Burbank High School Graduating Class of 1967 blog. See photos and read messages from the past and present!
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Got the following email from Cathy (Nicholls) Coyle which includes info about the need for volunteers to take the baton for the Burbank-Burroughs Annual Picnic or it will be cancelled.
Is this something that interests you or someone you know?
Pic from last years picnic - we has a blast!
EMAIL:
I know you have had this info on your blog before. But maybe someone who hasn't seen it before, and would like to volunteer, might see it this time....
HAPPY NEW YEAR CP!!!!!!
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From: TJHentze
Sent: 12/31/2009 1:37:06 P.M. Pacific Standard Time
Subj: Fwd: No Alumni Picnic without help from BHS
Pam and Jon Kirkwood are not able to head up the BHS end of the annual JBHS/BHS All Class Alumni Picnic anymore. I believe this would have been #10? If interested, please talk to other BHS alumni friends (all classes) and maybe you can help get a small group together to take over the duties. For detail of what it entails, please email Pam & Jon at pamkirkwood@yahoo.com.
Thank you and HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
Trudie Lombard Hentze
BHS 65
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From: pamkirkwood@yahoo.com
Sent: 12/30/2009 8:48:32 A.M. Pacific Standard Time
Subj: Re: Picnic Banner
Hi All,
Thanks for forwarding the email below...We were waiting to hear what Linda decided for sure about the status of the Picnic, so that we could find out what to do with the BHS tent and the "Who Let The Dogs Out Banner"??? Still haven't had anyone step up to take over the BHS part of the Picnic, so if you hear of anyone who is interested, let us know.
Take care and Happy New Year!
and "Thanks for the Memories"...
Love, Pam and Jon
redhead77@sbcglobal.net writes:
Hi Denny. We don't plan to have the Alumni picnic this year, so we didn't book it.. BHS has dropped out and couldn't get replacement and we don't have the help we need either, so when Pam let me know that, I decided that we would take this yr. off. Maybe we can get it going for 2011. My 50 reunion is in '11 and I have another class that is having a reunion in '11that's interested and maybe we can coordinate it with those reunions and any one elses for 2011. Pam & John have retired and need to help more with their parents and they couldn't get anyone to take their part. I think we're just kinda burned out. I hate to give up our good deal with the parks dept. So, like I said, maybe next year we can get some new blood and start up again. Maybe people will miss it enough to get more involved in helping. You and your group have always done so much and have been so helpful and we appreciated it. Esp. with the cars, But without BHS it just doesn't work well. I'm sorry about not having it, but this is how it's turned out.
Please know how much I apreciated all you've done Denny.
Let me know your thoughts.
Linda
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Thanks Cathy!
Yes, TODAY is the last day of the decade and TOMORROW begins 2010! And for all who read this, may your dreams come true and may peace, joy, love and hope flood your heart and your home.
Today received the following email and pics from Cathy Nicholls Coyle. She and her twin, Carol Lebrecht were apart of the Burbank Marine Day in 1968 and their sister, Joan Nicholls Dempsey, took a few photos.
Hey Cathy, these are great - thanks so much!! And love your pups... too cute!
Hey CP: Merry Christmas! Just checking out your blog and saw the Marine Day photos that Wes Clark sent. Joan took a few more that same day! I have attached them.
Also attached is the Annual Scottie Dog Christmas Photo for 2009!
As promised, here are more Burbank photos from Wes Clark (link).
Are any of these shops still there? And I guess there's no mall but a street again? Haven't been to Burbank's downtown in many years.
Thanks Wes for the time travel!!
12/23/09 UPDATE
Wes Clark wrote:
You asked if any of the Golden Mall businesses are still in operation on San Fernando Road. Mike's answer: "As far as I can see no - most have changed or closed or been torn down with the exception of Kesslers Jewlers. They still have the same store front and interior. The used book store is the same even the owner but... it has moved to a smaller store front." Yes... Kessler's - still the same 1967 store front. It's weird!
Okay, so today is my birthday - whoo-hoo! And after work, I'll celebrate with friends, but on Facebook, I'm getting many wonderful greetings and such. Since my new motto is 'Having fun at sixty-one', below is a funny photo from our pal, Wes Clark from his website.
Wes wrote: "Tennessee Ernie Ford regards a golf ball at the opening of DeBell Golf Course in Burbank, 1959. Many more coming!"
Actually, my dad played golf at DeBell all the time and then EVERY DAY after he retired. Over the years, he had at least 2 holes in one. Once on the day my older sister, Susie was born, in 1940, and then another when I was around 8 years old. He would get prizes and all I remember was eating Wheaties cereal , 'the breakfast of champions', for MONTHS!
Occassionally, I would go with dad to hit golf balls. On the course, they called him 'Arnie' and at work (he was a grip at Paramount Studios), they called him 'Teach'. Our garage was full of golf balls that he found up at the course and after he died in 1976, my mother donated them to Burbank High. My mother passed away in 1977.
And just when you think you’ve heard it all, there’s BHS Alumni, Mark Covert from the class of 1968, who has run at least one mile every day since July 23, 1968, which is over 40 years without missing a day and averaging almost nine miles a day. WOW!
COMMENTARY: Compared to Mark Covert, we're all wusses.
By JOHN REILLY For The Patriot Ledger, Brockton, MA Posted Dec 20, 2009 @ 10:17 AM Last update Dec 21, 2009 @ 12:26 PM source
I’ve always found myself drawn to grinders.
No – not the long deli sandwiches. Growing up, my favorite athletes were never those who hit the most home-runs or scored the most touchdowns or even sold the most T-shirts. I always gravitated to those who were not necessarily the most talented, but always got the most of their abilities. Those who never quit. Those who stayed in the game despite knowing they didn’t have their best stuff. The athletes who putt out instead of pick up, despite the fact that they’ve just knocked four straight 5-irons into the Pacific. Those who crawl across the finish line.
The hockey world often refers to these players as “muckers and grinders”, but every sport has them.
Larry Bird excelled with nominal natural athletic ability – probably more so than anyone who ever played the game. He simply worked harder than anyone. He was an Ultimate Grinder. Steve Grogan’s heart far outweighed his talent. He was another. No athlete was ever more of a grinder than 5’7” former Bruins fireplug Stan Jonathan and Dustin Pedroia is a current-day example. Believe it or not, I think Jack Nicklaus (at times) was a grinder as well. You just can’t win that many tournaments without some of those wins coming without you’re “A” Game. With grinders it’s not always pretty, but more often than not, it’s pretty effective.
Cal Ripken is a great example. He holds the MLB record for consecutive games played – 2,632. Ripken is a Baseball Hall-of-Famer who spent his entire career stationed on the left side of the Baltimore Oriole infield. He came to the park every day. Never took a day off. And his streak quantifies the type of athlete I’ve always admired most.
Over the course of my life, I’ve had a few streaks that I’m proud of. Never missed a day of High School. Not one absence in four years. Even got a small recognition award at our senior banquet. I’m proud of this.
Since I started working in 1988, I have called in sick only once. A single day over 21 years – and that was because a pencil-point tick climbed up my sleeve during a lunchtime run right at the peak of lyme season three summers ago. The morning after I removed the tick from the back of my arm, I couldn’t move my legs. That has been my only sick day in over two decades.
I have run at least 1,000 miles a year, every year for the past 20 years. During a morning run last week it occurred to me that I recently passed the twentieth anniversary of my running career. Over 35,000 miles total. This is, perhaps, the individual accomplishment that is most rewarding to me.
Now I do not think that any of my own little personal streaks is likely to qualify me for any sort of ironman hall of fame or anything like that. (And Cal Ripken’s record was surely never in jeopardy.) Nevertheless, I am quite proud of these small personal achievements. Here’s the thing. Compared to Mark Covert of Lancaster California, I’m a big wuss.
As a Burbank High School senior on July 23, 1968, Mark woke up, brushed his teeth, stretched a bit, pushed open his screen door and went for a run. Nothing particularly singular or extraordinary about that. Except for the fact that he did it again the next day. Up. Brush. Stretch. Run. And then the next. And the next. And so on and so on and so on. For the last 41 years.
That’s right. Mr. Covert has pretty much faithfully (ok…obsessively) followed this same routine for the past 41 years without missing a day. Mark has been running every single day since the tail end of the Lyndon Johnson administration. Neil Armstrong hadn’t even stepped foot onto the moon yet and Mark’s streak was already…well...up and runnin’.
Mark is the cross-country and track coach at Antelope Valley College, just off Avenue K, in Lancaster, California - situated about 50 miles from the westernmost tip of the Mojave Desert. And he is far from an average runner. At his racing peak in 1970, he was the NCAA Division II National Cross Country Champion and he is a five time All-American. He finished seventh at the 1972 US Olympic Marathon trials, a race in which he earned the immortal distinction of becoming the very first person ever to cross a finish line wearing a pair of Nike shoes.
But even with all this pedigree, his lasting legacy will likely be The Streak.
“I keep doing this because it is something I look forward to each day. I feel better when I run and I’ll keep doing it until it's something I can't do or don't want to do”, Mr. Covert explained to me. “I look at it like this – it’s not something I have to do. It is something I get to do.”
According to the United States Running Streak Association (USRSA), a running streak is defined as “…running at least one continuous mile within each calendar day under one's own body power.” And Mark Covert has done this longer than anyone in this country ever has. By Christmas, Mark will have run over 15,100 consecutive days. And it sure doesn’t sound like he has any plans to stop.
“Looking at the whole body of my running career, overall I would say that I am most proud of the fact that I can still get out each day and do something that’s good for me and do something that I love to do. I am very lucky in this sense - I have run on many days when others might not have…not because I had to, but because I wanted to. To still be able to do something that I started over 40 years ago, even if the trees go by more slowly now, is something very, very few can say."
OK, you might think. A mile a day even for an entire year is less than 400 miles a year, right? That’s conceivable. Not my thing, maybe - but it’s not so hard to wrap your head around the fact that there are some people out there, like Mark, willing and able (if so inclined) to start a streak given such practical parameters.
Except this type of assessment would not be doing Mr. Covert justice. During the course of his 41 year Fun Run, Mark has averaged over 10 miles a day - an astounding total of more than 151,000 miles. Sheesh. At least Cal Ripken had a couple of days off each summer to rest (not to mention an entire off-season to recover). And he still fell, oh, about 34 years short of Mark’s current streak.
Clearly there is a lot of coordination that needs to happen in order to maintain such a streak - given the inevitable annual load of birthdays and anniversaries and weddings and funerals. And Mark has done just that.
“Most of my runs are done before we start anything in the morning”, Mark told me. “I will always get it in before most of my family is even out of bed. Running at 4 AM is not that big a deal to me if that is what I need to do. My wife and kids are my biggest fans and they have never known me not to run, so it has never been an issue for us. Of course some days, like funerals, are tougher than others. But I am also sure that my run has helped me get through these times.”
As a runner, I find it amazing he has been able to stay injury free given the enormous pounding his body has unquestionably absorbed through the years. So, what about injuries, Mark?
“Well, I had a broken bone in my foot once, that’s all. A couple other small things but there was never a thought of not trying to get the run in for the day.”
A broken foot? That’s all, huh? In order to continue running with this “small thing”, Mark had to custom modify a pair of construction boots in order to immobilize the break, and hobbled around the local junior high track for the next four weeks. He did, however, reluctantly concede to reduce his daily mileage from 10 down to about 4.
Pfffft. The guy is clearly a cream puff.
And here’s the really absurd thing. Mark is not alone. The USRSA is currently tracking eleven runners with running streaks more than 35 years. A mind-boggling 71 runners have streaks exceeding 25 years! Look, I run 3 or 4 days a week and, on most mornings, I find climbing down a flight of stairs so daunting a task that I have frequently entertained the idea of installing a two-story slide to get me down to the shower each morning. All I can say is that I certainly hope each one of these 71 Silver Streakers live in single-story bungalows.
But through all the inevitable aches and pains, Mark and his fellow Road Warriors continue to run every single day. So, if you are ever driving through Antelope Valley, and you observe a runner cruising along Avenue K, there’s a strong likelihood you will have bumped into Mark Covert - for the simple reason that you absolutely, positively know he is out there somewhere. Grinding away.
John Reilly is a graduate of Stonehill College and Notre Dame. A frequent contributor to Wicked Local Sharon, he lives in Sharon with his wife, daughter and son.
Photo of Dr. Price taken at BHS Centennial last year by Linda Mustion.source
Thank you to Alan Landros '70 who sent this December 18, 2009 email from Dave Thomson - we pray for the Lord's comfort for the family:
The Superintendent's Office was informed that Dr. Helen Price passed away today.
Dr. Helen Price was hired for the 1940-41 school year as a teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School. She worked in Division of Elementary Education as a special education teacher beginning in 1944 and then as the acting supervisor for the Nursery School and Child Care Program from 1946 through 1947. She went on a leave of absence for two years and resigned in May 1949.
Dr. Price was re-employed in September 1954 as a teacher at Luther Burbank Middle School. She became the VP and Dean of Girls in 1956 through 1967. At that time she transferred to BHS as an AP where she continued through June 1982 until she retired in July 1982.
Services will be held in January. As soon as that information is received, it will be sent out via E-News.
They say Hollywood is Tinsel Town but growing up during the 50's & 60's in Burbank (or most anywhere in the usa) TINSEL was very much apart of our Christmas tree.
Today, our favorite Burbank historian, Wes Clark '74 (no, he's not 74 years old, he graduated in 1974) posted a link on Facebook to a few of his holiday photos from 1960 along with some of his funny memories - here's the link and here's one photo:
Look at all that tinsel! Is there a tree under there??
Here's my tree from the 1950's in our living room with me in the middle and Linda and Teresa Young. They and their sister, Joyce, lived across the street on Tujunga Avenue until they moved to Olive Avenue and then across town near Mingay elementary school. Lots of fun memories playing with them over the years.
Tinsel side note: Do you remember when your dog or cat ate some tinsel which made for a strange site upon exiting their body??
Just received the sad news that BHS alumni Hetty (Niers) Gaeb, class '65, passed away this past Sunday, December 13th, 2009.
There will be a memorial for her at Normady Park Church of Christ in Seattle, WA on Saturday, December 19th at 10:00.
If you have any questions, please contact Mike or Jamie Gaeb, Hetty's son and daughter-in-law, at jamievangelder@msn.com.
We are so sorry for this loss and ask the Lord to comfort Hetty's family.
December 20, 2009 UPDATE
Hetty went into the hospital last Thursday because she had a toe bothering her. With her diabetes she had already had one removed. The doctor decided to keep her in the hospital to do some testing, so she went in with the thought that she would have to have another toe removed. By Friday she was in cardiac arrest and put on life support. Hetty passed away on Sunday with her two sons by her side.
"But in spite of all she had been through she remained the most 'up' person I've known. Always grateful for another day of life, loved her boys and grandchildren and her friends. She will be missed by all those who knew her", said her friend Nancy Wills.
Burbank Memorial for Hetty Niers Gaeb
January 9, 2010
11:00 am
Saint Roberts Bellarmine
Fifth and Orange Grove
Burbank, California
Found this onCraigslist. Sounds a bit like the old Newlywed Game!
New Game Show Seeking Couples/Pairs (Burbank)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 2009-12-13, 3:43PM PST Reply to: gigs-4pqy6-1508665283@craigslist.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He Said, She Said!
A really fun and exciting game show that is the ULTIMATE BATTLE OF THE SEXES!
Contestants of the opposite sex must correctly predict the answers to fun and edgy polling questions for a chance to win a customized, gender based grand prize! For instance she is playing for a spa weekend in Cancun with all her friends and he's playing for a fishing trip with his buddies in Cabo!
Questions are all based on the fact that men and women think differently.
Must be available Monday, December 21, 2009 and one day the week of December 14th, 2009
All contestants that participate in the presentation will have the opportunity to compete on the actual show in April!
All contestants that participate in the presentation will be paid a small fee.
Couples or Pairs must:
Have Dynamic, outgoing personalities Be Opinionated Sharp, quick-witted Fun, funny Not afraid to throw each other under the bus in a friendly way Competitive Attractive
If this is you and a friend or loved one send your Names, Ages, Phone Number , Email address and recent pictures of both of you to:
Burbank High Athletic Hall of Fame to pay tribute to latest class in second induction ceremony next year.
By Jeff Tully Published: Last Updated Friday, December 11, 2009 11:22 PM PST Source
BURBANK HIGH — When organizers at Burbank High began the Burbank High Athletic Hall of Fame last year, they envisioned a schedule of induction that would occur every two years.
With the success of last year’s inaugural ceremony, the school has continued the tradition it started, and a new group of inductees will be enshrined next year.
Earlier this week, the Hall of Fame committee released the list of the second class to be honored.
The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. Nov. 12 in the school’s auditorium.
The latest group includes Bryon “Tony” Frank, Roy and John Lockwood, Bob Pierce, Ken Ziskin, Ralph Botting, Christy Calderon, Frank Kallem and Dave Kemp. In addition, the 1975 CIF-champion softball team and the 1964 CIF-champion boys’ cross-country team will be honored.
“I think we have a pretty good group for next year,” Burbank Athletic Director Fred Cook said. “There are some very talented names on that list.”
The current class boasts some outstanding recipients.
BYRON “TONY” FRANK
Frank, class of 1928, is considered by some to be the school’s best athlete ever. He earned an amazing 16 varsity letters and led a host of teams to league championships. He went on to play football at UCLA.
Back Row: Ray Turner (Tennis), Maurice Wiley (JV Football), Pete Peterson (B Basketball), Les Bruckner (Varsity Football), Roy Lockwood (Varsity Basketball). Front Row: Ray Trainer (Rifle Team), Bob Brewer ( B Football), Don McMurry ( Track & Cross Country), Richard "Dick" Minasian ( Baseball & Athletic Director). source
ROY LOCKWOOD
Lockwood, class of 1932, was a three-sport standout for the Bulldogs. He returned to the school as a coach, winning league titles in boys’ basketball and swimming. His 1967 swim team won a CIF Southern Section championship. He went on to star at the University of Redlands and is a member of the school’s hall of fame.
JOHN LOCKWOOD
Lockwood, class of 1960 — son of Roy — was an All-CIF and Foothill League Back of the Year during his senior football season. He was also a star track and field athlete. He played at the University of Colorado and at USC.
BOB PIERCE
Pierce, class of 1959, was a talented track and field and cross-country runner for the Bulldogs. In 1959, he won a state championship in the 110-meter hurdles in a time of 14.3 seconds. He went on to compete for USC.
KEN ZISKIN
Ziskin, class of 1966, is one of a group of fine swimmers to come from the Bulldogs’ program. Along with winning many league individual championships, Ziskin captured two CIF titles in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1965 (1:01.6) and 1966 (1:01.8). He was also a three-time All-American and fine water polo player. He competed for USC.
RALPH BOTTING
Botting, class of 1974, was a standout pitcher for the Bulldogs’ baseball program. In 1974, he was named the CIF Southern Section 3-A Player of the Year and helped Burbank reach the playoff semifinals. The left-hander was drafted by the California Angels in the seventh round of the 1974 amateur draft and played for the team in 1979 and 1980.
CHRISTY CALDERON
Calderon, class of 1987, is considered my many as one of the best female athletes to come from Burbank. She was an All-CIF honoree in two sports, and still holds school records in basketball and softball. She played third base in college for the University of California, and set a school record (since broken) with 161 assists in a season in 1988.
1967 Coach Kallem
2009 William Rivera, Coach Dave Kemp, Coach Frank Chavez reunite after Alumni Game
FRANK KALLEM,
DAVE KEMP
Although the two are not Burbank graduates (they both attended Hoover) they are synonymous with Bulldogs athletics. Coaching a variety of sports, the two helped teams win many league and CIF championships, including boys’ cross-country crowns in 1964 and 1970. In addition, both served as athletic directors at the school. Kallem was at the school from 1962-2000 and Kemp coached from 1966-2000.
As first semester final examinations quickly approach we have a few updates from Burbank High School:
Centennial Book - Last Chance Online Thank you to all who have ordered the special edition Centennial book. We will no longer be able to offer the book online for purchase with a credit card after December 31, 2009. Don't miss this opportunity to own a beautiful piece of BHS history. The book makes a wonderful holiday gift. Order today and have it shipped or pick up at BHS. All books ordered after December 18, 2009 WILL NOT BE SHIPPED UNTIL January 4, 2010. (Books will still be available after December 31 for purchase at school or with a check).
Athletic Hall of Fame Look for an update soon on the next group of outstanding athletes to be inducted into the BHS Athletic Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place in the fall of 2010.
Kudos It has been a tremendous fall semester at BHS. State test score results confirm that Burbank High is in the top tier of high performing academic high schools in the state. Way to go Bulldogs! Fall athletic teams had outstanding seasons, including numerous playoff appearances. The Burbank High Football team defeated previously unbeaten Burroughs to capture the Pacific League Championship, and advanced to the CIF quarterfinals before a narrow loss. Congratulations!
We hope you have a wonderful holiday season and don't forget to order your Centennial book!
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This video is GREAT!! My sister Susie (Palmer) Wheeler BHS '58 lives in Scottsdale, Arizona and has horses - I'll be visiting in a couple of weeks. The last time I was there a few years ago, I watched as her trainer worked with her wild Mustang... amazing!
It’s about a blind horse and a man with gentle hands and a gift of being able to touch the soul of a horse — a lot of horses.
What’s not in the blog is his name, Kermit Samples, and the back story. I shot the video in 1993 and I failed and failed and failed to complete the project. When I decided two years ago to do what I should have done many years earlier, I called Kermit and, after hearing his warm voice on his answering machine, left an apologetic and promising message.
A little while later, his wife called back and told me the sad news that Kermit had died a few years earlier. I promised her that I’d complete this video. Kermit’s son has promised me that he’ll soon provide some more materials for the project — including some video of the astounding fete that his father was able to accomplish with the horse, Lady Moonlighter.
2009 Marilyn Miller, Jeanne (Barron) Aikman, Carol (Nicholls) Lebrecht, Cathy (Nicholls) Coyle and Cathy Palmer
Below are a couple of pics of Cathy and John taken in Rome 2007 at the Trevi Fountain and the Colliseum. Cathy wrote, "We just happened to throw some coins into the Fountain and you know what that means.... we were destined to return!" And sure enough, both Cathy and Carol along with family are currently traveling in Europe and are celebrating their 60th birthday TODAY IN FLORENCE! How cool is that??!
And here is a recent email from Kent Barcus!
Now that our non-official-but-beloved Class Babies, the identical-but-noninterchangeable Nicholls Sisters reach the same milestone or landmark as the rest of us effective December 1, 2009 it seemed good to request the Acme Discount Comedy Song Company to compose a master work on their behalf, except that it is cheaper just to have them provide the lyrics, as follows:
Finally you're just like us, Just like us, Just like us,
Finally you're just like us, Wow, what kept you?
The alternative words were turned down because they implicitly despised Carol and Cathy for being in their fifties while the majority of '67 had begun championing the rights of Senior Citizens except that none of us had actually volunteered for that duty and probably won't for about another ten to twenty years.
Happy Birthday to all, especially Cathy and Carol, Kent
