March 2011

Tetons Provide Awesome Scenery anda Grand Adventure for Patricia Staub

She volunteered that she and her hus-band (deceased) had, for years, visitedthe Grand Teton National Park inSeptember to see the changing leavesof the Aspen trees. I was immediatelyentranced as my trips to the Tetons hadbeen restricted to summer camp tripsand one winter cross-country skiingtrip. Thus, I made a mental commit-ment that when I retired, I would getto the Tetons in the fall to see thoseAspen trees. And in September of2010, I made that trip.

My dear friend Li, who has been oneof my best friends since graduateschool, said she would like to join mefor the trip. She lives in Austin,Texas. On Sept. 22, the two of us met

in Salt Lake City, Utah. From therewe boarded a puddle jumper and flewinto the little tourist town of Jackson, Wyoming. I must notethat my friend Li has NEVER beforevisited a national park nor has sheever visited the beautiful state ofWyoming (my mother’s home state,by the way).

When Li disembarked from our littleplane and viewed the landscape, theBLUE, BLUE skies, the white billowyclouds, she was wordless. She said, “Ican’t believe this!” (Remember, she isa city girl, born and raised in NewYork City).

We rented a car and drove into thelittle town of Jackson — quite the

western tourist town, but not socrowded or unmanageable whenyou go in September. After a fewstops for vital necessities like al-lergy drugs and Vitamin Cs, wewere on our way into the Park.

We had reservations at JennyLake Lodge. Our cabin/suite wasdelightful. It had all the amenities,but such an adorable rustic, log-cabin charm. We had a gorgeousview of the Grand Tetons from ourliving room window. We spent ourdays driving up and down the Parkroads and simply “inhaling” thebeauty of all the yellow, orange,red leaves back dropped by the ma-jestic Tetons. How could I possi-bly describe that beauty?

How can I describe the utter quiet andpeacefulness? Li and Itrekked/strolled along a few easytrails, took the ferry across JennyLake. I encourage Li, who is 10 yearsolder than I, to try the short hike afterone crosses the Lake. I kept tellingher that my 86-year-old mother com-pleted that same hike some 15 yearsago! However, Li would not be chal-lenged. So I ventured forth to onceagain view the fantastic falls and cas-cades by myself while Li waited at theboat dock.

Li, a horse-woman in her youth, per-suaded me to take a trail ride. I did.

Continued on Page 4

By Patricia Staub

For many years there was anantique card/memento shop inSierra Madre owned by an eld-erly Scandinavian woman. Iused to browse through the shopon weekend days and often en-joyed a brief conversation withthe owner. On one occasion, sheand I started talking about beau-tiful spots we had visitedthroughout the world. She hap-pened to mention the GrandTeton Mountains in Northwest-ern Wyoming. I was thrilled thatshe knew about the Tetons asthey have and continue to be myfavorite magical and mystical re-treat.

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Alan and Sheila Lamson Host Retirees

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Mixing Food, Fun and a Little Vino

this trip!

. . . Staub Continues Her Tetons AdventureContinued From Page 1

After two-plus hours on the horse, Ididn’t become a cow girl, but I didwalk like one.) We took the tram carto the top of one of the ski slopes.Once on top, we got to view hang-gliders...close-up...taking off for theirfreeing flights. I very muchwanted to try hang-gliding, but thinkmy time has passed for that adven-ture.

We drove into Yellowstone NationalPark one day so Li could see OldFaithful. It once again lived up to itsname, “old faithful,” treating us to“its show” on schedule.

Wildlife: Li saw moose, black bearup close and personal, but no bison

I was so grateful to the Scandina-vian shop-owner who first put theidea to travel to the Tetons in the au-tumn into my head, all those yearsago! What splendor! And all thesummer campers and tourists aregone. Retirement is GOOD!

Alan and Sheila Lamson playedhost to the PCC Retirees’ Associa-tion at their home in Pasadena onOct. 22. Fifty-two members andspouses shared good food, fine wineand interesting conversation withfriends and colleagues.

This list of those who attended themixer should help you place nameswith the faces in the photos.

Those attending included: BrendaAdams, Cecilia and Elvio Angeloni,Wilhelm Bleckmann, Mikki Bol-liger, Suzanne Bravender, DorothyBurns, Bruce and Kathy Carter ,Mary Alice Cervera, Dick Chamber-lain.

Other colleagues there included:Karlene Cunningham, Lisa Davis,Al DePonte, Joe and Maria Di-Massa, Mabel Duncan, VernonFaulkner, Carter Gengler, Bill Gold-mann and John Gregory.

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Also at the event were Lois Gui -terrez, Ray Guzman, Jane Hallinger,Conny Huthsteiner, Bobby andAnita Jones, Harry Kawahara,Sheila and Alan Lamson, PeteMhunzi, Inger Moen, Hans “Skip”Morkisch, Marion Murphy and JanPlatt.

Jeanne Porusch, Ann Primising,Sylvia Ryan, Pat Savoie, SallyShuster, Joe and Merrill Spiro, Pa-tricia Staub, Hollis Stewart, LisaSugimoto, Jan Sutherland, PaulSwaim, John Tulley, and Mar gVickers, Chrystal Watson, VernaWells, and Judy White also stoppedby to visit.

If you weren’t able to attend thismixer, another one is already in theworks. So when you get the invita-tion in the mail, mark your calendarand join us.

Mixer photos by Mikki Bolliger

Names To Match Up With Photos

Osher Can Ensure Scholarships in PerpetuityAn exceptional opportunity to raise

scholarships for PCC students has cometo our attention. In using this opportu-nity, our retirees are able to expand theimpact of our scholarship contributions.Let me explain

The Bernard Osher Foundationpledged $25million to theC a l i f o r n i aC o m m u n i t yColleges with achallenge ofmatching 50cents for everydollar raised bythe colleges.For example, agift of $13,334,

combined with Osher match dollars($13,334+$6,667) would result in a totalgift of $20,000, suf ficient to generateone full-time scholarship of $1,000 peryear. This would be in perpetuity, which,of course, means forever and ever.

We are pleased to report that PCC has$696,435 (71%) of its matching goal setup by the Osher Challenge of $979,577.We must raise the balance of the OsherChallenge by June 2011. Time is short,so we need quick action by our PCC sup-

porters.So far, our retirees have pledged

$9,000. Dr. Lisa Sugimoto, vice presi-dent of College Advancement, pleasantlysurprised us recently with a most gener-ous pledge of $5,000 of her own moneyto give us a substantial boost in ourscholarship drive. Several retirees’ boardmembers have also committed $1,000each to the effort. So we are well on ourway to fund at least one scholarship.However, it is our sincere hope that wecan fund several of these Osher Founda-tion scholarships for our students. Amaz-ingly, these scholarships will be inperpetuity.

We know that tuition is increasing dueto reduced state revenues. Obviously, ithas become more and more expensive topursue higher education. We know thattextbooks are ridiculously high. Our stu-dents desperately need financial assis-tance.

The Osher Challenge is a wonderfulmeans to provide an all important finan-cial boost for our students. When yougive generously to this extraordinary op-portunity, it not only supports our stu-dents, but it is an investment in ournation’s future.

In these difficult economic times, theimportance of education is even more

pronounced. As a group, adults with col-lege degrees, have an unemploymentrate of 5%, steady incomes, and rela-tively stable families. Adults without ahigh school education, by contrast, facean unemployment rate of over 15% anddeclining incomes.

Harvard sociologist, Richard Putnam,reports that we are becoming two soci-eties, two Americas. There is a deepen-ing class divide. Education is becomingthe key discriminate in American life.As persons who worked at PasadenaCity College, we are very aware of thecritical role education plays in our soci-ety.

Most Americans accept inequality inour economy as long as the ladder of op-portunity is accessible to anyone whowants to work hard. The best way forAmerica to reclaim its self-image as aland of opportunity is to ensure thatevery young person has access to a de-cent education.

This is precisely why it is vital that wesupport the Osher scholarship challenge.Again, the beauty of this special fund isthat it perpetuates itself, forever. That hasto make it a most attractive opportunity.

For your convenience, we have en-closed a return envelope in this mailing.

Retirees Invited To Join Trips To Italy and Ireland Merano, Italy

For people who love the idea of spend-ing time at a first class Spa in the moun-tainous wine region of Merano, Italy, andthose who want to explore various facetsof writing, this is a trip designed just foryou.

The workshops and discussions will beled by three PCC faculty members. JaneHallinger will present a workshop for peo-ple who wish to develop a personal historythrough essays to give to their children asmemories of their lives. (With the age oftechnology, documents such as personalletters are rare as a form of family history,so the sessions are designed to reestablishthis form of memories). Those who partic-ipate in this biographical workshop, needno prior writing experience.

Mick Curran will outline the process offilm writing. The sessions are designedfor enjoyment of the process. Jane willalso present a workshop on writing poetry.Bernie DePalois will provide personal ses-sions with participants who are workingon or wish to begin a novel.

Each evening will feature an Italian filmpresented by Nick and Jane after the gour-mand experience of dinner. Afternoonsand evenings will also provide time for en-joying the spa and pools. The week willbegin on June 25

All breakfasts and dinners are includedin the price of the workshops. A reducedprice is available for mate or friend whojust wants to relax and enjoy the spa andfilms. After the workshop week, an op-tional week touring in Italy is available atan additional cost.

For more detailed information and vari-ous pricings, call Modern Travel Serviceat 818 -247-5260. The travel week follow-ing the Spa workshops is also available forpeople who only want to do the travel por-tion.

A number of you over the years havejoined professors of the English Divi-sion on

Theatr

Theatre trips to Shakespeare

e in Ireland

Festival in Ashland, Oregon, Lon don,New York and Ireland. This summerJane Hallinger and Chris McCabe willbe off to the land of Erie for a week atthe popular Galway Art’s Festival. Anidyllic city on the stunning west coast

Continued on Page 7

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How’s Retirement Treating You?By Mikki Bolliger

How many times have you heard people who are gettingready to retire say something like this — “When I retire, Iwant to travel and spend time with my family.” Maybe youeven said it too. It sure sounded like a good plan when youstill had to show up for work at the college every day , andyou were counting the hours until you didn’t have to set thatalarm clock anymore. But when you’re looking at retirementfrom the work side, a life of leisure looks pretty darn good.However, when you’re on the other side looking back, some-times retirement is not as fulfilling as you thought it wouldbe.

Some of us manage a trip or two before we realize that wedon’t like being gone from home all the time. Traveling canbe educational and fun, but it is also expensive. So if youhave to curtail your travel, what do you do now? Oh yes,spend time with the family . That would be nice too, butthey’re all working while you’re at home wondering what todo next.

You may actually be a little bored, but you wouldn’t admit

that to a soul. Not working is supposed to be great.You just have to admit that maybe there are things about

working that you miss—being around people and getting outof your pajamas before noon. That’s when a new plan startsto form. How about volunteering somewhere? At first youpush the thought out of your head. Why would I want to com-mit to a schedule again? But then you realize you still havea lot to offer, and you don’t like staying home all the time.

You start to think about it more seriously, but what wouldyou do? You have to find a fun place to volunteer that won’tmake you feel like you’re back at work. A dilemma yes, butit is a nice one to have. There are literally hundreds of or -ganizations looking for volunteers. And there is one that isperfect for the skills that you have.

This is where this newsletter comes in. Starting with thisissue, we will be featuring different places where some ofour retirees are volunteering. In subsequent editions, we willfocus on finding the various organizations in need of volun-teers. So if you’re feeling a need for a change of pace, theanswer may be right at your fingertips.

Looking for Something Fun and Fulfilling? Docentsat the Autry Believe They’ve Found the Best Place

,

joyable and challenging, and I had tobe able to choose my days and howoften I wanted to work. And of course,I had to find a place that was a good fitfor me.

I started thinking about places I liketo visit regularly. Hmmmm—muse-ums fit that bill. Now I had to decidewhich one. The Autry Museum cameto mind immediately. I love history,

and I particularly like the museum’sfocus on the West. (After all, I grewup with all those cowboys on TVand in the movies.) Although I haveread a lot about the history of theold West, I knew I had a whole lotmore to learn. So that sounded likea good option to explore.

The next day, I visited The Autry,and learned that a new docent classwas starting in just a few weeks. Ithought about it for a few days andsigned up. The classes met on Mon-days from the end of June throughthe middle of September. Histori-ans, authors and curators spoke tothe new class of docents, sharing

stories and details that most of usContinued on Page 7

By Mikki Bolliger

Since I retired from teaching at PCCI can honestly say I have never beenbored. However, one year into retire-ment, I realized there was defi-nitely something missing in my lifI finally figure out that I missed thstudents and talking to adults otherthan family. I certainly didn’t lackfor companionship. My husband isretired, and he is home. My mothelives with us, and my three grand-children are at our house almostevery day. But I needed somethingmore.

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to dobut I knew I needed somethingmore stimulating. That’s when thethought of volunteering started togerminate in my brain. The prob-lem was trying to find some placethat would fit my needs. Thatmeant that the work had to be en- d-

ee

r

,

Sometimes we get lucky and our own grandchildrencome to the museum. Mikki Bolliger shows her granson Frankie Malagon the toys in the hands-on cart.

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. . .More About Being a Docent at The AutryContinued From Page 7

had never learned in school. We oftenmet in the museum and heard stories be-hind many of the artifacts on display.We were immersed in the history of theWest, and it was wonderful.

As graduation day approached, I wasgetting nervous about giving my firsttour. After all, I was outside of my ele-ment, and I wondered if I would be ableto actually talk with authority about thethings I had learned. Luckily, the do-cents don’t just get thrown into touring.You can shadow other docents until youfeel comfortable enough to tour. I shad-owed for two days, and then I decided itwas time to jump in.

Tuesday through Friday mornings, themuseum is filled with school groupsranging from kindergarten through highschool and the docents leading themthrough the exhibits. Many of the chil-dren on the tours have never even beento a museum, so they are usually wideeyed and eager to see what this place isall about. Because there is no set patternfor touring, the docents can pick anyroute they choose. You never get boredbecause you can focus on different sec-tions of the museum when you want achange of pace. Docents who don’t wantto work with school groups can tourfamilies and adults on the weekends orwhen groups request afternoon tours.

Before I started volunteering at TheAutry, I had never touched a buffalohide or run my hands over a beaver pelt.Although I’ve read about sparking fireswith flint and a piece of steel, I hadnever done that either. (You’re right, I’mnot a camper.) But now I do all of thosethings every week. Docents are required

to work a minimum of one day a week,but some work two or three. It is reallyup to the individual. Although I am onlyscheduled to tour one day, I am there alot more than that. There is alwayssomething going on with the changingexhibits, continuing education opportu-nities, field trips and the once-a-monthdocent potlucks. Oh, did I mention theparties?

Being a docent is definitely fun, andjust like at the college, unexpectedthings happen that make life amusing.When I was touring a group of thirdgraders one morning, the teacher asked aquestion that stunned me for a second.She stood looking at the Texas Long-horn steer on display and asked veryloudly—“Is this Longhorn a boy or agirl?” I looked at her and said, “Well,it’s a steer,” assuming she knew whatthat meant. However, she continuedsomewhat annoyed. “What we want toknow is how you know if a Texas Long-horn is a boy or a girl? I couldn’t believethis was happening. And of course, thekids were all paying close attention. So Isaid, “Well, the girls have girl parts andthe boys have boy parts.” The teacher looked horrified.

She said, “I wanted you to say that themales have horns and the femalesdon’t.” Well I couldn’t say that becauseboth the males and females have horns.She didn’t know how to respond at thatpoint because all children were listeningto our exchange and waiting for theirteacher to say something. Now it washer turn to be stunned. She just said,“Oh my God, I am so sorry.” I managedto save the day by telling kids it wastime to move on.

I have been a docent for two yearsnow, and I still love touring. There is somuch to see at The Autry that I discovernew things to talk about every time I gothrough. Choosing to volunteer at TheAutry has turned out to be one of thebest things I’ve for done for myselfsince I retired.

For anyone who wants to join me asan Autry docent, a new class will bestarting up on June 20, 2011. It willmeet on Monday afternoons from 1p.m. until 4 p.m. The $100 fee for thetraining includes all educational mate-rials and a museum membership. Foradditional information you can e-mailSusan DiCato at sdicato@theautry.orgor call her at (323) 667-2000 ext. 237.

Until I became a docent, I never handledbuffalo, beaver or badger pelts or sparked afire with flint and steel.

The administration at PCC is trying to make sure that the con-tributions of everyone who worked at the college are noted in thearchives. There are only three questions to answer, so please takethe time to either visit the Human Resources website or mail inyour responses. Everyone retiring from the college from now onwill be asked to fill out the form. However, a lot of people haveretired over the years, and a lot of that important information ismissing. Please take the time to respond to items 1-3 listed below.

Send your responses to the Pasadena City College Retirees’ As-sociation, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 91106. Those of you

who prefer to respond online can check out the Human Resourcesdepartment on the PCC website. There will be a link titled Re-tirees’ form.1. We are interested in knowing what contributions you madeduring your time at PCC that you would like noted in the col-lege’s archives?2. What makes you the proudest when you think of the years youspent at PCC?3. What do you want people to say about you when they recallyour service to PCC?

Make Sure Your Contributions Are Noted in the PCC Archives

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Joe and Jo Anne Probst Bitten By Cruise Bug

B.C. to Alaska and then continue downthe coast to San Diego.

Between our first and second cruiseswe did a 7,000 mile cross country driv-ing trip. We were going to the Interna-tional Nutcracker Convention beingheld in Connecticut. Along the way toand back we visited several NationalParks, Niagara Falls, Williamsburg, andCarlsbad Caverns. We are members ofthe Los Angeles County Arboretum.Making use of that membership wefound four arboretums to visit along theway.

We also learned that we needed to becareful on the amount of faith we puton our GPS. There were two notableGPS incidents. The first was after weleft Bryce Canyon National Park. Ournext stop was going to be Arches Na-tional Park. We found Arches on ourGPS as a point of interest. The GPStook a moment to think about it and wewere off. We had only traveled a fewmiles on a two lane state road when theGPS told us to take a right in two miles.

When we reached the turn we found aone lane road heading off into the dis-tance. It seemed to be out in the middleof nowhere, but the distance markersseemed correct. When we made it up

to the 9,000 foot elevation we hit thefirst patch of snow. The third patchwas the problem and we could go nofurther or back up. Lucky for us therewere some nice folks with a fourwheel drive vehicle. A couple of hourslater we were on our way back down.We will hold Arches National Park fora visit on another drive.

The second GPS situation was afterwe left Canada at Niagara Falls. Wequickly noticed that the GPS indicatedtravel time of many hours for loca-tions that should be only an hour ortwo away. Being a very low tech per-son it took me some time to figure outthat the GPS was set to avoid turn-pikes. The poor thing was trying tofigure out how to get us places so wedid not have to pay a toll, not an easytask on the East coast.

When not collecting nutcrackers,driving around the country, or going oncruises, my wife and I find it is not hardto fill up our time. Our daughter andson-in-law live in Northern Californiaand have two wonderful children. I canalmost drive the I-5 with my eyesclosed from going North and South onvisits. You can get great BBQ beef ribsin Button Willow

Back in 1998-99, I took a sabbaticalleave to serve on the Los AngelesCounty Grand Jury. Since that time Ihave served on the Board of Directorsof the State Grand Jurors’ Association.I am now a director of the Los AngelesCounty Grand Jurors’ Association andmy recent job was to find a speaker forour next regular meeting in February.The speaker I was able to schedule isLos Angeles County Sheriff Lee RoyBaca. The contact I used was ScottSvonkin, Senior Advisor to the Sheriff.Scott is also a member of San GabrielValley Unified Governing Board and10.75involved in learning. Being re-tired from teaching has not ended myfocus on education.

At the end of my current term in De-cember, I will have served 22 years on5Continued on Page 15

By Joe Probst

I have known Mikki Bolliger forover one score and ten years. When Imet her, I found Mikki to be a pleas-ant and kind colleague. The yearshave passed and Mrs. Bolliger hasmoved on to become the Editor of“Staying Connected.” Professor Bol-liger has now turned into a demandingindividual who wants to know what Ihave done since my retirement. Indesperation I turned to the Octoberissue of “Staying Connected” to see ifI could borrow from what others havedone in writing my report (a techniquelearned from my students). I foundthat I do not compare to what ourfriends have done. I have not volun-teered in Tanzania. Nothing in theworld is going to get me to go to anyplace called a “DMZ.” So, Mikki isforcing me to think about what I havedone since I became an Emeritus.

Like many PCC teachers, I continuedto teach part time for one and a halfyears. Then my wife, Jo Anne, retiredand I went looking for our first majorvacation. We did not want to fly and toour delight, we found a Princess cruiseto Hawaii leaving from San Pedro.Four days at sea, then four days andfour islands, then five days back to SanPedro with a quick stop in Mexico.The trip was a delight, good food, inter-esting people, good food, fun places togo, good food. We had caught thecruise bug.

Our next cruise was out of QuebecCity, up the St. Lawrence Seaway thendown the east coast of Canada and theUnited States to Ft. Lauderdale,Florida. Fantastic places to see, not tomention the good food.

This January we took our third cruise,repeating the one from last year toHawaii. We took my wife’s 86-year-old mother with us to share in this ex-perience. We have two more cruisesplanned. The next is out of Tampa,Florida going through the PanamaCanal and ending in San Diego. Afterthat one, we will go out of Vancouver,

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A Visit To Vegas Can Also Include a River Cruise

The new arch bridge that connectsNevada and Arizona can be seen overSkip’s shoulder.

By Hans “Skip” Morkish

a While visiting friends in Las Vegas,they surprised me by suggesting that wedo something different. We had donecasinos, lavish shows and luxury hotels,but now it was time to see some newand interesting things in the area.

So off we went to the Hacienda Hotelin Boulder City where we assembled fora short bus ride to the shores of the Col-orado River. Our gathering spot was justbelow Hoover Dam and almost underthe new and awesome arch bridge.

The trek down the steep ravine was bitscary—you look straight down thecliff—but the curvy road along with anexcellent driver made you feel you werein good hands even as she was lecturing

Once at the river’s edge, you walkedover a few huge boulders, and voila, youwere ready to step onto a rubber raft. Itheld 10 people and was built very se-

curely. It also gave us a 360 degree viewof everything.

We rafted the Colorado River south ofthe dam for about 45 minutes. What agrand view of the dam and the new archbridge which is high in the sky and con-nects Arizona and Nevada. The roadover the top of the dam is now fortourists, while the arch bridge is for reg-ular and truck traffic.

It is a magnificent sight to behold, andthe short river tour is colorful and safeand with a delightful guide who made itinteresting.

The access to the river and tour waseasy, and it lasted just long enough tomaintain our interest and enthusiasm.

. Next time you visit the Las Vegasarea, I strongly recommend this littleside trip. It is different, memorable andit is also reasonably priced.

Staub Discovers There’s A Lot To See in This CountryBy Patricia Staub

This past summer I flew to Taos, New Mexico and spent aweek with my niece and family in this fabulous house, built by aHollywood set designer. This incredible house had an incrediblview of the mountains everywhere.

After my visit, I met my friend and former neighbor Nan in Albuquerque to help her drive crosscountry to Lancaster, Virginia.loved the drive across our beautiful country.

We spent the first night in Amarillo, Texas, then we ventured tthe green, green Ozarks of Arkansas, then Knoxville, Tennesseethen to Stainton, Virginia (West part of Virginia). The Blue RidgMountains, Shenandoah Valley are all gorgeous. And finally onto the East coast of Virginia, about an hour from Richmond onthe Chesapeake Bay. My heart and eyes were filled with thebeauty of our fabulous, breath-taking country.

After my cross-country trip with Nan (I was helping her on hedrive as she has moved from Pasadena to Virginia. She retiredthis past summer), I flew back to Albuquerque, New Mexico an

drove through some of the most desolate territory to meet mybrother and his wife at the Ponderosa Campground near PegosaSprings, Colorado. We camped on the Canejos River—again

e beautiful country with mountains all around. We alsotook a narrow gauge train ride up into the mountains.

- In August, I joined my brother on another camping trip in theI Ozarks—Bull Shoals State Park on the White River, right on the

border of Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri. OMG...aso the kids say...what a delight! Green, green, green...clear,, sparkling, fast moving river, trout galore, and lovely, lovelye Ozark hills (they call them mountains).

My brother hired a guide who actually took us on the river totrout fish...my FIRST! I loved this kind of fishing. The guidebaited my hook, cast the line for me, then handed the rod to meand he said, “Ok, now you’re fishing!” Of course, with his

r expertise, I caught about 30 trout. “Catch and release.” I had somuch fun, and I particularly enjoyed the time with my brother

d who had triple by-pass surgery 10 years ago.

Consider Giving To The Scholarship FundYou don’t have to wait until the end

of the school year to make a donationto the Retirees’ Association Scholar-ship Fund; you can donate anytimeduring the year. However, this is a par-ticularly important time to donate be-cause the college and the retirees aretrying to meet the Osher Challenge.

(See Harry’s Column on Page 5 fordetails about turning our donationsinto perpetual scholarships.)

The Retirees’ Association prides itselfin giving deserving students the helpthey need to continue their education.With students struggling because ofthe bad economy, it is even more im-portant that money be made available

for scholarships.The amount doesn’t have to be much,

anything will help build the fund. Youcan write a check or simply call thePCC Foundation and use your creditcard. You can get a tax deduction, helpa deserving student and earn air milesall at the same time. Please indicateOsher on your donation.

10

Woody Ohlsen, 96, and Still TeachingBy Marilyn McMahon, staff writer

Santa Barbara News PressLongtime students of Woodrow

Ohlsen, better known as Woody, will behappy to hear that the beloved instructor,who celebrated his 96th birthday March1, has no plans to retire as he begins his30th year teaching courses in “LiteraryClassics” for Santa Barbara City CollegeContinuing Education Division.

“Renaissance Lives: Portraits of anAge” by Theodore K. Rabb will be thefocus of his next 10-week class.

“I had some problems with a pace-maker several months ago, but I’m finenow. If this next 10 weeks goes all right,I’ll keep on going. I teach the fall, winterand spring sessions but not in the sum-mer,” said Woody, whose physical ap-pearance and mental acuity belie his age.

He attributes his longevity and zest forlife to “luck, genes and the fact that I fi-nally gave up smoking 46 years ago aftera good friend died in his 40s. I had givenup many times before but cheated and al-ways began again,” he said during an inter -view in his apartment at Vista del Monte,where he and his wife, Marie, have livedsince 2001. Mrs. Ohlsen, who is 92, lives inthe Health Care Center.

Woody’s parents, Herman and ReginaOhlsen, lived in Iron Mountain, Mich., on ablock with seven families named Olsen.“There was a lot of confusion about thenames, which is why my father changed thename to Ohlsen,” he explained. Woody wathe oldest of three sons. “I was namedWoodrow after President Woodrow WilsonMy father, a bandleader, was a Democrawho voted twice for William Jennings BryanMy mother was a church organist.”

After graduating in 1936 as class valedictorian from Kingsford High School near Iron

Mountain, Woody, who was born in 1915,was awarded a four -year scholarship toLawrence College in Appleton, Wisconsin“It was the middle of the Great Depression.The scholarship included $7 a month forspending money,” he recalled with a chuckle

While at Lawrence College (now LawrencUniversity), Woody had a professor who wato have a profound impact on his teachingtechniques.

s “His name was Nathan Pusey, who later became president of Harvard University. He in

. troduced me to the Socratic method oft teaching in which the teacher throws out. questions for students to discuss. It was much

more interesting than listening to lectures,- said Ohlsen, who graduated Phi Beta Kapp

from Lawrence in 1940.“I majored in English, which was then

called literary forms and compositions,” hesaid.Another scholarship led him to theBoston University School of Theologywhere he decided after a year, “that I didn’want to be a preacher” and transferred to thUniversity of Michigan in Ann Arbor to pursue a master’s degree in English. It was therhe met Marie Nyman, a graduate of Northwestern University.

“It took three weeks to get engaged andthree months to get married on Feb. 26,1944, a beautiful day in Ann Arbor,” he saidThe couple, who will celebrate their 67th an

niversary next month, have oneson, one grandson and two great-grandchildren.

Before earning a master’s degreein 1945 at UM, Woody also taughtclasses in “bonehead English,”using the Socratic method, muchto the enjoyment of himself andhis students.He decided to get a junior collegeteaching credential at UCLA,which brought him and his wife toCalifornia in 1945. A year later,Woody was offered a position asan English instructor at PasadenaCity College where he becamechairman of the department in1958 until his retirement in 1977.Marie Ohlsen, who had beenteaching at Cal State Los Angeles,retired the same year, and the cou-ple moved to Santa Barbara.

Soon after settling into their newhome on Skyline Circle on theMesa, the Ohlsens began taking lit-erature classes at what was then

called Adult Education. “Mark Ferrer, the in-structor, suggested that Marie and I teach. classes, so we did. Marie taught poetry andShakespeare, and I began teaching the clas-sics, the Greek tragedies, Homer ’s. ‘Odyssey,’ ‘The Persian Wars’ by Herodotuse just like I did in Pasadena.“s The free courses are not for sissies. Still,they consistently attract average enrollmentsof 30 to 50, an even mix of men and women,- mainly ranging in age from 60s to 80s. “I had- one person who was 94. The students arevery intelligent people who feel they havemissed something in their educations—lawyers, doctors, business executives, house-” wives and so forth.a Some have come year after year ,” saidWoody, adding that he feels “deep satisfac-tion in working with students. I learn fromthem. We respond to each other.”

Homework assignments between sessions, consist of 30 to 40 pages of reading, whicht students are expected to discuss in class.e Ohlsen said he chose the book “Renaissance- Lives” for his next course because of its rel-e evance in today’s world.- “It’s heavy stuff, but I tell the students thatit’s better to be superficially profound ratherthan profound superficially.”

. This article was reprinted courtesy of the- Santa Barbara News Press. It was edited

for space.

Alan Lamson, Maria and Joe DiMassa(toprow) alongwith Sheila Lamson, help WoodyOhlsencelebrate his96th birthday.

In MemoriamFriends Bid Farewell to Wally Calvert

Wally Calvert, former Professor andInternational Student Advisor in theold English and Foreign LanguagesDivision died on Nov. 1, 2010 of amassive heart attack in St. George,Utah. Wally began his career at PCCin September of 1959 and retired inJune 1992. He had a reputation forknowing everything that went on atPCC. When he wasn’t teaching, hecould be seen in the hallways talkingto friends and colleagues, and gettingthe scoop about what was really hap-pening behind the scenes at the col-lege.

Retired English professor Ron Ko-ertge has written a special tribute tothe man so many people at PasadenaCity College called their friend.

Wally and I go back a long way. Istarted at PCC in 1965; he’d recentlytransferred to PCC from a Pasadenahigh school. I was twenty-five andWally was thirty-four. It didn’t takelong for us to find common ground –Santa Anita Park. We chatted aboutthe horses at school and met in the in-field on weekends. He and I taughtTeddy, one of his three kids, to handi-cap.

I wasn’t political like Wally, but thethings that made him a political ally

were the same ones that made him agood friend: honesty, common sense,and sense of humor about humanfrailty. And, by the way, a good finan-cial advisor. I wasn’t the only facultymember to come to him and say,“What should I do with this little bit ofmoney?” His advice – blue chipstocks and index funds – is as goodtoday as it was in 1970.

Most of us remember when Wallyand Ellen (does anybody but me knowthat her last name was Kepner?)started to look for a place to retire. Heand I and Ted were in Las Vegas once(we went for the food, of course) anddecided to drive a couple of hours andsee the land that he and Ellen hadbought just outside of St. George,Utah.

It was gorgeous and the little housethey built there was a jewel. Biancaand I visited them a few times everyyear until Ellen passed away. Eventu-ally he sold that house and he and hisnew wife Alice found a really stunningplace just a mile or two away. Andstill in Kayenta, of course. The four ofus sat on that spacious patio many anevening.

Wally made friends everywhere, andhis new friends in Utah rallied when

he wasn’t able to get around. I talkedto Wally on the phone regularly andtalked to his buddies about him.Bianca and I saw him a number oftimes in the last years of his life and hewas stoic without rancor and realisticwithout pessimism or regret. In short,we still sat on the patio and chattedabout money and horses until the sunwent down and it was time for a drink.Or two. —Ron Koertge

Retired Football Coach Don Hunt Passes Away

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Don Hunt, retired PCCfootball coach and instruc-tor, recently died in hissleep according to friends.

Hunt started his footballcoaching career at JohnMuir Junior College inPasadena in 1951 and laterbecame the school’s headfootball coach.

In 1962 Hunt becamePCC’s head football coachand held that position until1967. His best season was in 1966

when the team won theWestern State Confer-ence Championship andplayed at the JuniorRose Bowl.“Don Hunt was a great

man, a great coach,”said Skip Robinson,former PCC AthleticDirector who played forhim in that Junior RoseBowl Game. “He per-sonally taught me a lot

about football and about life. He had a

big impact on a lot of athletes here inthe city of Pasadena.” Also awrestling coach, Hunt was a classroominstructor until 1993 and was an activemember of the PCC Sports Hall ofFame Committee. Hunt played foot-ball at UCLA and he also broke theschool’s high hurdle record. Later heplayed a short stint with the Los Ange-les Rams.

He is survived by his son Michael ofTemple City. He will be missed by thestudents he taught, the players hecoached and all who knew him.

David Schnabel, Painter, Department Chair Passes AwayDavid Schnabel, a member of the art

faculty and former art departmentchair, passed away on Oct. 16, 2010 athis home in South Laguna. Davidbegan his career at PCC in September,1950 as an art instructor, and he even-tually became the chairperson of thedepartment in 1978 and held that posi-tion until he retired in 1986.

David held a Bachelor’s degree inPainting and Design and a Master’sdegree in Printmaking and ArtHistory. He was an accomplished cal-ligrapher and even filled out his origi-nal PCC job application in calligraphy.Whenever friends and colleagues re-ceived letters from David, they knew

who wrote them by justglancing at the enve-lope. Everything hewrote was done in cal-ligraphy.

David didn’t have alot of time to create artduring WWII. He

joined the army and servedhis country as a paratrooper.

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At the end of the war, he waable to return to his life as aartist.David held the Senior Fel-

lowship Award from theCarnegie Institute of Tech-nology in 1948, the PurchasPrize of the Pasadena ArtMuseum in 1953, and firstprize in oils from the Barns-dale Park Annual Show of 1962.Those are just a sampling of the nu-merous awards he received for hiswork over the years. His artwork wasalso featured in many one-man shows

in galleries in SanAntonio, Texas,Pasadena, Los Ange-les and Humboldt inCalifornia

David donatedgenerously to thefundraising efforts

for the Center for the Arts and in 2008was recognized by the students, fac-ulty and staff of the division for hisunselfish contributions. The life draw-ing lab in the new facility will benamed after him, ensuring that hislegacy lives on into the future.

He was an acclaimed painter and hiswork was collected throughout theUnited States. David is survived byhis four daughters and 10 grandchil-dren. He will be greatly missed by hisfamily, friends and colleagues.

Remembering Manuela GibsonManuela Gibson passed away on Nov. 30, 2010.

She worked at PCC for 31 years as a computer spe-cialist, retiring in 1998.

Manuela was born in Florence, Italy and met herhusband, Gaynor Gibson while he was an army of-ficer stationed in Florence just after the end ofWWII. Manuela was very active with the Veteransof Foreign Wars organization.

She is survived by three daughters and manygrandchildren and great grandchildren as well asher beloved dog, Charley.

GeorgeTrujillo

George Trujillopassed away on Feb.4, 2011. Georgebegan his career inHuman Resourcesduring the implementation of the Col-lege’s first online personnel system in1989. He then transferred to the Infor-mation Support Office and then movedto Admissions and Records.

Although George retired from the Ad-missions and Records Department after14 years of dedicated service to PCC, hedidn’t forget where he started. Evenafter he retired, George substituted inHuman Resources during heavy recruit-ment periods.

George was an enthusiastic classicmovie buff and a historian of MotownRecords’ music. Through the years, hewas always known for his great sense ofhumor and his “gentlemanliness.”George will be missed by all who knewhim.

Cordie Alford Died in FebruaryCordie Alford passed away in February in

Pasadena. She spent her 15 ½ years at Pasadena CityCollege in the Purchasing Department. Her positionwas classifed as a senior purchasing clerk.

Following her retirement in 1982, she wanted achange of pace, so she went to school and earned herreal estate license. She was very successful at hersecond career, and she worked in the real estate fieldfor many years before ill health forced her to slowdown. She passed away after a series of debilitatingillnesses.

Francyne Ford Franco Loved Nature and She Nurtured the Rose Garden at the Huntington LibraryFormer colleague Francyne Ford

Franco, age 75, passed away on Jan.11, 2011 at her home in Pasadena fromcancer.

Francyne was born May 15, 1935 inChicago, Illinois. She moved toPasadena during her high school years.She worked at Pasadena City Collegeas a health office manager from 1981until 1997 when she retired. Duringher years at PCC, she made and main-tained many close friendships.Francyne was an accomplished artist.Her watercolor paintings are filledwith beauty and serenity which is howshe lived her life. She had a love andappreciation for nature which showed

in her paintings and in her ability tolovingly care and nurture beautifulgardens. She was a volunteer at theHuntington Library and tended to therose gardens.

Francyne had a wonderful sense ofhumor and truly appreciated a goodjoke. She was an avid reader and hadan amazing knack for solving cross-word puzzles. Francyne saw beauty ineverything and considered each day a gift.

All who knew her were blessed byher generosity, compassion, kindnessand strength. Her sweetness was im-mediately apparent to those who mether and her selflessness to all who

knew her. She

leaves herlife part-ner andlovingcompan-ion JimLopez, herdaughterMelissaGrabarke-witz, herson Richard Franco, two grandchildrenHannah and Sam; two brothersMichael and Richard Ford, and manyclose friends.

City of Goleta Names Grove of Trees After Al TurnbullGeoffrey Alan “Al” Turnbull died on

Nov. 21 at his home in Santa Barbara. Al was born in Saskatchewan, Canada

and grew up in Pasadena. His studies atCal State Fresno were interrupted with theoutbreak of World War II. During the war,he served his country in the U.S. Navy asa torpedo bomber pilot. Al survived a bat-tle at Iwo Jima that sunk his ship and lefthim adrift at sea for many hours before hewas rescued. Al managed to make it homesafely. Upon his return home in 1946 hemarried Harriet, and they raised foursons.

Al returned to school and completed his edu-cation at Cal State L.A. When he retired fromPCC he was working as the head of the Busi-ness Education Department’s extended day divi-sion.

He and his wife Harriet moved to Goletawhere Al became involved in the planting oftrees at local elementary schools and throughoutthe area. He was instrumental in planting 90California coastal live oak trees within the LakeLos Carneros Preserve and he oversaw theircare for more than 20 years. In 2009 the GoletaCity Council formally named it the Al TurnbullGrove in his honor.

Angelica Diaz Died After Battling DiseaseAngelica Diaz died on Wednesday,

Nov. 11 after a valiant battle against aserious illness. Angelica began her ac-ademic career at PCC in May , 1992 asa full time temporary EOPS counselorand was subsequently hired for a per-manent position in the following year.She loved working with students, andshe particularly enjoyed helping to pre-pare first generation college students fortheir academic careers.

Over the years, many students ex-pressed their gratitude for her special

caring and guidance. Angelica realizedhow important it was for the first mem-ber of a family to graduate from college.It made it easier for those who cameafter. She was active in La Raza Facultyand Staff Association.

Angelica attended CSU Los Angeleswhere she earned her Bachelor’s degreein Psychology and a Master’s in Coun-seling. Prior to joining PCC, Angelicaworked for the Los Angeles Commu-nity College district as well as GlendaleCommunity College District.

Joe Mathias Dies From Congestive Heart FailureJoseph L. Mathias, who spent 40 years at

PCC as a counselor and professor, diedNov. 29, 2010 from congestive heart failurein his home in Roseville, CA. He was 87.

Joe’s wife, Helen said he had a love ofcars stretching back to his boyhood whenhis family ran an auto repair shop. DuringWWII, he served as a crew chief with theU.S. Army Air Corps, repairing and main-taining B-17 bombers in Italy and NorthAfrica. He even served with the TuskegeeAirmen for a short time when one of theirplanes crashed nearby and he worked to re-pair it.

Joe got his start in teaching by working as an auto mechanic in downtown Los Angeles, where many teachersfrom L.A. Trade Tech College were customers. Their sgesting and prodding encouraged him to complete voca-

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tional work at UCLA. After the war, Joe be-came the charter professor for the AutomotiveTechnology program at PCC, a position heheld for 40 years. He also helped build andmaintain PCC’s Tournament of Roses paradefloat entries for several years.

After his retirement and move to Roseville,he worked for four years as a volunteer at theTowe Automotive Museum, now known as theCalifornia Automobile Museum.

He also volunteered with the Roseville Po-lice Department, working on the graffiti abate-ment team. Joe earned a presidential bronzeaward for the 264 hours he volunteered with

the police department. Joe is survived by his wife of 64 years, Helen, son Raub,

- daughter Martha and four grandchildren.

Phillip Davidson, Who Spent 21Years at the CEC, Died of Cancer

Phillip Davidson, who worked as acustodian/engineer at the CommunityEducation Center, passed away fromcancer on Nov. 27.

Phil joined the CEC staff in 1970,and he retired after 21 years of service

to the col-lege. Col-leagues atthe CEC re-member himas a kind,friendlyman, whoenjoyedworking atthe CECand, heloved all ofthe people

he worked with. Several employees atthe Community Education Center saidall of those who work at the CEC aremembers of a close-knit family, so it issad to lose someone who was part ofthe family for so long.

Phil loved hunting, particularly fordeer. He had a passion for collectingmodel cars. The Davidsons belongedto the Highland Park Full-Gospel As-sembly Church. He and his wife,Mary, were very involved with thechurch.When Phil passed away, he was ini-tially survived by his wife, but shepassed away one month after he did onDec. 27.

Phil and Mary Davidson leave behind two sons, a daughter and fivegrandchildren.

Join Us For the Ramona PageantThe Retirees’ Association has planned a trip to the Ramona Pageant onSaturday, April 16. If you haven’t joined the group before, you’ll want tosign up for this excursion. You should have gotten a flyer in the mail, sothis is just a little nudge in case you haven’t reserved a spot. The cost of $75per person includes coach transportation, the pageant, lunch, taxes andtips. And of course, you will have the company of your friends and formercolleagues. Please join us, it will be a fun day.

PCC Offers StaffPCC NEWS

Golden HandshakeThe ranks of the PCC Retirees’ Associa-

tion may be swelling soon if the college administration is successful in its attempt tolure older faculty and staff members intoretirement. The district is offering them onof the most generous incentives proposed aany community college in more than 30years.

Those eligible for the package must be atleast 55 years of age with a minimum of 1years of service. “The district requires thatenough people retire to meet the college’sfiscal and operational objectives.” In otherwords, if enough people take advantage ofthe incentive to save the college money, thplan will be implemented. Employees musturn in their paperwork by June 10, 2011.After the deadline, the resignations and re-tirements are locked in and may not be re-scinded unless the college withdraws theplan.

The package calls for the college to paycontributions that will equal 75 percent ofthe participant’s final pay. (The final pay isdefined as the employee’s 2010-2011 finalbase salary multiplied by the employee’scurrent FTE.)

Although no numbers were available forclassified employees, 174 faculty membersare eligible to take advantage of the incen-tive.

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Ireland TripContinued From Page 5

of Ireland, Galway offers a week of music, the-atre, street performances of the best of Irish tra-dition and new voices. And retirees are invitedonce again.

The excursion will leave Los Angeles (air fare included) on July 13and return July 21. We will be staying at the Imperial Hotel in thecenter of Galway to provide an easy walk to numerous venues.

Opening and closing dinners as well as group performances willgive an opportunity for the conversational enjoyment that has alwaysbeen a hallmark of our theatre trips. Participants will also have amplefree time to choose additional plays and music performances.

Because of the beauty of this area, we plan several day excursionsto the Aran Islands and the scenic coastline, featuring the famedCliffs of Moher.

Further details are on the English Division home page under Gal-way. You may view the general bios of Chris and Jane and tap on theicon “Celtic Tours” which will take you to view the daily itineraryand give you specifics on booking the trip. If you have questions oryou don’t have access to a computer, you can call Chris at 626-585-3190 or Jane at 636-585-7424. We can also send you a flyer if youwish. If you’ve visited Ireland, you know the warmth of the Irish thatdraws in visitors and makes the adage true that one visit is neverenough.

From Cruises to PoliticsContinued on Page 8

the Charter Oak Unified Governing Board. At this timeI am vice-president of the Board. I have been elected bymy fellow Board members in Los Angeles County toserve on the board of the Los Angeles County SchoolTrustees Association (LACSTA) and was president in2008. I continue to serve LACSTA as Director/PastPresident.

I have earned the Master’s in Governance from theCalifornia School Boards Association (CSBA) and havebeen elected to and serve on its Delegate Assembly. Iplan to run for re-election to the Governing Board in No-vember. If any readers would like to get involved inlocal politics, please contact me.

When not doing any of the above I try to play someweak golf. I would be excited if some of my PCC col-leagues would contact me for a round.

Sheila Lamson’s Artichoke DipA number of members have requested the recipe forSheila Lamson’s artichoke heart dip. So, we decidedto make it available here.

I have no written recipe for this dish. It was given tome over the phone by a friend. I have no measure-ments.Here goes…………

In a shallow microwave proof dish (like a pie dish onlysmaller in diameter. I used an 8” diameter plate) as-semble the layers.First layer: marinated artichoke hearts drained (savethe liquid) and chopped small enough for easy “dip-ping.” Maybe ½-3/4 inch deep. (I get the big jar ofmarinated artichoke hearts at Costco or Smart & Final.This jar will make two or three recipes.Second layer: Mayonnaise mixed with a little of theliquid you saved (just a little for flavor. The mayoshouldn’t be runny. Pour the leftover liquid back intothe jar to save for another occasion)Spread this over the layer of chopped artichokes tocover.Third layer: chopped chilies. (I get the can of choppedchilies at Trader Joe’s. 4 oz.. Their brand is perfect.)Sprinkle over the mayo. Fourth layer: Grated cheese. (I use cheddar. You canuse whatever cheese you have left over in the refrig.)Cover as thick as you like.This can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the re-frig. Just microwave for 4-5 minutes or until thecheese melts. Serve with spoons for dipping ontocrackers or sturdy chips that can hold this mixture.

Board of Directors for 2010Elvio Angeloni AltadenaJoseph Barnes PasadenaMikki Bolliger, newsletter editor BurbankDorothy Burns PasadenaBruce Carter MonroviaAlice Corey AltadenaDick Chamberlain, secretary AltadenaAl De Ponte, 2nd vice president PasadenaKay Dabelow CambriaBill Goldmann, past president La CanadaHarry Kawahara, president AltadenaAlan Lamson, web editor PasadenaTerry Marsala, treasurer PasadenaMary McGuire PasadenaMarion Murphy, membership/historian ArcadiaSkip Morkisch PasadenaBessie Radcliff-Darden PasadenaSylvia Ryan Sierra MadreMike Riherd Altadena Pat Savoie AltadenaSally Shuster PasadenaJoe Spiro Sierra MadreHollis Stewart, 1st vice president Los AngelesMarj Vickers La Canada

PCC Retirees’ Association1570 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91106

Donate to the Osher Scholarship Fund