Class of ’44 Grad Shares Love of Books

March 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment

     In celebration of “Read Across America,” a national observance of Dr. Suess’ birthday, a gift of 1500 books was presented to the Anaheim High Performing Arts Conservatory to share with area elementary students.

     “A book for every child” is the goal of 1944 graduate Reggie Massey, who delivered the treasure trove of books to her alma mater just in time for the March 1 reading celebration at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School.

     AHS drama students, with costumes, props and books in hand, walked to the nearby elementary school to perform tales from around the world and to serve as reading buddies to the K-6 students. The troupe, accompanied by AHS drama instructor Sharon King, was welcomed by Benjamin Franklin Principal Gregory Smet.

     Along with teachers and students, parents also joined in the party by create props for the reading celebration observed by thousands of students across the country in honor of Dr. Seuss, the man who gave the world classic children’s books like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Green Eggs and Ham.”

     When not sharing their time and talents with the community, Anaheim High Performing Arts Conservatory students are preparing for their May 2, 3 and 4 production of “Fame” at Cook Auditorium.

 

 

For more information, contact the Anaheim High School Alumni Association at anaheimalumni@yahoo.com.

Filed Under: Alumni Spotlight, What's New

Legendary Hot Rodder Stan Betz Featured at 2012 Colony Classic Car Show

October 15, 2012 By 5 Comments

Legendary hot rodder and custom car builder Stan Betz from Anaheim High Class of 1946 made a repeat appearance at the 2nd Annual AHS Alumni Association Colony Classic Car Show held on the  campus Oct. 12 as part of Homecoming 2012. Of course, his red roadster he named “2032,” a completely custom-crafted candy raspberry red highboy pickup with Lincoln Mark VIII running gear, was a showstopper.

Stan Betz’s love affair with cars was sparked as a young boy growing up on his parent’s 10-acre orange ranch on Lemon Street in Anaheim.

But Betz wasn’t interested in ranching or even learning his father’s skill as a hybridizer of orange trees and other fruit bearing plants. What really caught his attention, and kept his interest for the rest of his life, were cars. First it was his uncle Dick Kraft’s hot rods that he worked on as a young boy. It turned out to be the perfect match for Betz, who lost his right leg below the knee to polio at age 3.

He also couldn’t have had a better teacher. His uncle was one of the original hot rodders and his many innovations included building and driving the first rail job called “The Bug,” a clone of which is on display in the National Hot Rod Association Museum in Pomona. Kraft’s other custom-built cars are highly collectible.

Like his uncle, Stan’s cars have become famous in the automotive world and are shining examples of his legendary skills as a master car builder and painter. The relationship he developed with the custom-car world from a young boy is still going strong and, at age 84, Betz is still in business and visits his office daily.

His journey to becoming the center of the 1950s rod and custom culture, as well as a businessman who figured out a way to make money at doing something he loved, included a stop at Anaheim High School. A 1946 grad, Betz confesses to having spent most of days at Anaheim High in the machine shop working on hot rods. He owned a Model-A roadster with a V-8 engine that was shoe-horned in during welding shop. Three years later he built a track T that he raced on local outlaw tracks when he wasn’t working the night shift at a gas station.

His shop is now in the City of Orange and looks like an automotive museum with his display of memorabilia and a unique collection of MGM movie miniature cars, boats, trains and other vehicles that Hollywood filmed being driven over cliffs, crushed, crashed and blown up in thousands of movies. The 100-piece collection was featured in an early episode of “Visiting with Huell Hower.”

Of course, work only gets done between visits with the many old friends and associates who stop by to reminisce with Betz or ask for his advice. Some of these visitors are members of Anaheim’s famous Street Sweepers Car Club, which was founded, named and sponsored by Betz.

Back in the ‘50s, when hot rodding and car clubs were in high gear, Stan’s shop, a small wooded single car garage he rented for five bucks a month located in the alley right behind the police station, was the meeting spot for The Sweepers. Along with holding their meetings, the members would also help him punch louvers, which are vents located in strategic positions on a car’s body to allow hot air to escape, an important feature for custom cars that were hitting speeds of more than 100 miles per hour. Betz and his team were stamping louvers in hot rods, racecar hoods, deck lids, fenders, or anything a custom-car owner wanted punched. Guys came from miles around to get ventilated.

AHS Yearbook Ad of the Bean Hut

When not at Betz’s shop, the Sweepers would hang out at the 76 Station at the corner of Palm (Harbor) and Center (Lincoln) or at the Bean Hut, a.k.a the La Palma Drive-In. The Sweepers gave this iconic hangout the nickname “Bean Hut” and the drive-in became the favorite of car clubs throughout Orange County and beyond.

When the louver business slowed down, Betz added paint products to his enterprise, which became Betz Speed and Color. His shop became known as the best place to find the exact color, especially for customers who wanted to match an existing stock or custom paint color.

Featured in countless magazine and newspaper articles, Betz has also been included in “Hot Rod History – Book Two: The Glory Years” by Tom Medley. Chapter Two is dedicated to Betz, “one of the best paint mixers around. Betz works in the sun and can match paint to an exactness that defies even the computers.”

Even though Betz never considered his job as “work,” he always made time for taking rides in his custom cars, racing them on oval tracks, dry lakes and the salt flats.

Back in the 1950s Stan drove a 1932 Sedan with a “hot flat head” that he finished in bright yellow. He also owned a ’51 Ford pick-up with Von Dutch flames, a cut down hood and “big and little” tires. (This tire innovation was first done by The Street Sweepers.)

His love affair with the automobile continued throughout the decades when members of the Street Sweepers traded in their custom rides for college degrees and lives in the slow lane. Stan stayed in the trade and created creating automotive masterpieces. To see an article and photos about one of his award-winning vehicles, visit: http://www.customclassictrucks.com/featuredvehicles/14818_2032_custom_rod_pickup_concept/index.html#ixzz1ZGpTXryD

Beyond the automotive world, Stan’s life includes his wife and two adopted children, ages 9 and 6. He also rows four miles, three days a week, in Long Beach Harbor near his home.

Betz was greeted by his many friends and acquaintances at the car show that attracted more than 50 other custom-car owners. His participation made the day even more special for all involved.

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Anaheim High Pays Tribute to Notable Alumni

September 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

ANAHEIM HIGH HALL OF FAMERS: Dave Bourne ’57, Jo An Burdick Gottlieb ’58, Greg Domene ’69 (on behalf of his wife Jan Harp Domene ’69), Julie Pascoe (on behalf of her father Jerry Shipkey ’43); and George Fraser ’70 accept their alma mater’s recognition as outstanding Colonists.

Five outstanding Anaheim High graduates were added to the Colonist Hall of Fame at a recent dinner and half-time ceremony.Honorees include Jerry Shipkey, a legendary athlete from Class of 1941; Jo An Burdick Gottlieb, a Class of 1951 graduate who achieved success in the entertainment, education and business fields; Dave Bourne, an award-winning musician who began playing professionally upon graduating from Anaheim High in 1957; Jan Harp Domene, a ’69 grad who became a nationally recognized advocate for children and education; and George Fraser, a community volunteer with youth sports and the first and only player in CIF history to make CIF selection three years in a row. They join 38 other inductees who have been named to the school’s Hall of Fame since the program’s inception in 2003.

Click on the following link to read more about these notable alumni: 2012 INDUCTEES

Photos from the event are available via the following link: http://s123.photobucket.com/albums/o297/AUColonist/HALL%20OF%20FAME/2012%20Hall%20of%20Fame/?albumview=slideshow

 

 

 

Filed Under: Alumni Spotlight, Events

Hollywood Legend Marie Wilson – Class of 1932

May 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

When growing up in the Colony, she went by Mabelle. But Katherine Elizabeth Wilson soon dropped the nickname when her family moved to Hollywood and she sat her sights on an entertainment career.

Mabelle, who transformed into radio, TV and film star Marie Wilson, a blonde bombshell whose new moniker became a household name, left her hometown and Anaheim High schoolmates behind in 1932 to finished her senior year at Hollywood’s Cumnock School for Girls.

But her classmates never forgot her. On the Nov. 23, 2009, anniversary of her death 37 years ago, Anaheim High alumni remembered Marie by posting a condolence on a website that includes photos and biographical information on the the Anaheim-born actress who has three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Marie earned national recognition for her role as the voluptuous blonde, scatter-brained secretary in “My Friend Irma,” the title role of a radio series that became one of the most popular shows of the late 1940s.

She starred in the television series of the same name from 1952 to 1954, then played the character in two movies titled, “My Friend Irma” and “My Friend Irma Goes West” featuring the comedy team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

She earned her first Hollywood contract in 1934 to play Mary Quite Contrary in the Laurel & Hardy film Babes in Toyland (1934). Her real break came in 1942 when she was signed to play Ken Murray’s glamour foil in an idiotic blonde in “Blackouts.” The vaudeville production ran seven years. Miss Wilson appeared in 2,332 performances and perfected her command of the character that was to be her mainstay.

She later teamed again with her old vaudeville sidekick Murray in his television show, appeared in more than 40 movies including, “Girl in Every Port” with Groucho Marx. “Never Wave at a WAC” with Rosalind Russell and appeared with Angela Lansbury in “Private Affairs of Bel Ami.” She was also a guest on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on four occasions.

An ambitious woman known to do crazy stunts for publicity, Marie took to the stage, nightclub and TV circuits once her film career bottomed out after the spectacular arrival of Marilyn Monroe.

Wilson’s performance in “Satan Met A Lady,” the second film adaptation of the detective novel “The Maltese Falcon,” is said to be a virtual template for Marilyn Monroe’s later onscreen persona.

Even when age overtook her, she continued working as one of the voices behind the animated television cartoon series “Where’s Huddles?” Her career spanned five decades and she was performing up until her untimely death of cancer on Nov. 23, 1972, at age 56.

Off camera, she was said to be quiet spoken and thoughtful, with a zest for learning and intellectual self improvement. She is remembered proudly by her Anaheim High classmates who are planning a visit to her gravesite at the Hollywood Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

For additional photos, click on the link below:

ANAHEIM ALUMNUS, HOLLYWOOD LEGEND MARIE WILSON

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Virnell Bruce – Class of 1964

May 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

Virnell Bruce – Class of ’64

Anaheim High Class of ’64 author and playwright Virnell Bruce will be speaking and signing copies of her book, Shells: A Cameo of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Sunday, May 16, 3 p.m., at Laguna Beach Books, 1200 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 105, 949-494-4779, www.lagunabeachbooks.com.

Virnell also wrote a one-woman, two-act play based on Anne Morrow Lindbergh, one of the most accomplished women of the 20th century. Her presentation will provide insight into the her life, which was filled with great tragedy, loneliness and high-flying adventures with her husband, Charles Lindbergh, the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Her book won a Special Citation Awarded from The Colonial Dames of America, an organization that recognizes non-fiction books of merit that focus on American life—past, present, or future—that broaden the understanding of American history, politics, or culture.

Virnell, who recently retired following a 36 year career in the aerospace industry, teaches at the Christopher Wren Association, an educational program affiliated with the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.

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Sheila Taylor Lowe – Class of 1967

May 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Most people manage to succeed in one vocation, but Anaheim High Class of 1967 graduate Sheila Taylor Lowe has made her mark in three major career fields.

Along with her profession as a court-qualified forensic handwriting expert, Lowe is also a multi-published author. Her award-winning mystery fiction series features a female protagonist who, not so coincidently, is a handwriting examiner. With a master’s degree in psychology, Lowe is also approved by the state to provide continuing education to marriage and family therapists.

As a forensic handwriting examiner with 40 years of experience, Lowe provides court testimony in cases of forgery. She explains her craft: “Beginning in the brain, the writing impulse travels through the nerves, into the hand holding the writing instrument, and flows out through the ink trail left on paper. Handwriting is an accumulation of thousands of visual and auditory experiences and can reveal how you have integrated all that you have seen and heard throughout your lifetime.”

Her full-time forensic handwriting practice includes a wide spectrum of corporate clients, mental health professionals, attorneys, private investigators and staffing agencies, among others. She also analyzes handwriting for individuals, helping them understand themselves and others better.

Her examinations of celebrity handwritings have appeared in Time, Teen People, and Mademoiselle, and her articles on personality profiling and handwriting analysis have been published in several bar association magazines. She’s also the author of Handwriting of the Famous & Infamous and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Handwriting Analysis.

But one of her most notable accomplishments as an author is her four-book mystery series inspired by actual cases she’s become involved in as a handwriting expert. Like the author, the book’s protagonist, Claudia Rose, is a handwriting expert. The fourth installment in her mystery series, Last Writes, was published in 2010 by Penguin. She’s now working on a new stand-alone thriller Lying…In Bed. For information on her book series, visit www.claudiaroseseries.com.

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Jo An Burdick Gottlieb – Class of 1951

May 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Anaheim High Class of ’51 graduate Jo An (Burdick) Gottlieb credits living a life she describes as a “dream come true” to being at the right place at the right time.

In one instance, the right place and time happened to be sitting on a curb in 1939 at age 5 with her parents and sister in front of Anaheim’s old Chung King Cafe on Center Street (now Lincoln) waiting for the Halloween Parade to begin.

“Looking to the east I saw the band approach with girls out front holding these shiny things.” The objects that caught her attention were batons being tossed and twirled by the band’s majorettes. From that day forward, Jo said her dream was to be the “best darn baton twirler ever.”

But she never imagined that from her humble beginnings, practicing with a bamboo pole in the alley behind her home at 500 N. Vine Street, that she would one day lead the nation’s top parades as a majorette, appear on stage and screen with entertainers like Frank Sinatra and own her own baton, dance and music studio. In Jo words: “It’s been one fabulous ride.”

Because money wasn’t available for lessons, she learned to dance by standing at the sidelines of friends’ classes and imitating the moves of movie stars she watched during double features she attended with her older sister, Wanda Lee, an Anaheim Class of ’47 graduate. (Jo’s talented older sister was class speaker and also played lead rolls in the school plays. She earned first place in public speaking contest on the Constitution and was given a scholarship to the famed Pasadena Play House.)

Any extra money earned by her family went into patenting her father Harry’s inventions, one of which was the Burdick Scotch Watchman Automatic Time Valve, a water-saving device installed at Stanford University, El Rancho Golf Course and publicized in Popular Mechanic Magazine.

Finally, thanks to a visit from a cousin from Wyoming, Jo An received her first real baton when she was 8 years old. Her older cousin saw how creative she had been without any formal lessons and sent her a hand-me-down baton that had a steel ball instead of the usual soft rubber.

Jo An remembers conking herself in the head several times with the 32-inch baton, but she kept persevering, and by the time she was a freshman at Anaheim High, band director William Cook had Jo An and her friend, Joanne Lee, marching with the older, more experienced majorettes during the pre-game National Anthem.

“We really thought we had arrived when we got to wear white shorts, navy blue sweaters and home-made tassels to go on our rubber white rain boots,” said Jo An. Her talents grew along with her stature. By her junior year, Jo An, a 6-foot-tall blonde, was leading the Anaheim High Marching Band as the head twirling majorette.

Next stop on her journey was Fullerton Junior College, where she also led the band as head drum major and twirler. She then attended Pasadena City College and realized her dream of serving as the Official Rose Parade Majorette. She was also chosen as the only paid majorette in the Rose Parading leading Tommy Walker’s famed Toppers Band. For five additional Rose Parades, Jo marched the 7 1/2 –mile parade route in her high-heeled boots and top hat. Tickets to the Rose Bowl game, with seats at the 50-yard-line, were one of the job perks, but she was always too tired to attend.

During this time, Jo An was chosen as California VFW State Poppy Queen and traveled to San Francisco to lead a parade, perform at other events and lead the California VFW Ball with the State Commander in a specially designed formal. Her photo appeared in newspapers throughout the state.

Along with the fun and glamour, there was work. To earn income Jo An started busing tables at Knott’s Berry Farm at the early age of 13. Her big sis, Wanda Lee, was one of more than 80 hostesses and waitresses serving patrons who stood in long lines for Mrs. Knott’s chicken dinners, homemade boysenberry pies and her famous biscuits served with boysenberry jam.

Jo An Burdick as Can Can Dancer at Knott's Calico Saloon.

It wasn’t long before Jo moved from busing tables to landing the job of can-can dancer at the Ghost Town Calico Saloon. Her career continued a steady climb and in 1953, at age 19, Jo was one of five chosen out of 2,000 who tried out at a RKO Movie Studio’s audition to become a Las Vegas showgirl. She arrived in Las Vegas in March of 1954 by train and was soon dancing and singing with Frank Sinatra at the Sands Hotel Copa Room.

Rehearsals started at 2 a.m. until sun up for the next few weeks and Jo An was chosen to sing “I’ve Got the Pinks” with Frank Sinatra. “The New Ziegfield Follies Copa Show was a sell out night after night,” remembers Jo An. “We did two shows a night with Mondays dark. I shared a semi-private dressing room with Irene King, who sang “I’ve Got the Reds.” The room was right next to Frank’s, who sang “I’ve Got the Green’s” (meaning money), so they were given queenly treatment. Frank would have hot tea delivered to their dressing room and prior to each show, would pop in for a visit and have a cup of tea. He also sent each girl in the show a long-stemmed yellow rose with a person good-luck note, mementos Jo still treasurers.

“I was 6 feet tall in stocking feet and Irene, 5-foot-10,” said Jo. “We were the tallest in the show, especially with the addition of 3-inch high heels, and made Frank look even smaller.” Other girls who made the cut were Evelyn Cherry, kid sister of movie star June Haver, and Randy Brown, who later changed her name to Felicia Farr, married Jack Lemmon and left the Sands to become a movie star. Jo still sees many of the girls at annual show girl and dancer reunions held in Hollywood or Las Vegas.

Las Vegas was star studded during this time and hanging out at the pool with celebrities was a daily routine for Jo An. “Many stars came to see us and we attended after-show parties at the hotel where we met Milton Beryl, Danny Thomas, Mae West and her Hunks (appearing at the Desert Inn), Dean Martin, Joey Bishop, Danny Thomas, Bob Hope and many others.

Jo An remembers one evening when Frank Sinatra hired limousines to take the cast to a special movie showing of his latest film, “Suddenly,” in which he played a hit man whose roll was to shoot the president from an apartment where he held a family hostage.

Next stop for Jo An was the stage of Moulin Rouge in Hollywood. She appeared with Sophie Tucker, a singer and comedian who was one of the most popular entertainers in America during the first two-thirds of the 20th century.

Considered an “entertainment palace,” the Moulin Rouge was the largest nightclub in America. Shows were performed on a massive stage with a 60-foot-wide double revolving turntable and staircase, swings that could be lowered from the ceiling and the first walk-around that allowed the showgirls to walk into the audience and then back onto the stage.

Costume for first coast-to-coast televised color broadcast of the Emmy Awards.

While performing at the Moulin Rouge, Jo was chosen to appear in the first coast-to-coast televised color broadcast of the Emmy Awards. Jo and her “twin,” wearing extravagant 3-foot-tall pink wigs and gowns with a huge hoop skirt with hundreds of hand-sewn mirrors, flanked Jimmy Durante for the opening of this historical broadcast. During this time, Jo was also a Carolyn Leonetti model and did some movie work at Universal International in her spare time.

After nine months at the Moulin Rouge, Jo An left the stage to tour with a dance teacher convention traveling across the nation with stops in Houston, Chicago, Boston and New York, where she was offered a contract to appear at the famed Latin Quarter Nightclub. Instead, Jo opted to return to Anaheim to open the Jo-An Burdick Dance, Baton, Music and Modeling Studio in Anaheim at Lemon and Broadway. Younger sister Linda Burdick, AHS Class of 1962, taught baton twirling, ballroom, ballet and tap at the studio; her mother was the receptionist and costume designer.

In 1960, Jo An married orchestra leader, clarinet and sax musician Bernard Gottlieb, known professionally as Bernie Bernard. A musical contractor for Disneyland in ‘60s and ‘70s, Bernie’s 30-piece orchestra backed major stars for Disneyland’s special summer season performances. Bernie also played for The Righteous Brothers’ Bobby Hatfield (an Anaheim High grad) & Bill Medley, Engelbert Humperdinck, Peggy Lee, Kay Star, Vicki Carr, Phyllis Diller, George Gobel, The Osmond Family and The Jackson 5. Jo remembers holding Michel Jackson on her lap during their Disneyland appearance.

Along with being beautiful and talented, Jo An also had brains. Upon graduating from CSU Fullerton in December 1979 with a bachelor’s of science in physical education, she went on to obtain her California teaching credential and became a physical education teacher at Fullerton High, introducing yoga and jazz dance to the curriculum. Jo also earned a real estate license and pilot’s license.

The couple still lives in Anaheim and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary April 9th, 2010. Now in her 70s, Jo An’s life is still filled with activity.

She cares for her beloved husband and enjoys time with her two children. Son Mike is senior computer engineer with Experion, and daughter Dr. Shannon Gottlieb Dominguez lives in Maui with her husband Robert. Jo has been a member and judge of the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Judging Association for more than 55 years. She presently volunteers weekly at Anaheim Family Justice Center, so the ride continues.

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Elizabeth “Liz” Lohman Novack – Class of 1971

May 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
AUHSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Novack

An unwavering commitment to ensuring that every student succeeds and a long track record of maintaining positive relationships with the community led to the selection of Class of ’71 graduate Elizabeth “Liz” Lohman Novack as superintendent of the Anaheim Union High School District.

Her connection to Anaheim schools, besides being a graduate of Anaheim High, includes serving as assistant principal of Dale Junior High School and principal of Walker Junior High School.

While at Anaheim High, she was an exemplary student who participated in numerous activities, including serving as a section editor of the yearbook and as a member of the Cheer Squad, Safety & Welfare Club, the Senior Executive Committee, Press Club, Pep Club and Girls’ Athletic Association.

“I can personally attest that this is a great district with a long history of excellence, and I’m thrilled to realize a lifelong dream and come back as superintendent,” said Dr. Novack, who most recently served as assistant superintendent of human resources in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.

In Newport-Mesa, Dr. Novack was one of Superintendent Jeffrey Hubbard’s top advisers. He said Dr. Novack was instrumental in developing a service-oriented culture in the district. Dr. Hubbard also cited Dr. Novack’s contributions to the district’s Leadership Institute, a two-year program that develops in-house talent. Dr. Novack single handedly created and implemented the intensive program, which recently resulted in a teacher being hired directly from the classroom as a principal.

Dr. Novack began her 34-year career in education as an elementary teacher in the Downey Unified School District. She worked as a secondary science and health teacher in Chino Unified before coming to the AUHSD in that capacity. After her tenure as an administrator in the AUHSD, the spent the next six years as associate superintendent of human resources and instruction in the Cypress School District.

She also has served as an adjunct professor in the teacher preparation and credential programs at Cal State Long Beach and UC Irvine. Before assuming the job in Newport-Mesa, Dr. Novack was Cal State Long Beach’s University Ombuds, serving as an independent, neutral resource for informal problem-solving for the entire university community.

Dr. Novack received her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and her master’s degree in educational administration from Cal State Fullerton. She received her doctorate in education from Claremont Graduate University.

“I am a daughter of the Anaheim Union High School District, and I am who I am in large part because of the district I am about to serve,” the new superintendent said. “I look forward to a long, productive tenure as your superintendent and working together to enhance the legacy of the Anaheim Union High School District.”

http://www.examiner.com/public-schools-in-anaheim/novack-named-new-superintendent-of-anaheim-union-high-school-district

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Cassie Miller – Voice Heard Around the Globe

August 29, 2011 By 1 Comment

Cassie Miller’s Anaheim High teachers and classmates always knew she would hit the big time. A natural, Cassie was a star member of the school’s choir and a featured vocalist in theater productions throughout her time at Anaheim High and Fremont Junior High.

Now she’s touring the world and performing for audiences that number in the thousands, making stops along the way at Carnegie Hall, recording studios, TV and film sets.

But Cassie hasn’t forgotten her hometown roots. She performed for the Sept. 11 Service and Remembrance sponsored by the City of Anaheim to remember victims of the 9/11 terrorists attacks, including AHS Class of ’67 grad Charles “Chic” Burlingame, the pilot for American Airlines Flight #77, which was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon.

Returning home to sing for another Anaheim audience has brought Cassie full circle in a career that started immediately upon graduating in 1978 from Anaheim High when she joined the Knott’s Berry Sisters trio. She also paid her dues singing on cruise ships and performing in various shows at Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland.

Cassie’s big break came when she began singing background and touring with Perry Como and Andy Williams. She stills considers sharing the stage with these legendary singers a career highlight and “a dream come true.”

Cassie said she found her forte when she began singing with a local big band in Long beach in 1984. This experience ignited her love for the swing era. Since then she has worked with many ghost bands and swing bands including the Harry James, Jimmy Dorsey, Glenn Miller orchestras and others.

Her most recent tour was a departure from the big band genre as a background singer for Supertramp. She recently returned from a tour in France, performing for an audience of 77,000 people.

Other career highlights including doing her own solo tour of jazz clubs overseas, singing with John Lithgow at Carnegie Hall and being “Big Band Singer of the Year” by the LA Music Awards.

Her song styling has brought her wide acclaim from many entertainers including Gregory Peck, Jimmy Stewart, Placido Domingo, Jerry Lewis and Liza Minelli.

Cassie has also appeared in commercials and print ads for such companies such as IBM, Chrysler and others that have aired all over the US and other parts of the world.

Still she is drawn to her Anaheim roots and shared an interesting part of her life. “My parents adopted me when I was a few days old. I ended up finding my birthparents and siblings, only to discover that my birthfather had also gone to Anaheim High and I went to junior high with one of my half-sisters, but never knew it at the time. My birthfather and I both had the same music director, Sheldon Disrud, who is still living.”

More about Cassie, including her schedule of appearances, can be found at www.CassieMiller.net.

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Frank Kellogg – Class of ’44 Honors Grad Day, D-Day 67 Years Later – June 7, 2011

June 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Remembering D-Day graduation at Pearson Park

 

http://www.ocregister.com/news/classmates-303511-kellogg-day.html

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