Message Forum

Shayne

I remember Fuson' s Garage and Kesey's Garage Sale, but no Fender's not even Bumpers.

Please tell more.

11/07/14 05:06 PM

#840

John Carleton Cowherd

George Bracey Gillow:

Interesting that you should choose a magazine cover with Mearles Drive-In. Mearles was an icon in Visalia (where I now live) from the late '40s until about ten years ago when they fell on hard times and had to close. It was the go to place for milk shakes and big greasy burgers (and sassy waitresses). You could usually find a classic car or two in the parking lot. Habit Burger bought the building, but it just doesn't compare to Mearles. The view in that picture was so commonplace to me that I didn't even notice that it was Mearles until the third time I looked at it.

11/07/14 05:42 PM

#841

Like I always said

viva

Visalia

later

11/07/14 06:51 PM

#842

George Bracey Gillow

MEARLE'S DRIVE IN

John,

There was nothing in the magazine or on the Reminisce website about Mearle's, just the cover picture.

There is lots of stuff on the Internet on Mearle's including pictures of the sassy waitresses.

You may want to submit your experiences with Mearle's to Reminisce magazine. They published a picture I sent in of my mother-in-law as a child:

11/08/14 05:06 PM

#843

Cool photo George. That dog looks to have the face of a human I know.

11/09/14 06:47 PM

#844

George Bracey Gillow

POSITIVE IN RETIREMENT

In a previous post, I mentioned that I liked Reminisce magazine because of its positive articles. It makes you realize that the vast-vast majority of Americans are great people.

When I decided to retire, I pledged not to wear my pants halfway up to my neck and go to the shuffleboard court and complain about how horrible the world was.

Retired Engineer:

OK, so I am not a total nerd. Here is a picture of me and classmate Cliff Gruel a couple of weeks ago at the Jacobsen Long Beach Pilot Station. (A video below on that interesting operation. I helped them with some of the technology shown)

11/09/14 08:23 PM

#845

Hi George,

I enjoyed seeing your recent post about the Port of LA. I don't know if you caught my recent blurb (11/3/14) about my father, Chief Engineer on the SD Tuna Fleet; but - I thought you would appreciate this story:

In order for my father to receive his Master's license as a captain on the SD Tuna fleet, and as a Chief Engineer - besides passing all the tests - he had to make a payment to "Johnny the Sheik". My sister Jill who was 6 years older than I, (CVHS 1959) likes to tell the story of when whe was 21, she was asked to deliver an envelope of cash to "Johnny the Sheik" at a downtown SD Hotel. Jill was working downtown at the time as a computer programer for PSA. She arrived at the hotel and Johnny asked her if she would like a drink. She did not want to be rude so she yes - and he poured her a glass of straight bourbon. She tried to drink it - but could not quite get it down. So, when the Sheik was in the other room - she poured it into a planter in the room.

The Sheik accepted the cash - and the license was issued to my dad. Evidently the mob was involved in the SD waterfront during that time - true story.....

My father had many wonderful fishing stories to tell, and all the colorful characters that he met. They all had intriquing names lie "Squidbrain" and then, "son of Squidbrain"...

11/10/14 11:09 AM

#846

Bea:

DC:

I've often wondered over the years, what ever happened to the "grandson of Squidbrain"

Tell the one about this guy, OK?

11/10/14 11:48 AM

#847

George Bracey Gillow

MOB IN SAN DIEGO--Tuna Industry

Corinne, That is a great story about your father and sister. You should send the story to the SD Maritime Museum. They have an interest in the history of the tuna industry. I wish the tuna industry was still in San Diego. I liked seeing the tuna boats on the Embarcardero.

Yes the mob was very much involved in the Tuna Industry. C Arnhold Smith the owner of the Westgate Tuna Company had lots of mob ties including the teamsters in Las Vegas and the La Costa development here in San Diego. He hired mobsters to "keep the women in line" at the factory often beating them up.

The people who owned and operated the tuna seiners were good people who worked very hard and had to be away from home for a long period of time.

There is a book on the history of corruption in San Diego called "Under the Perfect Sun: The San Diego Tourists Never See". Even Roger Hedgecock's attorney, Oscar Goodman was connected to the Mob. Goodman recently wrote a book "Being Oscar: from Mob Attorney to Mayor of Las Vegas". He was the only person I ever saw being interviewed on CSPAN while sipping on a martini.

Here is Capt John Meadonich, Captain of the tuna seiner "Coronado":

11/10/14 12:11 PM

#848

Shades of Watergate.

Nixon <--> Arnhold Smith <--> Mafia

viva, viva, Las Vegas

11/10/14 09:27 PM

#849

Hi Coriinne,

Did you know or do you remember Jeannie Wentworth (CVJH and CVHS)? Her father was captain of a tuna boat and he took us on a tour of his ship. She and I drove together to San Diego State for the first year or so, until I transferred to UCSD.

11/10/14 09:50 PM

#850

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkyIS32Vk2w

Another in a very long line of La Bamba's (dedicated to Corinne's latest grande bambino). To qualify for my list there has to be harp and a guy picking with a pencil (@1:50) and passing the vocals 'round. As far as I can tell Jimi never did this one, but what if ...

BTW, I went down Third Avenue way today and noticed that "The Highlander" sign is still prominent on the old store.

Also, Shaynee, that wasn't Michele under that hat on fiddle, Jimi? UBD-Judge.

11/11/14 08:17 AM

#851

I had a wonderful phone conversation with Rosie O'Day last night. Good sharing with you too George.

The O'Schuller Days were delightfully intertwined. My Dad and her Dad coached Little League, Pony League, Colt League and led the Cub Scouts and Boy Scout troups. Our Moms were Brownie and Girl Scout leaders, homeroom mothers, PTA and wrote and produced many school plays.

Our families went on adventures together, one driving as far as San Felipe to the tip of Baja.

I have loved catching up with so many through this blog. Thanks Bruce.

My daughter and I teach yoga and have taken groups on over 15 retreats in Colorado, California, Mexico and the Carribean. We are co-ordinators with the Yoga Journal Magazine for their national conference, here in Estes Park, Colorado, and the conference was over the same week as our Reunion.

We are at Rancho La Puerta (in Tecate) twice a year They also opened The Golden Door.This year our dates are 11/29-12/6 and then again Mother's Day.

I was at the 40th Reunion with Jessica Trager (Judy Vogt CVJH and CVHS) who passed away from breast cancer 3 years ago. Her mother passed away when she was in 6th grade and she called my mother Mom. Judy was the 1st female 7th grade President! "A vote for Vogt was a vote well voted".

I came to the 45th with Virginia McCormack (Hilltop JH), mentioned by Bruce. Both of those were with CV and Hilltop.

But the 50th with all 3 schools looked spectacular!

11/11/14 10:08 AM

#852

Sad to hear about Judy, Shayne, I was not aware.

I've enjoyed the recent spate of family memories and going all the way back to George's early posts in this thread.

I have spent some considerable time on my "roots", especially the Finlander side. My mom traveled to Finland three times after my father had passed on to track down her back pages.

Here's a photo from about 1907 in Ironwood Michigan of grandparents Jakob and Hedwig and uncles Charles, Bill, and Urho. Check out the kids clothing. Jakob returned to Finland and left Urho there with his grandma preparatory to returning the entire family to Finland. Having arrived back in Michigan, he died from "miner's consumption" when my mom was two before he could accomplish the task, which I guess resulted indirectly in me typing here today.

11/11/14 12:19 PM

#853

Jim Hawes

Bruce,

From my Finnish relatives in New Hampshire! SISU

11/11/14 01:15 PM

#854

Jim:

mitä kuuluu?

Wonder what Butches ancestory is!

11/11/14 07:36 PM

#855

John Moore

If there are any Veterans out there who are still reading this forum, just thought I would pass on a "Happy Veterans Day". Thanks for all your service and all the years of your lives you sacrificed for America's freedom's! Go Lancers!!

11/12/14 02:35 AM

#856

Firstly, thank you George for acturally finding a photo of Johnny the Sheik! OMG - my sister will be so surprised to see this character. The picture looks like someone out of Hollywood casting..

Our family did donate my father's old fishing films to the SD Tuna Fisherman' s Museum. My Dad was old school and only fished on bait boats during his career. (He retired before the era of purse seiners).

It looks like you have had quite a successful career!! I have enjoyed all your posts to the forum; thank you for your many contributions! I also loved your retired engineer photo. Cute shorts!

Brucie - thank you for your dedication of this - my favorita rendition so far of La Bamba - to my sweet bambino. You gotta love the Latin soul pouring thru these guys! Loved the photo of your ancestors too - the little boy looks like you! I just love these old family photos.

John, today I think of classmate Greg May who served in Vietnam. I also wonder about Frank Bochansky - does anyone know what happened to him? I heard he was in Vietnam also...I remember both Greg and Frank God from sixth grade at Hilltop Elementary. God bless them both.

Best wishes to all, Corinne (does any one remember the nickname Lanette Hughes gave me - "Curley Weenie"

11/12/14 02:47 AM

#857

Hi Shayne,

I don't recall the name of the girl you mentioned from CVHS. I will have to pull up some annuals. I did know alot of CVHS kids from Rice Elementary which I attended fro K - 5th grade.

My youngest daughter Katie is also certified Yoga instructor. Do you remember when we were young there was one yoga class on TV called Lillias? I used to follow her too - it was more my thing than Jack LaLanne. Guess he was a precursor to going to 24 hour Fitness....

Wow - the Golden Door and Rancho Puerta - very cool! I did not have the chance to get to know you Shayne, but if you are friends with Virginia McCormack - you have to be a special person too. She is one of my favorite people ever. Best, Corinne

11/12/14 09:31 AM

#858

Hi Corinne,

Virginia talks about you with great fondness. Perhaps one day we will all be in Chula Vista and we can get together.

Jeannie Whitworth looked like Annette Funicello. She and I had great fun riding to college together. I saw her at the 20th Reunion.

My mother introduced me to Yoga and Meditation in High School after she discovered the Self Realiation Fellowship in Encinitas,where Paramahansa Yogananda (Autobiography of a Yogi) had lived My brother and the surfers called the beach below "Swamis".

Until we meet again,

Love to You

Shayne

11/13/14 01:20 AM

#859

Hi Shayne,

I love Swami's too. The meditation garden there overlooking the sea is one of my favorites spots. I have also been following a spiritual pathway. Would love to see you and Va anytime you are down this way.

best, Corinne

11/13/14 07:27 AM

#860

Hi Corinne,

Yes, you and Virginia and I will go to "Swamis". There is a great gift shop there.

Hugs,

Shayne

11/13/14 09:55 AM

#861

Hi George,

Here is some more info about Grampa Fender's garage on E Streetl. It opened around 1930 and, after selling it to his son-in-law, Merlynn, it later became Morrel's Garage.

I saw some references to the local dairys. This one wasn't mentioned.

My Dad worked for Dairy Mart Farms in San Ysidro.(Hence the name Dairy Mart Road) He started with a milk route,getting up at 5am every morning. The milk was delivered to people's homes in amber bottles to preserve the nutritional content. I went with him on a few Saturdays. My brother and sister and I were even in a commercial on the local t.v station. The dairy was sold to Alta Dena. My Dad eventually ran the dairy before he segued to real estate with my uncle, Schuller Brothers Realtors on Third Avenure.

11/13/14 02:53 PM

#862

John Moore

Corinne: Frank B. lives in Arizona. He was in the Navy attached to a River Boat in the Mekong Delta. I believe that he was wounded. I have not seen him in years. Greg May was in the Army and was also wounded. I was in the Marine Corps and did 18 months in Viet Nam. By the way I surf at Swami's regularly. Great break but very crowded. If you are ever up in the North County area, please let me know, I would love to have coffee or lunch. I still admire those beautiful houses that you built in CV. Also, I never got that dance at the reunion. It was the foxtrot right? Take care..

11/13/14 03:58 PM

#863