Gold for the golden

The 50th reunion celebration for the Newport Harbor High Class of

‘52 is less than two months away, but a boost of high energy is being

felt, according to chairman Don Huber.

The dinner itself will be staged at the Balboa Pavilion Sept. 7,

with a no-host bar open at 6 p.m.

Huber said, “We hope to have at least 125 attending.”

He said the colorful program calls for visiting Heritage Hall, the

Maritime Museum and taking a bay cruise the day following the reunion

dinner.

Sports highlights are increasing as staff covers the long list of

top personalities. It will include three ’49 sophomore stars, guard

Gino Boero, fullback Don Aarvold and tackle Scott McClellan, from the

‘49 varsity, a team that went 8-1 and scored 323 points. The ace soph

halfback from that time, Bill Kindell, is missing.

Two other noteworthy names have emerged lately, which features the

‘48 student body president, Don McCallum, and his partner, Jay

Carlisle, Class of ‘52, from Tahiti.

Years ago they established a popular coastal paradise in Tahiti

and it was once covered by Life Magazine.

Carlisle once served on Harbor High swim teams while McCallum

played varsity football in 1946-47 under Wendell Pickens. He recalls

great amusement from his low hurdle track years.

In reflecting back, McCallum said he won a third-place medal in

the Sunset League finals. It spurred his energy because the two ahead

of him were seniors. He dreamed of first place as a junior.

Trouble was, something didn’t click right, but he won a

fourth-place medal as a junior.

Again, all those ahead of him were seniors and would be

graduating. Hence, he sensed No. 1 was just over the hills. This

time, the league chose to award five medals and McCallum, a senior,

felt more encouraged at the start. However, looking back with a laugh

at himself, he said, “I wound up fifth.”

Two outstanding basketball players are expected, Daily Pilot

Sports Hall of Famer Armand Nettles, who made all-league and All-CIF

in ‘52, and star guard Jim Roberts.

Interestingly enough, the champion Dee basketball team that year

at 17-1, featured two future hardwood standouts, Paul Neumann, who

went to the Syracuse Nationals, and Dennis Fitzpatrick, who led Cal

to the college finals title in ’59.

Huber said, “We know of folks coming from Florida, Illinois,

Missouri, Nevada and from all over California.” He was pleased to

report that the music will come from the Estace Rojas Band. He is a

former Harbor High and OCC orchestra leader.

The best time to call Huber is in the evening at home and the

number is (714) 456-2120.

It was interesting to note from Rex Bell, Class of ‘52, that his

late brother, Jack, was honored on a high level last month.

He indicated that an estimated 300 came to attend the services and

former Newport grid coach Al Irwin delivered the eulogy. He coached

both the Bells in football and swimming over the years.

A correction of note: In a recent column dealing with the late

George Mickelwait, one-time Harbor High grid star, we had mentioned

that his nephew, Bob Ogle, a one-time collegiate tennis star out of

Newport Harbor, was president of the Balboa Bay Club. It was a

misunderstanding, but Ogle has worked at the Bay Club as a tennis pro

for years.

He once played tennis, upon request of the Secret Service, to have

tennis with then-President George Bush. His son, George W., is the

present president.

During a recent interview with former pro football linebacker

Cliff Livingston, he had recalled one of the truly outstanding

achievements by his older brother, Howie, when he was playing in the

early ‘40s for the New York Giants and Washington Redskins.

Don Hutson, one of the all-time great receivers in pro football,

often had little trouble working himself free to spear passes against

any rival. Not true when he faced Howie.

Both Livingstons were giants on defense and were deeply respected

by all.

Howie started college ball at Fullerton while Cliff chose to

attend Orange Coast.

Looking back on a warm note, Cliff said his No. 1 supporter was

his mother. “She was a quiet person and my dad was very quiet. We

boys had to toe the mark,” he said.

He had two younger brothers, twins Larry and Terry. Larry advanced

to become a teacher at Huntington Beach High, while Terry opted for

Canadian football.