John Joseph Fenstermaker came to Terra Linda High School in a most unusual way. He was made to go to San Rafael High School since he lived on the East Side of Highway 101 in Santa Venetia. He did not go to school his first year, well he went to two classes. PE and Shop. Otherwise John spent his days around the Montecito Shopping Center. Finally the School caught up with him and asked him what it would take to get him back into school. He said send me to Terra Linda High School instead. They agreed but would not let him play on any intramural sports and he had to maintain a B average. So off John came to Terra Linda High School redoing his Freshman year of school.
I floated around Terra Linda High School for two years before I met John. I stayed out front on the benches where most of my friends were because they smoked cigarettes. I did not smoke at all. In my house my bedroom was the only smoke free room. Everywhere else there was this blue tinged smoke in layers all over the house. Thank God the benches were outside and that fog was lifted away. In 1973 the Music Department went to Hawaii. My brother Neil was in the band so he went legit. My mom was a chaperone (poor woman) I went and so did my Grandmother to fill in the extra seats on the plane. I would say we all had a pretty great time. I met some really nice people on that trip. After the graduation of 1973 class sizes started to get smaller. Not like they are now but that was the over the hump class.
In 1974 there were only of a few of us left on the benches. I was pretty much out of place now since I did not smoke and so many of my friends either graduated or migrated to other areas on campus. Along came three girls from that spring vacation in Hawaii. They said I looked bored and if I wanted to join them over on the grass in front of school they would introduce me to their friends. That was the beginning of my journey with John J. Fenstermaker.
I remember John from school, although we never interacted as friends; he was always nice and had a friendly greeting when we passed, something I didn't experience much in my school years at TLHS. I read your posts and remember our meeting last year and the stories of your life with John. I feel for you. We have both endured much loss, as we all do who live to our age. and of course I will always hold you fondly in my memory as one of my travelmates to Europe upon our graduation.
My prayers and wishes go ou to you and your family and hope you find better health and peace in your world. I am always an email away.
I am still going through stuff. When I find a box that I have not looked in to see if I can find those lost photos. It drives me nuts not knowing where I stashed them.
Arlene Rodgers (Fenstermaker)
John Joseph Fenstermaker came to Terra Linda High School in a most unusual way. He was made to go to San Rafael High School since he lived on the East Side of Highway 101 in Santa Venetia. He did not go to school his first year, well he went to two classes. PE and Shop. Otherwise John spent his days around the Montecito Shopping Center. Finally the School caught up with him and asked him what it would take to get him back into school. He said send me to Terra Linda High School instead. They agreed but would not let him play on any intramural sports and he had to maintain a B average. So off John came to Terra Linda High School redoing his Freshman year of school.
I floated around Terra Linda High School for two years before I met John. I stayed out front on the benches where most of my friends were because they smoked cigarettes. I did not smoke at all. In my house my bedroom was the only smoke free room. Everywhere else there was this blue tinged smoke in layers all over the house. Thank God the benches were outside and that fog was lifted away. In 1973 the Music Department went to Hawaii. My brother Neil was in the band so he went legit. My mom was a chaperone (poor woman) I went and so did my Grandmother to fill in the extra seats on the plane. I would say we all had a pretty great time. I met some really nice people on that trip. After the graduation of 1973 class sizes started to get smaller. Not like they are now but that was the over the hump class.
In 1974 there were only of a few of us left on the benches. I was pretty much out of place now since I did not smoke and so many of my friends either graduated or migrated to other areas on campus. Along came three girls from that spring vacation in Hawaii. They said I looked bored and if I wanted to join them over on the grass in front of school they would introduce me to their friends. That was the beginning of my journey with John J. Fenstermaker.
Robert Roth
Hi Arlene,
I remember John from school, although we never interacted as friends; he was always nice and had a friendly greeting when we passed, something I didn't experience much in my school years at TLHS. I read your posts and remember our meeting last year and the stories of your life with John. I feel for you. We have both endured much loss, as we all do who live to our age. and of course I will always hold you fondly in my memory as one of my travelmates to Europe upon our graduation.
My prayers and wishes go ou to you and your family and hope you find better health and peace in your world. I am always an email away.
Warmest wishes,
Rob Roth
Arlene Rodgers (Fenstermaker)
Thank you Rob,
I am still going through stuff. When I find a box that I have not looked in to see if I can find those lost photos. It drives me nuts not knowing where I stashed them.
Arlene