BALBOA ISLAND LOVE STORIES
WINTER 2014 Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society Founded 2000 VOLUME 8 BALBOA ISLAND LOVE STORIES Ask anyone around to explain what love is and you are bound to hear two words: Balboa Island. On February 15th and 16th, we displayed people’s love stories at the Museum. Nearly thirty contributors shared their fond memories of falling in love on Love is in the air at the Museum and with the Island, and participated in a drawing sponsored by Gondola Adventures. The Island Love Story Event was the start of our much larger goal of recording the history of every home on the island. The stories will become a permanent part of the Museum. Come by and fall in love yourself! Please continue to send in your love story memories. THE FIRST TIME I MET MY HUSBAND By Paula Kruse It was “Bal Week” on Balboa Island and UCLA’s Spring Vacation, 1952. The hordes of students had descended on the small island ready to celebrate a week of freedom from books and tests. The main goal for the boys was to ingest as much alcohol as possible, mainly in the form of beer. For the girls, there was the hope of meeting a cute guy, who might evolve into a boyfriend after the week had passed. The time to arrive was about 10 a.m. Great! This plan did not take into consideration the Southern California spring beach weather. The daily forecast would read, “Night & morning low clouds, clearing in the afternoon." We would arrive at the beach to find it cloudy and rather cool, so we would sit on the beach and shiver until the sun came out about noon! I had arrived after working half the week at my job, and settled in at a house on Amethyst Street, which was owned by the aunt of one of my sorority sisters and available to use free. There were about ten of us staying there. The cottage sat back from the sidewalk on Amethyst Street, with a small lawn edged by a picket fence. The first evening I got “fixed up” with a blind date by one of the girls. He arrived and he was cute. We went to a house occupied by his fraternity brothers, and worked on his goal of getting as drunk as Love stories adorn the windows of the Museum possible. He was successful with that, so I walked back alone to Amethyst Street. The next day, I saw him on the beach, and he didn’t recognize me. “Just as well”, I told myself. I was feeling a bit disillusioned about the social prospects of the week! That evening, I turned down the offers of more blind dates, and decided to just sit around with the few other girls remaining in the house. About 8:30, as we lounged around chatting, in walked three Navy officers in uniform. WOW! This was an improvement! One of them asked for “Marilyn”, and when she heard their voices, she came out from the bedroom and greeted them. It was her older brother, John, and two of his buddies from their ship in San Diego. She introduced us, and we sat and talked together. Then John asked me if I’d like to go out with him to a party. Of course I’d like to go out with him! One of the other men asked Marilyn to go with him. So off we went to a house in Laguna Beach, where John’s fraternity was having a party. John had graduated the year before, so still knew a lot of the guys. We had a drink and stayed a while, then left to go to a small bar with music for dancing. We danced to “Tenderly" and “Ebbtide”, and talked and talked. He felt so easy to talk to. Just back from his first overseas trip on a destroyer, which had spent the winter patrolling the seas off of South Korea, he had a lot to tell about. At the end of the evening, he asked me to go out with him thee next weekend. I said, “I’d love to!” Eight years ago, we celebrated our Golden Anniversary with a party for family and friends. We danced the first dance to “Tenderly”. We’ve lived “Happily Ever After”. Thank you to Diane Bock, Sharon Lambert & Tina Wayt for putting this event together! Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society Jenni Samuel (with Chuck Cencibaugh) Scott & Sue Sibley Bill & Tina Wayt Dean & Martha McCormick Thank you for sharing your love! Trevor & Melody Coxon; Larry & Diane Bock; Tasha Bock; Barbara Birnie; Angela Glasser, Bill Long; Mike & Mary Romo; Marcia Working; Randy Seaton; Jennifer Conforti; Paula Kruse T A Basich Larry & Pamela Kallestad BI Bob & Sharon Lambert Jeff & Sally Herdman Beth Cooper Jennifer Samuel Summer & Dennis Bress Irma Moller Valerie & Robert Schnieders Diane Espinosa Marcia Working Peggy Marotta & Tina Wayt Greg and Roz Odion Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society Jim Felton & Daughter ORAL HISTORY MEMORIES OF BAL WEEK Bob Dennerline Bal Week. Those two words conjure up fond memories for those who as high school and college students were lucky enough to spend their spring break on the Balboa Peninsula from the late 1920s until the late 1960s. The Museum has begun an organized oral history project and we would love for you to join us. One of the best ways to preserve the history and lore of the Island is through stories. The purpose of the new oral history program is to capture your stories on film. Islander Skip Taft shares a few memories. “There was only one break during the school year in my day - it was the week before Easter and it was called Bal-Week. All the school kids headed for Balboa Island for a week of fun. Two wonderful Cal State Fullerton history grad students have volunteered their time and expertise to help us record, edit, and save these precious memories. If you would like to participate, it's simple. Just give us a call and let us know you would like to share. Filming sessions are brief (usually less than 30 minutes) and include preset questions as well as open forum time. We film at the Museum and make it easy and fun for you. Our coordinator, Tina Wayt, makes the time comfortable, relaxed and fun. Those who have already participated have had a blast walking down memory lane. We are looking for people of all ages and it doesn't matter if you are 19 or 90, a 50 year resident or a weekly vacationer. All that counts is that you love the Island and want to tell others why you do. If you would like to participate or know someone who you think would like to do so, give us a call or send us an email at [email protected]. THANK YOU! Newport Beach City Council Member Keith Curry has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Museum from the very beginning. In fact, he was one of the first visitors to come through the door! He recently delivered a donation to the Museum. “The Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society keeps alive the rich traditions and vibrancy of early Newport Beach and the special experience of life on Balboa Island. It reminds us of our past and preserves Council Member Keith Curry & Shirley Pepys the memories for future generations. It is one of the cultural treasures of our city. I am a proud supporter of all the Museum does to make this a better community.” Thank you, Council Member Curry, for your continued support. About the Museum My days of “Bal Week” were just after World War II ended when you could see servicemen in their uniforms walking around the island. Gasoline was 20 cents a gallon and $5.00 would last a guy all week. Our parents told us we had to be back by Sunday morning for Easter Sunday Church Services. So off we went. We jumped into our hot rod roadsters with our sleeping bags, swimsuits, $5.00 and headed South on Sepulveda Blvd. (no freeways) to Balboa to meet up with chicks from other high schools. Half the fun was talking with girls from other high schools - of course we all had our letterman sweaters on and were the big boys from Beverly High.” (to be continued) THE MUSEUM WANTS YOUR BAL WEEK MEMORIES! Please email your story to [email protected], mail to PO Box 147, Balboa Island, CA 92662, or you can drop it off at the Museum. Be a part of Balboa Island history. Renew or become a member. HISTORIC PLAQUE HOME OWNERS Diane Bock is canvasing the Island to identify either people who already own a historic plaque or are interested in obtaining one. The beautiful bronze plaques designate homes that are 60+ years old (built prior to 1953). There are currently 143 plaque holders and sadly, some of these houses are gone. There are 136 homes still standing (soon to be 134). Please note that this plaque designates year of construction only and does not place any restriction on property. Contact Robert Lambert for more information. 949-675-7985 2013- 2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society provides a place for Islanders and visitors to gather and share the history and heritage of this beloved location. Join in the fun, become a member and get involved. Donations are tax deductible. Volunteers, contributions of photos, stories and artifacts depicting island life are welcomed. PRESIDENT Ed Trainor VICE PRESIDENT Bob Dennerline Wed., Fri., Sat., Sun, 10 am - 4 pm TREASURER Michael Smith 331 Marine Ave., Balboa Island, CA 92662 [email protected] SECRETARY Diane Bock 949-675-3952 www.balboaislandmuseum.org Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society DIRECTORS Don Abrams Conrad Baumgartner Steve Bromberg Alice Dear Robert B. Lambert Sharon Lambert Tia Morris-Lowell Jack Northrup Shirley Pepys Sue Sibley Tina Wayt MEMBERS/DONORS 2013—2014* PLATINUM - $20,000 City of Newport Beach DIAMOND - $5,000 Mr. & Mrs. Don Abrams Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Dirk Mr. & Mrs. Jack Northrup Ms. Shirley Pepys SPECIAL DONORS Argyros Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Keith Curry Hershey Family EMERALD - $2,500 Jack Scudder Memorial Fund RUBY - $1,000 Mr & Mrs. Jim Carstensen Mr. & Mrs Gordon DesCombes Mr. & Mrs. Barry Meguiar Mr. & Mrs. Ed Trainor SAPPHIRE - $500 Mr. & Mrs. Larry Bock Mr. & Mrs. Bo Brusco Mr. & Mrs. Bill De Witt Mr. Jeff Gehl Mr. & Mrs. Bill Harris Mr. & Mrs. Anton Hershey Mr. Stan & Mrs. Renee Pepys Lowe TOPAZ - $250 Mr. & Mrs. Steve Bromberg Mr. & Mrs. Brian Burch Mr. & Mrs. Ron Cassell, Jr. Mr. Terry Causey Mr. Chuck Cencibaugh Ms. Alice Dear Ms. Heidi Hall & Mr. Steven Guzowski Mr. & Mrs. Harlan Harmsen Mr. John Heffernan Mr. & Mrs. Tom Houston Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lambert Ms. Ksenia Larson Ms. Kim LaSpada Ms. Peggy Marotta Mr. & Mrs. Kevin O'Grady Ms. Marilyn von KleinsmidRandolph Ms. Nancy Watkins PEARL - $100 Mr. & Mrs. David Allan Ms. Donna Anderson Dr. Steven Ballback Mr. & Mrs. Conrad Baumgartner Mr. & Mrs. Allan Beek Mr. Seymour Beek Mr. & Mrs. Bill Birnie Mr. & Mrs. Pete Blackman Mr. Monterey Brookman Mr.& Mrs. Ron Brower Mr. & Mrs. Scott Brown Mr. & Mrs. Bill Caton Mr. Rich Cholakian Mr. & Mrs. David Collins Mr. & Mrs. Bob Cook Mr. & Mrs. Ted Cooper Mr. William Crawford Mr. & Mrs. Lou D' Ambrosio Mr. & Mrs. John Davies Ms. Jane Davis Ms. Barbara Devine Mr. & Mrs. Steve Eggert Mr. & Mrs. Bill Ehmig Ms. Catherine L. Emerick Mr. & Mrs. Dick Fenton Mr. Michael Glenn Ms. Janet Goodwin-McNiff Mr. & Mrs. Jim Grant Mr. & Mrs. Clayton Hardesty Mr. & Mrs. Bert Harris Ms. Marilyn Harris Mr. & Mrs. George Harwood Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Herdman Mr. & Mrs. Doug Jackson Jacobson Family Properties Mr. & Mrs. Terry Janssen Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Larry Kallestad Mr. Bob Kelley Mr. & Mrs. Jim Kirst Mr. & Mrs. Rich Kredel Ms. Miriam La Plante Mr. & Mrs. Reid Lowell-Morris Mr. Dan Mariscal Dr. Richard Mays Mr. & Mrs. Stephen McCoy Ms. Anne McNeill Mr. & Mrs. Jim Miller Mr. & Mrs. James Moloney Mr. & Mrs. Glen Muney Ms. Dorothy Munroe Ms. Leslie Newquist Mr. John Owens Ms. Kathy Parks Mr. & Mrs. Noel Pepys Dr. & Mrs. Ron Pizitz Mr. Al Preusch Mr. Douglas Rasmussen Ms. Marilyn Rock Mr. & Mrs. Bob Rogers Mr. & Mrs. Michael Romo Mr. & Mrs. Don Rooten Mr. & Mrs. Tom Saliba Mr. & Mrs. Robert Schnieders Mr. & Mrs. Bill Shacklett Mr. & Mrs. Michael Smith Mr. & Mrs. Sam Spragins Mr. Dean Starr Dr. Dan Stringer Mr. & Mrs. Charles Swanson Mr. & Mrs. Skip Taft Ms. Judy Tarr Mr. & Mrs. Bill Wayt Mr. Chuck Wilke Mr. & Mrs. Basil Witt Mr. & Mrs. Ken Witzel Mr. & Mrs. Cam Woods & Family CRYSTAL - $50 Ms. Jill Adams Mr. & Mrs. Jim Baker Ms. Anita Bessler Ms. Jacqueline Birdsong Mr. & Mrs. Bill Bonhall Mr. & Mrs. Don Bowers Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Bress Ms. Janice Burton Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Byers Mr. & Mrs. Bob Callahan Mr. & Mrs. Dave Carmichael Ms. John Cayanni Mr. & Mrs. Rick Celio Mr. & Mrs. Bob Childs Ms. Diane Christie Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Cohoe Ms. Patti Culpepper Ms. Lynn Cunningham Ms. Carrie Davis Mr. Lyle Dawn Ms. Edna Dietrich Ms. Donna Di Bari Mr. & Mrs. Gary Douglas Mr. & Mrs. Robert Eichenberg Mr. & Mrs. Robert Farmer Mr. & Mrs. Lee Fellinge Mr. Jim Fournier Mr. & Mrs. John Fowler Mr. & Mrs. Steve Gilbert Ms. Angela Glaser Mr. & Mrs. Michael Goodman-Beal Mr. Laurence Gould, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Gouvion Ms. Gay Grant Mr. & Mrs. Bill Hagemeyer Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Hanes Mr & Mrs. Edward Heath Ms. Noelle Heusser Mr. & Mrs. Steven Hively Mr. & Mrs. Greg Holden Mr. & Mrs. Dick Jones Mr. Donald La Londe Ms. Cynthia Lake Ms. Mary Lane Mr. & Mrs. Jack Lang Mr. & Mrs. Gaylord Larsen Mr. & Mrs. Charles Lehman Mr. Peter Leinau Ms. Maureen Lenihan Ms. Diane Lewis Mr. Kenneth Lewis Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lincoln Mr & Mrs Bill Long Mr. & Mrs. Bill Longfield Ms. Margaret Lord Mr. & Mrs. Buz Lowe Mr. & Mrs. Rod Maxson Mr. & Mrs. Jorgen Moller Ms. Diane Mondini Dr. Joyce Nance Mr. Steve Neimeister Mr. & Mrs. Jack Niday Mr. Pete Painer Ms. Frances J. Pedley Mr. & Mrs. Terry Peets Mr. & Mrs. Randy Pestor Mr. & Mrs. Ben Peters Mr. & Mrs. Max Pepys Ms. Tiffany Pepys Hoey Mr. & Mrs. Gary Pugh Ms. Michele Raney Mr. Hurley Robinson Mr. Ralph Rodheim Mr. & Mrs. Ron Rohrer Mr. & Mrs. David Rose Mr. Dave Ruffell Mr. & Mrs. Dan Runner Mr. & Mrs. Ron Sadler Ms. Jenni Samuel Mr. & Mrs. Albert Sandberg Ms. Marea Seastrom Ms. Susan Seely Ms. Helen Smith Mr. & Mrs. Tim Steele Mr. & Mrs. John Swain Mr. Anthony Torrance Mr. & Mrs. Bert Torrance Ms. Helen Tuppan Mr. & Mrs. Brett Turner Ms. Vicki Veden Mr. & Mrs. Charles Weinstein Mr. & Mrs. Rick Whipple Ms. Gail White Ms. Shirlee Ann White MERCHANTS Balboa Island Ferry Dad’s Donut & Bakery Shop St. John Vianney Chapel *As of 2/25/14. Membership period extends from 10/1/13 through 12/31/14. Please call (310) 717-2325 with any corrections or if you do not see your name listed.
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