Let’s see how much we know about our fellow Gyros. This month’s interview is so secret not even the target couple knows that they are the subjects of the July profile! The clues to their identities are listed below and the answer is on Page 3. NO PEEKING!!! Here are the clues:
- They are both native Californians.
- They moved to Blacklake in 1994 from Grass Valley, California.
- They became Gyros immediately upon moving here.
- They have 3 adult children. One daughter lives in New York. (She commutes to Blacklake on a regular basis.) Their 2 sons reside in Santa Barbara.
- They recently became great-grandparents.
- He was an instructor in the Army Air Force during World War II.
- They met after the war when both were students at Long Beach Junior College.
- They married in 1947 and raised their family in Long Beach.
- While living in Long Beach, our Gyrette entered the Mrs. America contest and reached the finals!!
- She loves the ocean (as does the entire family), and took sailing lessons where she and the other ladies formed a Sabot sailing club, calling themselves the “Chickens of the Sea”.
- She was a sales representative for AVON, where she was very successful.
- Our Gyro became a Long Beach fireman in 1951 and served the LBFD for over 30 years. His duty station was the fireboat in the Long Beach marina.
- He is an avid fisherman. He holds the record for catching the largest-ever salmon in the Sacramento River (54-1/2 pounds).
- Both of them are avid jazz enthusiasts and attend the monthly “Basin Street Regulars” at Veteran’s Hall in Pismo Beach.
- They both love gardening . . . . and if you need a handy man, he can help you out.
- Their present ‘occupation’ is their nightly card game of “Hand In Mouth”. Competition is fierce. At this point she is far ahead. They clear the slate in January of each year to start over.
It’s tough to write about two old friends — rather it’s tough not to write all that you know about two longtime friends. We have been friends since 1947 (when both Barbara and I were very young ——).
There are so many memories it was difficult not to include them all. When you see Claude riding around on his bicycle, stop and talk with him. I guarantee it will be an adventure.
Claude is always willing to help out at Gyro functions — moving tables, hauling chairs, tending bar, etc.
Barbara, having survived a bout with cancer, has such a positive attitude and gives of her time to several cancer support groups.
As a postscript, don’t look for them for the next 12 days. They will be on a cruise to Alaska with their extended family (children and grandchildren). The cruise allows two days ashore so Claude can do some fishing.
