1959

Most of us can only imagine being caught in the terrible fires that fanned over drought-stricken southern California last summer. About 20 to 25 of our classmates who live in that area actually experienced it.

One of them, fire district board member Randy Malin in Rancho Santa Fe, "was dumbstruck by what Isaw—both by the devastation itself and the realization of how close our community came to a complete catastrophe. The image that affected me the most was seeing mile after mile of entire hills (more like small mountains) that were black. Luckily for my wife and me, the winds finally died down and firefighters were able to make a stand, turning back the flames about two miles from our home. The only problem we had was a house covered in soot and ash. I saw little shacks and 20,000square-foot mansions that were destroyed. The flames moved so swiftly that the tops of trees never caught fire even though their trunks were blackened."

Tom and Merry L'Esperance were forced to evacuate as the firestorm reached within five miles. (A last-minute wind change spared their Carlsbad house.) Otherwise, "life is good in sunny southern California. I'm semi-retired after a 30-year career as an agent with the Equitable, married to a lovely speech pathologist and am enjoyably employed by the Lodge at Torrey Pines, a five-diamond La Jolla hotel. I drive guests around Del Mar and La Jolla in a Mercedes 5550 sedan and assume concierge duties there as well. The Lodge is located adjacent to the site of the next U.S. Open golf tournament."

Liz and Pete Bulkley in Bonsall had fires "literally all around us" and packed their car but luckily never needed to evacuate. The smoke was "a big problem, going from a 45-mile-perhour wind to a dead calm that choked everything," says Liz.

According to Jim Bybee, he and Marion in Mission Viejo also suffered much smoke and lots of ash that "just settled out of the sky." They were between two large fires; about 10 miles from one and 15 miles from another but, like the Bulkleys, did not have to leave their home.

George LeFevre writes, "We had the good fortune to be in Mexico. Also, our home is close to the ocean so we had no problem other than soot—but a tsunami some day would be another matter!"

Herb Schoenberg in Tarzana was thankful that "the fires were never anywhere near our house."

He also knows that Bob "Fildy" Filderman in San Diego was not burned out and Ron Kabot in La Mesa "should be okay." Herb is semi-retired, doing a lot of jogging and tennis in spite of two knee operations. Recently, along with Paula and Larry Fredericks of Palm Springs, Herb and wife Anne had a relaxing dinner with JeryeAnn and Al Robbins, who had flown out from Boston.

172 Oenoke Lane, New Canaan, CT06840; (203) 966-1252;paul.a.stein.59@alum.dartmouth.org