GCCCD Grapevine
Volume 4, Number1 April, 1994
Harold Hughes, District's First
Superintendent, Dies
Harold G. Hughes, 87, first superintendent of what was then called Grossmont Community College District, died of bone cancer on February 20 in Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii.
Harold moved to this area in the 1930's and taught chemistry at Grossmont High. He served in the Navy during World War II, where he achieved the rank of commander. In the post-war years he eventually became associate superintendent of the Grossmont High School District. As the district's chief financial officer, he helped engineer the building of nine high schools, beginning with Helix.
He was appointed superintendent of the Grossmont College District in 1961 where he served until his retirement in 1969. He and his wife Doris then moved to Kauai in order to be close to their only child, John, who was attending the University of Hawaii. Tragically, John died in a hang gliding accident in 1974.
Their home in Kauai had been hit twice by hurricanes. They had just moved back into their rebuilt home following its destruction by Hurricane Iniki in 1992 (see "Of Interest..." in Grapevine, Oct., 1993).
Harold is survived by his wife, Doris.
Three Administrators to Leave Posts
The Vice-Chancellor of Business Services, Andrew DeCraene, appointed in September,1993, will be retiring because of health problems, effective the end of this April. Dr. Carl Clark, Dean of Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, will be replaced, effective June 30. The position of Director of Personnel, now held by Dr. Stan Flandi, is being eliminated, effective June 30.
New President at Cuyamaca
College 
Dr. Sherrill Amador
The Governing Board appointed Dr. Sherrill Amador as the new president of Cuyamaca College, effective March 1. She replaces Dr. Sam Ciccati, who retired from the presidency of Cuyamaca College last June. Since that time, Chancellor Jeanne Atherton has performed most of those duties, assisted by the vice president of Cuyamaca College, Dr. Paul Boatner.
Dr. Amador's 28 years of community college experience include teaching at Southwestern college in Chula Vista, and later serving there as Dean of the Business Division. Since 1989 she has served as Vice President of Instruction at Cyprus College in Orange County.
GCCCD Board Selects New
Member 
Victor Calderon
The GCCCD Governing Board appointed Victor M. Calderon, a La Mesan who is a managing partner in an accountancy corporation, to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Z. Dean Parks. He had been a trustee on the board of Imperial Valley Community College District for ten years, serving two terms there as board president. Calderon, 62, also holds lifetime certification as a community college instructor, serves on the California State Board of Accountancy, and is on the Board of Directors of the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce. His term will run through November, 1994.
Calderon was chosen at the November 16 Board Meeting after three hours of interviews with six finalists chosen from fifteen candidates. His presentation to the Board made evident his extensive knowledge of problems facing the District and his strong commitment to solving them.
Editor's Comments
Tom Scanlan
One of the administrative changes referred to on the previous page involves Dr. Stan Flandi, someone who's been an ally and spokesperson for GCCCD retirees. Stan served for many years on committees working for retiree benefits, including the SIRP II (Supplemental Income Retirement Plan, number 2; the first such plan was in 1985-86) committee, set up in 1988 by Grossmont College president Dr. Ivan Jones. That committee gained early retirement incentives for many of us in 1990, as well as additional retiree benefits for all retirees, past and future. Stan continued to help after Dr. Jones' retirement in 1990 by chairing a post-SIRP committee made up of previous, now retired committee members. That committee met frequently on matters relating to retiree benefits through December, 1991. Stan hosted retiree breakfasts since their inception and his office has provided funding for printing and mailing the Grapevine. I'm not sure what Stan's plans are after this June, but I'd like to thank him at this time for all that he has done for GCCCD retirees.
Someone else I'd like to thank at this time is John Dixon, the photographer at IMC (what we used to call the library and audio-visual area) at Grossmont College. He's taken most of the photographs that have appeared in Grapevine over the years and has always taken the time to see that the ones we need are made available.
Something special in this issue. Three retirees agreed to write letters commenting on why they moved out of state after retirement. I think you'll find them interesting, regardless of your feelings toward California. I hope some of you respond with a letter of your own, on this or any other topic which you'd like to share with other retirees.
In closing, there's probably no one reading this newsletter who didn't know Harold Hughes. My earliest memories are of Harold standing in the front of Room 220 at the first general meeting of each Academic year, commenting on how bad the district's financial situation looked (he should have seen the years since 1990).
Rosemarie and I had the good fortune to visit him and Doris during our trip to Kauai in 1975. Their home was perched on a ridge overlooking a lush, green valley sparsely populated by cattle farmers. There were no "next-door" neighbors, as I recall. Really out in the boondocks, but lovely. We visited into the wee hours of the night, much of our conversation dealing with what was happening at the college since he'd retired. He never stopped caring.
Harold's life's work touched thousands, especially students and teachers in this part of the county. It is a remarkable and wonderful legacy.
Four Retirees Published in Cowles Mt. Journal
The 1993 edition of the Cowles Mountain Journal, a GCCCD arts and literature journal, contained articles, photo art and short stories by four retirees. Carol Baker (English, Grossmont ,1990) published a photo, Ernie Neveu (Biology, Grossmont, 1992) a short essay, Tom Scanlan (Physics/Astronomy, Grossmont, 1990) a short story, and Don Scouller (Telecommunications, Grossmont, 1986) a short story.
This was the sixth edition of this very classy looking journal, which publishes work by active and retired district employees. Categories include sculpture, ceramics, photography, poetry, short stories and essays. There were a total of 43 submissions in this issue. Details on submissions and the submission deadline will be announced in the next issue of the Grapevine.
Richard Lantz Joins Ranks of
Emeriti 
Richard Lantz
The GCCCD Board bestowed Professor Emeritus rank on Richard Lantz at their regular meeting on November 2, 1993. Professor Lantz taught biology at Grossmont College from 1968 until his retirement in 1992.
There are rigid criteria which must be met in order to qualify for this honor, which include not only exceptional professional achievement, but also exceptional service to the college. These qualifications are verified by a Faculty Senate committee, and then the nomination must be approved by the Faculty Senate before being submitted to the GCCCD Board for their approval. Two of the trustees, Rebecca Clark and Ron Kraft had taken his classes and commented on how much they had learned from and enjoyed the classes. Congratulations, Dick.
Notices
The date, time and place of the annual district party (usually held in May) were not available at the time Grapevine went to press. If you're interested in attending, please call Alba Orr at Grossmont College, 465-1700, ext. 146.
The Grapevine Voice Memo number has changed from 3158 to 3800.
Retirees Write: (Because of space limitations, the following are excerpts)
Peggy Paul writes
from Olathe, Kansas:
Peggy Paul
Because our children were scattered in Chino, Spokane and Olathe, we decided to leave the crowded freeways and expensive Southern California lifestyle for a place less hectic. We had always thought we'd retire nearer both our families in Tennessee or Alabama, but decided we might be of help with the medical problems of our daughter and grandson in Kansas.
We had learned on several visits that the area met most of our criteria for a retirement place. We wanted to be close enough to a major airport in case of emergencies, and Kansas City International is about 45 minutes away on a nearly new inter-state that is almost devoid of traffic compared to San Diego's freeways. Major hospitals are in Kansas City—both Kansas and Missouri—but we were pleasantly surprised to learn that nearby Olathe Medical Center is of first-rate quality. Olathe itself is still small enough to have a friendly, small-town feel and it is rarely necessary to present a driver's license to cash a check. There are a number of excellent universities and community colleges in the region.
Kansas is not the flat, uninteresting country many people imagine it to be. At least here in the northeastern part of the state, there are a few rolling hills and Olathe is one of the designated "Tree City, USA" towns. The weather seems to be as unpredictable as it was in San Diego. Olathe is some 20 miles southwest of Kansas City, and for some reason, most of the worst snowstorms and thunderstorms seem to skirt to the north or south of us.
Our front yard looks out over the 18th tee of the public golf course, with Lake Olathe in the background. Behind us is a pasture and wildlife refuge. We have only one neighbor and the golf course clubhouse.
Housing is much cheaper here than in San Diego, with decent resale homes to be had for $80,000-$150,000. We were unpleasantly surprised when we received our first property tax bill from Olathe. Annual property taxes here are roughly $2400 on the house we paid $115,000 three years ago. On the other hand, we have enjoyed sprawling out in this large home with its full, finished walk-out basement, four bedrooms and baths, large family room, two fireplaces, office, sewing room, and even a tiny kitchen area downstairs.
More on the negative side, because my retirement is based on income earned in California, it is subject to a "source tax". Even though none of our income (retirement, investments/rentals) is earned in Kansas, we still have to file here as well as pay difference that results from subtracting what we pay in California taxes from the higher Kansas rate.
In spite of these surprises, we are both glad we chose Olathe. For those of you who may be contemplating a move, let me say, "Yes, there is life after Southern California." The weather has not been nearly as bad as we anticipated, and the seasonal changes have more than made up for any inconvenient weather.
I hope to see you and other retirees
at the Alumni dinner/auction next November.
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Fred Stollenwerk writes
from Vancouver, Washington:
Fred Stollenwerk
Janis and I are convinced that our move to the Northwest was a good one. The strongest negative is the loss of proximity to old and dear friends. We did have to make some adjustments, however, to a four season climate.
By living in Vancouver, we have the advantage both of Washington (no income tax) and of Oregon (no sales tax). Incidentally, vehicle registration costs seem higher than in California, but are offset by lower insurance rates.
We ourselves have not experienced any anti-Californian sentiment, probably because we quietly became part of a suburban neighborhood. Day-to-day shopping is convenient; medical care (Kaiser) is only a few minutes away; downtown Portland is handy; and the airport is an easy run. Moreover, we very quickly can get to open country—farms, rivers and mountains.
Vancouver, for its size (70,000), is very quiet; the "action" is in Portland (365,000) across the Columbia River. So, within a half-hour we can go from waterfalls to busy metropolis.
One main factor in our leaving Southern California was to reduce our cost-of-living, particularly in housing (median price=about $115,000). The cost of groceries, etc., averages about the same as in the sunny Southland, except for liquor.
Janis and I spend much of our time
working around the house; she gardens and I haul dirt or pound nails.
We do miss our friends, yes, but we are pleased with our new environment.
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Don Scouller writes
from Tucson, Arizona:
Don Scouller
When I told my friends that Joan and I were moving to Arizona, many of them were appalled. "The desert...away from the ocean? How could you!!? San Diego is the garden spot of the U.S. !" Well, we knew that. After all, we moved there in 1954 with no friends, no jobs and no prospects. But it isn't the only garden in the U.S. and we were ready for a radical change in our lives. So after a search extending from Vancouver Island to the Ozarks we settled on Sun City Tucson. We were looking for a lifestyle that reflected our maturity and vitality.
Our home is a delight with plenty of room for entertaining and hobbies. When I step out to pick up the morning paper I look up at the 9200 feet snowy peaks of the Santa Catalina Mountains that loom over our valley. This area of high Sonoran Desert is so rich that I want to use the oxymoronic term "lush desert".
We live in a community better called "an active resort for seniors" than a "retirement community". Our monthly activity sheet features 66 regularly scheduled events ranging from ART to YOGA. Joan is in the Ladies Bridge, chorale, tap dancers, bocce, travel club, ceramics, water aerobics, and has completed training as a Docent at the Arizona Historical Society. I am in Bocce, Computer Club, travel club, Great Books club, modelers club, photo club, scrabble, woodcarvers, and writers group. We are both in the gourmet group, the ballroom dance club, and the sheriff's posse. I also became a volunteer with the Community Hospice. We swim in an Olympic-size heated pool. even in the 60 degree mid-day weather we have enjoyed this winter.
Of course we miss our friends in San Diego. But we have an expanding circle of friends here that enjoy theater, movies, opera, and the symphony with us, and those performances are just as good as in San Diego.
But the heat in summer! Ah, yes, it does get hot, over 105° seven times last summer, and over 100° twenty-eight days in a row. But our house is designed for this climate with R-30 roof, R-19 walls, and double-glazed tinted thermal windows. On the hottest July-August days we turn on the air-conditioner at 10:00 AM and turn it off an hour after sundown. Ceiling fans coupled with low humidity brings us shirt-sleeve comfort during the warm months, and when the sun sets the temperature drops rapidly.
We have never had a hot, sticky night! There are many good HMO's and the University of Arizona has attracted above average medical services here, just as UCSD had enhanced the medical community in San Diego.
Oh yes, the crime rate here in Sun City Vistosa is among the lowest in the nation. It is about 80 miles to the U.S./Mexican border, so there aren't the swarms of illegals here in Tucson, although Nogales has some problems. I guess I should mention that new housing costs are about 60% of the price for similar homes in San Diego, while older homes are somewhat less, and the average time-to-sell is about 67 days.
Was this a good move for us? We think so. As someone recently said, "If you can't be happy here, you'll probably be unhappy anyplace."
Eight more retirees join our ranks. They are Mary
Alt, Andrew McCraene, Marcy Diehl,
Kathryn Fortinash, Lillyan Jonas, Lana Lima, Stephen Luther and Donna
Stone.