Bernice Munton Williams, Class of 1950

Bio for Bernice Munton Williams 

After graduation in 1950, I got married to my wonderful husband, Henry (Hank) Williams; we had 2 children, Gail and Paul, and lived in Sacramento for 19 years.  During this time we went camping at the Lake Tahoe area very frequently to get away from the hot weather. Hank’s job then took us to Sierra Vista,Arizona where we have lived since 1970.  I received a teaching degree from the University of Arizona in Tucson with a major in education and art and a minor in music.  I taught 2nd and 4th grades, art in high school and loved it very much.

  

Because of a heart problem, I retired early and became active in the  local art association.  I painted mostly landscapes using oil paints, sculptured mostly Southwestern Indian figurines in clay. Hank and I made jewelry mostly using the “lost Wax” method of casting sterling silver jewelry. We’d also go rock hunting with the local gem and mineral club. Every October, I would sell the art pieces I made at “Art in the Park”, which was once a year. 

I  joined the local chorus (100 members)and have been a member for 12 years. I enjoy singing at the “rest homes” and also 4 major performance for the town with this chorus.  I also sing with a small group within this chorus – we call our group “The Souvenirs” – there are 7 small groups within the large chorus.  We have a great time. Hank and I bought a motorhome and always traveled during Arizona’s hot weather, all summer long.  We’d always go to the National Parks: going up through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and sometimes go into Canada (the Canadian Rockies), Washington, down Calif., (of course Lake Tahoe) and then  

home to  Az.  We did this for 18 years and loved every minute of it. 

We were married 63 ½  years, and then my husband passed away this year May 8th.   Our son lives in Washington and will be escorting me to the reunion. 

    

  Bernice Munton Williams

Sandy (Peterson) Langley, 1943-2015

1943 - 2015 | Obituary 

Sandra Loree (Petersen) Langley of Lone Pine passed quietly on the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 8 at Renown Hospital in Reno.
Sandy is survived by her husband, Christopher Langley; and by her brothers, Mark Petersen, of Fairfield and Steve Petersen of Malibu. She is also survived by her sons and their families, Simon Langley and wife Wendy of Chico and Matthew Langley and wife Juliana of Sebastopol; and three adoring granddaughters, Alexandra, Caroline and Scarlett.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Peter and Anita Petersen.
Born on April 7, 1943 in Healdsburg, Sandy grew up in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. She graduated from Point Arena High School in Point Arena in 1961, and she attended college at Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University. She received a degree in English from SSU as a member of the college's inaugural class.
Shortly upon graduating from college, Sandy enlisted in the Peace Corps and traveled to Austin, Texas for training. It was in Austin that she would meet her eventual husband of 46 years, Christopher Langley. The pair were both stationed in Iran during their Peace Corps service. Sandy reveled in telling stories of her adventures in Iran all of her life. The couple married in New York City on Aug. 8, 1968, shortly after returning to the United States. Christopher relocated from his native New York to join his new bride in California.
Lifelong educators, Sandy and Chris soon found themselves teaching elementary school in a remote northern California mining town called New Idria. Their tenure there was short-lived, however, as the mine closed and the town became deserted in 1972. This led them to seek out jobs with the Lone Pine Unified School District. Sandy taught the primary grades at Olancha School from 1972- 1977, and in various grade levels at Lo-Inyo Elementary from 1977-2001. In her retirement, she served as a member of the LPUSD Board of Trustees for several years. To say that Mrs. Langley had a significantly positive impact on the youth of Lone Pine and their families would be a gross understatement. Her influence went beyond the classroom, and many of her students remained lifelong friends.
Sandy had a passion for reading, collecting thousands of books over her lifetime and rereading hundreds of her most beloved novels time and time again. She also adored her beloved Los Angeles Dodgers, prompting her and Chris to make multiple visits to Spring Training in Arizona in recent years. Those who knew Sandy know she also had a flair for the dramatic, and the community was treated to many of her performances over the years as a member of the Southern Inyo Community Theater and in Lone Pine's fabled Jabberwocky productions. Perhaps her most notable role was as the voice of the man-eating plant, "Audrey Two" in the SICT production of Little Shop of Horrors.
Sandy imparted many pearls of wisdom to members of her family and her community over the years. She approached people with an open mind, an open, loving heart and a generous spirit that never stopped giving.
She will be memorialized at a service in Lone Pine at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Lone Pine reservation's tribal gymnasium.

Published in Inyo Register on Jan. 17, 2015

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/inyoregister/obituary.aspx?n=sandra-loree-langley-petersen&pid=173915235#sthash.VzEaCVUd.dpuf

A Good Time Was Had by All

The Golden Anniversary of the Point Arena High School Class of 1960 was a great success because alumni of classes 1950 through 1967 made it their reunion too. We filled the Gualala Community Center with about 100 attendees - the total of alumni, spouses, and family members. We began by milling around and talking while munching hors devours (and occassionally picking up a drink or two from the Point Arena Knights of Columbus bar) for the first two hours.

What a noisy bunch!

Just like the hallway at PAHS between classes.

Then we lined up and passed in a quick and orderly fashion through the buffet line, and filled up on Leslie Bate's scrumptious Chicken Marbella with flat noodles, salad, bread, and topped off with choice of dessert cake.

Not only was the buffet line more orderly and efficient than anything I saw in Air Force Basic Training - you can hold all your Air Force jokes - a teacher told me he always told his students that the Air Force was the best alternative to military service - but everyone quickly and neatly bussed their own dishes.

After dinner it was time for Foghorn Annual trivia. I gleaned a lot of information from annuals and photos from 1950 through 1962. Out of that exercise a quiz was produced - click on this link to go to it.

The quiz was a great success, if you discount the fact that no one remembered any of the things that had been written for Foghorn last wills and testaments.

Next we did class photos, aided greatly by the participation of Walter "Dale" Mason. In comparison with getting the class groups together for pictures, herding American short-hair cats is a lot easier.

Finally we danced to music provided by our DJ, William "Willie B" Brown.

The reunion started to wind down. Tired celebrants went out into the night, wending their ways to their very nearby motels, hotels, and guest houses.

A stalwart clean-up crew consisting of my brother Ron, Sam Oglesby, Walter Mason, Claire Farnsworth, and myself soon had all the chairs and tables put away, and all the linens bagged and decorations taken down and packed for next time.

About that time our Reunion Angel, Kristin Carnes - she planned and organized the decorating -  and her husband Steve came by to pick up the linens and table decorations and haul them back to the rental agency.

The next morning Alice and I hosted a most enjoyable post-reunion brunch at our house - egg and sausage casseroles provided by my sister-in-law Kathy, a variety of munchies and champagne provided by the Surf Super Market (and two bottles of champagne from our guests). Munchies were munched, mimosas were inbibed, and copious quantities of coffee and tea washed it all down.

And all the while everyone was chatting comfortably and enjoying the view of redwoods and coast.

At a moment of weakness during the reunion I committed to doing another one in five years. The acceptance of my offer was deafening, on the third try. The first time I offered to do it you could have heard a pin drop.

Anyway, after the success of the post-reunion brunch, I'll have a lot to think about the next five years. Somewhere between the two activities of this reunion is probably a really good idea for what should be done at the next one.

Everybody please stay in touch. I will be updating this website, primarily with more biographies as I plead and cajole alumni to provide them, and with pictures when Walter Mason and others email them to me.

Hail to the Pirates!

Trivia Quiz

Who was a majorette in 1950? Joey Combs


Played in the band? Vern McNamee, Joan Tock, Ginger Tock, Sharon Ohleyer, Peggy

Remstedt

Music teacher – Fran Nix

When was the first undefeated football team? 1954

Who played on it? Larry Girelli, Dennis Craig



1955-56



Principal - Walf Oglesby

Girls’ PE – Joan Blach

Typing – Ethel Hood

Coach – Ken Snow

English – Bill Sapsis

Band – Glenn Cochran

Science – Walt Weymouth

Ag – Billy Woodward

Custodian – Walt Smith

Cooks – Bertha Flint and Flora Hendrickson



1957 Music – John Allen



1958 Science – Milton Nitch

Math – Simon Ashiku

Home Economics – Margarette Biaggi

Bus Drivers – Al Garris, “Holly” Holloway, Reed Farnsworth, Al Phillips



1959 – Science and Math – Richard Long

English – Lucille Ornbaum

Agriculture and Shop – Francis Springer

New bus drivers – Arnold Ormsbee, Wendy May



1960 Principal – Charles Barber

Coach – Leland Stanford III

History – Ed Garret

Music – Wayne Nadeau

Science – Peter Schneeman



1956 Student Body President – Charles Cabassi

1956 Foghorn Staff – Carol Ohleyer, Judy Parnett



Who willed their “ability to get into trouble and stay there to Ruth Petersen, and to Coach one pack of gum” – Carol Ohleyer

Who willed “my athletic ability to Edwin Schuler and my ability to stay out of trouble to Byron Opperman.” – Charles Cabassi

Who willed “my bottom locker to any midget who can get near it” and “my good luck I’ve had to Ruth and Carolyn Yeaman.” – Judy Parnett

Who willed “my long nose to anyone who thinks they can keep it out of Mr. Oglesby’s office” – Carolyn Yeaman

Who willed “my ability to wear a pixie hair-do to Barbara Duncan, and the wart on my leg to Shirley Reynolds for the end of her nose” – Cheryl Acquistapace

Who willed “my ability to get along with Mr. Snow to Jan Johnson” – Barbara Craig

Who willed “my extremely high grades to Bruno Fistolera” – Walter Mason

Who willed “my ability to play basketball to Bob Titus” – Gene Price

“my place as majorette to Lynda Scaramella” – Betty Cook

“my chewed off fingernails to Kathne Carr” – Jerry Ledford

“my losing arguments with Coach to anyone who won’t take them serious and my position of first chair trumpet to Dennis Ferguson” – Joan Iversen

“my ability to talk too much to all of next year’s Civics Class and my ability to eat to anyone who needs it” – Janet Black

“my temper to Mr. Oglesby, to put with his” – Marcella Carver

“my ability to convince teachers that I am passing my classes to Tony Choate” – Gary Nissen

“my job on the annual staff to anyone with a lot of ambition, and my hard-to-blow clarinet to Alice Parks” – Carolyn York

“my job at Biaggi’s to Larry Norman” – Jim Walker

“my flyboys to Arlene Baker, and my good grades to Carol Potter…” – Pat Ciolina

“my ability, if any, to any athlete who might be in need of it” – Matt Piper

“will graduate – I hope! – Chuck York

“my football jersey, number 65, to anyone who will wash it” – Dennis Osland

“my ability to get along with all my teachers to Gary Swift” – Alice Parks

“all the hair on my chest to Ernie Ford to put on his chin. To Marilynn I leave a ring, the ring from my Roi-Tan cigar” – me

“my big ears to Mr. Garrett to put on his little pointed head” – Jeff Nelson

“the fuzz on my chin to anyone with hair on their chest” – Jim Spurgeon

“will “Mr. Gilbreath” to anyone who thinks he can learn the part” – Stan Solbeck



Two of the 1957 Cheerleaders are here – Jerry Ledford, Carolyn Yeaman

Who is missing? Ruth Petersen

Walter Mason’s nickname – Dale

Cheryl Acquistapace’s nickname – Flame

Carolyn Yeaman’s nickname – Speedy

Gene Price’s nickname – Gene

Barbara Craig’s nickname – Babs

Carolyn York’s nickname – Porky

Gary Nissen’s nickname – Gravy

Betty Cook’s nickname – Curly

Joan Iverson – Dimples

Jerry Ledford – Leadbellie

Paul Key – Keysters

Barbara Duncan – Dunk

Anna Miller – Red Heifer

Mary Lou Ciolina – Pat



One of the four cheerleaders is not here – Sue Acquistapace

Which are here? Cheryl Acquistapace, Carolyn Yeaman, Carol Ohleyer



1962 – Coach – Ed Garrett

English – Raymond Nelson

Math and Science – Victor Kingwell

Math and Science – Kenneth Kurtz

Commercial – Mary Borchers

Band – Leslie Irvin

Home Economics – Carol Slavens

JV Coach – Bob Bada

Industrial Arts – Tom Bennett

Custodian – Harry Turner

Class of 1960, Fiftieth Year Reunion

Help the Class of 1960 celebrate its 50th reunion in style!

Since there were only 27 in our class – we were the biggest class graduated up to that time, however – we would like to fill up the Gualala Community Center by inviting everyone from the Class of 1964 and earlier to celebrate with us.

The date will be Saturday, September 18, 2010.

Time: 4 PM until probably 11 – we’re not as young as we used to be, although we think we are.

Click on the cartoon for a much larger image.

Beginning at 4 there will be munchies and drinks, and a couple of hours to meet and greet, chat, and reminisce.

We’ll dine at 6 – dinner catered by Leslie Bates, who has done a great job for the Gualala Lions and others over the years. Cost will be $35 per person – mail checks to me: Mike Combs, P O Box 1639, Gualala, CA 95445. For more information call me: 707-884-3741, or better yet, email me: mcombs@pacific.net

Our no-host bar will be provided by the Point Arena Knights of Columbus.

We’ll have a DJ and dance to the music of the 50′s, but that will come about an hour after we finish dinner. The primary thing we want is lots of socializing – telling tall tales and life histories (often one and the same).

More details and features will be added on this blog as developments warrant. I have been posting biographies as they come in. To view all the biographies, just click on the label "Biographies" at the upper right side.

Lodging (click on the red high-lighted and underlined hotel and motel names below to get rates, availability, and to make a reservation):

INNS AND MOTELS

Gualala Country Inn Very nice and only about a hundred feet from our reunion.

Breakers Inn A very short walk to our reunion

Surf Motel Downtown Gualala, just a short walk

Sea Cliff Uptown Gualala, still only a short walk to our reunion

St Orres Only the best inn and restaurant on the coast, about two miles north of Gualala on Highway 1 (The King of Jordan dropped in on his Harley for lunch last year!)

Whale Watch Inn Five miles north of Gualala, just past Anchor Bay overlooking the beach.

Mar Vista Cottages A coast classic, five miles north of Gualala, just past Anchor Bay

North Coast Country Inn Five miles north of Gualala just past Anchor Bay, at the corner of Highway 1 and Fish Rock Road

Point Arena Seashell Inn In downtown Point Arena

Coast Guard House Inn At Arena Cove

Wharfmasters Inn At Arena Cove

Point Arena Lighthouse About 16 miles north, but well worth the drive!


VACATION HOMES (Very roomy and inexpensive for families and sharing with friends – Gualala and The Sea Ranch)

Serenisea Properties are primarily in the Gualala/Anchor Bay area

Coasting Home Gualala and The Sea Ranch

Vacation Rentals by Owner Great locations and prices

Sea Ranch Rentals Needs no explanation


OTHER WEB SITES OF INTEREST

Class of 1960 Graduate Photos On Classmates.com – if you’re not a member, join!

Class of 1960, 1999 Reunion On Classmates.com

Class of 1960, 2000 Reunion On Classmates.com

Strong As An Ox And Nearly As Smart Click on this link to be taken to many of the stories I’ve written about growing up in Point Arena. While on the web site, click on “Show Older Posts” for other Point Arena stories.

Attendance List

Class of 1960 Reunion


Darrell Christainsen 1950
Ed and Alice (Parks) Garrett 1951, Teacher 1959-1965/1960
Vern and Rosa McNamee 1951
Gary and Marie Ohleyer 1951
Joan Stornetta and Virginia Pippin (Tock) 1951/53
Joey Duff (Combs) 1952
Jack and Ellie O'Connor 1952
Peggy Sundstrom (Remstedt) 1953
Janet Robinson (Craig) 1953
Lawrence Girelli 1954
Sharon Anderson (Ohleyer) 1954
Dennis and Sue Craig 1954
Claire Farnsworth 1955
Betty (Snider) Woodward 1955
Judith (Parnett) and Don Kilgore 1956
Carol (Ohleyer) and Dean Green 1956
Charles Cabassi 1956
Gene and Judy Price 1957
Walter "Dale" and Audrey Mason 1957
Barbara Tanis (Craig) 1957
Cherly (Acquistapace) Dennison and Shannon 1957
Carolyn Newkirk and sister Elise Huff (Yeaman) 1957
Marcy (Carver) Cook 1958
Betty (Cook) and Ray Buchanan 1958
Carolyn (York) and Charley Biles 1958
Joan (Iversen) and George Robinson 1958
Gary and Jerrie (Ledford) Nissen 1958 (both)
Janet (Black) and Paul Konstantinow 1958
Barbara Opperman (Duncan) with two guests 1959
Chuck and Mickie York 1959
Jim Walker 1959
James Spurgeon 1960
Michael and Alice Combs 1960
Sam Oglesby 1960
Stanley and Angela Solbeck 1960
Rod and Judy (O'Farrall) Ferguson 1960/1967
Junella (Kenower) Barnes 1960
Ron and Kathy Combs 1961
Donald and Yvonette Ellingson 1961
Ron and Debra Matteoli 1961
Karen (Stornetta) and Tom Shurtz 1961
Phil and Michelle Reynolds 1961
Ruby (Cook) Davis and Pat Cook 1962
Beverley Ferretti (Behrens) 1962
Roger and Judy Seymour 1962
Marvin and Elsie Brodjeski 1962
Dale and Bev Withrow 1962
Lana Withrow 1962
Bobbie (Kenower) Jones 1962
Ron and Dana (Ledford) Galleti 1963 (both)
Leighton and Alice (Seymour) Nelson 1963/1965
Luann (Withrow) Bigham 1964
Richard and Cathy (Compton) Scaramella 1964 (both)
Rick Huls 1964
Paul and Cathy Stibi 1964
Margarette Biaggi Teacher

Randi Olsen and Clarice Sorensen

Randi Olsen and Clarice Sorensen left Point Arena after graduation from high school in 1960.  Clarice went to San Mateo Community College and then worked for Crocker National Bank in San Mateo, CA.  Randi joined the US Army and after basic and advanced training at Fort Ord, CA he was sent to Germany where he was a special weapons specialist. 

Clarice and Randi were married in Point Arena in 1962. After their wedding Randi returned to Germany where Clarice joined him a few months later.  This is where their dream of traveling together throughout the world began coming together. 

After Randi completed his service they returned to the US where Randi worked for Pacific Telephone and AT&T.  He retired from Pacific Telephone as the Director of Engineering Technology for California and Nevada in 1986.  For the most part Clarice was a stay-at-home mother of two children, Chris and Brian.  Chris (age 47) now calls Australia home, and he and his wife, Lisa, have three children.  Brian (age 43) lives in Oklahoma where he and his wife, Becky, have four children.  Clarice and Randi will both tell you that their greatest accomplishment in life has been getting both of the boys through their respective universities and on their own without student loans to pay back.

Randi with help from Clarice formed an international consulting business after retiring from the Bell System. They have worked in, traveled to or lived in 56 foreign countries.  This “need to travel” continues today, and they plan to travel to this reunion in their RV from Florida where their permanent home is located. 

When Randi and Clarice returned to the US they moved on to their 38’ sailboat, Credence, and spent 8 years sailing around the US.  They also purchased a small ocean rescue business in Florida and managed that for 8 years.  Randi and Clarice spent five of those years working as volunteers at a boys’ home in Florida and received national recognition for the work they did with troubled youth.  Clarice is an accomplished genealogist and has researched family records going back to the 1600’s.

Last year they spent three months traveling in Canada, Alaska and across the US.  The plans they have for the coming years are to continue traveling as long as God will give them the ability to do so.  They have been married 53 years and are looking forward to many more years together.