adventure through high school. Our class was blessed with several high performance academics. Delores Andreini, Susan Beck, Glen Brunner, Nikki Ferrari, Nancy Foster, Rebecca Quarnstrom, Connie Erickson, John Greenhalgh and Bill Walton knew how to deal most effectively with books.

There was band and chorus taught over four decades by the legendary Mr. Connelly. Nancy Foster and Bill Fredericks are standouts in this division.

There were several clubs, organizations and groups to join. Shining the spotlight on our class as a whole, one eagle stands out as having accomplished a rare feat. Frank Davis played varsity baseball as a freshman. This places Frank among Eagle folklore with baseball legends John Santana (1930s), Tom Caterelli (1950s), and modern time’s Gene Lile and the Rolands. After graduation in June, 1965, Frank served in the Air Force. Fulfilling his military obligation, he returned to Cloverdale and one of the activities he was born to love—baseball.

As rare a find as freshmen on varsity teams, Frank is one of those who everybody always liked—a male Annette Funicello. How fitting is it that he lives across the street from Cloverdale’s city park baseball field? He can rerun memories that he has been part of for sixty years.

With the final pitch of the 1961 baseball season, our class has navigated the waters of our most challenging high school year in many ways and moves to the next level—sophomores.

There is a good chance Delores, Susan, Nancy, Rebecca, Connie, Bill and Frank will cruise Main Street Cloverdale the night of June 27th, our 50th High School Reunion.

Transitioning from Grade School to High School

For the most part, our travels through the valleys and over the mountains, from kindergarten to graduation from eighth grade in 1961, were rewarding and had shaped us into who we were going to be, to a degree.

Upon beginning our freshman year, many of our Class of ’65 members had carved out their niche. Delores Andreini Woicicki, Nikki Ferrari Johnson, John Greenhalgh and Glen Brunner were the academic giants in our class. Ron Bandiera, Ted Emmel, Dan Braccialini, and Marc Black made careers using their vocational skills. Jeanie Farrell Barnett, Mark Haehl, Bob Goates, and Larry Wolfe live highly developed spiritual lives. Highly successful in the business world, we have Darla Laier Ferronato, Gary Poovey, Richard Savala and Nick Stameroff. We have our share of teachers: Dixie Griffith Kemper, Karen Bogner Wallaert, Nancy Foster Colter, and Audrey Haczela Kunkle, to name a few.

As a unit our class has been highly successful each in our own way. The road ahead will present challenges we have yet to face, but for now, life is great and one of the top ten memories of the past fifty years will include our June 27th reunion.

Mrs. Valentine

Mrs. Valentine is my all-time favorite teacher.  Every time I write a note, a card, a letter, I hear her voice.  Whenever I tell my friends or my family to “drive safely” not “drive safe” (Mrs. Valentine—I hear you. It is “safely”, an adverb) I always correct those who do not use the adverb.

Mrs. Valentine was fond of teaching her students with books.  We had to read several books during the course of a school year.  And we had to do book reports.  Oh those blasted book reports.  I remember how I tried to get out of doing a book report on this particular book I disliked.  Yuck!  So, I waited until the classroom cleared out and went up to talk to Mrs. Valentine (it was a Monday).  I told her I had read the book. She asked me enough questions to satisfy herself that I had indeed read the book.  I then went on to say that I was very sorry, however, I had a lot going on at home and would not be able to do the report.  She just smiled and nodded.  (Whew, that was easy.)
Yea, it’s Friday, hello weekend.  Mrs. Valentine always gave us a send off with “have a wonderful weekend class”.  This Friday I was summoned to her desk after class was dismissed (uh-oh).   “Yes Mrs. Valentine?”  About your book report, dear, you will do your report this weekend and you will bring your report to my home this Sunday at 5:00pm sharp.  Not one minute after, precisely 5:00pm.  Yes, Mrs. Valentine.

Thank you Mrs. Valentine, you knew exactly how to handle me.

Fondly,
Rhonda Wright-Smart

Asti School