Valerie Lyman (Harrris)

ReUnion News is posted!!! Go to the 50 Year Reunion link and get the information!!! Please feel free to call me at 805-423-1198 for any questions you may have. You can also email me at:  class68smhs@gmail.com

I am so excited to see all of you! 50 YEARS! We made it....let's party!

Valerie Lyman (Harrris)

Memory Book!!!

If you are interested in the Memory Book...you can purchase it and be in it, even if you do not attend the Class Reunion. Please refer to page 3 of the Reunion information. If you will be attending the Class Reunion, you will pay for and order your Memory Book at the Santa Maria Country Club. There will also be candid photos taken at all of the events.

If you are not going to be present, you can call Dane at Reunion Photographers (714) 265-3638 to order yours. 

Bev Spuhler (Vietor)

50th Reunion  update

Reservations received from classmates from these states...New York, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Colorado, Washington, Idaho and Northern California.  We heard rumors that Minnesota, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Nevada were coming.  Let's see how many states come join us for our BIG 50 events. 

Marvon Hadsell

Brian Arthur Johnston  Brian Arthur Johnston died July 6, 2017 at USC-County Hospital after an extended stay due to an accident in his home in Santa Maria. Brian loved the outdoors and enjoyed cross country skiing, backpacking, mountain climbing and all outdoor sports. He and his sister Mary use to talk about someday hiking the Appalachian Trail. Sadly that was not to be because Brain was taken by our Lord Jesus Christ too soon.  Brian was born at a local hospital on December 9, 1952 and raised in the Santa Maria Valley and attended Robert Bruce Elementary, El Camino Junior High, Allan Hancock Junior College and Humboldt State University. After completing his Geology degree Brian returned to Allan Hancock Junior College and got an electronics certificate so he could work for Redadair of Corpus Christi, Texas. He also worked for Varian Associates in Silicon Valley repairing power supplies used for radiation cancer treatments. Brian eventually moved to Oregon to enjoy outdoor activities there.  Brian had a great sense of humor he likely inherited from his father George Lee Johnston who preceded him in death when Brian was seventeen years old. Brian sent his sister an envelope of Tourist brochures from Oregon with a note that said “Welcome wagon came a'callin and this is what they were a'hauling” to entice her to come to Oregon to go rafting, skiing and hiking.  Brian was a good son who visited his Mother, Barbara Johnston in a local rest home on a weekly basis. His mother passed away in March of this year. Brian and his mother's ashes were buried with his maternal grandfather, Wilburn Fouts grave at the Santa Maria cemetery. A graveside memorial service and private luncheon at a local restaurant will be held for both Mother and Son July 27, 2018.

Brian Arthur Johnston  Brian Arthur Johnston died July 6, 2017 at USC-County Hospital after an exte...

Corinne Araki (Araki-Kawaguchi)

~didn't know Brian, but may he rest in peace...so sorry Marvin

Bev Spuhler (Vietor)

Hello Saints...                        Celebrating  #50

Many of us are busy packing to head to SM.  Have you found your letterman's jacket, squire sweaters, photos or any other high school memorabilia to show and tell??  Please bring them to Friday's  meet and greet @ Susan's so we can have them to display at SMCC.   We are getting excited,  over 80 are signed up to celebrate with us.   What a special time is ahead.  Not too late to sign up, mail or contact Val Lyman Harris.

Bev Spuhler (Vietor)

Yes, by all means bring your senior photo you found, plus any other high school photos that your want to display.  We are having a memory lane @ our 50th.   You will so enjoy cruis'in it.  Count down...less than 2 weeks when all the Saints return home.  Also pack your yearbook and glasses with your halo and wings.

Save travel Saints of 1968

Ruby Stewart (Russell)

Need

Hello Bev, and everyone.  I know this reunion will be the best, please take and share lots of photo/memories.  On our 45th reunion, many of you met my boyfriend Louie.  Well, Louie and I started a company several years ago where we received a patent for Stayput Beddings.  It has been a slow process for two seniors on a fixed income.  After several others tried to tweak our patent we decided not to fight and figured they couldn't copy all of our ideas so we decided to design a complete line of bedding.  We have created a line of bedding that is so simple and effortless it has been named "accessible beddings" by the American Council of the Blind. Needless to say, we are preparing for September 29, 2018. On that day we will celebrate Louie's 90th birthday and to commemorate his big day we are launching our entire line of bedding.  We would love to have any of you here to help us celebrate and see 1st hand our bedding.  Please give our best to everyone, we will be ready for # 55. I wish the timing was different, I would love to see everyone.

Ronnie Raley

Sounds like things are going very well for you.  Will miss you at the reunion !!!

Steve Leger

Is there something afoot?  Some sort of special occasion??  Mmmmm, interesting...

Greg Senff

My fellow classmates I hope to see you Friday night at cook your own steak at the Elks Club. My wife Carol and I have not done that since the 80s when I was a member there. As I recall drinks, food, and music. Should be a good time!

Janet Gerletti (Gilman)

Sounds like it will be a great reunion.  I'm sorry I won't be able to make it  as I will be in Florida with my 8 of my Line Dancers.  We had this trip planned for almost two years and been paying for it for awhile.  I haven't been home since the last of my parents passed away in 2008.  What I saw of our beloved high school was in a terrible shape and no longer look like it was.  The only building that was reconizable was the auditorium.  Have fun everyone.

Valerie Lyman (Harrris)

I am so excited!!! The reunion is just around the corner...Greg is right, we are going to have a wonderful time at the Elks Cook-your-own on Friday. It is not too late to join us, if you are not a memeber call me! 805-423-1198

Ruby Stewart & Janet Gerleeti, I am sorry you both will not be here. I totally understand and hope your adventures are great fun!

Rocky Samonte

Hello Everyone,

Still have it! I will not be attending the reunion. I hope all who do enjoy it and will have a great time. I also wanted to take a moment to reflect on those who have passed on and recall the fond memories they shared in making as we walked the halls of SMHS. To all take care, be well.

Your classmate,

Rocky

Bev Spuhler (Vietor)

Gosh, we sure will miss all you classmates at the reunion.  We do understand.

The happy new is that 123 Saints are straight'n out those halos to come shine and fly together. 

The lost and found department will be open all three days, the complaint dept is closed.

Safe fly'n and beware of the landing Saints, remember Santa Maria has those afternoon winds.

Ilene Pickle

Yes!  I'm looking forward to our class reunion!  Unforgettable 1968!

Steve Leger

Wow!  First, thanks for all the work of the Organizing Committee.  I am not sure what the real title is, but Organizing Committee sure sounds pretty darn important, does it not?  There are so many names that are familiar for one reason or the other (many I shared multiple classes, activites, frequentlyshared some time at lunch hour or some combination of the above).  I am trying to shake off the old cob webs of an old man's memory.  So , I am sure like many, I have not seen since graduating, with rare exceptions.  However, generally great memories..

Unfortunately, I lost my '68 year book when I moved around 1980 from one town to another.  That is when I recall losing my class ring and lettermans jacket  too--which undoubtely I would not have been able to fit into anyway.  I also lost my sacred and revered  baseball glove that I worshipped--wasn't all that good at baseball, but it provided some good child/kid memories  and later pick up games until  I was 30ish.

I likely won't be able to make tonights journey, but will mosey on up sometime Saturday and Sunday.  I did try to contact or cajole a few to attend at the last moment.  Not too successful.  Anyway, please be safe on the way over to SM.

Steve

P.S.:  I still would love to see a class picture from Main Street Elementary, the likes of which is long since gone by comercial develpment.  See you all on Saturday and Sunday!!. And remember:  68 is Great!!!!

R. Matias Rico

Hello fellow 68ers, I posted a few select photos of our recent 50th reunion event in Santa Maria...it was a pleasure connecting with you all and I hope we all remain in the best of health and are able to come together again in five years. See my profile for the pics; if anyone wants to transfer those and earlier reunion pics from my profile into the Fun Photos for All section, go for it.

Steve Leger

Ditto to Mattias (Randy).  Actually, it was great seeing you too.  I really wish I could have attented the Friday meet and greet of the great from sixtty-eight and all their dates none of whom we hate...Okay, not going to Leger rap here. I also had to miss the Sunday BBQ.  I had one of the worst back aches/pains I have ever had.  I am glad I made it up, however.  I did get to see a few people who were and are important in my lifetime and I am thankful for that.  But there were so many more I had hoped to run into.  Oh well, made more of it than the 41st I guess (which was zero).  I do hope all of you are doing and will be well.  It was fun as far as I could take it.

Leger then comtemplates:  Oh Why!?  Why must I suffer so?! [as he attempts to evoke mass sympathy...]

But, Leger suffers as good as the best...never giving it a rest...etc., etc....

Valerie Lyman (Harrris)

Thank you Matias Rico for posting some of your photos!! Please, EVERYONE, post away! Thank you to the committee and to all who jumped in and lent a hand! I enjoyed seeing all of you and wish I had more time to visit...but I just wanted to be sure everyone had a great time!!!

Bev Spuhler (Vietor)

Welcome to our Gala Reunion Dinner @ SMCC...the entrance, what a grand evening. 

Thank you all for attending and to Tommy for his jacket & Norma for her sweater, plus all the others who loaned us their memories.  What a trip down memory lane,  We have many heavenly memories of our childhood in SM and now our 50th.  .

Steve Leger

The 50th committe was a great group.  I was able to communicate with Bev and Valerie some.  Unfortunately, my 67 year old back was really bothering, no, torturing me so I didn't get to all the functions or see many people I wanted to.  But running in to those I did was a really great thing.  Thanks again to those who volunteered their time and energy to the get together on somewhat short notice.  Good luck to all of you 68 are Greater's.  May life treat you well and, who knows, there may be another time we can all get together.

Steve Leger

Eddie Rodrigues

We all remember our first... Chuck was my very first friend..  For me, he defined FRIEND and family.

We were only about 5 or 6 years old when playing in his room, i asked about the wierd thing with metal

shoes... It was his brace he needed to wear at night to straighten his feet.  He showed me how it was

supposed to work...It did.

I grew up learning from Chuck about rabbits, hogs, ginny pigs, sway back horses, plums, oranges and

how to build a go cart from an old lawn mower.   He and his family took me to Catholic church every sunday and helped me get my first communion.

One big  lesson came from Chuck when we were tallking about the birds and the bees.   At 7 or 8, I was

not happy about him telling me what my dad did to my mom to make a baby..  I told my mom what Chuck said and she set me straight.

I thank God i was able to spend a few hours with him a couple of years ago.  I learned he was happy, strong and grateful for his wife and family and the ski patrol.   We shared the love of our friendship.  I thanked him for being my lifelong frend and for the lessons he taught me.

Chuck was brave.  Almost fearless.  Funnier than hell and curious..

We talked about his cancer and how he was going to fight it.  I felt Chuck last night.   He was not ready to go just yet...  Not ;affraid... Just not ready yet.  

Tears are making it hard to see to write.  

Thank you Chuck Muscio... for being Eddie Rodrigues's first friend. 

Dorothy DesLauriers (Dickson)

Marvon Hadsell

Eddie, 

That was an excellent eulogy for one of the nicest, funniest, most honest friends I have ever known. Chuck was a friend to all. He shared his life and his passions with anyone. I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that we have lost a wonderful friend. I know that, as we grow older that things like this happen but when a friend of Chuck's caliber passes it just hits you very hard.  

Marvon