55-Year "Muggers" Review
(The 55th hype is starting so send me your pictures.  Begining Fall 2010, I'll put them up right here!)  Scroll down to see the newer entries . . . 
  
Here's Jay Bridges showing us that he can be the leader of the 55-Year "Muggers" Review.  Thanks Jay for going right over the top . . . or perhaps the bottom, eh, and showing us a little moxie . . . hahaha    We all now have been to the Cape of Good Hope!!!
 
Here's Joan and Jay on their February 2010 trip with a great view of Cape Town South Africa.
  
Here is a photo of Vivian and myself on Khizi Island in Russia this summer. We toured Moscow to St. Petersburg on canals, rivers, and lakes. 1,000 miles and 16 locks. We also visited Tallinn in Estonia, and Helsinki, Finland.  A grand trip and worth 5,500 pictures (which I took). More later . . . Marlowe  Boyd

  
Well, here we are in the gold country . . . or bull frog country . . . or the Sierra foothills . . . in Angels Camp, California.   We don't have the snow of Arnold, but still close to Bear Valley for Winter fun and games.  The new house is great and ready for all of you to visit . . . Oh, wait a minuite . . . just a couple at a time would be appreciated . . . hahaha - Fred and Sandy

Here's Harry Noller . . . you know . . . the food, wine and Ferrari guy.   This is a picture from last summer in Burgundy (France) when he visited his favorite domain, Mongeard-Mugneret in Vosne-Romanee, producers of some of the best pinot noir in the world.   "Feeling no pain". Ca va tres bien.

   

Here's your 55th Year Class of 1956 Reunion Committee . . . of course working hard to put on the 2011 Event!  You know us all but just incase we can't be identified when compared to our 8th grade pictures on the home page . . . we (of course) are Pete, Betty, Keith, Sandy, Fred, Judy and Tush.

 
Here's Pat Bacon Brothen and husband, Bill, reving up their bike on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.  I think we're getting younger, so Pat . . . give us a close up eh?   They will be tourning Alaska on a cruise next Fall and might not be able to attend the 55th Reunion.  But we are very hopeful as they will be in Vancouver on September 20th and driving home to California with others.   Pat says "maybe", but we're counting Pat and Bill as coming on the List.
 
Here's Gary Bedsworth, '57, when he served the U.S. Army as an Honorary Brigadier General while evaluating their food services. Here he is with wife, Diane, at a dinner of the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs as Bailli (President) of the Scottsdale, AZ Bailliage (Chapter)
   
The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is the largest gastronomic organization in the world and, in the second of its two karmas, can lay claim to being the oldest. The Society was originally founded in Paris in the year 1248, and today, more than 70,000 persons participate annually in its activities. Members include many of the crowned heads of Europe as well as other persons of highest talent and distinction. Bailliages (national chapters) in more than 130 countries coordinate their programs through the Chaîne's International Headquarters in Paris.

 
This is at Judy Colvin Axtman's 70th Birthday Party (2/26/11) at the Greenhorn Creek Country Club in Angels Camp, CA.  Left to right are Fred Arbogast, Sandy Planz Arbogast, Anne Stark Blackmore, '58, Sharon Hayden DeVillers, '58, and the "birthday girl" herself, Judy.

Below we have Sam and me with Sharon Glotfelty Harrison, '59, and husband Garland.

 
Here's Marilyn Montgomery Finn and her family doing a little boating and fishing after the 2010 Christmas holiday.  As happy as everyone is, no fish have been reported.  The weather was cool so the houseboat was left at birth, but fun was had by the kids when cruising about in the "zodiac".
 

Doug Krotz retired three years ago to a new life . . . and  now he is an Author and going on the road with a book tour this Spring and Summer.  The Book is entitled, “The Man Who Sent the MAGI” and information on the book can be found on the website by the same name, which was built by his eldest daughter, Christine.  Google it with "Douglas Roper Krotz". The book reintroduces the world to Zarathustra Spitama and the religion He founded, the immense influence of both upon Judaic and Christian religions, all of which has been all but lost to both historians and theologians.  It was the prophesy of Zarathustra made 1600 years before the birth of Jesus that was responsible for the journey of the MAGI to Judea to gift and say prayers for the newborn of virgin birth who as prophesied would not commence His own ministry until the age of thirty, and then only with His request.   The Readers Digest has published a version of Doug's book.  In his 8th grade class picture, Doug is positioned between Jean Reid and Judy Miner . . . must have been quite an "operator".  You can see that picture right here!

 
Here we have Alice Monosmith Pickton, '58, Pat Monosmith Shoptaugh, Phil Shoptaugh and Alexandra, their grandchild.  They attended a Shakespeare play in which Alexandra participated this April.  It was very lively and each kid played several parts.  It was fun to see their excitement and enthusiasm.
 
Going to Tea Parties seems to be in "vogue" these days.  I've been to several and even started a website to push the stuff from way up here in Calaveras County.  So it's great to see one of our Acalanes classmates doing the same.  Here's Bill Moser, '57, attending a Tea Party in Pleasanton on October 16th, 2010.  You're lookin' good, Bill!  Hope to see you at the Reunion this September.
Some of us wound up in the mountains.  I'm one of 'em too, but here's a picture of Val Geissler, '57, who seems to really be up in "them thar hills", eh?  Val, thanks for the great picture and wonderful handwritten note below.  Wish you could join us for the 55th, but you'll probably be up in the wilderness then too. 
 
Noel Williams is an art educator, art historian, and abstract artist now living in Danville with his wife, Carlynn.  Here he is next to a couple of his recent creations.  Beautiful artistry, Noel!!
I did some "peeking" at Noel's website at, http://noelwilliams.com and couldn't resist grabbing a few examples (below) for you all to see.  I'm sure they would hang well where you live.  I've also added his website to our Alumni Website page, I'm sure we will see him at the 55th in September.

Diane Bregar Vafis must, with regret, say she can’t make it to the 55th Year Acalanes Class of 1956 Reunion. Diane has a family commitment that week to her 97 year old mother (!), as well as her sister, that she must keep.  To Pat Bacon . . . .  I was really hoping to come and reminisce about some great adventures we had.

Anyway, here is her photo for the "Muggers Review." Usually she is behind the lens, but Diane and her husband, John, were at the Louvre when on a trip to Paris and found
another tourist who offered to take the photo.

The week before Diane and John had been hiking in the Dordogne region, and no one was brave enough to approach such "scruffy looking" people (according to Diane) as they were then!  You guys look great now!  We will miss you at the Reunion.

                                                                                              

 

 

 

 

 

Here's one of Jim Dodds taken about the time of our 50th Reunion. . . and I understand that he's recently been traveling around the foothills looking for a way over the top.  The snow's almost melted so Jim  . . . come on and try again.   He and his wife, Kay, will be joining us in September when we celebrate our 55th.  I think I heard that this will be his first.  All right Jim!!  See you guys in the Fall

 

 

 

Gail Hanson Ruff is living in  Carson City, Nevada and is leading the way to a healthy future and having a great time in the mountains.   She is hiking the Sierra with a group of her friends each Monday.

 The picture shows Gail hiking from Markleeville, CA (highest County Seat in California), passing by Grover Hot Springs campground and then up to the Markleeville Falls.  It was quite a long hike, but such a beautiful day, well worth the trip as the waterways this year are outstanding.

Recently Gail hiked from Eagle Point at Emerald Bay Park down to the lake and around the bay to Eagle Falls and the Vikingsholm, once again a gorgeous day and a most enjoyable trip. The falls were absolutely beautiful, and Lake Tahoe is all they have been saying, up to its rim and more as they haven't released any of the water yet in order to keep from flooding the lower regions.

What a wonderful year Gail's group is having!   They are all seniors, their main leader will celebrate her 80th birthday this August 2011.   One member of the hiking group is almost 90.

So you all get out there and follow Gail's example, okay?

  

Here's Joan and Jay Bridges, "playing" at Tahoe with Steve Platt and his friend, Judy Menchek

  

"Dear Fred,  Bill & I visited Ron Fitzgerald this August 2011 at his home in Oregon.  Our parents were good friends and we've known each other since we were born.  So this is a very recent photo . . . Ron Fitzgerald and Pat Bacon.  (Hi Ron!) Doesn't look hopeful for us being at the Reunion.  Too bad because I like all the sports. So sorry we picked that week to go on a cruise.  Have a great time.  Pat "

Pat, we will . . . last week Acalanes demolished Ygnacio Valley 49 to 0!!!!   eeeaaaaooowwww!!!

  Launch of the "Bobcat" - 5/27/2011
John Hall is just like a phantom.  He shows up at the most unusual times . . . as just before the 50th.  Anyway he and his wife, Marge, have a totally different venue than last time.  He writes . . . "Hi Fred- Sorry I haven't gotten back to you sooner. Marge and I unfortunately will not be able to make it to The 55th Year Reunion this next week.  Since our 50th, we have moved to the Coast of Maine  from the Mountains of Colorado and now reside in Orr's Island, Maine, which is about 30  miles north of Freeport.  We're located right on the water and are enjoying our new wooden "lobster boat" that's shown in the attached photo.  For those of you who find yourself in Maine please come for a visit."  (John forgot to mention that he will put on a lobster feed for any of us that just stop by with a day or two notice . . . ha ha ha . . .Fred)

John & Marge Hall

  

"I just spent some time looking at all the pictures you've so kindly assembled for people like me who don't go to reunions but like to see what people are up to.  I really enjoyed all your efforts.  The photo is two years old now, but it's an updated view of our six kids and 25 grandchildren, assembled for our youngest daughter's wedding in October 2009, a few months shy of our 50th Anniversary!We have been truly blessed that only one of our children thought there was a better place to live than Contra Costa County (actually, his profession took him, his family, and our '56 T-Bird  to England.)  - Thanks for your dedication",  Judie Miner Hockel
 

And here's Sandy Fuller Ferrari who came to the 10th Year Acalanes Class of 1956 Reunion and won the prize for being the most unrecognizable classmate there.  Everyone wondered just who this new blond in the glamorous dress really was.  Well it was Sandy who now lives outside of Sonora, California.  The prize was a 1962 bottle of Louie Martini wine which she kept on her kitchen shelf, "unopened" for 45 years.   It took us a while to find her and her bottle.  We missed her at our 55th, but she did send her famous bottle of wine.  See ya at the 60th, Sandy.

 

Here are some "Happy Travelers" touring the CocaCola Factory in Atlanta, Georgia

 

It's Ernie and Sally Petrucci and Pat and Sally Macauley under the coke bottles!!

 

It has been a Fun Vacation in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

 

November 2011

 
 

 

Steve Platt and Judy Menchek are cruising again.  Here they are in the Beagle Channel through the tip of South America.  It's Great weather . . . 50 degrees, sunny, no wind, mountains, glaciers and whales.  However, while docked in Punta Arenas the winds hit 75mph.  Two big tugs had to apply full power to hold the ship on the dock.  Visited Ushuaia, Chile on the Channel. 

Above is Iguazu Falls from the Argentina side.  The lower right are the Falls from the Brazil side.  Put a trip here on your bucket list. There is nothing like it!  They go on and on. There is a network of steel walkways (miles of them) around the falls.  The most exciting part is the boat ride up to and into the falls (Steve had to put the camera away to avoid the water) you get very wet (soaked-very refreshing).  Steve and Judy  did the Argentine side this day . . . the next day they did  the Brazilian side (lower right).  This side is like about forty different waterfalls, some huge, some multi-level, and connected.  On both sides trails have lots of steps when you go from the top to the bottom (great exercise)!

Finally arrived in the Santa Teresa district of Rio and stayed in a very nice guest house.  They had a comfortable room but with an adjacent bathroom.  Among other experiences, Steve ran into the maid twice while en route to the bathroom in the buff.  He thought the hallway was theirs alone  Ok, Steve wore a robe after that, but if he was an inch taller, the robe would have been useless!
     
Well here they are . . . the Acalanes "Luncheon Bunch"!  They do this very frequently and Sandy and Sally and Loretta and Patti and sometimes Fay have to make the big trip to Betty's house.  Well, it's worth it, right girls?

Here you have Betty S. at the head of the table since she is the hostess.  "Tush" is talking . . . as usual.  Betty D. is looking very happy these days with Jane looking on.

Now as we keep going down the picture a little, we see Patti with "Tush" and Betty S. 

Well look who's next, it's Marlene in that green Jacket!  You look pretty "spiffy" Marlene!!  Happy St. Patricks Day!  Well Judy is there putting up with "Tush" as usual.

And below Jane, "Tush" and Sally comes on the scene with Sandy, Sally again and Marlene again.  I think they're hogging the pictures, don't you?

Anyway, the finally is "Tush" with that great looking hair fluffing around the room.

Well hope I got everyone at the Luncheon. 

Next time maybe Loretta will show up.  I think she had another engagement.

And where is Fay?  We haven't heard from here much.  I know she's was engaged in some kind of activity at Bear Valley (up top) but today (March 18, 2012) they lost their electric power and the wind chill was about minus 15 . . . ugh!  Guess she must have stayed at home.

So that's all there is to this rambling.  You all look great girls!  . . . . Being the expert that I am . . .

Freddie

PS - "Tush" you're great!  When do Sandy and I come to visit you and Pete and Betty?

  

Harry Noller is Director and Robert Louis Sinsheimer Professor of Molecular Biology at the Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, University of California, Santa Cruz, USA.  Here he is accepting The Gregori Aminoff Prize in crystallography with his two fellow recipients, Gulnara Yusupova and Marat Yusupov, awarded by The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for their crystallographic studies on ribosome, "translators of the code of life”.  Way to go Harry!!! 
 
He mentioned that he just returned from his most formal event since the 1956 Acalanes Senior Ball (notice the white tie above). The King and Queen of Sweden send their warmest regards . . .  And you can see the details by clicking right here!