Newsletter produced for the Calistoga Junior/Senior High School Alumni Association. Layout was created using Adobe CS2

1. The Wildcatter
July 2009
The Wildcatter is published by
the Alumni Association of
Calistoga Junior/Senior High
School
MAILING ADDRESS:
CHS Alumni Association
PO Box 953
Calistoga, CA 94515
CHSWildcatter@gmail.com
Editorial Team:
Lucia Greenfield, ’93
(nee Tracy Oken, nee Lucia Oken)
Cynthia Parkhill, ’86
Alumni Association Board Members:
President.............................................................................Everett Ball, ’49
Vice President..........................................................Rose Rolleri Beck, ’65
Secretary.........................................................Kelly Monhoff-Croman, ’88
Treasurer............................................................. Pam Thomas Brocco, ’67
Membership Secretary.........................................Vilma Moreno Dodds’88
Scholarship Secretary.......................................................... Gary Heitz, ’63
Members at Large:
Sylvia Monfre Marciano, ’55
Sally Page Houk, ’59
Jack Rannells, ’51
Teirey Tamagni Tagliaferri, ’79
As many of you know Jack Ran-
nells has done a stellar job as edi-
tor of the Wildcatter since 2001.
Due to a nerve disorder Jack
decided that it was necessary to
step down from his post. Cynthia
and I expressed interest and ulti-
mately decided to become co-edi-
tors. You’ll find more information
about us in the “Where are they
now?” section of the newsletter.
We’d like to extend our deepest
and most sincere thanks to Jack for
his help. In truth, he was the third
co-editor of this issue. He provid-
ed us with a wealth of information
both by providing an overview of
how the newsletter is put together
and providing much of the con-
tent. Jack was always willing to
help without reservation and he
was very gracious about doing so.
We could not have put this news-
letter together without him and are
Editorial Changes
See CHANGES, Page 2
President’s Letter
When our newsletter editor, Jack Rannells, decided to step down for
personal reasons, I was so concerned that the Wildcatter would be no
more! Through the years Jack has supplied us all with a wonderful con-
nection to news about sports, events, and alumni goings and comings and
always making it look so easy. He has shared his writing talents, his data col-
lection and his substantial time expended because of the professional news
reporter and author that he is. I am sure he has the gratitude of all the readers
but particularly mine, since his work has made our Association so much
more meaningful, and my job easier. The Wildcatter provides more than
information to the members, it also chronicles the history of our high school
through the years and the efficacy of its educational teams in the successes
of our alumni.
Keeping our members informed is one of our basic functions and that is
now in the very capable hands of a team of co-editors; Lucia Greenfield, ’93
and Cynthia Parkhill, ’86. I welcome these two ladies and wish them every
success. After reading the draft of this newsletter I was delighted to see our
newsletter will continue to be a super source of news. Jack, of course, has
and will continue to gather information and assist in writing some articles.
My sincere thanks to Jack for the years of great newsletters and to Lucia and
Cynthia for taking over this important job. Please help them by sending in
news items about yourselves and other alumni. That is what we are about:
Contact, Connection, Friends — and support for new graduates! This year
we again awarded $6,800 in scholarships and donated $500 to Grad Night to
safeguard our new graduates through their night of celebration.
The history of the CHS Alumni Association on page 6 seemed to quietly
fade out after the banquet and dance in June l921. There is no mention of its
See LETTER, Page 4

2. Page 2 The Wildcatter
Classof’54hits55
Fifteen members of
’54 and twice that
many high-rolling sup-
porters celebrated the
55th anniversary of their
graduation from CHS at
the Peppermill casino/ho-
tel in Reno May 8-10.
Get-togethers ran from
Friday dinner to Sunday
breakfast, with Saturday’s
dinner the main event.
What happened in be-
tween was everyone’s
own business …. and
luck.
Lennie Friedlund won
high points as the orga-
nizer.
Ernie Hunt, the ever-
humorous senior class
president, emceed the
main event. Dick Vermeil
and other class members
remarked on the impor-
tance of their parents and
Calistoga’s sense of com-
munity in their develop-
ment.
Class members came
from as far away as Penn-
sylvania (Vermeil) and
Alabama (Peggy Nance
Lilliquist).
Bill Lopez won brag-
ging rights hands down
for greatest number of
decendants. He and Arlis
have 15 kids, 41 grands,
and 28 greats. (And we
thought Super Bowl rings
is what this class is all
about.)
Vermeil and Don Luvisi
contributed their wines
for the events.
The ’54 gang also
included Sharyn But-
ler Sarzotti, Verda
Cooley Combs, Marlene
Devincenzi Orlob, Peggy
Nance Lilliquist, Ron
Reynolds, Ada (Pinky)
Smith Gingold, Maryln
Smith, Frances Snodgrass
Waligora, Mary Edna Ste-
vens, and Ed Tedeschi.
Norma Clayton Lusardi
and Helen Schade Craft,
who had been with ’54
in grammar school, also
attended.
Other CHSers among
the celebrants, by cat-
egory:
• Siblings: Kenny
Smith,’49; Stan Ver-
meil, ’55 (and wife Terri
Archuleta Vermeil, ’60);
Mary Ann Hunt Rulli,
’57; and Norine Stevens
Moses, ’57.
• Spouses: Carol Drake
Vermeil, ’52; Louise
Carlenzoli Schmidt, ’57;
Nelva Long Tedeschi,
’57; Mickey Prince Lu-
visi, ’57.
• Offspring: Tracey
Schmidt, ’82; and Stacey
Schmidt Edds, ’82.
• Friends: Beanie Fisher
Rannells, ’48; and Jack
Rannells, ’51.
Did you notice those
five members of ’57?
That’s a sub-reunion.
— Jack Rannells, ’51
From left to right, front row: Mary Edna Stevens,
Frances Snodgrass Waligora, Ada Smith Gingold,
Verda Cooley Combs, Peggy Nance Lilliquist. Sec-
ond row: Helen Schade Craft, Lennie Friedlund,
Sharyn Butler Sarzotti, Ron Reynolds. Third row:
Dick Vermeil, Bill Lopez, and Don Luvisi. Fourth
row:Ed Tedeschi and Ernie Hunt.
truly grateful for his contributions.
I’m pleased to say that Jack will
continue to be involved with the
newsletter.
You will see that Cynthia and I
will continue to keep much of the
content consistent with past issues.
However we will also make a few
changes. We hope you will like
what you see. We welcome your
feedback and suggestions for this
and future issues. We’re look-
ing forward to serving our fellow
alumni.
—Lucia Greenfield, ’93
(nee Tracy Oken, nee Lucia Oken)
Changes,from Page 1

3. Page 3The Wildcatter
‘Bang, Bang, You’re Dead’ at CHS
The Calistoga Junior/Senior High School drama department took on vio-
lence and bullying in our schools with its production of “Bang, Bang,
You’re Dead.”
I attended the final performance on Saturday, April 4, in the CHS Black
Box Theater. In it, five dead students forced their classmate to explain why
he killed them with a shotgun.
The emotionally-loaded, thought-pro-
voking performances included percep-
tions that guns equal power and seem-
ing invulnerability. The main character,
Trevor, had many things going for him.
His ambiguous portrayal seemed an awk-
ward mix of “victim” and “bully” and,
truthfully, everyone was a victim of this
tragic experience.
The playbill included a list of Web sites
that have resources to deal with bullying
as well as a check list for depression and
suicide that offered local contacts.
Cast members also assembled on stage
and read statistics about violence and
bullying before inviting comments from
the audience. Representatives with the
Calistoga Family Center, a student assistance agency, encouraged commu-
nity referrals.
If you haven’t yet attended a performance by the CHS drama department,
I would encourage you to show your support. The black box theater is a
small, intimate venue off of the high school quad.
I would especially like to commend the drama teacher, Tyrone Sorren-
tino, and the cast and crew for being willing to address head-on the contro-
versial subject of school bullying. I welcome this opportunity to engage in
open dialogue, and hope that other CHS alumni welcome the opportunity as
well.
­— Cynthia Parkhill, ’86
What’s new
at CHS
n New superintendent
Esmeralda Mondragon, 51, is
the new superintendent of the Cal-
istoga Unified School District. She
succeeded Jeff Johnson, who re-
tired after 16 years with the district
(Read more about Johnson’s retire-
ment in the June 4, 2009 edition of
the Weekly Calistogan).
Mondragon has a doctorate in
educational leadership and 26
years of experience as a teacher
and administrator. Most recently,
she has overseen 15 elementary
school principals in the San Diego
School District. Her starting salary
here will be $172,500 a year.
Mondragon is a native of Mi-
choacan, Mexico. She immigrated
to the US when she was 18. Her
husband, Robert Grove, is a high
school biology teacher and track
coach. They have three kids: Alex,
24, a student at San Diego State;
Maya, 18, a junior college student;
and Jade, 7, who will enroll at CES
this fall.
n Band a winner
The eight-member CHS band won
first place among small schools at
the Music in the Parks competition
at Disneyland/Anaheim in early
April. Then they had a full day to
soak up the joys of the theme park.
n Boom in college admissions
An intensive counseling program
by four teachers resulted in 59
percent of this year’s CHS seniors
gaining admission to 4-year col-
leges. That compares with 28
percent in 2006, the first year of
the program.
College Coaches was started by
teachers Ivan Miller and Martha
McCoy. They have been joined by
teachers Terry Reagan and Rich-
ard Johnsen. They help students
fill out entrance and financial aid
applications, write any necessary
essays, and ensure they are aware
of the many deadlines as they ap-
proach.
n New gym options
The school board is considering
two proposals for a new gym-
auditorium complex. A new gym
would be built in both cases. One
plan would keep the existing gym
too. The other would replace it
with a state-of-the-art community
performing arts center.
— Jack Rannells, ’51

4. The WildcatterPage 4
Jack Anderson
Jack Anderson, a teacher/coach in the early 1950s, died
Feb. 19, 2009 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
He attended the all-alums reunion last August. He was 82.
Jack taught and coached at Herbert Slater Middle School
in Santa Rosa until 1987. He also co-owned Wikiup Ten-
nis and Swim Club. He is survived by his wife, Bette;
three sons; two daughters; and one sister.
Linda Ashworth Pugh, ’65
Linda Ashworth Pugh, ’65, died April 29, 2009. Surviv-
ers include sister Gayle Ashworth Eberhart, ’71, of Calis-
toga and brother David Ashworth, ’68, of Ukiah.
Fred Hill, ’54
Fred Hill, ’54, died Feb. 15, 2009. He was a resident of
San Pablo. He was a retired truck driver. Fred is survived
by his wife Linda.
Thomas McCaffrey, ’42
Thomas McCaffrey, ’42, of Sonoma died Jan. 21, 2009.
Tom joined the Army Air Force right out of CHS and
won air medals for his actions as a P-47 pilot during the
Battle of the Bulge and elsewhere in western Europe dur-
ing World War II.
Tom retired after a career as a heavy equipment operator
in the North Bay. He was an accomplished woodworker.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Maude; one son;
three grands; and six greats; and three sisters, including
Helen McCaffrey McCurdy, ’33, of Watsonville and Ger-
trude McCaffrey Eisan, ’44, of St. Helena.
Alex Ruiz, ’04
Alex Ruiz, ’04, died in an auto accident near Rohnert
Park Feb. 14, 2009. Alex lived in Emeryville and was a
student at Expression College for Digital Arts in Berkeley.
Alex was the lead singer of his own band, “Tear It
Down.” The band, including Vince Gutierrez, ’05, played
at a celebration of Alex’s life, attended by more than 500,
at the fairgrounds. Alex was a top-ranked tennis player at
CHS. He is survived by his parents and a brother at CHS,
Jordan.
Melba Willis Locey, ’32
Melba Willis Locey, ’32, died in Santa Rosa March 29,
2009. She is survived by son, Stan Locey, ’48, of Windsor.
Barbara Jean Wolleson, ’51
Barbara Jean Blakeley Wolleson, ’51, a little lady who
played a big role in her community, died at St. Helena
Hospital May 16, 2009.
Barbara and Charlie Wolleson, ’50, had been married 59
years. For many of them, they ran an auto repair shop and
a vineyard. Barbara served many years on the Calistoga
school board. She was a member of the local chapter of
Soroptomists International for 46 years.
For years, Barbara and Charlie owned a sprint race car,
but they dropped that after their son, Mark Wolleson, ’74,
died of a heart attack while driving it in a race at the fair-
grounds in 1981.
Barbara is survived by Charlie; her sisters Marvie
Blakeley Sears, ’54, and Shirley Blakeley Woodworth,
’57; daughters Margaret Wolleson Canada, ’69, and Susan
Wolleson Freund, ’72; four greats, and eight grands.
— Send CHS Alumni obituaries to CHSWildcatter@
gmail.com
In Memoriam ...
work for years until 1990 when a group of some ’48ers
and ’49ers decided an organization was needed. The group
consisted of Tom Thorndike, ’49, Pete Marciano, ’49,
Tom McGreane, ’49, Bob Paris. ’49, Jean Kelly, ’49, Ken
Smith, ’49, Everett Ball, ’49, Gus Kelperis, ’48, Gene
Walker, ’48, Red Gardner, ’48, Earlene Elder Perazzo,
’48, Virginia Fisher Rannells, ’48. These are just a few
of those that were involved in making our organization a
success. It took a number of years to build a roster of ad-
dresses and maintain that list by mailings every 6 months
and do something to keep everyone in touch. I think the
people that attend the tri-annual reunions started in 1993
love that contact and want them to continue. Plan on being
there in 2011!
Our first president was Tom Thorndike, then Sally
Brown Manley and myself, each serving for a number of
terms. Each of us have had dedicated boards that made
our functioning efficient and fun. Consider running for the
board next June; officers are chosen from that group and
the easiest job is being president, so volunteer. You will
have a good time.
Please send your dues for this fiscal year, July 2009
to June 2010, with the attached form. We mail to 1,400
people every six months and with printing and postage
increasing rapidly we need to cover the costs for this and
two more mailings before the next fiscal year.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact
me.
— Everett Ball, ’49
evgloball@sbcglobal.net, 942-5571
Letter,from Page 1
Thank you ... to the volunteers who assembled
this newsletter. There would not be a newsletter
without you.

5. The Wildcatter Page 5
Where Are They Now? Notes by and about alumni
n 1920-1929
Jan Short Petersen, ’29, celebrated her
98th birthday in April. She is living in a
board and care home in Mountain Home,
AK, and still does crossword puzzles.
n 1930-1939
Minnie Pfister Hunt, ’31, celebrated her
95th birthday at the fairgrounds March
29th. Instead of cards or gifts, she asked
guests to bring food donations for the
needy. Net result: 430 pounds of eatables.
“I’m very grateful,” Minnie said.
Hazel Malugani Goss, ’38, was feted
by dozens of family on her 90th birthday
Jan. 24. Her obvious highlight was having
classmate Gladys Stockton Huntoon there.
They hadn’t seen each other since CHS
days. Another classmate, Ed Williams,
was there too. Hazel lives in Santa Rosa,
Gladys in Napa, and Ed in Calistoga.
n 1950-1959
Ernie Hunt, ’54, has retired from
refereeing basketball. But he’s hanging in
there for volleyball, baseball, and softball,
where the ump/ref work is more station-
ary. Ernie and Shimeko live in Suisun
City. He refs in Central California and the
Reno area.
Stan Vermeil, ’55, runs Vermeil Vintage
Engines in Nevada City. He specializes in
converting 1928-34 Fords into roadsters.
“They’re older than I am,” Stan notes.
Wife Terri Archuleta Vermeil, ’60, helps
with the books. They live in nearby Penn
Valley.
n 1960-1969
Bob Laguens, ’61: “Great seeing every-
one at the last reunion. Semi retired (15-
year-old daughter) and riding my Harley
around Oahu, North Shore, Sandy Beach,
Hawaii Kai, etc.
“Off to Maine for the month of June
with wife Debbi and daughter Christina.
We then go to China in July for the total
eclipse (6 1/2 minutes). Will see the Great
Wall, Forbidden City, Terra-cotta Warriors,
Jade and Silk factories, plus the second
biggest tidal swing in the World, (sound
like a herd of thundering horses coming
in).
If the next reunion is in 2011 it will be
our class’s 50th. Look out!”
Bobbi Enderlin, ’64, has lived in Beni-
cia since 1987, is the office manager for
Benicia Plumbing; is active in Soroptimist,
goes RVing once a month, and after a hip
and knee replacement is playing golf, line
dancing, and feels like a new person! She
and classmate Annie Bazzoli Lines are
planning a trip to Greece in 2010.
Judy Frediani Flynn, ’64: “I’m on the
committee planning the Class of ‘64’s
45 year class reunion for this Septem-
ber. Thankfully busy at work at Dr. Julie
Perry’s in St. Helena. Planning for our
annual 4th of July family reunion, which
had 70 plus people in attendance last year.
Enjoyed Saturdays watching six grand
daughters playing softball, on four teams
this spring...thank heavens they were all
played in one location, on the Middletown
High School ball fields! I enjoy quilting,
gardening with hubby Steve and playing
with the grand kids, all 10 of them!”
Norma Tofanelli, ’66, is an outspoken
foe of urban expansion into agricultural
lands. She is a member of Napa County
Farm Bureau’s Land Use Committee and
has accepted a role as a member of the
Weekly Calistogan’s editorial board.
n 1970-1979
Marc Andrade, ’73, is working as a
child care worker/mentor at a residential
home for at risk youth. They are sent there
by the justice system as a last chance
to get out of that system. Marc is also
in college to earn his alcohol and drug
counseling certificate in preparation to
license through the State of California as a
counselor.
n 1980-1989
Joe Decker, ’84: A former commis-
sioned officer in the Army Special Forces
(Green Berets), Joe is currently Senior
Vice President and Regional Manager for
the Protective Services Department of
Bank of America ’s Corporate Security.
He has been published and quoted in news
articles, professional magazines, and TV
news reports and lectures regularly on
preventative and responsive security mea-
sures. He holds qualifications as a Califor-
nia Licensed Private Investigator, Certified
Fraud Examiner, and Certified Insurance
Claim Investigator. Joe lives in Las Vegas
and has his office in San Francisco.
Cynthia Parkhill, ’86, is an editor and
columnist for the Clear Lake Observer-
HAmerican and Lake County Record-Bee
in Lake County, CA. She is also a self-
advocate for Asperger’s syndrome and au-
tism spectrum disorders. Recent columns
and radio appearances have included the
topics of bullying and sensory processing
difficulties.
Michael Barrett, ’87: “I left the San
Francisco Giants in December after 6
years to take a Sales Manager postion
with the New York Jets. Tough to leave
San Franciso, the Giants, and family and
friends but working for an NFL team and
living in Manhattan was too good of an
opportunity to pass up.
“The Jets are opening a new stadium
with a capacity of 82,500 seats for the
2010 season. I was brought in to help fill
the stadium by putting a season ticket
holder in every seat. It’s definitely a chal-
lenge with what’s going on in the econo-
my and our aggressive pricing. Jets fans
are a diffeent breed as they are a loyal,
passionate, long suffering, and stubborn
bunch. My job and daily East Coast inter-
actions are entertaining to say the least.
“Loving life out here and trying to take
in all that Manhattan has to offer. No lack
of entertainment, sights, culture, food and
drink, and crazy weather. It is truly the
city that never sleeps…and I don’t much
either.”
Sheree (Frye) Walters, ’87: “I moved to
Seattle in 1990 to be closer to my folks,
who had moved there two years prior.
Seattle was an exciting place, where I
enjoyed many adventures, and had many
different types of jobs over the 17 years I
lived there. Bartending, being my favorite,
led me back to Calistoga and St. Helena
briefly in 1996, where I bartended at the
Silverado (right up until it closed) and
Ana’s Cantina. I spent a year in Portland,
See Page 6

6. Page 6 The Wildcatter
It is the first attempt on the
part of the alumni of our
school to organize. Class
after class has graduated
and the members of these
classes, on leaving for other
localities, have been lost
track of, almost forgotten,
perhaps. The meeting was
an attempt to organize this
body of alumni in order to
keep it in closer contact with
the school.
The banquet on Wednes-
day night was a success
from every point of view
and too much credit can-
not be given to a few of the
older alumnae who worked
so hard to accomplish their
purpose. Particular credit is
due to Mrs. W.T. Van Voris,
Mrs. C.H. Weed, Mrs. Loren
Brown, Miss Gladys Evey
and Miss Lorena Bigelow,
all of whom gave much of
their time in planning the
banquet. The banquet was
held in the dining room of
the beautiful new Mount
View Hotel of J.B. Ghisolfo.
There was music and
dancing for an hour two and
E.R. Ganthier, principal of
the high school, gave a short
talk, mentioning the impor-
tance of an alumni associa-
tion and school with the new
building fast becoming a
reality.
— Summary of article
“Alunni Association is Now a
Reality,” June 10, 1921
A look at CHS Alumni
Association history
Ore., then headed back to Seattle. I had a
wonderful opportunity in 1995 to travel
through Europe with my best friend. In 1998,
I sang and played flute with a rock band, and
ended up marrying one of my biggest fans!
After my wedding, and giving birth to my
little girl in 2000, I managed my husband’s
band and booked several other local acts for
about 3 years. In 2007, after much plan-
ning, we moved to Eugene, Ore., where
my husband runs his own custom cabinetry
business, and I dream of the day I open my
bed & breakfast! In the meantime, I am an
operations manager at a local “recycled art”
company. Our daughter is 8 years old and
in the 3rd grade. Looking forward to seeing
everyone at the 2011 Reunion!”
Brent Berry, ’88, lives in Norman, Okla-
homa. Graduated from University of Oklaho-
ma law school in 1998. Now he is a litigation
attorney for the firm of Carr & Carr in OKC.
He is also on the Board of Directors of the
Oklahoma Association for Justice, which is
the largest trial lawyer organization in the
state. He has a son, Burke, who is 15. His
parents, Greg and Sandy, moved to Hamilton,
Montana, after leaving Calistoga, where they
have a welding and sand-blasting business.
He still tries to re-live the old glory days by
playing a lot of softball and basketball, and
also enjoys hiking, water sports, camping and
playing paintball.
Jason Smith ’89: “After high school, I
enlisted in the Navy and did three six-month
deployments on the aircraft carriers Forrestal
and Independence . I was stationed in Japan
for two years. In 1994 I returned to Calistoga
and enrolled in SRJC to study engineering.
During this time I met my wife Chrystee
while working at Bosco’s. I attended U.C.
Davis from 1997 to 2000 and finished my
degree in Electrical Engineering. During
this time my first son Kolby was born. After
graduation I started working for Agilent
Technologies in Santa Rosa . My second
son, Connor, was born in 2002. In 2006, the
division I was working in was spun-off into
a separate company, Verigy, that was to be
based in Germany . in 2007, my family and I
accepted an offer from Verigy and moved to
Germany for 1-3 years. We love the German
culture and plan on staying here as long as
they will have us.”
n 1990-1999
Rachel Maib-Davies, ’91, gave birth to her
first child March 28, 2009. A little girl named
Ruby Zarana Davies. She and husband Geoff
have just released the first vintage of their
wine “Stellareese,” a 2007 Napa Valley Cab-
ernet Sauvignon.
Lucia Greenfield, ’93 (nee Tracy Oken
nee Lucia Oken), graduated from SFSU
in ’98 with a BA in Drama (concentration
in Acting), traveled Europe and moved to
NYC, where she attended Columbia and got
her MA in Social-Organizational Psychol-
ogy (concentration in Diversity) in 2005. In
2006 she moved back to the Bay Area to be
near her mother and grandmother. She cur-
rently lives in Oakland and works in Human
Resources. She enjoys spending time with
friends and family (including her boyfriend
and pets), attending various types of arts
functions/performances and gardening.
Brian Sereni, ’96, and his fiance, Lynn
Cardoza, ’03, plan to open Scoops and
Swirls, an ice cream and frozen yogurt shop,
next to CalMart this summer. Brian owned
the Home Plate diner for seven years.
Kara (Mulinix) Beckstead, ’97: “My
husband Aaron and I were married in 2003.
In June of 2004 our son was born, since
then I have been a stay at home Mom. In
Jan of 2007 our daughter was born. For the
last three and a half years we have lived in
Clearlake. We enjoy camping and 4 wheeling
as much as possible.”
Berenice (Donald) Penfold, ’97: “Bought
a house with my husband Bryan Penfold in
Santa Rosa in October 2008. Moved in New
Year’s Eve, after months of construction and
bathroom renovations, courtesy of brother
James Donald (class of ’95). Still working
as an RN at Kaiser Hospital Santa Rosa. Just
welcomed a second son, Nicholas Matthew,
into our family April 3. Jackson James is our
first, turning 3 in August.”
n 2000-2008
Rachel Mitrovitch, ’00, has been working
as a researcher at the World Health Orga-
Where Are They Now? Notes by and about alumni
From Page 5
See Page 7

7. The Wildcatter
nization’s regional office in Washington
DC while completing a master’s degree
in public health at George Washington
University.
Jane Slusser, ’00, worked for President
Obama’s campaign in Philadelphia and
then his inauguration ceremony in DC.
She is a 2004 grad of Barnard College in
New York City and worked as an associate
history editor for Oxford University Press
for four years.
Cody Thomas, ’02, and Jennifer
Burgstahler, ’04, welcomed Brianna Lee
Thomas aboard — all 6 pounds, 4 ounces
of her - at St. Helena Hospital May 16.
They live in Angwin.
Ryan Wycoff, ’02, has successfully
launched Grant Street Vineyards, a family
owned and operated business dedicated
to producing high quality, small-lot wines
from the heart of Calistoga. Aside from
traveling, golfing and spending time with
his family and friends, he is also part
of one of the leading wine marketing
agencies in the world and has created his
own innovative social media consulting
company.
Curtis Madrigal, ’04, is the Calistoga
Police Department’s officer of the year. In
2008, he made 111 arrests, issued 59 traf-
fic citations, and was involved in several
significant criminal investigations. Plus a
positive attitude.
Alyssa Smith, ’06, started at first base
and was a captain of the Occidental Col-
lege softball team this spring. She batted
just over 300 and was the cleanup hitter. A
junior, she is majoring in biology.
— Send your CHS Alumni Updates to
CHSWildcatter@gmail.com
Page 7
Duesare payable as of July 1. But it's never too late. Make your check payable to CHS Alumni
Association. Mail it and this form to CHS Alumni Assn., PO Box 953, Calistoga, CA 94515.
Please print
name ________________________________ ______________________ class of _____
first name and surname at CHS surname now, if different
spouse: _________________________________ ________________________
if CHS alum, name then ____________________________________________ class of _____
mail __________________________________ city______________________ state ______ ZIP_______
phone ( ) ______________ e-mail _________________________________
dues per member $10.00 $________
voluntary donation to scholarship fund $________
check total $________
===============================================================
Thanks Pam Thomas Brocco, Treasurer
Now, tell us what's new!!
Calistoga’s new community swim-
ming pool complex opened in June.
It includes a 6-lane laps pool with a
1-meter diving board plus a smaller
recreation pool for toddlers and for
beginners’ lessons.
The pool is in Logvy Park at
Washington and North Oak streets.
It has a staff of 45 for lifeguard-
ing, teaching, and management. A
majority of them are CHS students
or grads.
The pool complex cost close to
$4 million. It became a reality
after 20 years of fund raising and
planning. Major donors include
Calistoga Wildcat Athletic Boosters,
CHS class of ‘54, Bill Shaw ‘69,
and Dick and Carol Vermeil, ‘54 and
‘52.
— Jack Rannells, ’51
Something to
splash about!
Where Are They Now? Notes by and about alumni
From Page 6

8. The WildcatterPage 8
TheWildcatter
CHSAlumniAssociation
POBox953
Calistoga,CA94515
CHSWildcatter@gmail.com
FindusonFacebook:
CalistogaHighSchoolAlumniGroup
Jim Hunt, history teacher/football coach at CHS
from 1978 to 1986, is about to become a published
author.
The kickoff for “They Said What? Astonishing
quotes on American Power, Democracy, and Dis-
sent” is set for August. It is a bruising collection of
quotes from politicians and other famous person-
alities in 15 subject categories.
“Some are unbelievable, some are shocking,
some are incredibly disturbing — all of them leave
you with the thought: They actually said that?”
Hunt says.
The book grew out of research that he started in
1982 ­— midpoint in his 8 years at CHS. It is being
published by PoliPoint Press of Sausalito.
A winner? Why not: Hunt’s football teams were.
They had a 45-19-2 record. In 1978, he coached
the second and last undefeated Wildcats team. It
ranked No. 1 among Northern California small
schools.
He is retired now, and he would be happy to
autograph copies of the book. Contact him at 972
Windsor St., Napa 94558 or HJimhunt@aol.com.
TheWildcatterisproducedtwiceayear,inJanuaryandJuly.Please
sendalumninewsandotherupdatestoCHSWildcatter@gmail.com
‘TheySaidWhat?’JimHunthastheanswer Alumni association scholarship winners
Emily Johnson, who plans to study marine biology at U.C.
Santa Cruz, won the alumni association’s $2,000 top schol-
arship this year.
Winners of our $1,200 scholarships were Rosemary
Lilly, Angelica Mewhorter, Isabel Morgan, and Jordan Ruiz.
Alumni scholarship chairman Gary Heitz, ’63 said all 35
applicants were terrific. The 5 winners were selected by 15
judges, who were open to consider a variety of attributes
including grade point average, extra curricular activities at
school and in the community, special honors, alumni affili-
ation, and a short essay that each student wrote about why
they deserve to win. These heartfelt stories detail the chal-
lenges of school and home life, their hopes and aspirations,
and their personal philosophies of life.
Rosemary Lilly plans to study nursing at U.C. Davis;
Angelica Mewhorter, international business at U.C. Berke-
ley; Isabel Morgan, film studies at U.C. Berkeley; and
Jordan Ruiz, at U.C. Santa Cruz.
The alumni association has provided more than $72,000
in scholarships over the past 15 years.
— Jack Rannells, ’51