Our Cerritos College Retired Faculty organization has started the new millennium with a "bang". Following a Board planning meeting in December, we received approval to have a web page on the Cerritos Edu site and began planning for a spring get-together in the Coachella Valley and for our spring meeting at Cerritos College.

Our new web page can be found by going to http://www.cerritos.edu and using the alphabetical index. Select the letter "C", then look for Cerritos College Retired Faculty Association. Clicking our name will take you to our page. We hope to update the site at appropriate times during the year. Faculty members have been encouraged to look at our web page and learn what the retired faculty members are doing. Even more important, the faculty now knows that we exist and look to us for retirement information.

March 24, 2001 retired faculty members gathered at the LaQuinta home of Keith and Joyce Adams. It was a beautiful day in the Coachella Valley with temperatures ranging into the high 80s. It was perfect for sitting on the patio by the pool in the shade and learning what old friends and colleagues have been up to. After a delightful potluck dinner, we shared information about other members with whom we had come in contact. Several retirees have moved to the Coachella Valley and live there year round. Others have second homes there making the region a perfect spot for a get-together. A special thanks to Keith and Joyce for inviting us to their home.

Looking ahead, Tuesday, October 16, 2001 is the date for our fall meeting at Cerritos College. Please mark this on your calendar.

A fourth event will take place on September 9, 2001. Fran Newman is inviting us back to her home for a beach picnic. We had a terrific time last year. Don’t miss this year’s picnic.

If you have a new e-mail address, please e-mail it to: jhfults@juno.com. By doing this you will receive periodic updates as news about our members develops. If you receive any e-mail updates on members or activities, please pass the word along to friends who do not have access to e-mail.

Note: The majority of letters are printed in the order received.

ARLEEN MYERS – Brea, CA

"We had a nice ten days in Hawaii in the fall of last year. In January we visited the Reagan Library. It was very enjoyable, and I urge everyone to go (regardless of one’s political view) since it gives such a wonderful portrayal of history.

I’ve really gotten into the genealogy of both my husband’s and my side of the families. After 2 ½ years, the Myers’ Family Journal is complete as to the last five generations. It contains pictures, biographical sketches, and other graphics and will be ready for mailing to the 47 relatives involved. This was a real learning experience for me because I had to learn how to operate a computer during this endeavor. It was trial and error all the way. The best part was getting to know my relatives in more detail than I would ever have known had I not done this project. Now work begins on the manual of my family. Second time around sure is easier."

DEAN PAIGE – Long Beach, CA

"The past few months have been quite busy as we have been traveling extensively. The past year I have continued to lecture on the cruise ships. . .15 weeks in 2000. . .mostly in Alaska and Hawaii. We returned 4 weeks ago from a wonderful cruise aboard the original "Love Boat" followed by a safari in Kenya and Tanzania. The latter was the trip of a lifetime. We saw just about every animal you can imagine.

When home we try to spend a week each month at our place on Catalina and we make frequent trips to Valley Center to visit our grandchildren who moved back to the U.S. from Australia 18 months ago. I look forward to seeing many of you at the spring

luncheon."

ANDREW HALLUM – San Marino, Vancouver, B.C.

"I enjoy reading each person’s write-up in the newsletter. Our fellow teachers are doing so many interesting things. This spring and summer I will be spending in Vancouver, B.C., where they think that 83 degrees is a heat wave! I may take an expensive train trip to Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff in Alberta. And I am going to a family reunion at Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado, elevation 10,000 feet. I am sorry that I will miss the April luncheon. It is always fun to see everyone and hear his/her news. I send my thanks to all the Business Division people who keep CCRFA running so smoothly."

ROSE MARIE DOZIER – Garden Grove, CA

"Will not be able to attend the luncheon because of health reasons."

THOM HENDRICKSON – Seal Beach, CA

"Aside from a few trips abroad—Hong Kong, Korea, Europe and a recent cruise from Barcelona to Istanbul, most of my free time is spent as a volunteer aboard the SS Lang Victory in San Pedro."

CCRFA Spring Newsletter - 2001 page 2

OSCAR LITTLETON – Long Beach, CA

"I have been thinking about stuff and drawing startling conclusions.

Samples: Great ideas of western man: Money cannot buy happiness except for the rich.

Great ideas of western woman: All men are dogs. Now who found that out?

Important conclusions: Over the long haul, gluttony is the most satisfactory of the seven deadly sins. There was another, but I can’t remember which. The remaining five are no fun at all.

Significant activities: Mostly new approaches to sloth. Joined a group intended to mitigate anxiety, depression, passive aggression, liberal inclinations, other bad attitudes, and sour disposition. It’s called "The Golden Group". Who’s kidding whom? How about "The Rusted Group"? "The Creative Suffering Group"? The "Don’t Let Happiness Ruin Your Life Group"? "The Money Can Make You Rich Group"? " A Positive Approach to Negative Thinking Group"?

Creative endeavor: Founding an honest old-folks’ association: "Future Fossils of America".

Contribution to society: A generous donation to the IRS and to the Franchise Tax Board. It is more blessed to give than to receive. I imagine the guv’ment is in perpetual tears. Nobody can say we all didn’t do our best to comfort it.

Objection: Euphemisms for old age. Age is not just a number. It is an objective physical fact, seen in the rings of trees, the decay of atoms, and the boiler scale in our arteries. I am not a senior citizen. I am an old man and proud of it. But I gratefully accept the citizen part."

KEITH & JOYCE ADAMS – La Quinta, CA

"We hope that this message finds all of you ready to enjoy the spring and summer months. Since our marathon RV tour of the U.S. during the past summer Joyce and I have stayed close to home. We needed to take time to do some work on our home. To date we have completed several indoor and outdoor projects, and have had the house painted. Now, we are in the process of selecting plants and shrubs for the planter boxes. We were pleased to host the CCRFA social on March 24. It is always fun to see our Cerritos College colleagues and to share some time. This summer Joyce and I will be spending considerable time at our condo at Big Bear Lake. We are looking to escape the desert heat, and save some of the cost of running the air conditioner. The travel on the calendar as of now is a May trip to San Antonio, Texas for the high school graduation of the oldest granddaughter. And, in mid August we have a time-share week in the Lake Tahoe area. If any of you come our way give us a call, we would welcome the opportunity to share some time with you. Until the fall, take care and stay well."

DON HALL—Scotts Valley, CA

"Still living in Scotts Valley, playing golf and doing old folks things. We went to Idaho to see our grandson wrestle in the State Championships. He took 2^nd in his division at 215 lbs.

I was inducted into the California Community College Football Coaches Hall of Fame as a football coach. A lot of this came about because of our record at Cerritos and it is also recognition for the assistant coaches and players who were in the program during the years 1959-63. A long time ago! Hope you have a successful meeting."

GENE STAGNER – Sun City, CA

"Greetings. I was contacted by Prentice Hall and asked to come up with a 3^rd edition of our Outboard Motor book. That means get updated with the latest technology. So, I am presently in Northern CA taking an outboard motor course with Mercury University. You all have a good year."

TONY RODRIGUEZ -- Seal Beach, CA

"Just polishing up plans for our 2^nd anniversary—a visit to lively Oattu!! Life is GOOD! I feel blessed to be amongst the breathing."

Rudy Aguirre – Fayetteville, AR (no signature, no return address—merely a postal mark)

"Hello Everyone! I sure do wish I could make the time to attend one of our luncheon meetings. My thoughts are with you, and my wish is that you are all enjoying retirement as much as I am. I do try to see as many colleague friends as I can when I do get to California, which predictably is twice a year--Christmas time and May."

Lillian Wenick – Woodland Hills, CA

"Sorry to miss the luncheon. I will be in Italy!"

LELA POWERS – Fullerton, CA

"A huge change in my life occurred November 2 when I had to put my husband in an Alzheimer Residence Care Home. Then, right after Thanksgiving our oldest son came to live with me and so the terrible effects of loneliness haven’t visited me so far. I see Willard about every other day and I work at my son’s office in Corona about twice a week. We are surviving with the help of being grateful for our many blessings and by being busy."

JOHN DOWDEN – Irvine, CA

"I have little news to report. Life consists of golf, aerobics twice a week, and frequent dates with a 1955 Excelsior High School graduate. Both attended the 1960 Bellflower High School Reunion as this was my first teaching assignment in 1958-60. By my count, at least 12 of my Bellflower colleagues went on to teach at Cerritos College.

I would like to brag about my five grandchildren, especially Kyle Dowden who is ranked 7^th in his age group in California for his golfing ability. At 15 years of age, Kyle was the youngest competitor in the California Men’s Amateur Golf Tournament last year."

DON LAYTON – Fallbrook, CA

"We traveled five hours to see the flowers;

The famous Santa Barbara Orchid show.

The cost was excessive,

My wife got possessive,

And I didn’t dare say "no".

Cause where e’er we roam,

She helps me drive home

And it’s easier living in her glow

So, orchids in the living room,

Orchids in the sun room,

Brighten the décor immeasurably.

Orchids of all colors help dispel the gloom

While I try to ignore factors of financial doom.

What the Hell! I can’t take it to my tomb!"

(Don Layton’s out of the ordinary experience.)

JEAN ALLEGRE – Huntington Beach, CA

"(3/31/01) From somewhere above the U.S. on A.A. flight 149 to N.Y. It’s been a while since I’ve written to you because every time it was time to write I was gone somewhere. Two Christmas’s ago, Ludmila and I went on a Panama Cruise stopping at Aruba, Costs Rica, and ending up in Acapulco. It was a wonderful rest and a great way to get acquainted with some very nice folks. It was a bit rainy at times but we could sit in the big lounges surrounded with large windows to see the rich vegetation going through the Canal. Then last June we went to Vietnam from Saigon to Hanoi. We drove through Danang where we were shown the sites of U.S. airfields and of battles where so many people died. We cruised the Bay of Haiphong where scenes from the movie, "Indochina" with Cath De Newe were shot. The people were ultra nice and I could communicate in French with the drivers of the cycles who took us around, pedaling in back of us for $1 per hour. Ludmila had two silk Vietnamese dresses tailor-made overnight for $18 and 18K gold was half the price what it is here. My only advice is never go to Vietnam except in January or February because it was hot as a Turkish bath.

And now, we are on our way to Turkey for 12 days to tour the ancient cities in inner Turkey and visit one of the most beautiful cities, Constantinople, now known as Istanbul for the second time. It means even more to me today because it’s the city where my dear Mother was born and went to school—all taught in French 95 years ago. She left us two years ago. We’ll be landing in N.Y. in a little while to get on a Turkish airline flight there."

A warm "Boujour" to all the old timers, of 1964 especially, and a commendation to Lee Westerlin who had to decipher my shaky handwriting. Sorry, but the airplane was shaking a lot at times."

MANUEL E. DE LEON – Tucson, AZ

"Living in the retirement community of Saddlebrooke, 20 miles north of Tucson, has been an interesting experience. However, I wouldn’t recommend life in a CC & R community to anyone. On the positive side, the people are wonderful, the amenities superlative and the Catalina Mountains nearby provide artistic inspiration. Cochise and Geronimo country will be the subject of many future paintings. Regretfully, greedy land developers and politicians are rapidly destroying the beauty of the Sonora desert and attempting to devour the land Clinton set aside for future generations to appreciate.

I joined a quintet (as a percussionist) of retired and very talented musical people and teach occasional workshops in drawing and painting. I will be exhibiting 12 paintings in the CATSTRS Art Gallery in Sacramento, January through March of next years.

Travel has included the reunion of our 1950 USC football team, Fremont High reunion, the art of Oaxaca, Mexico and the art and architecture of Nuremberg and

Dresden in my wife’s home country of Germany. I don’t recommend their sauerkraut tamales."

KATHLEEN MC DANNEL – La Mirada, CA "Kathleen McDannel packed her one traveling suitcase, prepared a box of assorted See’s candies and headed for Collingdale, Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving with the Hanly clan; then off to Italy with the Pioneers (retired folks from the Bell Telephone Company). Each traveler was provided with a Santa Claus suit; they visited an orphanage and an adult residential home in Italy. The children and the seniors were happy to receive the tokens (pens, small musical instruments, etc.) which each traveler had packed. As for Italy, the weather in November and December was WINTER ( With a Capital "W"). Graffiti was a required decoration in Rome, in Milan, and the one exception was the Vatican City and adjacent church palaces.

However, a good time was had by all. Then, after a 45-minute boat ride at 4 a.m. from Venice to the airport, the persons going to Los Angeles headed for Paris via Air France. Air France was holding an unannounced work stoppage—it took an hour to go a short distance in the huge airport; signs were not to be trusted, the same went with verbal information. At last, we headed down another flight of stairs and finally found the plane, out on the tarmac. Lo and behold, when we landed in Philadelphia (where she was going to have a final year 2000 visit again), only five pieces of luggage had been loaded in the plane. And, hers was among the five. The Hanly clan gathered again, her suitcase was delivered later on Saturday evening—and time came to fly back to LAX. All went well. Her traveling companion’s suitcases had not been found, but LAX looked so good. Number four son, Luke, was on hand to gather the two tired "Pioneers", and a happy seven-year-old grandson wanted to know all about the Coliseum, etc. It was good to come back to La Mirada and stay here for a while."

JON FULTS – Huntington Beach, CA

Lois and I are in the middle of having another room added on to our condo in Palm Desert. We also enjoyed the Christmas Holidays in Hawaii accompanied by our daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. Needless to say, the grandchildren did not want to return to the mainland. I am still enjoying sailing and rock collecting and learning a new aspect – faceting.

JACK RANDALL – Palm Desert, CA

"I retired from Mt. San Antonio College as Superintendent/President in 1991. Since that time I have been serving in various interim positions, such as: President, Chancellor, V.P. of Instruction, Provost, and Consultant. I am presently serving as the Superintendent/President at Palomar College. I don’t know how to quit working.

Two summers ago my wife, Barbara, my son, Mark, and his wife and I traveled back to Switzerland where we had lived for a year while I was on a sabbatical leave when I was at Cerritos. It was a wonderful trip to revisit a place where we had lived over thirty years ago.

My wife, Barbara, now has Alzheimer’s Disease and is in an assisted living facility in Palm Spring. This is a terrible disease and one I would not wish on anyone. Other than that things are fine at my primary home, which is still in Palm Desert."

Lee Westerlin – Norwalk, CA

"At first I panicked when I received so few replies to CCRFA’s request to news of our members activities, but as the days flew by I realized that even though quantity was lacking, quality was definitely making its appearance.

Life has been busy for the Westerlins as usual. Instead of trying to run the hurdles of Christmas shopping, Mike and I took the entire family (exception of two) for a week at Orlando, FL. There were 17 of us. And of all the times, Florida had an "unusual" cold spell which produced icicles on the orange trees. It was 29 degrees at 11 a.m. on the last full day we were there. But we had a fantastic time. In fact the grandchildren enjoyed it so much six of them spent the spring break with us at our desert home. I had forgotten how much young people can eat.

Travel has taken a back seat since the end of December. However, an interesting and challenging morning occurred in March when I was involved with a Table-Top-Discussion meeting held at Long Beach City College, hosted by the Women’s Leadership Network. Whenever I attend a function such as that one I am overwhelmed by the number of people who are willing to give personal time and money for the benefit of those less fortunate. From my retirement experiences, I have found there is always something interesting just around the corner if I just look for it. But time is more elusive.

If you have changed your address, telephone number, or e-mail address or know of some other CCRFA retiree who has, please forward the information to Jon Fults, Arlene Myers, Bob Allen, or Lee Westerlin immediately.

Doug & Mary Ann Wessell, Cozumel at the Citrus, 79920 Tangelo,

La Quinta, CA, 92253

Robert Miller – December 6, 1999

Jack Jeppeson

Frank Showman

Sonora Spencer

Bob: When you retire from being the CCRFA Treasurer, will you get more retirement pay? Cheers – Don Hall

Hi Bob: Man, you really got stamina. Seems like ten years now you’ve been collecting the dough for the show. I’m glad the CCRFA has guys like you to do the drudgery. Well, thanks for all the work for CCRFA and for same at Cerritos. Thanks for being on the salary committee. You must have done some good. I hear they’re getting a lot more now than we did then. . . . Oscar Littleton

Thanks Bob for volunteering to keep CCRFA active; along with Jon, Arlene, Lee, and other B.E. retirees. Say hello to Jon. Life is great! Grandkid count is now "7" as of the end of January. Spend my dues wisely! – Jack Kelder