February 28, 2012

A tumultuous year

The year we graduated, 1968, the first Big Mac debuted at a cost of only 49¢. Gasoline was 33¢ a gallon, hamburger was 59¢ a pound, and minimum wage was $1.60. We listened to music by the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Fleetwood Mac, the Supremes, and Aretha Franklin. We went to movies like The Graduate, Rosemary’s Baby, Planet of the Apes, and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy were both assassinated in 1968.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy were both assassinated in 1968.

But 1968 was also a most tumultuous year with a number of earth-shattering and tragic events. The United States was embroiled in the Vietnam war (Remember the battle of Khe Sanh and the My Lai massacre?), North Korea seized the USS Pueblo, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King was assassinated. In May a million students marched on Paris, France and rioted in the streets — and I was slated to leave a few days after graduation to further my musical studies there. (You can imagine how my parents felt about my trip!) All this happened in our senior year.

But it was on June 5th, 1968 that I remember most vividly. I was up late, in fact it was after midnight, writing a paper, and had the radio turned on softly. Suddenly the radio announcer started yelling that Robert F. Kennedy had been shot in the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles — not very far away. I turned the radio up and was transfixed on the melee and confusion that ensued. I don’t know if I ever went back to sleep that night — but I know I did get my paper finished.

How about it, Class of 1968? Were you up late that night, too?

Posted by on February 28, 2012 in Burbank High School and tagged , , , , , , , , , .

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February 26, 2012

The story of Kathy Fiscus (1945-1949)

Los Angeles Times newspaper article about Kathy Fiscus.

Los Angeles Times newspaper article about Kathy Fiscus.

Chances are, you’ve never heard of Kathy Fiscus before — but it might explain why there are so many Kathys in the Class of 1968. I never heard of her either, but I remember my mother telling me that I was named after a little girl who fell down a well. I did a Google search on “Kathy who fell into a well, 1949, 1950″ and found her name. I didn’t know what year it happened, and only guessed.

It happened on April 8, 1949 in San Marino, California. Kathy Fiscus was only 3 years old, and she fell down a 120′ deep water well that was only 14” wide. A nationwide media circus ensued in the desperate attempt to save her life. According to a Wikipedia article, news of the round-the-clock drilling was covered not only in local and national newspapers, but also radio and television, a new medium at the time. It apparently was considered a landmark event in television history.

Unlike Jessica McClure who fell into a well in the late 1980s, the story for Kathy Fiscus did not end happily, and rescuers found her dead body two days later.

And this story is probably why, in the Class of 1968, we have not only myself,  Kathy Au, but also Kathy Benno, Kathy Brake, Kathie Brown, Cathy Carlson, Kathy Carr, Cathy Dibble, Kathy Erickson, Kathy Heminger, Cathy O’Rell, Kathy Southwick, Kathi Wagner and Kathi Whitehead.

So “Kathy” was a very popular name in 1949-1950. And it seems that when I meet a Kathy, it is usually a woman about my age, but not younger. Oh, the name Katherine (or Kathryn) is still popular, but the nickname “Kathy” is almost unheard of (in my experience) for anyone who is a child now.

So, to the Kathys of the Class of 1968 — I ask you, what do you think?

Posted by on February 26, 2012 in Burbank High School and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

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February 25, 2012

Cyber-reunion


A friend shared this video with me on FaceBook and I was amazed to find it was produced at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Burbank, where I had my first job as a church organist.

A few years ago, I was at a church musicians conference, and one of the speakers, a pastor, told us about a member in their community who passed away. Circumstances did not allow for a real funeral and as he passed along the news of the person’s death via email, many people shared memories of the deceased. He then called it a “cyber-funeral” because all contact with people was through the Internet.

Quite a few of our Burbank High classmates have passed on, and there has been talk of a 45th class reunion and most certainly, a 50th class reunion. Well, you know what — this blog is like a cyber-reunion! People connect with one another in cyberspace, find out what ever happened to so-and-so, who has died, how many kids and grandkids one has, which men have the most hair, and so forth.

It only works though, when people write in to share their memories of high school, send in recent pictures and contact us. You can use the “Contact us” tab above, or you can send photos to us at burbankhigh1968@gmail.com.

In the meantime, Les Heller shared these photos of himself and Shari Hartwig as cheerleaders. Les says he still has the sweater hanging in his closet (!) and that it was used by his older brother, class of 1965, who was also a yell leader.

Les Heller and Shari Hartwig.

Les Heller and Shari Hartwig.

Les Heller sent these photos "just for fun."

Posted by on February 25, 2012 in Burbank High School and tagged , , , , , .

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February 20, 2012

Where are they now?

This picture was published on June 25, 1968 in "The News."

This picture was published on June 25, 1968 in "The News."

I have a very small stack of newspaper clippings from high school days, and came across this picture of the Gold Seal Bearers. The headline was “Faculty, Fellow Students Select Top Award Recipients.” I can’t believe the horrible dress I was wearing!

This picture was taken so long ago that at the moment I don’t remember whether it was taken before or after graduation. According to the commencement ceremony program, Sealbearers are students who “maintained membership in California Scholarship Federation for four or more semesters including one in the senior year achieving at least three A’s and one B each semester. CSF is nationally recognized.”

Sealbearers got this gold sticker affixed to their diplomas.

Sealbearers got this gold sticker affixed to their diplomas.

There is a Wikipedia entry on California Scholarship Federation, and it still exists to recognize students who have achieved high standards in academic scholarship, community service and citizenship.

Kenda Vaughn

Kenda Vaughn

Alyse Trostler Plotkin

Alyse Trostler Plotkin

Of the people in the picture, I only know for sure that Laura Ziskin has passed away, but how about the rest of you? I’ve reconnected with Kenda Vaughn and Alyse Trostler on FaceBook but for the rest of you, please use the “Contact us” tab at the top of the page to send us your news. And we would love to see a recent photo!

 

Posted by on February 20, 2012 in Burbank High School and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

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February 18, 2012

Escape from urban life

We have heard from a number of former classmates who left Burbank for greener pastures, literally. Who wouldn’t want to leave the urban sprawl for life in the country? But then again, the part of country life I don’t envy is cleaning horse stalls, which I guess is a daily chore for these folks.

I've known Kathy Benno since kindergarten at Emerson School.

I've known Kathy Benno since kindergarten at Emerson School.

I recently connected with Kathy Benno and found out she lives on a 8-acre horse farm in Cottage Grove, Oregon. I found  a picture of her on one of her horses on her Facebook page. I’m guessing she learned how to ride at Pickwick Stables in Burbank?

Kathie Benno rides one of her horses.

Kathy Benno rides one of her horses.

You may remember that in an earlier post I wrote that “Skip” Wray Johnston moved to South Carolina. Here’s his complete message:

“For 30 years, I was a graphic designer, illustrator, and art director working mainly for a design firm in Glendale that did a lot of marketing for the entertainment industry. In 2005, for reasons we’re still trying to parse (and at the height of the real estate bubble), we sold our little 1100 sq. ft. Burbank stucco and bought an 11 acre horse farm on a hilltop overlooking the Blue Ridge Mts. in SC. I’m now the creative director at a little ad agency in Greenville, a painter (artist-type), and cleaner of stalls for 3 over-entitled horses.”

Robin Neklia

Robin Neklia

I also recently heard from Robin (Neklia) Smith who wrote that she and her husband, Don, have lived near Savannah, Georgia for almost 18 years. “Our home is on 9 acres and most all of our pets are rescues!  I always wanted horses and got my first one in 1987.  Now I have 3 horses and a donkey. Don and I are convinced that there is a sign on the large oak tree in the front yard encouraging all strays to come and live with us.  We have several dogs and cats as well.” 

Robin Neklia Smith and her husband, Don, in Panama City, FL, called "The Redneck Riviera"

Robin Neklia Smith and her husband, Don, in Panama City, FL, called "The Redneck Riviera"

Robin and her husband, Don Smith, have been married since 1973 and have three children and four grandchildren. The last reunion they went to was the 20th in 1988, but look forward to either the 45th or 50th. She asked that if any classmates are near Savannah to please contact them, as “Savannah is a beautiful city, especially in the spring.  Summers are very hot although the beach is only about an hour away!” (If you would like to contact Robin, please ask me for her email address.)

Keep those cards and letters coming! and be sure to send pictures, too.

Posted by on February 18, 2012 in Burbank High School and tagged , , , , , , .

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February 6, 2012

I found Mr. Fecht!

Mr. Fecht loved frogs!

Mr. Fecht loved frogs!

I’ve been looking through the faculty section of my Ceralbus and came across a picture of Gerald Fecht, whom I had as a senior. It’s terrible, though, that at the moment I cannot recall the name of the class, except that it dealt with Senior issues — that is, Senior in high school issues, not what most of us are facing now — senior citizen issues! Maybe it was called Senior Studies?

Can anyone remember the name of the class? I do recall that at the time, it was fun and interesting and we dealt with life issues. I remember Mr. Fecht making some very pithy and humorous comments about all sorts of things. Here’s what he wrote in my yearbook: “Kathy, What a real pleasure to have you as a student. Your intellect and effort is exciting to observe. Remember National Frog Day — May 24th.”

Mr. Jerry Fecht in 2007

Mr. Jerry Fecht in 2007

Anyway, in searching for Mr. Fecht on the Internet, I found an extensive and most interesting biography of him at the Notre Dame High School, Class of 1957 blog, which you can view by clicking here. Apparently he attended 11 different schools before graduating from Notre Dame in Sherman Oaks. He graduated from my alma mater, the University of Southern California, and became part of an education program for classroom interns. He came to Burbank High in 1967 where he met his wife, Janne Shreves, another teacher (My sister Margo recalls having her for math.) That means he was a newlywed when some of us had him for a teacher.

Later he began doctoral studies and completed his PhD at USC, and accepted a teaching position in humanities at Moorpark College, Ventura County. He retired in 2004 and became President of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. 

By my calculations, he will soon celebrate his 74th birthday. His comment on his 70th birthday: Holy Cow!

You can see him on YouTube here:

Posted by on February 6, 2012 in Burbank High School and tagged , , , , , .

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February 2, 2012

Merci beaucoup, Mlle Bergman!

Miss Linda Bergman, BHS French teacher

Miss Linda Bergman, BHS French teacher

As I have mentioned in earlier posts, my siblings and I have spent the last seven months getting our family home ready for sale, following the death of my mother last June. In sorting through over fifty years of memorabilia from both my parents and grandparents, we came across a postcard Miss Linda Bergman, Burbank High’s French teacher,  sent to me after graduation.

You see, a few days after our June 1968 graduation ceremony at the Starlight Bowl, I took off for Paris, France for an entire summer to study with French organ virtuoso, Marcel Dupré. I hoped that my four years of French (one year at John Muir Junior High and three at Burbank High) would help me survive in a foreign country. At the age of seventeen, I had to find a place to live, a place to practice, and figure out how to take the train to my organ lessons at Meudon, just outside of Paris — and all my conversations had to be in French.

Well I certainly did survive, and I remember Miss Bergman saying to our class that if ever we dreamed in French, we would know that we had become fluent. I can say it finally happened while I was there that summer. When I returned home and took my foreign language placement exams at the University of Southern California, I was pleased to have “tested out,” meaning that I passed the exam with flying colors and didn’t need to take further classes.

In 2010 I returned to Meudon, the home of Marcel Dupré, where I took lessons 42 years earlier.

In 2010 I returned to Meudon, the home of Marcel Dupré, where I took lessons 42 years earlier.

Forty-four years later, I found Miss Bergman’s postcard to me, all written in French, of course, and I was so happy that I could read every word of it without having to consult a French dictionary. That shows you what a good teacher she was — and another example of why I think our education at Burbank High School — a public school — was excellent.

Two summers ago, I returned to Paris for the first time in forty-two years, and found that many, many more people spoke English compared to 1968. My French was pretty rusty, but by the end of our trip, I was able to check into our hotel, order breakfast, order Wi-Fi etc. all in French.

Merci beaucoup, Mademoiselle Bergman! P.S. Does anyone know whether she is still living? I understand that some years after we graduated, she got married.

Posted by on February 2, 2012 in Burbank High School and tagged , , , , , .

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January 30, 2012

Retired, and loving it

I must confess that I feel a twinge of jealousy when I see “Retired and loving it” as someone’s FaceBook status. Quite a number of our classmates are now retired from the world of work but continue to stay active and busy. We heard from Jan DeJaegher, who sent this message:

Jan's senior photo in the Ceralbus.

Jan's senior photo in the Ceralbus.

Thanks for starting the blog. It was quite interesting to see a lot of the people from our class.  I escaped California a number of years ago, and am happily retired in Nebraska, of all places. Being a real estate investor for years enabled me to retire early, and I have a great life in Lincoln. 

Jan DeJaegher is retired and lives in Nebraska.

Jan DeJaegher is retired and lives in Nebraska.

I still play French Horn in two different groups, and play handbells in another.  Rehearsals take up three evenings a week, as well as many performances, even at my advanced age. Guess that makes me a band geek as well as a geezer!  I also ride a racing recumbent trike as a serious cyclist, and am a fiber artist as well.

My mom still lives on Cambridge Drive and just celebrated her 95th birthday on January 6th, so went to CA and visited her. I don’t let any moss grow under my feet (same as when I was a kid) and try to keep as active as possible. The VA takes good care of me as well.

If anyone is coming through Nebraska, please look me up! (Phone number and email address for Jan are available by emailing Kathy Au Crosier at burbankhigh1968@gmail.com)  

Looking forward to hearing from acquaintences and friends as we head into 2012.

Jan DeJaegher

Posted by on January 30, 2012 in Burbank High School and tagged , , .

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January 26, 2012

Our 25th High School Reunion

Believe it or not, it’s been almost 20 years since our 25th High School Reunion! I found the following video on YouTube recently, which has recently been converted from VHS tape and uploaded for all to enjoy:

Mike Katzman

Mike Katzman

Thanks, Mike Katzman, for doing this!

Posted by on January 26, 2012 in Burbank High School and tagged , , , , , , , , , , .

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January 26, 2012

Out of touch . . . and adrift

Last week my modem died and we were effectively without the Internet for five days. Think of it — no email, no looking up business phone numbers, or all those tasks on which we have come to rely on electronically. It was at once frustrating, but somehow liberating! I know that it seems that sometimes we are bombarded with electronic “stuff,” but at this point, sometimes it is the only way we can connect with each other.

Well, since the 40th reunion in 2008, we have lost email contacts for a bunch of 1968 Burbank High graduates as the mail “bounced back” when we tried to inform them about this new blog. In the off chance that you have contacts with any of these people, can you please ask them to send us a current email address to burbankhigh1968@gmail.com?

Here’s the list of people for which we have lost current email addresses:

BHS Girls had a mini-reunion at Bob's Big Boy in October 2010 (Back row: L-R Stephanie Llewellyn,

BHS Girls had a mini-reunion at Bob's Big Boy in October 2010 (Back row: L-R Stephanie Llewellyn, Sallie Shelton Thomas, Louise Good Hernandez, Leslie Reel Rozek. Front row: Alice Hanson, Jan Wahler Hill, Laurie Eisenberg, Christine Cullen-Bartlett)

Gene Allred
Roger Baton
Robert Boyles
Mike Bunten
David Campbell
Kathryn Carr
Bill Cushenberry
Cathy Dibble
Jack Dorrell
Lynn Giese
Larry Grasse
Alice Hanson
Mary Hayes
Susie Hekler
Linda Herzog
Brian Horan
Linda Loranger
Sue Marn
Bill McMurrin
Bob Mingus
Alan Moore
Lee Muller
Ron Nida
Jerel Perry
Janet Pleasant
Mindy Poe
Mark Sawyer
Sharon Scroggie
John Sengers
Ron Smith
Richard Tomei
Phil Twomey
Kathi Wagner
Karen Watson
Gayle Ziegler

Your help in updating our mailing list will be greatly appreciated! Please also refer to the listing of Missing Classmates which you can find by clicking here.

Posted by on January 26, 2012 in Burbank High School and tagged , , , , , , , .

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