Headlines & Updates

Thursday, October 26, 2006 4:43 PM
    Hi All: How are you all doing???  I hope you enjoyed the reunion as much as me!!!!!  I thought it was even better than our last reunion and I thought that one was great!!!!  I haven't been ignoring you but I did have to jump full throttle back into my life!!!!  I really want to get with Diane and Ron to make sure I don't leave anyone out of my FULL report on the reunion!!!!  I hope you have all enjoyed the reunion pictures sent to Ron from Linda Stoke Casey's sister, Diana!!!!  She did a great job!!!  There were many more people there and I know more pics will be on the way!!!!

    About the fire in Cabazon/Banning........every ash, cinder and all the smoke is being blown directly to Hemet/San Jacinto.  I went into Chino Hills today to visit friends.....on the way home.....it was soooooo ominous.  I could see the smoke from Riverside, all blowing due Hemet way.  I called a girl friend in Banning, she lives on the north side of #10, they are completely free of smoke.  Coming thru Moreno Valley and the bad lands it looked soooo weird.  The whole sky over Hemet, and you could not see any sky above Hemet, was dark brown.  I almost wanted to turn around and drive to my son's in Upland!!!!  There is ash everywhere, floating in the air and on the ground.  this is Jan Fifield reporting from Hemet, Ca!!!!!!

    I will try to get a FULL report on the reunion to you in the next day or two or three!!!! Big Hugs!!!!  Jan

September 1, 2005

CUHS 45th Year Class Reunion

As another reunion rolls around

Hope all our classmates can still be found!

We'll remember with love those Spartans passed on:

Saundie, Margaret, Bob and Danny, Mike, Reno and Don.

Send us a note, letting us know

a new address of wherever you go

Jan's email is Janfifield@verizon.net

Diane's address is 1930 Aurora Dr

El Centro, Ca 92243

Don't forget!

Our reunion date is drawing near -

2006 is our 45th year

With love

Diane

August 25, 2005 – Update from Jan Fifield on 2006 reunion

          Hi all:  we have a date and place!!!  Today, Diane put the deposit down on the old eucalyptus school house...now a banquet hall.  the date will be October 21, 2006, put it on your calendars!!!  The problem Diane was having, the country club is in really bad financial shape and she didn't want to put down a large deposit only to lose it.  I hope you are all aware, Diane guards our bank account as if it were the last money on the earth.  I thought all classes saved money from reunion to reunion but that is not the case.  Our class is in really good shape because of Diane!!  Will let you know when she finds a place for Friday night.

          I know many of you emailed me back to let me know you received my emails a couple of months ago.....or was it before Christmas????  jeez, I lose track of time......anyway, please email me back.  I’m going to start taking email addresses out of my email address book of those who don't email me back.....then I will start writing notes.........PLEASE EMAIL ME BACK!!!!!  NOTE!!!  MY EMAIL ADDRESS FROM LAST CLASS REUNION IS DIFFERENT!!!  janfifield@verizon.net  if you know of any new/changed emails addresses of other classmates, please let me know.

I hope you are all having a great summer!!!  Hugs!!!  Jan

August 27, 2002 – Update from Jan Fifield on the Hunley

Hi all:  it's me again.  I received several notes asking about the Hunley.  The H.L. Hunley is the 'civil war' (my southern daughter-in-law calls it the 'war of northern aggression'!!   ...To get the full affect, it must be said very slowly with a South Carolina accent!!!!) 'submarine' developed and built by H.L. Hunley with his own money.  It was never commissioned by the confederates - I think lack of money was of the reason.  Hunley was killed in the 'submarine' along with several other men before it was actually used in battle.  Hunley was from Mobile, Alabama; I mention this because one of my girlfriends is from Mobile.  Of course, the city of Charleston always knew the Hunley rested somewhere in the bay but it was thought to be in another location.  Where it was finally located was in an old World War ll dumping area and it could actually be seen from the air but was assumed to be 'trash'.  It was assumed the Hunley was made from an old boiler but is much more sophisticated than thought.

            A year ago last November (2000) Bob and I were visiting our son, Rob, who had moved to Charleston in April, I mention this because Rob could have gone down to the bay to see the Hunley being brought up (she was brought in summer of 2000) after sitting on the bottom of the bay since 1863, and he didn't do it!!!!!!!!!!!!  Anyway, Bob and I went on a fact-finding mission,

.  I had seen the TV Movie with Armand Assante the year before so had some interest in the Hunley.  It was so funny because we started with the man on the street!  After getting answers from, 'I think it's in Washington, DC', 'it's down the street at the Maritime Museum' to 'it's on tour of the u.s.', Bob and I went to the Maritime Museum - it was closed.  In the same building as the museum we found one open door and could hear men talking so yelled in and did we ever get a response.  The man who came out to talk with us was so full of information.  He actually worked with the crew who brought up the Hunley and had played 3 parts in the TV Movie.  He said once the Hunley was located there was a real urgency to get her out of the bay because they were concerned with her being scavenged.  He said the excavation was pretty laid back and they were allowing anyone who was qualified to help in the process but once the Hunley was out of the water they shut her down and no one was allowed in or around her.  They had just sold a block of tickets for public viewing, I can't remember exactly how many...they sold overnight.  I think they ended up selling 2 more blocks of tickets and they too sold overnight.  When Bob and I visited Fort Moultrie - being November things were pretty quiet - we asked the park ranger about the Hunley; same response, he was so excited.  He had watched the excavation, etc.  In the theater a movie was shown every half hour on the history of Fort Moultrie but since it was so quiet he asked if we wanted to watch the tapes he had of the excavation of the Hunley, well, yeah!!!!  They were the tapes from the discovery channel, PBS, etc. etc. etc.

While our family was in Charleston for Rob and Michelle’s wedding last June (2001), the Hunley was opened to public viewing.  It is in North Charleston at the navy base???  She is in a tank of fresh water under very controlled conditions.  It is so cute because the Hunley society sells the tickets ($10) and runs the gift shop, etc.  If you ask anyone of them a question you could be stuck listening for an hour...they are so excited and crammed full of information about the Hunley.  In 2001, they hadn't totally excavated the Hunley but had taken the remains of the men out.  They always thought there were 9 but only 8 were found.  After bringing the Hunley up and seeing the condition of the inside, they had come to the conclusion, when she sank (she did sink the Husatonic sp??? before she went down) she was totally intact for about 10 years then somehow she sprang a leak, maybe from an anchor dropping on one of her windows (port holes??), and she slowly filled up with fresh water silt from the Cooper and Ashley rivers - the reason everything inside was in such good condition.  It had been rumored all these years that one of the men in the Hunley had with him a gold coin given to him by his girlfriend.  The coin had saved his life in another battle. He had the coin in his pocket and a bullet struck the coin saving his life.  They found the coin.  A mystery came to light; one of the men found aboard with dog tags also has a grave with headstone in Pennsylvania????

I know the city of Charleston is planning a huge funeral/celebration for the 8 men to be buried in the Confederate Cemetery.

Boy, ask me a question and you get an answer!!!!  Hugs!!  Jan

August 17, 2002 – Update from Jan Fifield

      Hi all - how have you all been?  I hope this note finds everyone well and staying out of trouble!!!   Have you all been staying cool this summer!!  Here in Hemet it has been hot, as an Imperial Valley summer...we've been running from air conditioner to air conditioner.

      Bob and I spent a week in July at mission beach with our son, daughter in law and GRANDKIDS right next door.  What could be better then spending a week at the beach with your grandkids, next door!!!!  The sun stayed under the clouds all morning...pure heaven.  Grandma Loeffel was not doing well at the time so Beth came out from Texas and we had a nice visit.  (Remember, my son married Beth’s niece, Stacey)

     My mom had a knee replacement in June; she stayed with us for 3 weeks.  Mom was 80 in Feb.  She is getting along just fine.  My mom's father lived to be almost 103 (there is something good to say about the Imperial Valley heat???) so there is longevity in my family. The problem is I look just like my grandma who started losing it at about 60...

      Now down to business.  I have good news and bad news.  First, the bad news - Diane called last night to let me know George Rolland (CUHS class of '59) died.  Not much in the paper, he was 61, living in Tucson and retired from sears. 

      Now the good news or just news - it was suggested by Linda Hilderman that a scholarship be set up at CUHS in memory of our deceased classmates.  It is done.  I have started the scholarship fund with $75 contribution, $25 going to each of our classmates who have died since our reunion.  All scholarship money should be sent directly to me with checks made out to Jan Fifield or cash is good.  Just kidding!!!  The skinny...all money sent in will be deposited in a cd, the ultimate goal is to reach $10,000 so the interest can be drawn off to pay the scholarship each year.  Although there is not always a qualified student each year, I am working with Ampero Hayasaka and have done everything over the phone.  Do any of you have suggestions as to what the qualifications or specifics you want for the scholarship?  Please let me know!!!  I will be more than happy to interview applicants.  Diane will complain and give me a very bad time, but she will be more than happy to help in interviewing applicants.

     If you are interested in donating please send your check or money order to: The Class of '61 Memorial Scholarship Fund, C.U.H.S., attn. Ampero Hayasaka, 1001 Brighton Avenue, El Centro, CA 92243

      Diane came up for 2-night visit in July.  We had a very good time talking, shopping, talking, eating, and talking.  We drove up to Idyllwild to get out of the heat - - it didn't work!!!  But the shopping and eating was good!!!!

      Sarah Alice Lincoln gave massages to Linda Measures and husband, at her place of business.  I wish Sarah lived closer.  Sarah has been in touch with several classmates since the reunion...

      Bob and I are spending thanksgiving with our right coast son; Rob, in Charleston, SC.  Five of my Hemet girlfriends are flying with me to Charleston two weeks before Thanksgiving.  We are 'doing' three days in Charleston, two days at the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, NC, and 2 days in Savannah, GA.  After my friends leave, Bob, our left coast son, Wes, (our two son's live on each end of interstate #10) with Stacey and grandkids will arrive in Charleston for a week.

 

I give our son, Rob, such a bad time about living so far away but as he points out, I would never have visited the South if he hadn't moved there (true).  If you ever get a chance to visit the Charleston area you will never regret it.  It is so rich in history and beautiful, and so easy to get around in.  Bob and I have been following the Hunley's recovery and got to see the Hunley (http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/news/news20-7.html) on our last visit, we joined the Hunley Society and get updates.  Savannah is so close, and just as beautiful with just as much history.

 

Please email me your comings and goings!!!  I would love to share.

 

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU!!!!!  Hugs!!  Jan

July 3, 2002 – Daniel S. Mistriel - We are saddened to report that fellow classmate Danny Mistriel passed away Friday, June 28, in Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley.

 

Danny, who was born December 14, 1942, in Los Angeles and came with his family to El Centro at age 3,  was a Boy Scout for many years, ultimately achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.  He also received the Order of the Arrow and Arrow of Light awards.  After reaching the highest rank, he continued to be actively involved in scouting.

 

While still in high school, Danny began working at Kristol Supply Corp., from which he retired after 45 years of service.  He worked as a stockman, buyer and ultimately became owner and president of Kristol Supply Corp.  When serving in the U.S. Army National Guard, beginning in 1964, and stationed at Fort Ord, assigned to the Infantry Division of the 3rd Battalion 185th Armory, he achieved the rank of sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge in 1970.

 

The Mistriels had three children, Mary Beth (Chavez) and Stephen and Michael Mistriel.  Danny was selflessly involved in organizations such as the Brawley Union High School band boosters and Westmorland Police Activities League.  He was constantly helping family, friends and his community.

 

Survivors include his mother, Celia Sweeden; wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Mistriel of Brawley; daughter and son-in-law, Mary Beth and Steve Chavez of Temecula; sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen and Jennifer Mistriel of Brawley and Michael and Mandy Mistriel of Imperial; grandchildren, Susan Chavez and Elizabeth, Stephanie and Joseph Mistriel; aunts, Ann Owens of National City and Ethel Baewer of El Centro; uncles, Louis Kristol of Pico Rivera and Harold Kristol of El Centro; and numerous cousins.

May 28, 2002 – Update from Jan Fifield

Hi all:  No, I haven't fallen off the side of the earth!!!  I was, sort of, saving up to write a long note!!!  I've actually had several emails wondering what had happened to me.........so you really do like me!!!!!!!!!!

 

We've heard from Dale Lewis and have his email address on our web site.  Welcome dale!!!!!!!  Dale's and my parents were friends for years...so we have a long history of friendship!!!  Now if I can just talk he and Mona into attending one of our reunions!!!!!

 

Mary Douglas has a new email address.  It will be posted on our web site as soon as I send it to Ron.  Remember to check out our web site!!!!!  http://www.cuhs61.org     Everything you ever wanted to know about our class is on that web site!!!

 

I just got word that beth loeffel is in the hospital after having her appendix out.  Best wishes and a speedy recovery to you Beth!!!!!

 

Sally Webster moved to washington state.  I'm sure Ron has that address change.  Her email address is the same.

 

Just a bit of information.........all the mini annuals were sent out in bulk mail.......bulk mail is NOT forwarded.  Diane only ordered 10 extra mini annuals and I think they are all gone. 

 

.........and we didn't have a report on Gloria Vanoni's 40th anniversary trip to Hawaii.......well, Gloria???

 

Bob and I took care of our grandkids this weekend, 6 year old, Miranda and 5 year old, Nicholas (4 days and three nights)........we had a wonderful time but grandkids make one tired.  Even Stella has been loafing around since they left yesterday!!!  My mom had her knee replaced on friday.  She had some reactions to the meds and wasn't doing too well Sunday and Monday but came out of it last night.  I will probably head to the Valley tomorrow or thursday.  My sister lives next door to Mom and has been seeing after her.  Mom turned 80 in February.

 

Let me know what you have been up to so I can share with our other classmates.........you know the more you share with me the more you will hear from me..........keep in touch!!!!!!!

 

Cute movie......."My Big Fat Greek Wedding"

 

BIG HUGS!!!!  Jan

April 25, 2002 – Saundie Buchanan McElvany - Thank you from Lyla Wagner Crofman –

 

To all our classmates in the class of 1961:

 

On behalf of Saundie’s family and myself, I would like to thank you all for your calls, cards and kind thoughts and prayers during the past several months.  It was a most difficult time watching such a vibrant person deteriorate so rapidly.  Her services were a tribute to her outstanding contribution to our community and church and a true testament to her sunny, positive and caring nature.

 

Lyla Wagner Corfman

April 15, 2002 – Update from Jan Fifield – Well, how do you like the mini annuals?  I’ve had some very positive feedback!!!  I think they are great!!!  Trust me!!  Diane and I were having our doubts but I think they turned out wonderful!!!  Diane did ALL the work on the mini annual.  If you want to send your compliments to Diane I know she would appreciate them!!!!  She sweated bullets - or you can send them to me, I will print them out and send them to Diane!!!  I just read a sweet note from Noel Carr to Diane. She was very tickled, Noel!!!  Thank you!!

 

I had dinner with Janice Miller tonight and she is doing really well!!!  We had a very nice visit over dinner.  Janice has only been home twice since Bob's death.  She has been spending time with her children (6)...she smiled when I accused her of sleeping around!!!  She is on her way to Las Vegas to meet family.

 

Gloria Vanoni is leaving tomorrow for a week in Hawaii to celebrate her 40th wedding anniversary!!!  I have to assume she is taking her husband, Don, along with her?

 

Take care!!!! 

 

Hugs!!  Jan

April 9, 2002 – Update from Jan Fifield – Hi All:  Good news from Diane.........the mini annuals are in the mail...Diane wasn't told first class or bulk????  Just keep checking your mailboxes!!!  Also, if there are any problems with the annual or you aren't pleased with them...please let me know AND write directly to Jostens's to air your complaints!!!  We have our fingers crossed!!!

 

Ron Burson and Noel Carr both pointed out to me, you can get the news from the valley on ivpressonline.com.

 

Re:  Saundie's funeral   (April 10)

For those of you who want to send notes - Saundie's husband's name:

Carl 'Wink' McElvany

1155 South Imperial Avenue

El Centro, CA 92243

 

The family suggests memorials be sent to the HomeChoice Hospice Services, 2344 S. 2nd St., Suite A, El Centro, CA 92243

 

If any of you remember, Saundie and Lyla Wagner were friends thru high school and have remained friends all these years...if you want to send a note:

Lyla Wagner Corfman

1621 South 19th Street

El Centro, CA 92243

 

Linda Hilderman suggests we start a memorial scholarship at the CUHS in honor of our deceased classmates.  If any of you are interested in contributing, please let me know.  Don't send money...just let me know your interest at stella@pe.net.

 

Glena (Baker) Pritchard and Ron were in an accident in their hometown of Carson City, NV.  I know they were banged up pretty good.  From what I hear they had their new pickup truck rear-ended.  Please let us hear from you, Glena.  We want to know how you are doing!!!

 

Darla (Henneke) Hofmann is traveling in France as we speak, two weeks, me thinks!!

 

In February Bob and I, along with our left coast family (son, Wes, wife, Stacey, and our two grandchildren) met our right coast son, Rob, and wife, Michelle, in fl. for a weeks stay at Disney World.  Needless to say, we had a wonderful time.  The highlight of the trip for Bob was his side trip to the Daytona 500!!!  Thanks to fellow classmate Gary McCauley and his connections at Daytona...and Gary has excellent connections at Daytona (read his bio on our CUHS website!!)...Bob, Wes, Rob and Michelle were able to purchase the best seats at the stadium!!  Front row, second tier up from start/finish line...Bob was in hog heaven!!!  Stacey and I don't do races so we stayed at Disney World with the grandkids.

 

Jim Cullum retired from his police duties at the first of the year.  A party was given in his honor!!!

 

Check out our website...cuhs61.org.      Ron Burson goes to a lot of effort keeping it up to date and keeping you well informed...but you have to go there!!!!

 

Ron and I are a little disappointed.........we haven't received ANY/NARY A ONE bios...Carl Gustafson promised his weekend before last???  Someone else promised (Hi Gloria - do you feel guilty)...I'm going to start writing these things down!!!

 

Please stay in touch...let us hear your goings-ons...I will let everyone know what you have been up to...makes reunions that much sweeter!!! 

 

Hugs!!  Jan

April 5, 2002 - Saundria Buchanan McElvany – We are saddened to report that fellow classmate Saundria Buchanan McElvany passed away from cancer Thursday afternoon, April 4th, in her home.

 

Saundie was born Oct. 7, 1943, in Texarkana, AR and married Carl Richard McElvany on Sept. 12, 1964, in El Centro.  She worked as a paralegal in local law firms for nearly 40 years and was an active member of local, state and national legal secretaries associations. She served in many capacities in First Christian Church including as a member of the worship choir and Jubellation and as a deaconess, Sunday school teacher and Sunday school superintendent. She was also a member of the Iota Omicron Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, Vision Communicators, Republican Women and Literacy Volunteers of America.  

 

Survivors include her husband, Carl Richard McElvany, son and daughter-in-law, Carl Richard Jr. and Belen McElvany, all of El Centro; stepdaughters, Debbie Ollis of Modesto and Lisa Heimann of Stonebridge, Ga.; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  Also surviving are her mother, Margaret Lucille Buchanan, sister and brother-in-law, Margaret Lucinda and Robert Harris, all of Creede, Colo.; brother and sister-in-law, David and Debi Buchanan of El Centro; sister and brother-in-law, Stephanie and David Scott of Lawrenceville, Ga., mother-in-law, Wilma McElvany of El Centro, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

 

The family suggests memorials be sent to HomeChoice Hospice Services, 2344 S. 2nd St., Suite A, El Centro, CA 92243.

March 27, 2002 - Update from Jan Fifield - Hi all:  How have you all been?  I hope the new year is treating you well!!!  I have been remiss in keeping in touch with all of you to bug and nag you.  I received an email from Eric Gustafson to let me know he and Kathy had changed email addresses......it has been taking me awhile to get back to classmates, I am sorry!!  Sally Wong too!!  Sally our web address is cuhs61.org.  just a note:  if you are having problems getting to our website......my computer geek nephew gave me this hint.  Click on the http address to highlight then click again to unhighlight (dehightlight?).  place your cursor to the right so when you backspace you only erase the address you want to replace, then write in our address. 

 

We have lost several classmates from our email address list, I hope they decide to come back soon!!!  Maybe, when we get closer to our 45th reunion we will find them again!!

 

Diane called last night to let me know Saundie Buchanan is not doing well, at all.  I can only picture Saundie as a beautiful vivacious smiling redhead.

 

We've had some classmates get together since the reunion!!!  Donna King met Sarah Alice Lincoln for dinner....both had a wonderful time!!!  I know Donna was planning to meet Karen Kuhn for a weekend but I haven't gotten the details.  Last year Diane, Marcia Pelletier, Jacque Mena, Darla Henneke and I met for a weekend in Palm Springs, we did the La Quinta Art Festival and Palm Springs Follies.  We had a wonderful time again this year.  Next year I think it would be fun to have a mini class reunion or get together in Palm Springs......just hang out, go the follies, eat......I wanted to plan something like that this year but I was all planned out!!!  Keep it in mind for next year!!!!

 

Now to the bugging and nagging!!!  For all of you who have written us your bio.......you can relax and ignore the following.  For those of you who have come aboard since the reunion and those who have ignored me to this point.........IT IS TIME TO WRITE YOUR BIO!!!!!!!!!!  If you go to our website you can read some of the bios to get an idea of what we have in mind.  Please, please, please!!!!  Write us a bio!!!  I know it is a pain in the watusi....where in the heck did that word come from???  Once you sit down to the computer you will be surprised at how much fun it is, sure jogs the old memory and you begin to remember things you had forgotten all about........sort of like when your kids get together and start picking on you?  .........I'm not saying you want to be reminded of everything and don't have to share everything with us, unless of course you want to!!!!  I think the first classmates we should hear from are Kathy and Eric Gustafson, Wes and Linda Stonebreaker!!!  My goodness, you four have it easy!!!!  We are waiting!!!!

 

Trust me!!!!  I am not threatening you about writing your bios but........I have all your addresses.........remember 'The Godfather'?

 

Please send your bio to me!!!  I will forward it to everyone then Ron Burson will post it on the website!! 

 

Please keep in touch!!!!!  BIG HUGS!!!! Jan 

Jan 14, 2002 - Mary Ann Dolds' book - "Honey, I'm Home for good!" is going to be published and will be in print and available for purchase in about nine months.

Jan 14, 2002 - Note from Jan on 100 pound spoiled rotten rottweiler - I got so involved in classmates stuff i didn't tell you that stella had her right knee operated on.  Trying to keep a 100 pound spoiled rotten rottweiler off her knee while she recouped wasn't easy.  stella is doing fine now!!!

Jan 14, 2002 - Note from Jan on Jim Cullum - I just got word from Jim Cullum......he was in the hospital for a week with 2 blocked arteries......they were opened with stints.....he is is doing good and hopefully back to work in the next week.  if you want to drop him a line on email:  Jvc0917@aol.com

Jan 7, 2002 - Bob Miller - We are saddened to report that fellow classmate Bob Miller passed away on January 6, 2002. Bob was born in El Centro, October 12, 1943. His family will always remember him for fun camping trips, fishing and hunting outings, his delicious cooking, his loving fatherly advice, his wonderful Christmas spirit, and mostly for his affectionate bear hugs.  He is survived by his wife Jan, his children Donna, Robert, Jr., Thomas, Christiana, Nathan, Joshua, eight grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Memorials may be sent to the Bob Miller Memorial Fund at the National Bank of Arizona, PO Box 730, Springerville, Az 85938 

Jan 2, 2002 - Note from Jan on 45th year reunion - Just a little note!!!!!  At about 11:30 p.m. on October 20, 2001, it was mentioned to Diane that we should have another reunion in 5 years...... I thought Diane was going to have a stroke and a stroke is really a mass understatement!!!    ...... but in the intro piece she sent me for the mini annual, she signs off with......... "see you at our 45th."!!!  so God willing and the creek don't rise..........plan on a 45th reunion!!!  yeah!!!!!