Taft Oildorado Street Party
Eddie Money is coming to Taft on Thursday October 21, and has been booked by Taft Oildorado to help celebrate Taft's Diamond Jubilee 100th birthday. Incorporated in 1910, Taft is different. We celebrate Taft's birthday every five years, and this year is the date of the next celebration. The celebration will start on October 15 and run for the next 10 days. Tickets for Eddie Money Street Party will be on sale at the Taft Oildorado headquarters, which will open in August at the old Pioneer Mercantile Building at 5th and Main Streets or at the Taft Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are $5 for general admission. The gates will open at 5 p.m. and the show will start at 8.
With 29 million records sold worldwide, Eddie Money's raspy, husky voice is recognized everywhere records are played.
For more information contact Carla Finlay at cfinlay@toniclle.com or visit www.oildoradodays.com
Readers' Responses
From Trice Harvey, Class of 1955, from Bakersfield, CA
Big Brain: I really enjoy reading the Readers Responses!! All at the same places but different times. You sure provide a lot of FUN and
MEMORIES for so many of us!! Keep them coming!! L.B.
From Dave Conant, Class of 1942, from Hayward, CA
Hi Pete -- I, too, remember 36 Hill well. Going down was kind of scary, but going up was bad too, because as I remember, almost 86 year old memory working, the road went left as soon as you go to the top. Who cared in those days, it was fun.
And yea good buddy I remember Biak Island (New Guinea). Island of sunshine and white, white blinding coral. Never made the trek across the island but did a lot jungle patrolling and crossing the ridges of the Ibdi Pocket area.
Just sitting here remembering. After Biak we went to the Philippines. 1944 wow!! (Zamboango on the Island of Mindanao and Jolo Island)
Appreciated the comments from Jerry Hayes, class of 1946, concerning how the petroleum companies helped out their workers and families during the depression era. My dad worked for the Southern California Gas Co. during that time, and they sure help us out by keeping him working and allowing us to use company facilities. Got a lot of the families through the depression and made us all the better for it. Whatever happened to company loyalty?
Only loyalty now is to the upper echelon of the company.
And the good old Honolulu Oil Co. Appears they were always loyal to the local people. Also allowed us to work summers and vacations while we were going to college after we got out of military . Great company.
Talk to you later Pete. Keep 'um coming. Dave
(NOTE: Dave Conant was a classmate of mine in the class of 1942 and a war buddy. We trained together at Camp Roberts in California and shipped out together on the same ship for Australia. Our destination was Rockhampton, where we were replacements in the 163rd Infantry Regiment of the 41st Infantry Division that had just come out of combat in New Guinea. He ended up in Canon Company, and I was a scout in the Regimental Headquarters Company. Dave came home before I did because he was shot in the leg while in combat on Jolo Island, and I didn't come home until the war was over.)
From Barbara (Franke) Caywood, Class of 1949, from Oregon
Hi Pete,
The 36 Hill picture certainly brought back old memories. Glen and Buster Caywood rode their bikes when they lived in the Valley Acres/Dustin Acres area reroute to Taft Natatorium. They were about 10 and 12 at the time. If there was traffic, they took the dirt road on the right near the top to get out of the way.
We are enjoying the newsletter.
Barbara Franke Caywood
Class of 72
From Jim Kinnebrew, Class of 1958, from Pebble Beach, CA
Hello Pete,
Seems you are always coming up with folks who have accomplished much in their fields. The web site below belongs to Curt Barnes. Curt has lived most of his adult life in Greenwich Village, NYC. He did some amazing art before he got through high school and he's done some pretty impressive work as an adult. Some of his classmates may be interested.
http://www.curtbarnes.net
Thanks,
Jim Kinnebrew '58
(NOTE: I looked up Curt Barnes at the URL shown above, He is a very interesting person who has achieved much as an artist since leaving Taft High. I remember him at Taft High, but I have forgotten the year that he graduated.)
From Daniel Richard, Class of 1974, from Bethpage, Tennessee
I wanted to let you know that my Mom passed away two weeks ago after fighting cancer for over seven years. I'm still somewhat screwed up, but am adjusting.
On a lighter note, some friends of ours, of Greek heritage, made us Melanzanosalata out of homegrown eggplant. Homemade flatbread, sliced cucumbers, fried peppers, brined Feta and some other goodies along side...the best was the spring lamb with lemon and oregano grilled over wild cherry wood. The eggplant was like my mom's babaganoush, but grilled and chunky, and had diced tomato, oregano, scallions and parsley mixed in with the olive oil, garlic and lemon juice....and no tahini. Delicious...I think I gained a pound. Or ten.
Won't be able to make it to Oildorado. Dang it. Daniel
From Charles Welby, Class of 1944. from Raleigh, NC
Hi, Pete,
The 36 Hill has a lot of childhood memories, of course, as others do for it. My father, sometime before he was married, rode a motorcycle over the hill on occasion. At one point he had a spill, survived, obviously, and gave up the motorcycling gig. The slip clutch motorcycle that he had when he married my Mother stayed for years in the rafters of the garage at our house. It was scrounged a bit at one point when m bicycle needed a new seat, and I had that seat on my first bicycle for a number of years until I earned enough money to buy a brand new bike. During my bike-riding years in Taft I rode my bike up that hill a lot of times. The up part had some pushing associated with it; scary when a car went by, but going down on a balloon-tired bike was pretty exciting, too.
Showed that first picture to an attorney friend of mine in Raleigh who is from Ohio. His comment was, " That looks like Clint Eastwood Country." I gave him a history lesson on the Harding Administration (if my recollection of history is correct) scandal, the Tea Pot Dome Scandal, and noted that Elk Hills involved in that scandal was in the background. Oh, Well, or Oil Well. Charles Welby
From Ron Cross, Class of 1958, from Stallion Springs, CA
Hi Pete, It's Ron Cross Class of '58, you remember, the guy you drug out of Mr. Palmisano's English class and INSISTED he be in Mr. Newlee's class. Thank you again for that it is an unforgettable experience. You may remember that Vanessa and I have been working on a commemorative tapestry for the Oildorado, well after 10 months of gathering information and pictures we have what we hope will bring back lot's of memories for fellow Taftians, I've attached a picture of what will be produced as a 5' x 4' woven throw or wall hanging depicting as much as we could of our 100 year history.
(NOTE: The Tapestry will be available for purchase at the Taft Oildorado Store in the old Pioneer Mercantile building at 5th and Main Streets when the store is opened in August.)
From Susan (Dobbins) Koble, Class 1972, from Bakersfield, CA
Good afternoon, Mr. Gianopulos. I was reminded of Tarzan today, which then led me to think about Bob Hoffman, so I goggled him and found an entry in Wikipedia that needs a bit more information and citations. I'm sure if you don't have all that information, you know who does....
Susan (Dobbins) Koble
Class of 1972
(NOTE: I interviewed Robert (Bob) Wayne Hoffman and his wife for one of my TV "Taft Heritage" programs several years ago. It was shown on the local TV cable channel. He was quite a men and an outstanding athlete in College -- "An All American" while playing for USC. Bob was also a great gymnast and a boxer in the LA area. He started teaching at Taft Union High School in 1950, the year before I started teaching at Taft High. Many remember that he could go down the stairs of the football stadium stairs on his hands or go from one end of the football field to the other on his hands. That videotape is available from the West Kern Oil Museum.)
From Milt Stark, Class of 1950, from Anaheim Hills, CA
Hi Pete,
I have another new customer for you. Willard Gipson is an old friend of mine. He married my next door neighbor, Jean Barnes, class of '49. I visited them in their beautiful home in McKinney, Texas several years ago. Willard, who went to school with your brother George is asking about him. All I could tell him is that he lives in Fresno. Possibly you can put the two in touch with each other. The e-mail address is willardgipson@tx.rr.com. When I was in high school and Willard was running track at Taft College, we thought he was the fastest man alive! There is a good track picture of Willard running the 100-yard dash in the 1947 Derrick. The caption reads, "Barnes sets the pace for the century." However, the truth of the matter is that Gipson, not Kenneth "Choppy" Barnes, is leading in the race! Check it out. Your picture graces the pages of that yearbook also. That was the last year that Taft Junior College was included in the Derrick. The following year the Taft JC yearbook, Black Gold, was started. I ran into another good friend, Shirley (Porter) Aney '48, at a 50th wedding anniversary party last week. Shirley's husband Tom, whom she met while attending Fresno State, and I taught together at Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights. Looking forward to Oildorado.
Milt Stark '50
(NOTE: Shirley Porter Aney and her future husband, Tom, attended Fresno State College at the same time as my brother and I were there -- attending Fresno State too. We graduated in 1950. Tom played football for the Fresno State Bulldogs in those years. Shirley was a majorette for the Taft High band in high school and marched in in 1946 Taft Oildorado Grand Parade -- Taft's first birthday celebration after WWII. The band as it marched down Center Street was captured on my brother's movie camera. Shirley continued strutting with her batton with the Fresno State Band while at Fresno State College.)
From Bill Black, Class of 1943, from Taft, California
FYI Bud Knick refused to move his Union Oil Headquarters out of Taft and remained in Taft until he died. He resided on Kern St. and rode around in an electric wheel chair. Might make and interesting article.
Bill
From Kent Estabrook, Class of 1955
Hi again, Pete. Would you be so kind to pass my email address along to
Rick Marshall? I was a Camp Condor counselor in 1952 when the earth
rolled. Both he and his brother Bob were in my cabin. I couldn't admit
it at the time, but I was certainly as scared as they, and was happy to
have them all pile on my cot during the many aftershocks. It was as
comforting to me, as it must have been for them. Exciting times.....
Kent
PS: I was not aware of your writing attire, but look forward to seeing you
answer to Bill Knick!!
From Linda Talbert, Class of 1957
All of these people who were in high school when I was: It is amazing that some of our parents are still alive. Melinda and Barbara Mann and Bob and Rick Marshall who had a mother who just passed away. My father is also 97 this year and still owns a ranch in Carpinteria, California where he raises exotic tropical fruits, organically grown and bought by specialty markets all over the state. My mother died at the age of 90. Many of you will remember both my parents because they were scout leaders for many years and my mother was a teacher with the Taft School System. Yours, Linda Talbert (Class of '57)
From Willard Gipson, Class of 1945, from Dallas, Texas
Howdy,
I was in the same class as your bros George !! However: I contracted in the late fifties in Downtown Dallas supporting
vatrious oil plays as a Draftsman. Oil allowable restricted the oil plays and I contracted for Texas instruments as a Designer. TI was the first licensed for production of the new transistor. Later they came up with the integrated circuit and the Company grew rapidly !! After I was promoted to Chief over the Radar Section I was one of the first to change Drafting to use the newer Open Ended Typewriters to meet Mil-Specs. This also enhanced the use of "Dull-Seal" plastic that could use for a Mil-Spec drawing application. As long as drawings were king, nothing could go into full production, without my signature. By the time the computers took over I retired !!
Willard
