Natividad Multipurpose Room

In 1979, I got a job in Salinas as an Elementary School Principal.  That first year I actually had two schools, Natividad and Soberanes Schools.  Natividad about 600 kids and Soberanes about 200.  I think it was a year after I got there, it may have been two, the decision was made to close Soberanes and bring all the kids to Natividad.  Natividad did not have a multipurpose room.  This is a picture of me on the left, my PTA president, a school board member and Bill Pollard the Superintendent.  This picture was taken at the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Multipurpose Room.  Maybe about 1980 or 1981.  I'll just leave it at that.  No, I won't.  A word about my Natividad experience . . . both Joshua and Jodi attended Natividad when I became principal.  I think I was there six years.  Those six years along with the last six years of my career at Monterey Park School, were the happiest of my administrative career.  About that time (maybe) the musical Camelot came on the scene.  Some of us at that school and me thought of this time as our Camelot.

Hilltop Drive

These are three rather uninteresting items from about 1963.  Mom and Dad bought a home at the end of Azusa Blvd in Azusa, California.  The street was actually Hilltop Drive.  I assume that was about when Dad started teaching at Cal State and I know mother got a job teaching somewhere in an elementary school.  I think the house was brand new when they bought it.  It was really a nice house.  I think I stayed in this house the summer I took a class from my Dad.  This was also the house they were living in when Dad told Mother he was leaving her.  He had gotten a job at UNLV and was on his way.  Me, the good codependent that I was, or maybe I was just a nice guy trying to help, I'm not sure which, tried to intervene.  I said to Mother and Dad I would be willing to sort of act as moderator/councelor if they wanted to talk it over.  I think Mother said she would, but Dad was adamant.  It was all over as far as he was concerned and he went off to Nevada.

Dad's Letter

This is a handwritten letter from my Dad to me.  It had no date so it could have been anytime after I left home in 1957.  I am going to type here what it says:
"My Very Wonderful Son,
      I felt so low when you left I just had to go upstairs and write a letter.  This sounds very unmanly, but I felt so much like putting my arms around you and kissing you like I used to do when you were a little boy.  My, how I loved you, and I love you no less now.  Somehow I have a very difficult time showing my affection.  It seems so effeminate.  No one seemed to "make" over you when you left you must have felt as if no one cared.  Well, you must also know that you mean everything to all of us.  I am always so proud of you when you come to my classes.  I always talk about you to everyone.  I know how grandpa must have felt about me.
    Well, your tears drew mine and I just had to write.  If I don't quit and mail it now, I may not mail it at all.
Dad
Not sure what this all meant.  It seems pretty important, but I'm not exactly sure why.  I think I'll just let it be.  I do think he was teaching education classes at Cal State Los Angeles at the time which would have meant, I think, that I probably was teaching in Hyampom or Porterville in about the early 1960's.

Feather River Camp

Around 1969, when I had left Schurz, Nevada, we (I) decided to open a kid's camp.  Somehow, I don't remember how, and I don't remember his name, I met a man who owned one of those old resorts  in the Feather River Canyon about 20 miles up the canyon from Oroville.  This place had maybe 10 cabins, a bit meeting hall, a large kitchen and several out-buildings.  Perfect for a camp.  It was situated in some of the most beautiful mountain terrain I have ever seen.  I just remembered it also had a large bar-b-que area for large parties.  It was about a hundred yards above the actual Feather River and had a magnificent waterfall about 100 feet high.  So, I leased the facilities from this guy who had not idea what to do with the place and he was a little fascinated by the possibility I was attempting.  Now, you must understand, I had less that 0 dollars.  We were deep in debt.  But, that never stopped me before.  I had some stationary made up with a logo we produced.  I put an ad in the SF Chronicle.  I was expecting to have elementary aged children, rather we ended up for a year with five high-school aged kids with some social and emotional problems.  There was a bus that picked them up for the ride to Oroville High School.  The problem was they did not want to ride the bus the hour or so it took to get to school, so I took them and picked them up every day in my 1955 Chevy.  The drive was rather treacherous over a couple of miles of dirt, mountain road above pretty steep cliffs.  Then, 15 miles or so on paved Feather River Canyon Road.  (I'm sure that's not the name, but I can't remember what the road was actually called.)  No problem, right!  Wrong!  It was one of those times when my alcoholism should have landed me in jail or worse.  You see, I would drop the kids off at school and then go on to Chico where I owned a series of units that I rented out.  I would spend the day working on those units.  No problem right!  Wrong.  I would drink the whole time and arrive in the afternoon half-drunk to drive the kids home over that same dangerous road.  One of those times I am totally not proud of, but that I cannot change.  God was looking out for me and for those kids because we made it through the school year without mishap.
There is a lot more I could write about this experience, but I will only tell you that in spite of myself, and with the help of my partner, I think we did some really nice things for those kids and we got a lot of positive feedback from their parents.  We did not have enough money to continue so the whole thing only lasted one winter and we were off to someplace else.  Maybe Riverside.  But more later . . .
I think this was the beginnings of a letter we were to send out to prospective clients or an ad.  Not sure which.  If you click on it you can see what it says I think.  I notice it was titled "Feather River Camp."  This must have been early in the planning, because the name we eventually decided on was "Camp Mayaro" which was the name of the original resort.

Yet More Baby Book

Above is a newspaper clipping of Connie.  Written in is 18 Years old.  The picture just below is a picture of Connie with another young woman.  The Caption says "Sopranos."  "Miss Nancy Schmid, left is the University's co-ed band sponsor, and Miss Constance Stahlmeyer is at the right."  Then there are a series of four baby pictures of Connie.  On the back of each one it says the same thing, 

 "6 1/2 months -- 329 Pearson Drive, Ashville, N. C."  And, this ends Connie's Baby Book.  There is nothing more in the book

More Connie Baby Book

More Baby Book.  First picture is a program of a Dance program called Cinderella in Danceland.  It is presented by the pupils of Miss Ruth Schnittger at the Norwood Library on Thursday July 12, 1923 at 7:45 P.M.  It says that Corrine Claire Stollmaier plays the pat of Baby Solo Dance.  The second picture is a newspaper clipping with the headline, "Is Youngest Solo Dancer."  I will let you read the article.  However, the writing on the side as well as I can make out is:  "This picture appeared in the Times Star and the story explains the reason."  "At age 3, Nov. 15, 1923, Corrine appeared at the Elk's Bazaar and danced for a few friends . . . "  (Can't read the rest.)  "This picture appeared in the something times Star and is an article telling of her appearance at the Norwood Library."  "She received beautiful flowers."

The Third picture below is a newspaper article headlined, "Art Gravure Section."  The caption says," Juvenile Dolo Dancer.  Corinne Claire Stollmaier, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Stollmaier, East Walnut Hills, city."  

Then below in cursive as well as I can read it says:  "At age 2 1/2 years.  She made her first appearance at a recital given by Miss Ruth Schnittger.  Recital was given at Norwood Library.  Her performance was very successful and she was greatly applauded and much adored.  Her Brother Arthur acted as usher.  Corrine was presented with flowers.  Her Daddy  was the proudest man in the audience."

The last picture in this section is really a couple put together.  Just let me say that Connie danced and gave several recitations during a recital presented by her teacher  Miss Arbutus McvQueety at the Hyde Park Masonic Hall.  Tickets were 25 cents.

Connie's Baby Book

I have this photo album which appears to be Connie's baby book, maybe started and maintained by her Mother.  Up above is the first page.  Here's what I can read here:  Corine Claire was born on July 25, 1919.  Her eyes were blue.  Her first teeth came in at 3 1/2 months.  She "creeps" at 7 months.  She stands alone at 13 months and walks first at 15 months on October 31, 1921.  Her first words among others were dada and bath.  She was born on a Sunday at 7:40 P.M. at Bethisda Hospital.  Her father, Arthur Stollmaier autographed one of the documents on this page.She was 7 3/4 lbs, 19" long.  At 2 months she weighed 8 1/4 pounds, at 3 months 15 lbs.  The picture at the bottom right hand of the first page is Connie at age 15 months.



Below is a page of pictures.  Above right I have to believe is a picture her Connie in her Father's arms.  Middle left is a picture labeled 2 1/2 years.  Middle right is a picture with what seems to be a patriotic theme in front of the house.  I think the handwritten caption is "Decoration Day, 1924."  Bottem left is a car.  Handwritten very lightly is "1923."  Bottom left are two boys, both seem to be labeled 16 years.  One is  "Brother Arthur."  The other I can't read.  I think it is a name.  Anybody know?  The picture below right says:   "Her first Dancing Teacher."  The caption under the picture says, "Miss Ruth Schnittger,  Clifton, city, is a pretty little dancer prominent in amateur circles."

A Thought or Two

Recently I have attended a great Rock Concert (Aerosmith), a wonderful play (Into the Woods), and a couple of good movies.  It seems that whenever I am given the gift to see genius or wonderful art, I get inspired myself.  I once again think in grandiose terms of the good I can bring to the world.  (I often thought this way when I was still drinking.)  I try to no longer think this way, but sometimes it happens.  So, then, I think, what great thing can I bring to the world?  I could write.  Of course, that's it!  I shall write a great novel.  Have you ever tried that?  Not with my skill levels.  Ok, how about getting an agent in SF and doing some great theatrical work.  Nope, don't think I'm that good.  So, finally, I get to the point that maybe the best thing I can do is stay right size and simply continue with this thing I've got going here.  Maybe that's the best thing I could do for those around me.  So, here I am again, determined to continue with this project.  I hope it's something that you might enjoy.
Rollie