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Theresa Eve (1964)

Craig:  Thank you so much for the Carol Lomard and Clark Gable picture of them out hunting.  I have been a Clark Gable fan for years.  Carol was the love of his life.  When she died in the plane crash, while selling War Bonds, Clark went to the scene to follow her back home.  She and her mother both died in the plane, no survivors.  Clark selected her resting place and bought one next to her, where they are both in peace together.  A great love story for sure.  She was wearing the diamond earrings he had given her; later he made them into cufflinks.  

Mike Miller (1966)

Thanks Craig. It does seem that nobody knows where they hung out during the hunt. I pictured this hidden rustic cabin in the woods. An old piano in the corner with Jimmy Durante singing dink a doo. Perhaps Gene Kelly dancing around while they all got sloshed on bourbon and Spudnuts.

Richard Branscombe (1963)

I was in Hennigan and Shull one day buying some 22 ammo and in walked Tennessee Ernie Ford with a couple of other people I didn't recognize.  They were looking at shotguns. That was an exciting day for me.

Robert Cowing (1965)

Theresa Eve - checked on a few Newspapers, San francisco Chronicle and The Sacramento Bee and found the following, stoped looking and reading after 70 articles. Many hundreds of articles available however:          Where Clark Gable liked to hunt: Countries - Africa, Canada, Mexico and United States i.e. Arizona, California, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. Hunted in Sourthern California around Ventura County.

Found only one Club he might have hunted on in Northern California called Outdoor Adventures, 3730 Hwy 45, Colusa, California  95920  530-682-3176. 5,000 acres available.  The Sacramento Bee, 12/01/1945, page 18, cited only that the Club was in the Grimes area, Colusa. Did Outdoor Adventures exist in 1945?  I can't verify.

There currently is another club in Colusa County called "The White Mallard Club" near Butt City, Colusa but no known connection to Clark Gable.

Interesting enough, Gable wrote an article about himself and hunting "Clark Gable Enjoys Hunting and Riding As Great Nerve Tonic" for the San Francisco Chronical, March 17, 1934 in which he only mentions areas he likes to hunt as Arizona and Utah.

Craig Mayfield - I am not positive but I would guess your photo of Lombard and Gable was taken in Africa.  They also owned a 70 acre ranch in Southern California. In one of the rumor/gossip rags in LA I found the followoing quote under your photo:

" From December 1936:

For weeks now, Carole Lombard has been trying to convince Clark Gable that she should be allowed to come along on the hunting trip Clark has planned with a bunch of the boys. She hasn’t had any luck. Then she heard, for the first time, about those red caps and scarlet jackets that most deer hunters wear to preserve life and limb. “An idea!” smiled Carole as she telephoned her modiste.

When Clark called that evening, Carole ordered him into a large comfortable chair and informed him that she was about to put on her first “Hunting Wardrobe” show. Red hats…red lounging pajamas…red sports outfit…red shoes and red handkerchief. Gable waited until the entire show was over, then he said: “But we’re not going dear hunting!”

Maybe this photo is more realistic ?

Under this photo - "Together they went to hunt, which Gable was so fond of, were engaged in farming on the ranch, even tried to raise chickens, called each other “Pa” and “Ma”, planning to eventually get a bunch of kids."

Theresa Eve (1964)

Robert and Craig:  Thank you for all the Clark Gable pictures and information.  I had heard that he did go hunting in the Woodland, Yolo County area.  He was very much an outdoorsman.   He also had a daughter by Loretta Young, Judy Lewis.  Judy passed at age 76.  I read a book about her.  She was always pushed aside over the son of Clark Gable; as Loretta Young never wanted the public to know she was pregnant while not being married to Clark, and she always wanted to marry him.  Judy Lewis looked a lot like Clark Gable.  Thank you for all the information about one of my favorite actors from long ago.  Or, was it that long ago?  Time does pass.    

Tuni Gravink (House) (1964)

Only once did i hear my dad say that; some big wig was hunting out on a piece of property for phesants, but never did he spell out the name. But who ever it was it was a hush deal. People came up from the Bay Area wanting hunting passes when pheasant season opened. I was not into that, and would just refer them to dad. When i was working at the old Woodland Hospital some musical group from back when came through and performed for the clients (patients) the Ink Spots.  Then they filmed a movie over on Third and Fourth in the vincinity of my grandmothers house. It was blocked off for a couple of days. The crew had lunch in the parking lot of the old hospital. Some of the crew would come and visit the patients. That was back in either the late 60's or early 70"s. -Tuni

Tom Barger (1965)

Hey,Mike Miller,   Joe Mezger and his family lived in the house between yours and mine.  Then he moved to Turckee.  I know because I ran outa gas up there and he came and helped me out in the middle of a cold winter night.  Tom

Robert Cowing (1965)

Craig - Yes, Joan is most likely correct since the old  newspaper article I read said "Grimes, Colusa" as an area that Gable went hunting. So it  may have refered to Joan's relative's land.

I had a friend who lived just west of Woodnad and he raised the California golden pheasant. Beautiful bird and rare.  I looked up phesants for Africa and there are some amazing looking birds to be found. I would not be surprised if Gable made an extra effort to hunt them . . . but who knows, if he did, it was mot likely connected to a movie location.

Craig, will you be our Hollywood editor? . . . seems like a safe subject. Lots of fantasy, deception, immorality and amorality and just all around interesting stuff !  What do you say ?

Theresa Eve (1964)

The Golden Pheasants are very beautiful.  While living in Yolo, California, the barber shop across from the Post Office had a large outdoor aviary.  The barber had a lovely Golden Pheasant.  It was a joy to run over and watch that beautiful bird just walk around, great colors all over, with a golden head.  I know Becky Knight recalls this aviary, as well as a few other people from our Yolo County area during the early 50s.    

JoAnn Kergel (Wirth) (1965)

Patrick Swayze was involved in a movie that was filmed partly around Woodland.  I don't recall the name of it but the film was made after Point Break.  Some scenes were shot outside Yolo.  My Brother Bob Kergel is and has been a motocycle collector for years and owns a couple of Indians and a couple of Harleys. Plus parts of every kind.  Swayze was told that Bob might have a part that he was looking for needing it for his own bike.  Swayze was brought to my brother's home on Road 15 and knocked on his door.  When Bob answered he was very suprised to find Patrick Swayze standing on his door step.  I can't remember if Bob had the part but Swayze took the time to pose for pictures with Bob's children.  I have seen them and Bob remembers him fondly as a very friendly down to earth guy.  The movie crew stayed at a motel on Main Street.  Does anyone remember anything about this?

Doyle Phillips (1961)

JoAnn, In 1998 the Movie Letter From A Killer was filmed around Woodland, Ione, Sacramento and other areas.

While filming the Movie Swayze fell off his horse near Ione and broke both legs and detached 4 shoulder tendons. Filming was set back for over 2 months.

JoAnn Kergel (Wirth) (1965)

Thanks Doyle,  that must have been it.  Of course his visit to my brother occured prior to his accident!

Tuni Gravink (House) (1964)

Patrick Swayze did film a movie around Yolo and, it was also filmed in areas along the Garden Hwy area. Old way to get to Sacramento. I remember friends from Wld. telling us about it, as we lived in the Bay area then. But when we first moved down here,  i joined a small town gym and to be honest, did not recogize the gentleman opening the door for me, and much less working out  in the same area i was, and it was Patrick. He laughed and said you really did not know me did you? after small small talk in the gym. No, i did not.  He had a place out here in the area we have our house. He liked the small town atmosphere, and in the stores was very polite, and yes, a very relaxed and down home person. He did have a battle with his cancer , but he did not let it interferre with his causes till the end times. Tuni

Robert Cowing (1965)

Nah Craig, I've worn out my welcome.  Hope to pass on the coverage of obituaries and our Vets.  . . . As to the Hollywood post,too bad you were not interested  . . . the pay is good and the benefits exceptionoal for the position.  Maybe someone in the drama group at WHS or a history buff is interested? Jump right in and leave me out of it.

How about a little of hollywood and politics? . . . My son sells Ben & Jerry's ice cream.  The media erroniously reported that B&J's put out a special ice cream in Senator Bernie Sander's honor. So I demanded of my son a pint of socialist desert and he replied . . ."Sorry Dad . . . that is not B&J's but it is created and sold by Ben Cohen, the Ben of B&J's under his label that looks very similar to B&J's. You will just have to settle for plain old capitalist swill !

Ben Cohen describes it as .  .“Bernie’s Yearning,” a pint of plain mint ice cream with a milk chocolate disc covering the top. The disc is emblematic of the economic gains of the 1%. “Beneath it, the rest of us,” . . . there is more but I don't want to rile political tempers.

Tuni mentioned  .  . . "the Ink Spots.  Then they filmed a movie over on Third and Fourth in the vicinity of my grandmothers house. It was blocked off for a couple of days. The crew had lunch in the parking lot of the old hospital. Some of the crew would come and visit the patients. That was back in either the late 60's or early 70"s. -Tuni"

I was not able to find out what movie they made . . . anyone know?  Also, through out the years there were a couple of generations of "Ink Spots" that carried on the tradition to this day.

Robert Cowing (1965)

SOME LOCAL CELEBRITIES . . . Headed north down Cleveland, cross street is Maedell Way.  

The Postal worker is a woman . . . maybe the Tom turkey is looking to make his harem an even 6 ?

Joe Germeshausen (1965)

Regarding Robert's item regarding local celebrities, I submit the following

Norma Berrettoni (Plocher) (1966)

The WHS Class of '66 will be having their 50th year class reunion on September 24, 2016 at the Hotel Woodland.  I am wondering if anyone has Orange Peel newspapers from our four years at WHS - in particular our senior  year of 1965-66.  If you do, I would appreciate borrowing them so that they can be photocopied and displayed the night of our reunion.  Thank you for your help with this.  Norma Berrettoni

Robert Cowing (1965)

 During the last 50 years or so, some of us must have had a chance meeting or encounter with a well known celebrity, the famous and the infamous, who are/were in politics, the arts, sports, religion and/or sciences.   . . .  Think back and share !

P.S. - Craig, "The Turkeyshoot" - there were a couple unconfirmed rumors that Mike Davis was hiding behind the fence on the left with a shotgun ready to claim a locally well-fed prize !

JoAnn Kergel (Wirth) (1965)

A few months back I was in a busy meat market in south Eugene picking up something for dinner.  It is a popular place especially on a Sat. in summer when folks are in to grilling. I was waiting my turn but was really smashed up against the tall guy in front of me.  Noticing that two women near by were wispering and pointing I heard one say, "oh look, Sam Sheppard."  Of course I had to look but much to my suprise it was Sam Elliot, not Sam Sheppard I was standing next to.  This identification was confirmed when I heard him order steaks.  Can't miss that voice.  Anyway he lives part of the year north of Eugene between Brownsville & Harrisberg on a small farm.  I have also learned that he often visits the tasting room at Ninkasi Brewery where my son works and is part owner.  Have yet to see him there but always keep my eyes open.  

Tuni Gravink (House) (1964)

Robert Cowing- i believe the movie was Blood Sport (or a name similar to that ) , and it was about football, and they used the new High School to film the sport part.I know there have been generations of the Ink Spots yes, but i believe on of the older gentlemen singing there was the one left of the originals. The rest of the group were pretty young.

I am sure that many of the movie people, and just well known people came to the Yolo County area, and not only hunted, but stayed at the Hotel Woodland. Tuni

Gail Smith (Maxwell) (1964)

@JoAnn Kergel...Sam Elliot really gets around Oregon!  My son used to work at a nursery in SE Portland called Drake's 7 Dees and Sam Elliot used to come in there once in a while.  He was friends with the owners and I guess he would cause quite a stir when he came in.  My son said he is really a nice guy, courteous and tolerant of people fawning all over him.  Would like to meet him someday...that voice!

Duane Jackson (1965)

To further shed light on the two movies made in Woodland in the early 70's....Yes one was called Blood Sport".  It was filmed using the fields of Dingle School  (I thinki) and it had both Gary Busey as the star and a little know actor at the time called Larry Hagman, we all now know as JR of Dallas...  I think Ben Johnson was also in it has the Dad........The second film was a period piece about life during WW2, with Robbie Benson as the star and the guy that played Otter in Animal House (?) the womanizer who hooks up with the dean's wife........They filmed both in town, couple of sites and at a old meat packing building on the edge of town........Both were from the son of Danny Thomas film company......Only reason I remember this, is because I worked security for both of them on and off during filming and one was filmed accross the street where I lived at the time....Seems they like our old Victorian Houses with large front porch's........
 

Duane Jackson (1965)

Also noted reading somewhere, that Class of 66 is having a 50th reunion at the Hotel Woodland.......I just want to say to folks be careful where you sit when out by the water fountain.  Vicki lost a pair of slacks when small water spots  got on them.......Seems they put way to much chlorine in the water......She only thought it was damp, Nope it was wet and it ruined her slacks...................Word to the wise?.

John Michael Somero (1967)

Robert Cowing: In response to your request to think back to whomever we may have run across that might have been a famous or celebrated person:  I have a few to share.  In 1976 my wife and I moved away from Woodland.  I had been learning to fly planes for several years while working for Springlake Fire Department, and by then I had the experience levels to fly commercially and I accepted a job with Mesaba Airlines out of Grand Rapids, MN (at that time).  While driving to Grand Rapids in order to start classes on Monday morning, I recalled the midwest winters, having been born and raised to the fifth grade in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and by the Saturday before the class I had decided I didn't really relish the thought of living in Grand Rapids, MN, and we continued on to Hyannis, MA; on Cape Cod.  That had been a favorite weekend retreat for my wife, who was from a southern suburb of Boston, Wollaston, MA.  We bought a house there, and I took a job flight instructing and flying charters at the Hyannis airport.

Being the vacation spot that it was, various celebrities spent time in Hyannis, and it was also the home of the Kennedys.  I the several years that we lived there and that I flew charters, I got to fly a few famous and maybe not so famous people.

The least known of them (to me) was Gene Rayburn, the host of a game show called The Match Game.  He chartered a plane to take him from Hyannis to Boston, and I was chosen to fly it. As I filled out the paperwork I asked him his name, and he was absolutely astounded that I'd asked that question. He so pridefully told me who he was, and how many millions of people watched him every day, etc...  I had to tell him that I didn't have a tv (at the time) and that, no, sorry, I'd never heard of him.  He pouted all the way to Boston.

I also got to fly the Jerry Lewis team around on sightseeing flights, and I remember that one of his team members opened a window on the plane to take pictures without having to shoot through the window, and her sunglasses got left somewhere on the cape.

The most famous one I flew, and I flew that family many times, was Jackie Onassis and her children, Johnny and Caroline.  I would take them quite often from Hyannis to the JFK Airport in New York City.  Jackie was extremely thin; I had to help her with her seat belt one time and noticed that. She also NEVER touched any of the catering we'd put on the aircraft (don't know if she was afraid of someone doing something to it or what), but as catering was pretty standard on those trips, I soon learned to order what my family liked, as I'd be taking it home at the end of the trip.

I'd guess Johnny was about 14 years old at the time, and I remember inviting him to the co-pilot's seat on the first trip.  I was not too thrilled when he pulled a paperback book out of his pocket, put his feet up on the instrument panel, and read all the way to New York.  He was no company at all up there.  That was his only time riding up front.

I have no recollections of anything that stood out about Caroline.

Jean Duncan (Miller) (1968)

I remember my dad telling me he ran into Ward Bond and Robert Horton while hunting back in the day they were in the TV show Wagon Train.  Now, my dad hunted both pheasants and deer, and I don't remember what they were hunting at the time.