Ground Rules

(By posting in this forum, you acknowledge that you have read and will abide by these rules.)

Forums work when people participate - so don't be bashful.  But be respectful.  The administrators reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.  Access and participation on this forum is not a right, it is a privilege and abuse may result in suspension or revocation of WHS60s site access at any time.  

 Posting involving politics or religion are prohibited as they typically and quickly become offensive/demeaning.    

We don't actively monitor the forum, but respond to complaints and take action as deemed appropriate.

V/R, Co-site Administrators Joan Lucchesi ('60) and Gary Wegener ('66)

Click the "Post Message" button to add your entry to the forum

(you always have the option to edit or delete your post). 

Sherry Bailey (Westland) (1968)

Theresa Eve (1964)

Dear Sherry:  I know what you mean about some Gingerbread!  The recipe I found is more like a sugar cookie and I have been making them for years; with this more soft and tasty combination.  The old gingerbread was traditionally very hard, not so easy to eat.  In time things change.   Happy New Year to all!   2016!  

Tuni Gravink (House) (1964)

Theresa E. You are correct the old Gingerbread was harder, but that was so you could dunk them. My grandmothers were never really hard. But i still dunked those little guys. They were so good, and the re Cinnamon buttons grandma put on them, same with the eyes, and she did silver beaded candies for the collars, etc. Yum, i can still taste the cookies. I do miss that tradition each Christmas. My mother tried making them one year, and we nicely told her they were not like grandma' s , and they were not. She did not attempt them again (mom). Did anyone make divinity for Christmas? or Fudge? or that nice ribbon candy?  My grandmothers (both ) did. However, the fruit cakes were not popular with any of us grandkids, nor many of the adults. Still not.  Tuni

Dee (Marilee) Damsen (Kindelt) (1965)

Hope everyone had a good Christmas.  And now onto a new year!!  For the class of '65, I thought our reunion book would have been sent out before Christmas - obviously not....  So if you were thinking you were missed, you weren't!!  Hopefully, we should be receiving it soon.  If I hear anything new from the photographer,  I will post an update.  Thanks for your patience.  Dee

Justene Manchester (Lipphardt) (1963)

Tuni, 

My mom made divinity candy a couple of times. It was not a favorite of ours.  We did make taffy a couple of times.  Had lots of fun with our taffy pulling when we lived in the big house on Walnut St..  It was a lot of work but it was worth it.  

Tuni Gravink (House) (1964)

Justene M. L.  I acutally liked the divinty and loved to wash it down with fudge!  One summer i went to San Jose to spend a couple of weeks with my cousins. Their mom worked (My dads sister) and we decided , well the oldest cousin decided that; we should make taffy. Oh man, what a mess we made. It stuck to their kitchen counter, and the pulling WAS NOT working, and long story short Aunt Gene came home from work, and lets just say she was NOT a happy camper.

Now, my husbands grandmother made Filberts (Hazelnuts) which were their living (orchards full), and poured hot fudge over them and white chocolate, and they were delicious! To die for! i miss now, not getting the huge bags of Filberts every harvest. The ranch sold. Then when the uncles wife passed they leased out several acres, and finally sold them out . So now; if i want Hazelnuts i have to buy them :(

One of my grandmothers made home made ribbon candy at Christmas too, but can not for the love of me remember if it was my moms mother, or my dads. I know that the ribbon candy facinated me.  I have not and probably will not attempt to make any of these items.

Tuni Gravink-House

Dee (Marilee) Damsen (Kindelt) (1965)

To the class of 65:  I just received my reunion book!  Yaaaa...  Everyone should be getting their copy within the next couple of days.  Enjoy looking back at the best reunion for our class!

Justene Manchester (Lipphardt) (1963)

Tuni,

I remember my dad trying to pull some taffy on a nail that had been hammered in the  wall for something.  It was not for taffy, very stickie taffy.  That was so funny.  we learned not to use anything but our hands witha partner.  

Never tried ribbon candy.  It must be really pretty when it is done.  

Christmas holidays are over now and it is on to Valentine's Day.  I haven't made fudge in years but may have to make some for Valentine's Day.   My mom made great fudge.  Sure miss her.

Theresa Eve (1964)

Now that you started the music theme, Frank Sinata was one of the best, still is; a man of class.  Then Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley ( especially his Gospel Music) and Brenda Lee.  And of course, Tony Bennett, who has come back in these years with some even greater hits.  Now that we closed Christmas music these all seem to surround the house.  

Dan Ree (Ree) (1964)

Theresa you hit the nail on the head .........i too enjoy listening to alll of them .    I play a

out of surf music, 50"s rock n Roll.....and some Santana.   Yes I like Santana especially BLACK MAJIC WOMEN..   

Tuni Gravink (House) (1964)

Fun , Fun, Fun till he takes her T-Bird away, and he did! I went to the library like i told my ole man, and did my homework and decided to cruise up Main one time and back, and went home. My dad said you are grounded, you were not at the library. I was, i did my homework and left. I did not know he was going to go to the library and check on me. Oh well, lesson learned. Besides, no one in that town could go anywhere with out their old man knowing abotu it. The car was not mine, it was my parents car but once in a while they would let me use it and go somewhere with it. Tuni

Theresa Eve (1964)

Tunie:  We have all learned the hard way.  Parents had to teach us how to grow up, and they did.  Oh, for the memories!  Great being from a small town without too many terrible events.  If it was just a car ride down Main Street, you shine!!!  Old cars, dances on Saturday night, Woodland High School Plays, A&W Root Beer, Summer Swim Meets, Yolo County Fair, and Seniors Painting the Street; all good times.   

Tuni Gravink (House) (1964)

Theresa, You are correct it was just a ride up the main and back, and our parents were there to teach us. However, i loved painting the street, there i could be and artist which was a natural talent for me. I remember all the places you mentioned. We used to go once in a while to the A&W as a family, and get the mama, papa, and baby burgers,mugs to match, i still have one of each mug. Small towns do give you a memory that you do not forget. I think it was a great time to grow up , and the town was a close town. Everyone knew each other, or they were related to some one in the town. I know i have Gravink and Barr relatives spread out in Woodland, Knights Landing, and Capay Valley, Winters, and on down the line. The town i live in here in AZ. is kind of like that , only the landscape is much different! Five months out of the year our population doubles do to the "snowbirds" now being called "winter visitors " so we don't offend.  But then when they leave we have our streets back, we can actually get through and isle in the store, and much more.  Tuni G. House

Dan Ree (Ree) (1964)

Both of you brought back the good days....too bad kids today do not have that same opportunity.   I miss the small town feel, A&W, Stan's and Robert's Mens store at a price we could afford.   Progrees today has it's good and bad.......families I noticed are not close, do not eat at the same table, no Saturday dances, homecoming parades.   I enjoyed cruising main street and if we wanted more I went to cruise Sacramento on 'K' Street and stop at Mel's Drive In where all the Rods went.    Some of Bakersfield kept what Woodland was then...they have a High School just like WHS called Bakersfield High.  Bakersfield still has people who are friendly and call you by your first name.   I talk to those that graduated in the 60's, they tell the same stories as we did and do today.   Many of those that graduated stay here in Bakersfield  where alot left Woodland as I did.   The last time I was back in Woodland was approx 28 years ago and I was not happy about some of the changes they did taking away some of the old look Woodland was built on, The porter theatre, Porter Building where I went to vist my Grandfather Shop who was John D. Ree   Tailor for Men, the State Theatre where Mrs. Marsden managed....on and on   ......Great Memories!

Tuni Gravink (House) (1964)

Dan Ree, You are indeed correct about Woodland it was small town, and the old Porter Theater, and that gave us a choice of two theaters in town. My dentist was in the old Porter building (Dr. Fisher ). I used to go over to K street too, and Mels, and yes it was cool. However i will say you nailed it on the lack of togetherness in families of today. They do not sit down at dinner and eat together, it is mostly when ever, where ever, and all on a different track. That was the time we all got to connect and talk (dinner time) , that is when our dad was home. He worked and worked sometimes long hours especially during harvest times. Tomato crops ,kept him with long hours, but we always had sit down dinners, and chatted and everyone knew what every one was doing and why, and whose friend was doing what, and new songs (not that they liked our music but at least allowed us to talk and play it) Future weekend plans etc. If homework was done we would all sit and watch something together on the tube. Usually Rawhide, Cisco Kid, and Dragnet and so forth. Gramma got dibs on the "Buuble Man" Lawernce Welk. Polka her happy little heart out.  They have taken the charm out of much of the "Woodland" town, as we remember it. I go there now, and in some area's it is totally unfamiliar to me. The tomato fields that used to be by the  fair grounds are totally built up now. It no longer is a small town appeal.

Bakersfield i moved to after about two years out of graduating, and yes, it too has that same old town appeal. Oildale also. That is where i lived when down there. I went back there two years ago to see the house i lived in, and it was boarded up , and weeds very tall but the art studio, and Wiesteria archway still there. Bakersfield itself has grown tremendously too. But the fact that; they attempt to still keep the old flavor of the old days still alive is a good thing.

The family dynamics have changed tremendously now. Very few stay home moms. Both parents working to keep the roof over their heads so to say. Kids are not the same either. Work ethics that were instilled upon us are not the same either. But i wish they were. I work with a lot of teens with the dog training, and i see a big difference from how myself and my peers were raised as far as work ethics go. What is out there for them now is not the comfort and safety of small town atmosphere and the simple ways of life. Tuni

Justene Manchester (Lipphardt) (1963)

Tuni and Dan, I also remember those days when you sat down as a family to watch your favorite programs on TV.  You learned to give and take.  I will sit through your favorite and you will sit with me and watch mine.  You learned to compromise.  Now kids, and sometimes adults, will just leave you and go into another room to watch what they want.  TV in every room now.  Or they may just go and play on computer (yes adults too) or if they stay in the room they are on their cel phones.  I feel this generation is going to lose their comunication skills.  I was out for dinner the other day and there was a family of four with every one of them on cel phones.  Really??!!  Not the norm, hopefully, but still very sad.

We were lucky to grow up in a small town in the 50s.  Best of times back then.  Lots of good memories.  

Elvis Kelley (1962)

OK you guys,talking about  the good old days  (and they were ) and talking now days with everyone having their own phone and taking it wherever you go. Not to say, it's also a computer. (Who had  a computer in the 50s??) And a window was something that you opened for air because you didn't have air-conditioning. OH...HO I'm rambling ,must be the age thing again.  Back to the phone, how many of you remember the home with only one phone and it was on a party line.  I was lucky I lived in town and it was a two party line. My wife lived in the country and had a six party line. That was fun??? !

Dan Ree (Ree) (1964)

Yah....I talk to my grand kids and kids how things were back then and they ...most I should say    ask how did you guys make it?  I explained we used our brains to have fun not a electronic devise to control our lives.   Roller skate, ride our bikes and hang around friends in our block.   I told them parents knew where we were and who we hung out with.   In the summer , i told them my mom would say be in at supper time and we were or pay the price if you know what I mean!    They would say but we have our computers and smart phones!   I came back and responded....your brain does not work anymore?   Use the phone to talk only necessary...not for entertainment.   They look at me as a deer in a cars headlight.   Since I was talking to them I brought up dress code in school... couldn't resist it, saying we were not allowed to wear clothing that was under wear or your PJ'S.   Girls resemble girls and guys resemble guys not wearing ear rings!!!   As expected they say we were OLD FASHION....they will look back I can only hope to say I was right.    Like the old say goes ' Don't fix it if it not broken'     There are things today that are better then that being medical research it improved saving more lives!    Cars today are crap continue recall on this car and this car everyday,   plastic everywhere,  groceries price higher, and sometimes not safe to eat, price to go to the movies out of sight, and kids can not play outside after dark in the summer time , too many shootings and drugs.   I like being OLDE SCHOOL,   I have my 56 Chevy with  a 350 engine, air and yes...I enjoy rolling up my windows myself, turning off my headlights, and I can work on it myself.   enough rambling .....

Tuni Gravink (House) (1964)

Justenne , Dan and Elivis, You all said it, we had one tv, and till the 60's we had black and white. We had a phone but we only were allowed to talk for awhile, and dad would give us the slit to the neck sign (hang up) , and we did.  We one tv for a long time. My folks did not get a second tv, till we were on our own or out of the house so to say.  We too, knew to be home by dinner time. We did not have watches either, but we knew by the sun and just our sense of time , to get home.Saturdays rooms clean, chores done before we exited outside to do whatever. We had a radio in our room *(i did as i was not a tv kid , i liked music). I spent alot of time in my room listening to music.  We did not have a/c in our cars till middle 60's, and roll down windows were in, and i am fine with them now.  We had a/c but mom opened the windows and said the delta breeze was enough. It was only turned on for very special occasions.  We had roller skates, tether ball poles, we built forts, we rode our bikes all over town, and out in the country too. We had a party line for a while, and back in the late 60's and 70's , where i lived i had a three person party line.  I liked the safety factor in that town. I could go in just about every store, and the owners knew us by our names, and our parents too. Boy, you can't do that today. If i dressed like they do now, my dad would have said you are leaving the house dressed like that, and i wouldn't have had those kind of clothes anyway. I would have been grounded for life.

I will say i still have one TV in the house. No one is arguing over who watches what. I said no two TV's in this house. I like to read and do my artwork which is nil now cause i am dog training all the time. But that is fun.I do  not watch much tv still. I have three shows i like to watch, but if i have something else to do , i do not HAVE to watch the show.

Woodland when i was young police department was nice too. The officers knew most of us kids by first name, and some days when we were walking and it was cold, they would say jump in i drive you home, and they did, and our parents would thank them. They did not have to do that, but they just did. It was safe then, and now, i agree, it is a different world out there now. Too many negatives the books do not balance (good and bad you know)?  Tuni

Dan Ree (Ree) (1964)

Great response craig........I look back and see how many of us soon forget those time and it helps to bring back those golden  moments ....keeping some young!   My kids tell me I am living in the past with me responding you got it what's wrong with that?    I mention to them what do you have today.....singer that can not dress them self, sing about drugs, sex, and shoot this mfer.....you know what that word is?    Actor of today suck, not like actors of yesterday. When they talk about politics, they are not saying anything worth while listening to, but actually reading from a prepare speech.   As far as their gun control talks, none have yet to fire a Daisy BB gun ......." I cann't It might Put My Eye Out".   Larry The Cable Guy hit the nail on the head....Guns do not kill people..........jealous husbands coming home early catching his wife in bed with another man.......the gun happen to be there!!!!    How's that for laughs....dont fall out of chair!    I can go on and on but need to ask you craig do you remember when you and I were in that art class and the teacher told us to draw apples, oranges, and bananas......You drew a Were Wolf  and I started to draw the same things.   That teacher gave me a 'F'!    I guess I should of put the wolf eating that damn apple??????    Something to think about.   In summary for now and until next time.......Living the past is good it helps clean up the present stupitiy!   THAT'S ALL FOLKS!

Mike Miller (1966)

So here is my query. I am aware of Sebastian Cabot, Crosby, Hope, Phil Harris and even John Wayne stopping in Woodland on the way to a hunting lodge North of Woodland. Does anyone know where exactly they were going?

Dan Ree (Ree) (1964)

most of the time they hunt knights landing area...Ducks and Pheasants

Joan Richter (Lucchesi) (1960)

Clark Gable stayed at the Woodland Hotel and hunted on my uncle's ranch in Grimes.

Theresa Eve (1964)

In reading my Beringer Winery book, Clark Gable in his Packard convertible visit Beringer Winery in 1940s.  He came back several times a year. Carole Lombard also visited Beringer Winery along with Charles Laughton.  Carole Lombard lost her life in a plane crash January 16, 1942.   Carole Lombard was married to Capt. Clark Gable of the U.S. Army Air Force.  Just a little history. 

Burke Fong (1967)

Mike.   My dad owned Fong's Cafe in the late 50's-early 60's. For many years in the early 60's around pheasant hunting season, Sebastian Cabot would come into the restaurant and have breakfast before he went pheasant hunting.  He was always dressed in his hunting clothes.  He was very sociable and would talk to my parents, us kids, and whoever else in the restaurant that wanted to talk to him.