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.