Created by June Morrall
Members of the Young Democrats Club pose for the camera in October 1883 in Half Moon Bay.
Left to Right: (top row) Patricio Silva, John Murray Frank Vasquez, Joe Gonzales “Crooked Neck” George and John H. Pitcher.
Middle Row: George Burston, Adolphe Pitcher, Ed Mullen, Archie McGinty, George Wyman.
Bottom Row: Ben Zaballa, Peter Zaballa, Richard Campbell, Charles Bowman, Peter Burke.
remembers the San Mateo dentist’s son, also called James Foley. “Once my dad winnowed down his patients to the nice ones, he kept the folks that lived in Half Moon Bay. They always paid in cash–there was a little sand in between the bills–but they paid on time while my father had to chase after the people that lived in the big houses.”
Here’s an excerpt from Brad’s email:
“I love the Coastside and truly hoped to and planned on living there one day. In my youth I spent more time between Montara and Bean Hollow than I did on the Peninsula. I must have ridden my old Triumph motorcycle over the hill to Princeton a hundred times to blow off some adolescent steam and get a hot dog at (was it Ortiz’) crab shack? Later I took a year off from Stanford and drove a Coke truck out of Burlingame and delivered to everyplace that sold Coca-Cola from Devil’s Slide to Pescadero. Just coming over the hill every day was a treat. You are fortunate to call that place home.”
Dear June,
Thank you so much for the fun we all had on Friday night. What a beautiful launching for your book, with a full cast of characters in attendance. I loved visiting with some of the locals and may talk a friend into a trip over the hill for a Bach Music and Dynamite Society evening. Pete [Douglas] was a delight to chat with and George [Resch] has added even more stories about the place.
I also wanted to share that I gave your book to a friend as a Christmas present. What I didn’t know was that Miramar, Princeton by the Sea and Half Moon Bay were a weekly visit for her and her husband. He passed over 15 years ago at about age 55 and she has fond memories of their trips. When she saw your book, she got very excited. She loved the pictures and after quick glances at the stories, told me she can hardly wait to read the whole book. I have already read it cover to cover and know she will enjoy it. You are making a number of people truly happy walking down memory lane.
Have a Happy Holidays. Pam
Today, I ran into an old friend, an El Granadian, excited about the “Princeton-by-the-Sea” book. She said: “Did you know about Joe Romeo’s bus?”
June: No. But the Romeos are in the book.
El Granada Friend: Well, Joe used to have a bus pick up the ladies that worked at his cannery. My mother worked there.”
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From a second El Granada friend, I learned that Henry Doelger gave up on his big development plans for the Coastside, including the Polynesian Village at Princeton-by-the-Sea, when his brother decided against the project.
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Another resident recalls Henry Doelger as a young man walking his poodle dog in Moss Beach.
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E-Note from John Vonderlin ([email protected])
“… the bibbs are Leo Morelli’s, and with the super lowtides coming up Friday on, I’m going to drop them off on my way to check out Acid Beach, then visit where his boat sank. It’s very close to the best sea cave I know of as far as one having life inside. Enjoy. John.”
Read John’s original story here
1959: 63: I watched Dance Party faithfully and became a great fan of Lynn Facciola and Frank Pisa, two of the popular San Francisco show’s biggest stars. Every weekday afternoon the camera followed all their moves, the ones I NEVER could get right.
(Do you remember the Seinfeld episode where Elaine displays her lack of rhythm and athleticism? That’s me, ok.)
Yes, I was a groupie.
Here’s a photo of Frank Pisa with a lovely portrait of Lynn Facciola in the background.
Today I received an e-note from Manny Interiano who told me:
“Frank Pisa’s wife Jo sent me a copy of your article [click here] about my buddy Frank Pisa and the Dance Party. I really enjoyed it, but then again it is always good to hear from someone who is from the same time and space.
I hope that you visit our web site and relive some of your memories. I hope that you write me; I would love to share memories with you.”
If you enjoyed Dick Stewart’s KPIX “Dance Party” tv show as much as I did– email Manny here .
To visit the KPIX Dance Party site, click here.
Report by John Vonderlin.. (email John: [email protected])
Besides 5 tires yesterday and the usual assortment of debris, I found a very nice pair of sand-clogged Henri Lloyd bibs on the beach just north of Ano Nuevo.
Seeing that they were $455 online, and thinking that they were related to the Lou Denny Wayne that went aground north of Gazos Creek last week, I called the owner of the fishing vessel. His employee thought they were his but I haven’t talked to Lou Denny Wayne’s owner yet. A chance to commit a random act of kindness related to my Marine Debris obsession at Christmas time is a gift to me. Besides, it will be a great excuse to make the big circle from Santa Clara to Santa Cruz to Pescadero, something I don’t do very often these days….
