Tetons Provide Awesome Scenery and a Grand Adventure for Patricia Staub
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March 2011 Tetons Provide Awesome Scenery and a Grand Adventure for Patricia Staub By Patricia Staub western tourist town, but not so crowded or unmanageable when For many years there was an you go in September. After a few antique card/memento shop in stops for vital necessities like al- Sierra Madre owned by an eld- lergy drugs and Vitamin Cs, we erly Scandinavian woman. I were on our way into the Park. used to browse through the shop We had reservations at Jenny on weekend days and often en- Lake Lodge. Our cabin/suite was joyed a brief conversation with delightful. It had all the amenities, the owner. On one occasion, she but such an adorable rustic, log- and I started talking about beau- cabin charm. We had a gorgeous tiful spots we had visited view of the Grand Tetons from our throughout the world. She hap- living room window. We spent our pened to mention the Grand days driving up and down the Park Teton Mountains in Northwest- roads and simply “inhaling” the ern Wyoming. I was thrilled that beauty of all the yellow, orange, she knew about the Tetons as red leaves back dropped by the ma- they have and continue to be my jestic Tetons. How could I possi- favorite magical and mystical re- bly describe that beauty? treat. in Salt Lake City, Utah. From there How can I describe the utter quiet and She volunteered that she and her hus- we boarded a puddle jumper and flew peacefulness? Li and I band (deceased) had, for years, visited into the little tourist town of trekked/strolled along a few easy the Grand Teton National Park in Jackson, Wyoming. I must note trails, took the ferry across Jenny September to see the changing leaves that my friend Li has NEVER before Lake. I encourage Li, who is 10 years of the Aspen trees. I was immediately visited a national park nor has she older than I, to try the short hike after entranced as my trips to the Tetons had ever visited the beautiful state of one crosses the Lake. I kept telling been restricted to summer camp trips Wyoming (my mother’s home state, her that my 86-year-old mother com- and one winter cross-country skiing by the way). pleted that same hike some 15 years trip. Thus, I made a mental commit- When Li disembarked from our little ago! However, Li would not be chal- ment that when I retired, I would get plane and viewed the landscape, the lenged. So I ventured forth to once to the Tetons in the fall to see those BLUE, BLUE skies, the white billowy again view the fantastic falls and cas- Aspen trees. And in September of clouds, she was wordless. She said, “I cades by myself while Li waited at the 2010, I made that trip. can’t believe this!” (Remember, she is boat dock. My dear friend Li, who has been one a city girl, born and raised in New Li, a horse-woman in her youth, per- of my best friends since graduate York City). suaded me to take a trail ride. I did. school, said she would like to join me We rented a car and drove into the for the trip. She lives in Austin, little town of Jackson — quite the Continued on Page 4 Texas. On Sept. 22, the two of us met Alan and Sheila Lamson Host Retirees 2 Mixing Food, Fun and a Little Vino 3 . Staub Continues Her Tetons Adventure Continued From Page 1 After two-plus hours on the horse, I didn’t become a cow girl, but I did walk like one.) We took the tram car to the top of one of the ski slopes. Once on top, we got to view hang- gliders...close-up...taking off for their freeing flights. I very much wanted to try hang-gliding, but think my time has passed for that adven- ture. We drove into Yellowstone National Park one day so Li could see Old Faithful. It once again lived up to its name, “old faithful,” treating us to “its show” on schedule. Wildlife: Li saw moose, black bear up close and personal, but no bison this trip! I was so grateful to the Scandina- vian shop-owner who first put the idea to travel to the Tetons in the au- tumn into my head, all those years ago! What splendor! And all the summer campers and tourists are gone. Retirement is GOOD! Names To Match Up With Photos Alan and Sheila Lamson played Also at the event were Lois Gui - host to the PCC Retirees’ Associa- terrez, Ray Guzman, Jane Hallinger, tion at their home in Pasadena on Conny Huthsteiner, Bobby and Oct. 22. Fifty-two members and Anita Jones, Harry Kawahara, spouses shared good food, fine wine Sheila and Alan Lamson, Pete and interesting conversation with Mhunzi, Inger Moen, Hans “Skip” friends and colleagues. Morkisch, Marion Murphy and Jan This list of those who attended the Platt. mixer should help you place names Jeanne Porusch, Ann Primising, with the faces in the photos. Sylvia Ryan, Pat Savoie, Sally Those attending included: Brenda Shuster, Joe and Merrill Spiro, Pa- Adams, Cecilia and Elvio Angeloni, tricia Staub, Hollis Stewart, Lisa Wilhelm Bleckmann, Mikki Bol- Sugimoto, Jan Sutherland, Paul liger, Suzanne Bravender, Dorothy Swaim, John Tulley, and Mar g Burns, Bruce and Kathy Carter , Vickers, Chrystal Watson, Verna Mary Alice Cervera, Dick Chamber- Wells, and Judy White also stopped lain. by to visit. Other colleagues there included: If you weren’t able to attend this Karlene Cunningham, Lisa Davis, mixer, another one is already in the Al DePonte, Joe and Maria Di- works. So when you get the invita- Massa, Mabel Duncan, Vernon tion in the mail, mark your calendar Faulkner, Carter Gengler, Bill Gold- and join us. mann and John Gregory. Mixer photos by Mikki Bolliger 4 Osher Can Ensure Scholarships in Perpetuity An exceptional opportunity to raise porters. pronounced. As a group, adults with col- scholarships for PCC students has come So far, our retirees have pledged lege degrees, have an unemployment to our attention. In using this opportu- $9,000. Dr. Lisa Sugimoto, vice presi- rate of 5%, steady incomes, and rela- nity, our retirees are able to expand the dent of College Advancement, pleasantly tively stable families. Adults without a impact of our scholarship contributions. surprised us recently with a most gener- high school education, by contrast, face Let me explain ous pledge of $5,000 of her own money an unemployment rate of over 15% and The Bernard Osher Foundation to give us a substantial boost in our declining incomes. pledged $25 scholarship drive. Several retirees’ board Harvard sociologist, Richard Putnam, million to the members have also committed $1,000 reports that we are becoming two soci- California each to the effort. So we are well on our eties, two Americas. There is a deepen- Community way to fund at least one scholarship. ing class divide. Education is becoming Colleges with a However, it is our sincere hope that we the key discriminate in American life. challenge of can fund several of these Osher Founda- As persons who worked at Pasadena matching 50 tion scholarships for our students. Amaz- City College, we are very aware of the cents for every ingly, these scholarships will be in critical role education plays in our soci- dollar raised by perpetuity. ety. the colleges. We know that tuition is increasing due Most Americans accept inequality in For example, a to reduced state revenues. Obviously, it our economy as long as the ladder of op- gift of $13,334, has become more and more expensive to portunity is accessible to anyone who combined with Osher match dollars pursue higher education. We know that wants to work hard. The best way for ($13,334+$6,667) would result in a total textbooks are ridiculously high. Our stu- America to reclaim its self-image as a gift of $20,000, suf ficient to generate dents desperately need financial assis- land of opportunity is to ensure that one full-time scholarship of $1,000 per tance. every young person has access to a de- year. This would be in perpetuity, which, The Osher Challenge is a wonderful cent education. of course, means forever and ever. means to provide an all important finan- This is precisely why it is vital that we We are pleased to report that PCC has cial boost for our students. When you support the Osher scholarship challenge. $696,435 (71%) of its matching goal set give generously to this extraordinary op- Again, the beauty of this special fund is up by the Osher Challenge of $979,577. portunity, it not only supports our stu- that it perpetuates itself, forever. That has We must raise the balance of the Osher dents, but it is an investment in our to make it a most attractive opportunity. Challenge by June 2011. Time is short, nation’s future. For your convenience, we have en- so we need quick action by our PCC sup- In these difficult economic times, the closed a return envelope in this mailing. importance of education is even more Retirees Invited To Join Trips To Italy and Ireland Mick Curran will outline the process of For more detailed information and vari- Merano, Italy film writing. The sessions are designed ous pricings, call Modern Travel Service For people who love the idea of spend- for enjoyment of the process. Jane will at 818 -247-5260. The travel week follow- ing time at a first class Spa in the moun- also present a workshop on writing poetry.