Manuel Avila

BDay celebrations are celebrations of life and also remembrances of a life. I read somewhere that to forget a life is to die twice. With sadness, I must inform all of you the passing of Javier Herrera. I considered Javier a friend though we did not "hang out." I have many fond memories of him throughout Jr. High and High School. One of those was when we played high school baseball together. I was shocked, amazed and maybe a little jealous when he bought a baseball glove and spent $50 for it! In the late 60's, it was quite a sum of money. So let us celebrate the memory of Javier and the BDay's of Mary Ursua, Dennis Yearton and Russ Ary! And let us celebrate every day we are with our loved ones. Manuel

Manuel Avila

Dear Classmates, I am very saddened to advise you of the passing of our dear classmate and my "drinking" buddy, John Davies on June 15th. I understand there is some information on FB under Tehachapi Fallen Warriors. I always enjoyed our conversations on our site and when he came to our Reunions from Florida. He was positive with his comments and ready to share his memories of old times. I will miss those conversations very much.  Manuel

Manuel Avila

Happy BDay Mary Herrera (Burns) and Dae Lantz! You and our class made another rotation around the sun and start the journey for the next one. Are we wiser? Possibly. We are certainly older and experienced. Take the time to reflect on the past 70+ years, what we can remember, and celebrate the joys as well as the disappointments we have experienced that make us the unique person we are. Happy New Year everyone!

Manuel Avila

Happy BDay to Debbie Munguia (Knowles) and Jim Wright. As we are all entering a new decade of our lives, I know I pause to reflect some of the decisions I have made. Some good and some bad. I am thankful I am able to still make some good and some bad decisions. Mostly I try to make more good decisions based on all the decisions I have made. I am very thankful I am still around to make any decisions. Tip a glass of your favorite libation to the current BDay celebrants and to yourself for still being around!

Marvin Williams

Well I can't let Manuel drink alone, I will raise a toast to the birthday gals & guys, as my Grandpa used to say "at my age any day I wake up and don't see the bottom of grass is a good day." I'm not near as talented a writer as Manuel so I'll keep this short. Good health to you and yours, live well, laugh hard and love harder.

Manuel Avila

Marvin, I am glad to have someone to drink with! I was beginning to think I was becoming an alcoholic drinking by myself. Now, if we could get others to make comments! I agree with you and your Grandpa about waking up. Take care all.

Manuel Avila

Do not know if any of you are keeping track of the weather in Tehachapi besides the ones who still live here. But, it seems to this old mind with only my long term memory on which to rely, the weather has returned to the old days of snow and cold weather for days. Seems we did not have near as many snow days off from school as they do now. We also did not have the communities of Bear Valley, Stallion Springs and Alpine Forest with all the kids living there.

Now for the good news! Happy BDay to Peggy Melton (Selby), DeAnna Gassaway (Brooks), Elaine Spellman (Brister), Dave Edmiston, John Marin and Sally Warfield. A tip of the glass to you all!

Manuel Avila

Good Morning all. Note of interest. I actually witnessed the tail end of a catalytic converter theft! Two guys were running into a car as I was driving up to their stopped car. The car made a u-turn in front of me but did not have a front license plate so I could not write anything down for the police. I did stop and notify the Victims. Sad. I read this in the News but it is different to actually see it. Now the good news! Happy BDay to Kathy Bermudez (Forcum), Shirley McCain (Nelson),Janette Sanders (Ashworth), and Susan Willard (Whitton/McPhee)! Let us all celebrate these classmates with a toast and well wishes. Take care. Manuel

Manuel Avila

Good morning to all. This fine day commemorates the BDay's of classmates Mary Ursua, Russ Ary and Dennis Yearton this month. Raise a toast and cheer to them. I know Marvin also is with me on the toast part. I hope the month and months leading to this day have been kind to you all. Be safe and enjoy life.

Manuel Avila

Happy BDay to Yolanda Vasquez (Gum)! Another day to celebrate and have a toast to and for a classmate. I do not know if Marvin imbibes in alcoholic beverages any more,or any less, but lift one or two with me Marvin! I hope all is well with our classmates and their families. The last couple of years have been a roller coaster of emotional and economic situations for the country and myself as well. At this point, I am doing my best to weather each day and month as best I can. Along the way, I try to have fun and make each day count. I wish all of you good health and good fortune.  Manuel

Manuel Avila

Here we are with another BDay for my old friend Larry Morphis, A toast to you and Happy BDay. I can remember paying it forward with you for BDay toasts in the very old days! We used to get many toasts in on one night. I hope the rest of you classmates are having a good year and weathering the heat. Tehachapi has been having what I consider warmer weather than what I remember in Jr. and High School days. I am told by "experts" it is global warming. I notice on the news from Bakersfield the temps reached 113 but no one talked about global warming then. You all take care. Manuel

Manuel Avila

Here we are again for BDay salutations. This is a busy month for BDays! Happy BDay to classmates Patricia McCain (Crawford), Steve Helms, Paul Moore, Tom Thompson, my neighbor Roger Longcrier, Carolyn Kirkendall (Johnson), Glenda Killingsworth (Ursua), Ray Koehler and big Bob Warner. I only tipped one libation for all the names because if I did it for every name, I would be unable to do salutations next month. At my age the healing process takes much much longer! I talked to Carolyn for a bit at the Old Timers Picnic. It was a good conversation. She is still riding horses which I tried once and decided it was not for me. Falling off a horse is not the same as getting tackled by someone at ground level. I see the smiling face of Glenda most every Friday when I go to breakfast with some old guys. Anyway, Happy BDay to all you youngsters! Manuel

Yolanda Vasquez (Gum)

A big "thank you " to Manuel for making sure he sends each and every month birthday greetings. Although I'm sure he enjoys the celebrating that goes along with the wishes. I also attended the Old Timers Picnic this year and had such a great time. I got to sit and eat lunch with Manuel, Debbie Knowles, and Larry Morphis. Later I visited with Roger Longcrier and Dae Lantz. I encourage you if you get a chance to attend one of these picnics. It's like a giant reunion.  Debbie and I told Manuel that we would try to join some of his conversations so he didn't feel like he was the only one posting since he no longer has John. I did see that Marvin joins in from time to time too. I hope everyone is doing well and that life is good. 

Yolanda
 

Manuel Avila

Greetings to you all! It is time to wish Happy BDay to Sheila McTyre (Williams), our lone celebrant for the month. A tip of your favorite libation to her and best wishes. I also wish all of you a good day, month and rest of the year. You all take care. Manuel

Marvin Williams

I guess I've left Manuel hanging on the Birthday toasts for the past few months, Happy belated birthdays to all I have missed. We will be in town later this week, not sure yet how long we will be staying, hopefully we can all get together for coffee and a chat, we will busy until Monday the ninth but should have some free time after that .

Manuel Avila

Well People, I done it again! I forgot to wish Happy BDay at the end of the month! My blame, excuse and irresponsibility is based on driving at night out of town resulting in late bedtimes, advanced age faulty memory, geospatial disorientation and general malaise. If anyone out there understands what I just typed, contact me and explain it to me! Now down to business. Happy BDay to Susan Gilliland (Close), Debbie White (Taylor). Marvin Williams and a belated BDay to Glenda Steelman (Lewis) who joined the Forum last month. May the Holiday Season find you all in good health. Good to hear from Marvin in the Forum! Keep up the good work my friend! May all of you Classmates enjoy the Christmas and Holiday Season. Manuel

Manuel Avila

Happy New Year to all of you! Another 365 to make things right, celebrate the things we did get right and to continue enjoying all that we have. The World uses this day to celebrate a new beginning but every day should be used to celebrate new beginning starting with the instant you open your eyes. I know some days do not seem worth celebrating when you wake up but it only gets better. Now, Happy December BDay to Mary Herrera (Burns) and Dae Lantz. Dae stopped by the other day and is looking good. He continues to spread his bright outlook and smile. You all be good.  Manuel

Manuel Avila

Happy BDay to Debbie (Munguia) Knowles, Jim Wright and to Tom Booth who technically gets to celebrate his "birthdate" every 4 years! A tip of the glass to these young people on their special day. I am sure Marvin is and has tipped a few in honor of these and any birthdays. Marvin, I wish I could be there with you to do so my good friend and former neighbor. I hope this message finds all of you classmates doing well and enjoying life as can reasonably be expected. Getting ready for another long rain and/or snow this weekend in Tehachapi. Will not affect Tracie and I much because we do not go anywhere anyway, old people!

Take care, Manuel

Debbie Munguia (Knowles)

Hello Classmates!  I hope you're well and in good health.  I have sad news to share with you.  We lost another classmate.  In case you haven't heard Chris Cote passed away January 28, 2024 following a stroke.  You can read his obituary by going online to the Tehachapi News or Wood Family Funeral Service.                                    RIP Chris

Manuel, thanks for your monthly birthday wishes, they are very much appreciated.  We miss John's responses to your messages. 

Take care THS Class of 70!

Debbie

Marvin Williams

Hello all! Happy Birthday to those of you who made another trip around the sun, congratulations, at our age it's becoming a bigger accomplishment with each passing year.Was really sad to hear about Chris, I remember sitting with him at the end of the bench on the C basketball team. You are correct Manual, I have tipped a few in celebration of the birthday kids, if there's no birthdays, I have to find something to celebrate. We are coming out in late May for our granddaughter's graduation, I'm sure we can schedule a tipping meeting. I know I'm not quite as glib or as talented as John was, but I'll try and fill the gap as best as I can. Here's hoping everyone can be Healthy and Happy.

Manuel Avila

I hope this Sunday finds you all where you want to be or on your way to where you would like to be. Sometimes we are not at either goal but try to enjoy the journey or learn from it. Sometimes I think if I had thought more and acted or reacted less, I might not have made as many poor choices as I have. Getting way to deep here!

Marvin, grab your glass, tumbler, the drinking utensil your are currently using and help me toast the BDays of our classmates. Happy BDay to Peggy Melton (Selby), DeAnna Gassaway (Brooks), Elaine Spellman (Brister), Dave Edmiston and John Marin! Isn't there a song "I just want to celebrate" somewhere? I think I have it somewhere on one of my eight track tapes. You all take care.  Manuel

Manuel Avila

Good day to all Classmates of Tehachapi! I hope this post finds you all in good spirits and reasonably good health. My definition of reasonable is to be able to get out of bed and walk to my recliner to take a nap! We are fortunate to celebrate the BDays of Kathy Bermudez (Forcum), Shirley McCain (Nelson), Janette Sanders (Ashworth) and Susan Willard (Whitton/McPhee). Lift a glass of your favorite libation to these Classmates in celebration. You all take care until the next post.  Manuel

Marvin Williams

Well Manuel it appears that I left you running solo last month, sorry, dude. Happy birthday to you all. I feel your pain in getting up and ready for the day's activities, TV, nap,lunch,nap,dinner,nap,bedtime. Instead of jumping out of bed I have to sit there and warm up like an old Buick. We will be heading out west for a couple of weeks at the end of the month, then making our way back east to Tennessee for the Fourth of July, then home. I love being retired. Hopefully we can arrange a lunch or dinner and get a good group together for a visit, I know we always have a good time when we do. Don't be shy, anybody can chime in here and we'd love to hear from you. Good health to everyone and I'll finish this rambling.

Manuel Avila

Do not pay the ransom! Call off Search and Rescue! I am not lost, have not forgotten who I am and am still in reasonable control of my faculties. To enlighten you as to what this is all about, this is the latest I have ever submitted the monthly BDay greetings to Classmates but I have an explanation. You know I had to have one, or two. I had no access to an actual desk top computer for several days. I thought, major mistake, I could do the greeting on my SMART phone if I needed. I know there are Classmates who can do such wonders but NEVER count me in as one of them. I will save the other explanations for a later day.

Now, for the whole purpose of this message. Happy Bday to Mary Ursua, Dennis Yearton and Russ Ary. Marvin and I will tip one or two back in honor of these three.

An additional message. If you want to any kind of information to the Class, use the Message Forum on the left side of the website.

additional information. The Oldtimers Picnic is coming up I believe August 2nd. If you want to attend and have not received your invitation, contact the Recreation and Parks District. Debbie Knowles or Yolanda Gum might have more info on that.  Take care and be safe.  Manuel

Manuel Avila

Happy BDay to Yolanda Vasquez (Gum). I hope this BDay month for her and the rest of the classmates was filled with good times and you are all in reasonable good health.

Another reminder about the Oldtimer's Reunion. It is August 4th at the City Park. You can email: tehachapioldtimers@gmail.com or call 661.822.3228 before July 18th.

Take care Classmates.  Manuel