A Century of  Memories

100-year-old Claire McWilliams takes us back in time

by Stephanie Struyck Elgin

There I was, sitting with 100-year-old Claire McWilliams, talking about her upcoming birthday party with friends and family. Yes indeed, there are 100 candles on her birthday cake this year. And to my surprise, the real story wasn’t her milestone day, but rather the story she was about to tell. I couldn’t help but be captivated as she took me on a trip down memory lane, sharing a century of memories with me.  A registered nurse by trade, Claire decided to up and leave California to work in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1941.  Just three days after she arrived on the island, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.  Needless to say, her life hasn’t been the same ever since. 

From London to the SCV

By Stephanie Struyck Elgin

She grew up during a time when the world was at war. She was only six when Germany invaded Poland without warning, Britain and France were at it with Germany and within days, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa had also joined in. The war lasted a grueling six years, and Rita vividly remembers life during this time in London, England.  
“I was only six years old when the war started,” recalls Rita. 

Love for the Written Word

by Stephanie Struyck Elgin

While not a native to California, Ricardo Ali Fernandez certainly calls Santa Clarita home.  Having moved here in 1974, Ricardo purchased his home for less than $50, 000, something unheard of in today’s day and age.  “I enjoy everything about Santa Clarita, the moderate climate is far different from the place I was born,” states Ricardo.

Over a Century of Baseball Love

by Stephanie Struyck Elgin

He was a fan way back when the prime seats for a ballgame were just over a buck.  Sit in the nosebleed section and you could’ve scored yourself two tickets for that price. Two dimes and a nickel would’ve bought you a Dodger dog and a soda.  It was during that time, when slugger Babe Ruth, otherwise known as “The Bambino” or “The Sultan of Swat” wore the Yankee pinstripes, and baseball greats like Lou Gehrig, Rogers Hornsby and Ty Cobb emerged from this phenomenal era-the 1920’s.  

A Life of Art and Purpose

She called Santa Clarita home back when horses roamed the streets of Lyons Avenue and the town was surrounded with onion fields. Born in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in Pittsburgh, Jeanne Wray eventually made her way to the Santa Clarita Valley, 32 years ago.
While adversity came at a young age, it’s clear, nothing stops Jeanne’s determination to live an abundant life. At 17 months old, she was diagnosed with Polio, and took her first steps walking when she was just five years old. 

Celebrating 100 Years with Gladys Laney of Newhall

by Travis Gill

Sitting at her usual desk space in an office with several other volunteers within the SCV Senior Center is Gladys Laney, of Newhall. A retired secretary, she’s been a volunteer at the SCV Senior Center since 1987. She also just celebrated her 100th Birthday with her fellow staff and Center guests.

Looking Back- The Rock House 

(aka Castle Oaks Garage) History of the Le Chêne Building

by Peter C. Gray

LeChêne French Cuisine is a popular destination restaurant on Sierra Highway near Agua Dulce. The restaurant has been delighting customers with fine food and wines for 30 years.
The translation of the restaurant’s name “Le Chêne” means “The Oak”.  This area has always been noted for its beautiful, centennial, oak trees. Starting in 1917, there has been a long tradition of naming businesses operating at this location after these magnificent oak trees.

A Musician, Pastor, and

Travel Agent: A True

Renaissance Man

by Manjot Singh

Let’s take it back.  Back to when music had substance.  Back to when fashion implied actual clothing.  Back to when movies actually made statements and expressed more than hot-headed mish-mosh.  The era I’m describing is clearly before the 21st century, but more specifically, the 1940s.  It’s a time when a musician would be born who would make his mark on society early.  Bill Vibe was born on August 4, 1946 in Bakersfield.  He had a normal childhood growing up and took an early interest in music.

The Honorary Mayor of Gorman -

Looking Back!

by E.J. Stephens

Ruth Ralphs was born on February 29, 1920, and since leap years only come every four years, she has actually celebrated only 22 birthdays during her 90 years. Sitting across from Ruth, the honorary mayor of Gorman – where she has resided for 60 of those years – she recounts her life with the enthusiasm of a twenty-two-year old.

Living an Honorable Life

Leaving no man behind.

There is a bright twinkle in the blue eyes of Bob Good.  His smile lights up a room and you can’t help but return one right back.  His personality is so vibrant and engaging I felt as if I had known him for years.  I met Bob on a Monday morning to scan the photos for this article.  It was a surprise meeting, and one that I know now was meant to be!  As I scanned the photos Bob told me a little about his past, and as I listened to him speak the photos spoke to me as well.

Reminiscing With the Old Geezers

by Stephanie Elgin

What began as a friendship in the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s, was rekindled at a luncheon between four old friends talking about the days of old. And what is the glue that bonds these friendships?  Cars, cars and more cars, and many of them were part of the car clubs back in the day. 

An Optimistic Kind of Love

by Stephanie Elgin

She was a girl from Brooklyn, New York with two sons and he a native Californian who lived at home with his parents.  Somewhere along the way, they met and have been happily together ever since.
“I migrated to California with my two sons,” states Dee. “After being out here for about a year and half, I met Mike.” 

Bringing Life Experience to Law - Looking Back

by Stephanie Elgin

Born at the Queen of Angels hospital in Los Angeles in 1951, Gina MacDonald spent most of her childhood years in Burbank, later relocating to the San Fernando Valley and eventually making her way here to Santa Clarita in 1977.   “I go back quite a ways,” states Gina, “I remember Dilenbeck’s Market which was a real Mom and Pop grocery store off of Sierra Highway where the Albertson’s shopping center is.  I also remember the ‘Mustang Drive-In’, which is where you turn from Soledad Canyon Road to reach Golden Valley.”  Apparently this was the place to be other than outside of the bowling alley or Plaza Theatre on Lyons Avenue. 

Lynn Barnes- Barnes Ranch 26

Remembering the War - Looking Back

by Stephanie Elgin

He was one of many called upon to serve our country during World War II.  Shortly after graduating high school in 1944, Morris Deason was drafted into the United States Navy.  “They put me on a train and sent me out to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio,” states Morris, “I wasn’t afraid of the war. When you’re that age, you think you’re invincible.”
Morris continues to share his World War II story with me.

Santa Clarita in the Philippines

His name is Mr. Tony Pascua.  Tony obtained a mechanical engineering degree at the Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila, Philippines and then migrated to the United States in 1976.  He began his career in the Rocketdyne division with the Boeing Company for 28 years as Quality and Nondestructive Testing Engineer for the space shuttle main engines. 

A Little Bit of Heaven in Sand Canyon

She took me back to a time when Central Park raised the best onions and corn, there was no bridge at Placerita, Sulphur Springs School District consisted of only 176 children, and McMillan Ranch was a working turkey ranch.  “Those were the days,” states Pug, “those were the days!”

OMA*

*Dutch for Grandma

She survived 30 months in the horrible conditions of World War II prison camps.  She endured the loss of her unborn child.  She migrated to a new country with little to no money to spare.  She watched her home as it was engulfed in flames, knowing she would never set foot it in again.  And yet, Willy Rudolph is not known for what she has lost in her life, but rather for what she has given to others.

Looking Back- An Inspiration to Others

Lea Serlin’s caregiver, Paz, opens the door of the Friendly Valley home that Lea and her husband, Albert, bought 35 years ago for $21,000.  Paz, who is from the Philippines, smiles and introduces Lea, who immediately embraces me.
“I always give hugs,” Lea says. This is why she is affectionately known as “the hugging volunteer” at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital where she has spent over 30 years – and thousands of hours – volunteering since she started in 1973 at Hillside Community Hospital in Saugus, the hospital’s predecessor.