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Thomas Francis Norton
Favorite Memory
Teen club dances with a live
band every Saturday night, all the pretty girls in their bikinis
by the pool, the blue Air Force bus trip to to the beach with
Dave Demek flipping the bird out of the window with his toe.
Riding motorcycles in the desert. White-washing the D. Stealing
golfcarts and racing around the golf course (I never got caught,
some one else did, though!) Long hot summer nights at the
park, long boring days at Desert High prison camp, skinny
dipping in the teen club pool at night and baking in the sun
around the pool by day. And the list goes on.
Biography
Well, I remember Desert High School as more of a concentration
camp than a school. They were more worried about what you
were wearing and how long your hair was then what you were
learning. The only teachers that gave me credence were Mr.
Crumb, Mr. Barney, Mr. Holman and Coach Reed Emsick. That
d-- khead Coach Hurst was my worst memory. He really had it
out for me and the only thing I can come up with is that I
was Irish Catholic from Boston and he was some kind of redneck.
I was real small at the time and really no threat to anyone
so I could never figure out his hostility. But anyway, I went
two year to AVJC and went on to CalState Long Beach for a
BS in Geology, Two years in the Army then back to Long Beach
State to finish up. I went to Grad school at Cal State Los
Angeles to finish up a Masters degree in Geology and did some
research at USC in marine geology. I am now a Registered Geologist
in California and a practicing petroleum geologist in Long
Beach, California. The oil business is a trip! I continue
to go to school and I recently completed a second Masters
degree in Ancient History and I am in my third semester of
Latin.(Salvete, Omnes!) I am now pursuing a third Masters
Degree in Art History just for kicks. I ride a Fatboy Harley
Davidson and I drive an old bathtub Porsche. I made a lot
of good friends at Desert High: Al Ward, Paul Bouche, Gene
Robello, Junior Thompson, Mike Saunders, Dave Demek, Dave
Huffman, Mike Laflamme alias " Blazo" and others.
We had a 20 year reunion at the base officers club and we
had about 30 people from the class of '67 show up. Thelma
Kailiwai (approximate spelling) gave the 25th year reunion
and it was a blast! Boy, Connie Cotton and Marsha Dodson still
look great! I guess over a hundred showed up. I had six exgirfriends
show up and 4 of them live in Boise, Idaho. Anyway Hi to you
all and lets all get together while we still can, OK?
This is an update of a former
entry. I have retired from the oilfield after oil hit
6$ a barrel in 1998. That jerk Clinton ruined domestic oil
production so after being a petroleum geologist for about
18 years I have been teaching Oceanography, Earth Science,
and Geology at Junior College for about a year now. I still
have my Harley so any of you Scorpions out there want to go
riding let me know. I am still down here in Long Beach. I
just can't seem to get out of Southern California. The weather
is just too good for Harley riding down here. I can ride almost
every day of the year. Went to the reunion last summer headed
by Dave Demek and with help from Dave Stroman and Peggy Revai.
It was a blast. Touring the base sure brought the memories
flooding back. I saw where I went parking with girlfriends,
barfed after drinking too much Old English 800, where I got
busted by the Apes for this and that, etc. But, Diem Nigrum,
O Me Miserum! The TeenClub is no more!! I sure wish more of
you Scorpions would show up for the reunions. They are really
a lot of fun. Get in touch with me any time. I check my email
twice a day. Lets swap some old memories
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Kathleen Beach Arciero
Favorite Memory
Scorpionettes
- Candy Stripers - painting the "D" - teen club
dances - Cal's Black Saddle Riding Academy - Friends Barbara
Woodside, Sheila Smith -Marcia Puyper -Sharon Yeager - my
family
Biography
I graduated from Radford H.S., Honolulu Hawaii. Went to a
small college in Hawaii before I got sick of the island then
moved to San Diego and worked as a Dental Assistant, moved
to Sacramento and worked at Bank of America and sang with
a band. That is how I met my Husband, Tony. We've been married
for 27 years. He is a retired AF Ltcol from Hawaii, we have
one son, Michael who is a UCSD grad and will be starting Law
School this September at USD.I work for United Airlines in
the Reservation Center right here in my home town of Moreno
Valley, CA.
Update:
Since
I last touched base with you, I've happily changed jobs from
customer service at United Airlines to Riverside Dental Group
marketing director. Turned 51 (YIKES!) had a wonderful Birthday
trip to London and Ireland last Summer (1999)(Our son Michael
was at Oxford U taking 2 international Law classes)Looking
forward to Reunion 2000 in August, how about you?
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Ray
Feeney
Favorite
Memory
Playing
"B" football. Nancy Pfeffer, my first real girl
friend. Best friend Steve Schiele.
Biography
Attended
DHS until Nov. 1964 when we moved to Austin Texas. Graduated
University of Texas in Mathematics. Currently work for the
Texas Dept. of Public Safety as a Database Administrator.
Would like to here from anyone who remembers me, or even my
sisters Sarah, Dietraa, or Jeanie. The Internet is great !
Up-date: Favorite
Memory
Still
Nancy Pfeffer, my first real girlfriend. B Football in 9th
and 10th grades.
I'd
been looking for Nancy Pfeffer for many years because I was
curious about what happened to her. Last year I was given
her location and since have had several emails with her sharing
our lives of today.
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Sam Woods
Favorite
Memory
As
Freshman, the Class of 67 beat the Sophomores, Class of 66,
in the Class Challenge. I guess that's what it was called?
I can't remember back that far.
Biography
I
attended Desert from 62 through 65, 7th through my sophmore
year. My junior and senior year were in Germany. My sister
Marty Woods (Griffin) graduated from Desert in "65".
The four years my family stayed at Edwards was the longest
period I lived in any one place while I was growing up. I
guess that's the reason names, faces and memories are stronger
for that period of time than even my junior or senior year.
I had some great times at Desert. I have one question that's
been in the back of my mind for 34+ years and hope someone
will answer it for me. In 1964, as freshman, our class (Class
of "67") beat the sophomores. In 1965, as sophomores,
we beat the freshmen. I left for Germany after the 65 school
year and have always wondered if my class was able to repeat
its victory as juniors over the senior class of 66.
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Michael A. Miller
Favorite
Memory
Being
told not to hug Nancy Pfeffer in the hallways by the campus
monitors. Painting the D and getting more paint on me rather
than the D.
Biography
Attended
Indiana University at Bloomington on a track scholarship,
must have learned how to run from Dave Demek. Currently a
principal at Northeast High School in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The school is an inter city school with 2,000 students. Still
have all my hair, but this job is quickly turning it grey.
Married Nancy Pfeffer, my high school sweetheart, and just
celebrated our 30th anniversary. Would love to have a
reunion
with the wine men of '67. Dugout conversations were certainly
stimulating.
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Nancy Pfeffer Miller
Favorite
Memory
Twirling
the fire baton, after stretching to the highest heights to
retrieve it from Wardell Lazard. Hours of marching through
the streets of Edwards housing before parades. The exciting
times at the Bakersfield parade and game. Homecoming and proms
in the DHS gym, something kids around here would never do.
Trying to deal with Mr. Ferguson in Geo., who didn't like
blonde females, especially those who earned A's. Uncle Harry's
Alg. class, I'll never forget his telling me I had a mind
like a steel trap. Was that a compliment or what? Writing
and analyzing quotes and poems every Thursday in Mrs. Lindsey's
English class.
Biography
I
feel like I have stepped back in time since my old friend
Ray told me about the Desert Site. I think of our high school
days often and wonder what has happened to all the friends
left behind. The fate of being an Air Force brat has had many
rewards, yet with the good come the sad misfortune of losing
track of people who were once very dear to ones heart.
I
have kept in contact with a few old friends, but would cherish
the chance to reconnect with more. My days as a majorette
have even excited my fifth grade students as they learn how
to march and twirl during our mock middle school days. Sharing
experiences with them about different parts of the world I
have lived in opens up so many inquiring minds which may never
leave their water front homes nestled safely in Ozona, FL..
I
went into teaching after years of working as a bookkeeper.
I kept watching Mike, my husband come home early from teaching
in high school, never bringing work home, having holidays
and summers off as I went off to work each day. Boy was I
fooled. Elementary teachers are a different breed. We always
stay late, do homework until midnight and work with kids all
summer. I have an outlet in my own embroidery and decorating
business I run on the side. Guess I shouldn't complain,
I
become mom to all 35 fifth graders each year. It warms your
heart when they keep coming back for hugs and advice. I have
two delightful and charming children. Jeff, now 28 (boy do
I feel old) has the ability to set high goals for himself
and always succeeds to reach them. He owns his own Mortgage
Company and is currently striving to better his life by incorporating
insurance skills and becoming a financial advisor. He takes
after his mom and is very creative and great with his hands.
When only in middle school he had an active part in helping
to build our 4,000 sq. ft home which I designed. Want to know
what he looks like? Check out the '67 yearbook and look up
Mike Miller, that's Jeff, looks personality, the works.
Missy
is 24 years young and lives life to the fullest. She is living
in Orlando and keeps a busy schedule working as a model, bartender
and manager for a new computer company. She has been on the
cover of Water Ski Magazine, on TV commercials and is currently
a co host for a new TV show "Hot Spots", not airing yet. I
spend many hours thumbing through the magazine racks looking
for pictures we never know where will show up. As far as looks,
she has Mike's dark coloring, but all my features and personality.
We say she is a perfect blend of both, but better.
Thanks
again for the delightful site.
Marsha
Dodson, if you see this please contact me, or if anyone knows
where she is let me know.
Update: Just updating a new e-mail address. We went to Desert
this April (2004) it hasn't changed much. Forgot how small
it was!!!!! Biggest shock was to find out that they no longer
have Scorpionettes, how would I ever have made it through
high school without that. I heard a rummor that the "D"
was gone. It is still there, but the kids don't maintain it
any more. They had never heard of the tradition. They were
shocked to hear that we had proms in the gym. Now they go
to the "big cit" of Palmdale or Lancaster. The big
scorpion is still on the ground in front of the multipurpose
room, but definitely needs to be updated. Oh, big change was
that all the cactus that were in front of the office were
gone. That little snack trailer we all loved at lunch is now
a permanent shack. No more home ec, mechanical drawing or
automotive classes. They play football on a new field behind
the gym.
Sure would like to see a reunion with people from our class.
Looks like there have been several from other years.
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Bob Spetter
Favorite
Memory
oh
toooo many to even start.
Biography
I
live in Burbank,Ca. worked for Walt Disney for 25 years retired
in 1995 and now play lots of golf and do some consulting for
Disney & other motion picture studios.
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Linda Means Banfield
Favorite
Memory
Skating
rink at South Edwards. Teen Club. Going to all the sports
events in my Black Volvo.
Biography
I
have recently moved to Bodfish, Ca.(near Lake Isabella). Spend
much of my time on the Golf Course. In the process of taking
care of our 2 acres and getting our place in order. Brother
Lorne lives in Chula Vista, Ca. and Sister Jackie lives in
Largo, Fl. Hope to be able to attend the 2000 Reunion.
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Vic Sorlie
Favorite Memory
It'd have to be the sports
- football, basketball, baseball. All them pretty girls trotted
out. Legs! Other than that, what can be better than drinking
beer (or other exotic mixes) in the middle of the Mojave Desert
on some frigid winter night, shivering in the car, then trying
to bluff your way into the Teen Club to breathe on your friends?
Biography
After graduation I had few
plans. Got accepted at San Diego State, but applied at last
minute for a scholarship to a military academy prep school
on the Oregon coast. That led to entry with USAFA Class of
72. Married Linda, a nursing student I met in Denver in 1970,
and we just celebrated our 28th anniversary. In the Air Force
I flew F-111s, then got out after 10 years to live and work
in Colorado Springs. Linda and I have two great kids, both
of whom are out of college. Went to work for Texas Instruments
as an engineer, then left for a pilot job with American Airlines
in 1988. The next time you go to Cancun, look for Captain
Vic in the cockpit - I'm the one with the grey hair and blue
eyes.
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Randy Wimer
Favorite
Memory
There are SO MANY memories and loves. Here are just a few
- "D" Hill, the Desert High Band, Football games,
Choir, our performances, the Teen Club, the O Club Swimming
Pool Every Summer, The Sani-Serve (The Flush), Cherry Phosphates,
and Cherry Cokes, Barbara Faulkner - my first love, The Beach
Boys, South Base Roller Rink and Bowling Alley, Civil Air
Patrol with David Lyle and his great dad, Boy Scouts and Mrs.
Spetter ... I should stop, but I was blessed to live @ Edwards
AFB from 1953 to the end 1964. My school memories begin with
kindergarten. I loved so many of my classmates (write me,
and I'll tell ya) and teachers - Mrs. House, Miss Treat, Mr.
Wertz, Mr. Durham, Mr. Thompson, etc. I have so many fond
memories and they're all simply crowding in right now, so
I know I'm rambling. I wanted to graduate from Edwards, but
we had to move because my dad had retired, and they needed
our base home. I'll stop for now.
Biography
I loved growing up in Edwards. I loved the people I knew,
and the majesty of the Mojave Desert. I would love re-connecting
with my friends from the past, so if any of you read this,
please get in touch. One of the many things Edwards AFB taught
me that I treasure is that beauty is always there!! It's always
there, and all we need to do is look for it no matter how
subtle it is. I only got to attend the first semester of my
freshman year at Desert. I just loved it. I even enjoyed my
mom - Helen Wimer - working in the school office as the secretary
to the principal. When we had to move off base at the end
of 1964, we moved to Lancaster. I went from a school of 400
kids to a school of 3400. Yikes ---. I wanted to continue
going to Desert from Lancaster, but it didn't work out. One
highlight of Antelope Valley High School was music. I played
trombone in the fine AV High orchestra/band, and played drums
in a few local bands. I had always envied Mik Yeager's, Larry
Self's, and John Ludeman's musicianship in Desert's dance/jazz
band, and the obvious fun they were having. And my best friend
Don Williams (remember him and his beautiful sister Sandi?)
was a good piano player. I started playing trombone in the
4th grade with Mr. Wertz and the Forbes Avenue School Band,
(remember FlutaFones sp?) but I had always wanted to play
the drums. So at AV High, I decided to finally do it. I played
drums in different groups in high school (The Jungle Jive
Five, Blues In A Bottle, The Buggs, etc.), and eventually
became a part of a band called MU with my friends who were
musicians from Lancaster. Remember when different bands from
Lancaster such as the Bounty and the Exiles would come to
the Teen Club? As fate would have it, MU was The Exiles with
a different drummer - me. MU recorded 3) albums, and had some
success. But it's a very long story. I eventually ended up
in a college in Northern California in 1975. That's also a
long story. I got married in 1980 - I have 2 wonderful boys
- but my marriage wasn't as wonderful. We even lived in North
Edwards for 6 years, but that didn't help. It was my wife's
desire to move up here to Ukiah, California. We made the move
but I've been single for 15 years - another story. I've sold
water & air purifiers, and health products since 1978
(www.purewater.com). I still live in Ukiah, CA and love it.
Another story. ** The day of this writing is July 25, 2003.
This is a noteworthy day that will put my "neck of the
woods" in the public mind. I'm referring to a heart-warming
experience with a film - today is the official release date.
The movie centers on a determined horse - SeaBiscuit - who
retired to a ranch just a few miles from where I live. It's
a wonderful story, and a deserving film. I hope you get to
experience it ** Time to stop writing. I'm glad I discovered
this site, but I'd like to have attended the 2000 reunion.
I look forward to seeing my friends again, and hearing from
you too. Life is moving so fast isn't it? We've come a long
way from the slow moving days of Desert High.
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Huffman
Favorite
Memory
playing
Football, getting in trouble with Tom Norton, and Slave Day.
Biography
I left Edwards after Graduation moving to Santa Cruz. Went to
Cabrillo JC,there for one semester and joined the Air Force.
Spent two and a half years in South East Asia. Married/divorced
w/2 sons. Ran Restaurants until 1990 when I was injured on
the job. While on Disability I returned to college and obtained
my BS in Human Resources Management. Had back, neck and knee
surgery after graduation and finally returned to work at AT&T
as a manager in 1997. My oldest son is out of the Army and
living in Seattle, WA, my youngest is in the Army in Iraq
along with my niece by the previous marraige and both are
due to return to the US in April. Unfortunately, my brother
James Alan Huffman, class of 62, Lost his eldest son, Kylan
Jones-Huffman, to hostile fire in Iraq last August. We will
miss him. Alan resides in Pagosa Springs, CO and I have not
left Sacramento, CA since 1976. I was at the first reunion
with Tom and the one Dave Demek and Dave Stroman sponsored.
I can't wait till the next one.
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