"INTERESTING/UNUSUAL QUESTIONS/COMMENTS CONCERNING CATALINA ISLAND"

From March 10, 2014-March 16, 2017, when I was "Catalina's Official Greeter", through the Catalina Chamber Of Commerce, I answered 64,590 questions from the cruise ships' and cross channel boats' passengers.  That amounts to greeting approximately 650,000 visitors!  Here are some of the inquiries I had to address (additional ones, www.catalinaislandman.com):

"Here I am stuck in Avalon and I wanted to go to Catalina Island!"

"Is the sunrise the same time here as it is on the Mainland?"

Getting off the cruise ship and looking toward Avalon, "Is THIS all the town there is!?!"

Overhead this while watching our "Halloween Parade":  "This was really great, but from where did they import all of the kids?"

"Do you have any ants on the Island?"

 

START MAKING YOUR "NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS"

1.  Pick up your own trash and at least one other's each day.  I saw a wonderful friend walking up to Hog's Back picking up trash in a plastic bag.  I know she doesn't want any credit for it, but her initials are K. O.

2.  Pick up your dog's poop and keep them leashed (not the poop, but the dogs) when outside.  IT IS THE LAW!

3.  Return your grocery carts to the front of Von's after you have loaded your stuff in your vehicles.  All of these carts along Metropole are making is look really trashy!

4.  Thank those who work to keep our town looking as good as it is.  IMAGINE IF THEY DIDN'T!  They deserve acknowledgement and praise from ALL of us!

5.  Offer to give a ride to those of us who are walking up hills with groceries and/or baggage, even if you don't know us!

6.  Invite locals who are having tough financial and/or personal issues to share dinner with you and your family.  NOT just for the holidays, but all year round.  Great way to get to know each other better.

7.  Support as many local programs as possible!  We are SO LUCKY to have dedicated Islanders who bring SO MUCH to us and we need to show our interest or THEY WILL STOP!

(other suggestions appreciated!  chuckliddell.catalina@gmail.com)

 

ADVICE FOR GETTING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS!

I am one of those who has A LOT OF TROUBLE getting through from Halloween to New Years and have found over the years that concentrating on others and NOT myself is one of the keys to the answer.  Here are some things that I have ENJOYED doing recently.

1.  Volunteered to help out with the "Christmas Bird Count For Kids" put on by the Conservancy.  There were 10 kids, 3-12; 12 parents; 4 volunteers; and 4 bird enthusiasts.  In all, approximately 90 birds and 30 species were observed.  GREAT FUN!  Something WONDERFUL came out of it.  I drove one of the vehicles and had 3 young boys and their mother with me.  When I brought them back to Avalon, the boys came up to me and THANKED ME FOR DRIVING THEM INTO THE INTERIOR!  Boy, THAT MADE MY DAY AND HOLIDAY!  THANKS!

2.  Worked with GREAT friends to help serve 100's of hot Christmas Dinners through the Community Church!  Don't know how many were served, but at least 60 were taken directly to those who are confined to their homes!  FELT SO MUCH THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS:  TO SERVE THOSE IN NEED!

3.  Even with my BAD VOICE, I can't wait to join old and new friends for the yearly "Community Christmas Sing Along" at the Catholic Church today!  SO MUCH FUN AND ENTHUSIASM!

4.  Still 10 days left until New Year's.  Any other suggestions?  chuckliddell.catalina@gmail.com

 

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON THE OCEAN

Last week I shared my deep feelings for the ocean (this and other past columns, www.catalinaislandman.com) and how it sometimes proved to be my ONLY FRIEND!  I would like to share some more experiences I have had with this "basis for all life".

I have been "told" that I started swimming at around 18 months!  As our ocean on the leeward side is so calm, my folks would simply put me down near the water's edge and "let me do my thing".  That translated into just getting used to the feeling of the water and then adventuring out by crawling to the edge, getting splashed, crawling away, crawling back, over and over until I decided to venture into the aqua!  For some reason, I have ALWAYS enjoyed swimming more like a dolphin (my FAVORITE animal) UNDER the water, than above.  This served me well when I eventually decided to become a coin diver. My friend,  "Duke" Fishman, nick named me "Champ" for my swimming prowess and took credit for teaching me this art, as he had for countless others.  Unfortunately, for once, I will have to disagree with him as he really didn't have much to do with it, except encouragement which, I guess, is pretty significant in itself!

Two of my favorite ocean experiences occurred in 1979 and 2002.  This first encounter was when I went on a South Pacific Cruise with my father, Orval, just a short time before he passed away in March, 1981.  He had ALWAYS wanted to go on this adventure with me and my brother, but as my brother, Bill, had committed suicide in January, 1974, Dad thought he would NEVER be able to go, especially when he had suffered a major stroke and heart attack.  BUT GO WE WENT!  What totally AMAZED me, as we approached some of these remarkable islands (the BEST way to approach Islands in by sea, if you are able) was seeing waves breaking miles away from any land!  I was not familiar with "reefs", as we don't have them occurring very often around our Channel Islands.  These phenomenons of nature were majestic and so "out of place" that I would gaze at them longer than I want to admit.

The second amazing experience occurred when I went to Nome, Alaska, 2002, with two wonderful friends, Hal Franks, and Carolyn Bostrom Renton, to experience the world famous "Iditarod Dog Sled Race" (by the way, Carolyn turned 96 years young in August.  She always said that she was born old, "but youthing every year"!  To see her, I DON'T DISAGREE!).  While everyone else was standing around waiting for the magnificent dog teams to arrive at the finish line, I discovered that the Bering Sea had frozen over (it was March) and so I could experience literally "walking on the water!"  I was warned NOT to venture out alone, as the chances of falling through the snow 40 feet to the ocean below might occur and a need for backup to pull me out would be necessary.  As I couldn't find anyone crazy enough to go with me, I had to take my chances!  REMARKABLE EXPERIENCE, BUT DON'T DO IT ALONE!  A couple of times I sank to my waist, but was able to free myself.  WOULDN'T TRY IT AGAIN UNAIDED!  I would like to hear about your ocean experiences and would love to share them in this column, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

"INTERESTING/UNUSUAL QUESTIONS/COMMENTS CONCERNING CATALINA ISLAND"

 

From March 10, 2014-March 16, 2017, when I was "Catalina's Official Greeter", through the Catalina Chamber Of Commerce, I answered 64,590 questions from the cruise ships' and cross channel boats' passengers.  That amounts to greeting approximately 650,000 visitors!  Here are some of the inquiries I had to address (additional ones, www.catalinaislandman.com):

I saw a cruise ship passenger carrying some trash and looking for a trash can.  She went up to one and tried to dump it there, but was pushing against the closed side.  She yelled to a friend, "This must be a mail box!"  She then went a few feet away to another trash can, exactly the same, and this one she put her trash into.

"Do people who live on the Island eat in restaurants?"

"Oh, look, they use United States stamps here!"

"I heard if you don't behave, your picture is taken and you're kicked off the Island!"

"Do you have a police force here or do you just do whatever you feel like?"

 

"I WAS BORN HERE!"

 

An older woman got off the cruise ship and came up to me when she saw my sign.  She had lived here years ago, but was only now returning for a visit.  She really wanted to reminisce and, of course, I wanted to help her enjoy her memories.  Somewhere in the conversation I mentioned that I was born on the Island.  She looked at me in a strange way and asked, "What year?"  "1947", I said.  "No you weren't!"  "No I wasn't  WHAT!?!"  "No, you weren't born here in 1947!"  "Yes, I was, where the library, court house, and sheriff's office is now, 215 Sumner!"  "NO, YOU WEREN'T!"  "I was born May 24, 1947, 3:55am and my doctor was Lawrence Braslow!"  "NO!"  "Why do you say I WASN'T born here!?!"  "I was living here in 1947 and I DON'T REMEMBER YOU!"  I hesitated for a moment.  I wanted to say, "Boy, lady, you are OLD", but obviously refrained, as I knew my job as "greeter" would be terminated IMMEDIATELY.  I then smiled at her and said, "You know, Mom was VERY PROTECTIVE of me my first couple of months and I really didn't get out a lot.  I guess I just didn't socially hang out with the same crowd as you did!"  End of conversation and she left, pondering!

 

With talk of a "new" hospital being planned to replace our present one, I thought that this would be a good time to share our Island's medical history.  Many people, including most Islanders, think that there was only ONE hospital built before our present one at 100 Falls Canyon Road.  They refer to the "Banning Hospital", where I referred to the cruise ship passenger where I was born.  It was built in 1923.  What only a few people know, and now you are included, is that the first one was built in 1912 and it was on the third floor of the three story building that still stands, 122-126 Sumner, better known as "Abe's Liquor Store" and "The Locker Room", the Perluss Building.  On the first floor was the first movie/theatrical theater, "Sumner Street Theater"/"Strand Theatre".  The second floor were the doctors offices:  Drs. Chapman, Baker, and Lanchely, and the one running the hospital on the top story, Mrs. Mary E. Thislewhite.  The facilities were used until 1922.

When the Banning Brothers, William, Hancock, and Joseph, purchased the island from the Lick Estate in 1892, they set up residences around the Island.  Two homes were built at the present location of the Court House, Sheriff's Department, and Library.  One was the home for Judge Joseph Banning and was located up against the alley that runs next to what USED to be "Mr. Ning's Chinese Restaurant" (BOY, I STILL MISS THAT PLACE) and the "Atwater Building".  The second home, next door and up Sumner from the Banning Home, was built for George Patton, Sr. and his family, including the future General George Patton, Jr.  The Bannings and Pattons were friends in Pasadena and George, Sr. was asked to become one of the founding board members of the "Santa Catalina Island Co." (now called "Catalina Island Co.) in 1894.

When Catalina was purchased by William Wrigley, Jr. in 1919, the Bannings and Pattons left the Island and the Banning home was converted into the hospital in 1923.  The facilities were transferred from the original one just down and across the street.  Those of us who were born in this house from 1923-58 have the distinction of being "birthed" in the "Banning House".

Years later, right after WWII, Dr. Lawrence Braslow took over the facility.   I had planned to make a VERY SPECIAL picture on my 50th birthday.  I was hoping  to have my Mom, Betty, Dr. Braslow, and myself stand at the location on May 24, 1997, 3:55am, and say, "I KNOW WHERE THESE THREE WERE ON THIS DATE 50 YEARS AGO", but very unfortunately, Dr. Braslow passed away in 1996!

I shared MANY interesting conversations with him over the years after he no longer ran the hospital, as he and his wife owned a home on Clarissa.  He once shared with me, "Of course you know, Chuck,  you were born in a "CONDEMNED building!"  "That's impossible!  You delivered me in the hospital here!"  With a smile of that of a child who had stolen the last cookie in the jar, he explained to me that almost from the beginning of his position as administrator and chief practicing doctor in the hospital, the building was definitely old and needed many repairs and upgrading that neither he nor the City of Avalon could afford.  Every year of team from the Hospital Health Review Department would come over on the steamer, be greeted by Dr. Braslow and his wife, Edithmore, and taken to the facility.  After looking it over, they would declare it unsuitable for use as a hospital and would post a "CONDEMNED" sign on the door.  The Braslows would then escort this team to the steamer, with big smiles, wave "good-bye" to them, go back to the hospital, tear down the sign, and continue to conduct the medical practice until the next team returned the following year.   This "performance" was repeated every year!  Dr. Braslow would explain, "We had no choice!  After all, the hospital was already 24 years old when you were born there and the Banning home went back another 55 years. It was never built to be a hospital!"

The building was finally torn down in 1958, but the present hospital wasn't built until 1960.  Catalina  had no hospital facility for two years.  Those born during that two year "gap" were born in the "Clinic", next to where the "Unloved Gift Shop" now stands, between Sumner and Metropole.  Dr. Calise conducted his dental practice there for a number of years.  The Island Company has now taken it over for their office needs.

Dr. Braslow, among his many other accomplishments, made a very interesting contribution to movie history (see if you can figure out  the title of the movie before I get to the end of this column.  READ IT SLOWLY so you can see how many bits of information it will take before you can figure it out!)  1)  A major movie studio was planning to make an epic movie in 1939.  2) There was a "birthing scene" in the film that was very important.  3)  The heroine, unfortunately, had never been a mother and needed to know what the process was like.  (guess it yet?)  The good doctor was a young intern working at the Los Angeles County Hospital in the maternity ward and so the studio assigned him to work with this young starlet to see what "birthing babies" would be like for her to emulate in the film.  (come on, you must have guessed it by now!)  4) The movie studio was MGM.  5) The innocent young actress was Olivia de Havilland (who, by the way, celebrated her 101st birthday.  She had a famous actress sister by the name of Joan Fontaine and they loathed each other).  6) All together, "GONE WITH THE WIND"!!!  I guess that those of us who were delivered by Dr. Lawrence Braslow could "stretch" the facts "a bit" and say that we were delivered by the doctor responsible for the "birthing of a baby" in that famous film.

A few years later, during WWII, Dr. Braslow was stationed in a war zone and, believe it or not, by pure coincidence, he was assigned to escort a now VERY FAMOUS actress, who was visiting with the USO group, none other than Miss de Havilland!  No one knew about their earlier connection and they enjoyed sharing stories about their involvement in the movie.

WITH ALL OF THIS INFORMATION, TREAT YOURSELF TO A CUP OF COFFEE AND A DONUT!

(If you want to read any of my other column submissions, www.catalinaislandman.com.  If you would like to contact me directly, chuckliddell.catalina@gmail.com).

"INTERESTING/UNUSUAL QUESTIONS/COMMENTS CONCERNING CATALINA" (for additional ones, www.catalinaislandman.com):

"I don't want to pay sales tax.  This is a 'Duty Free Port', isn't it?"

"Where is the train station?"  The cruise ship had just blown it's whistle.

"WHY do you keep saying you are part of Los Angeles County?  THAT IS REDICULOUS!  There is an ocean between you and California!"

"I've heard that people aren't allowed to give birth to babies on the Island.  Are people allowed to die here?"

Looking at the Casino:  "Is that an aquarium building?"

 

HOLIDAY TREAT

So far my best holiday "treat" was to go see the classic 1946 film, "It's A Wonderful Life", put on the Catalina Island Museum on Saturday, December 9.  Like so many others, I suffer from deep holiday depression, but this magical afternoon broke me out of my doldrums!  First, our local students, under the direction of Kris Wallace Breese, joined the "McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts" students, some of them had performed for the Museum's silent movie, "Petty Pan" months ago.  WHAT A DELIGHT TO SEE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE PUT ON SUCH A FUN AND ENTHUSIASTIC PERFORMANCE!  Then came my FAVORITE movie, not just Christmas movie, BUT ALL TIME FAVORITE, "It's A Wonderful Life", starring Jimmy Steward, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore, directed by Frank Capra.  I won't spoil the plot for those of you who haven't had the uplifting experience of seeing it, but it was the movie that EVERYONE SHOULD SEE, at least once a year, and whenever a "reality check" booster shot is needed.  I was feeling very depressed going to the showing and luckily a dear friend asked to sit next to me, which was perfect, as she needed some answers to one of her business directions.  Two quotes came out of the movie that seemed to be placed there just for me:  "Each man touches so many lives.  When he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?" and "No one is a failure who has friends."  I only wish that more had been there to see it in our beautiful Casino Theatre.  We are SO BLESSED on Catalina to have such wonderful programs provided for us, but, unfortunately, many are poorly attended.  Don't complain about being "isolated" here from great activities such as this and then not support them!  By the way, "Chihuly" will be ending today, 5pm, after a remarkably long and successful run, since March 26!  I will be working in the "Seaform Room" and will see it end.

 

MY TRIBUTE TO THE OCEAN

 

When someone is born on an Island, especially a smaller one like Catalina, I think something unique happens to that " Native Islander".  Not only are you born surrounded by water in the womb, but also surrounded by water in your outside environment.  You get deeply attached to the ocean, as I have been.  What I am about to share, is not documented, but simply a "gut reaction".  I am SURE that there are those who will question my conclusion, but I guess that this is the benefit of having a weekly column.  Attention, my good friend, Dr. Wendy Teeter.  I will print any thoughts you might have on the subject.

The "Tongva" natives who inhabited the four southern Channel Islands, first appeared around 10,000 years ago. Catalina was called "Pemu". From all indications, these approximately 2500 inhabitants on our island were considered a bit "special" among the other 7 nearby islands and their life style depended primarily on their water existence, which would be considered idyllic even by today's standards.  When they were forced off the Island by the Spanish Missionaries around 1803, due to disputes over sea otters with Russian fur trappers and directly by Aleutian Eskimos (YES, REALLY), and plagues caused by the European diseased introduced to the natives for the first time, without antibodies to fight off their devastation.  They were "relocated" to the San Gabriel Mission (why they were later referred to as the "Gabriel Indians").

As part of the becoming "Christians", and thus being "saved", they were put into servitude.  Christian leaders often thought that turning people into "slaves" was part of their religious conversion. The final insult to their humanity came when they no longer had access to the fish and other seafood that they were accustomed to eating and, most importantly, they were NO LONGER LIVING BY THE OCEAN!  Within a very short period of time, less than 30 years, these island people seemed to refuse to intermingle with their mainland native counterparts and any children that we born rarely made it to adulthood.  I believe in my heart that they simply "gave up" and basically practiced their own self-induced genocide.  They all died off leaving no direct descendants of the Catalina/"Pemu" tribe!

I can easily relate to my fellow "native born".  Even with my "idealistic" early life on Catalina,during the late 1940's-early 50's, when there weren't many people on the Island, 1500, compared to the 3900 of today, I faced deep depression.  There weren't that many kids to play with as many families had been forced to leave the Island during and soon after WWII without much promise of work.  Dad was either working for the Island Co. or on the mainland getting  "dried out" from his alcoholic binges.  Mom was forced to clean our two rental apartments on Descanso and I was subjected to much physical and emotional abuse. My regular babysitter, Polly Mulford, wasn't always available, so I was often plopped down in front of the new invention, "television".  I LOVED to watch this new form of "baby sitter", as it never hurt me,  but I found myself getting quite lonely and sometimes depressed.  When no one was supervising me, I would slip away to Casino Point (before the Dive Park or Mole).  I would find there my best friend, the Pacific Ocean!

It may sound strange, but the ocean has always seemed ALIVE to me!  I could hear it "speak" as the water lapped up on the rocks and slowly pulled  the pebbles back.  I would share with it my problems and it was always patient, never interrupt, or judge me. As it was listening, I was hearing it assure me that I wasn't the first one to come to share my problems with it.  Others like me have been making the pilgrimage to the Ocean to "vent" since the beginning of mankind.  I WAS IN GOOD COMPANY and better still I WAS NOT ALONE!   I was always reassured that it had been there since the beginning of our planet and will be there until the end.  There will always be a "tomorrow" for me, if I just focus on living life one day at a time. Things will look better.  How WONDERFUL for the "Mother Of All Life" to take the time to communicate with me and send me away so much happier and focused.  Being able to visit the ocean every day, I often find myself walking by and simply smiling and saying "Hi" and "Thanks"!  I didn't know the true God then, but do now and He is who I go to now with my needs, but I thank Him for helping me find His beauty and especially LOVE in His world!

When I taught "Communications" at Illinois State University (1970-72) and Indiana University (1972-74), I found there were no oceans there (you can tell I wasn't a "Geography Major"!).  I really felt the loss!  Well meaning locals tried to help me get over this longing by introducing me to streams, lakes, rivers, forests, and mountains.  I listened respectfully and, of course, explored them and gave them a chance, but they never filled the bill.  Besides, mountains eventually erode, steams, lakes and rivers eventually dry up, and forests die, but the ocean will ALWAYS BE THERE, because once they are gone, SO IS ALL LIFE ON THE PLANET!  In fact, the ocean formed them.

I was very fortunate to be born on Catalina Island (thanks Mom and Dad). I guess I am physically and emotionally bound to the ocean and thus, in my case, Catalina Island!  I hope to never leave and hopefully will always be here to strive to make it a better place in which to live and visit.

(For any of my other column submissions, www.catalinaislandman.com.  For those who want to contact me directly, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

"INTERESTING/UNUSUAL QUESTIONS/COMMENTS CONCERNING CATALINA ISLAND"

From March 10, 2014-March 16, 2017, when I was "Catalina's Official Greeter", through the Catalina Chamber Of Commerce, I answered 64,590 questions from the cruise ships' and cross channel boats' passengers.  That amounts to greeting approximately 650,000 visitors!  Here are some of the inquiries I had to address (additional ones, www.catalinaislandman.com):

"Have you ever tried to fish for soda bottles?"

"Can we board the boat now?"  It was pointed out that the boat hadn't arrived yet.

"Is this boat going to Long Island?"

A lady came up to me and asked where a certain hotel was.  I told her that there was no such hotel on the Island.  SHE INSISTED!  She said that her travel agent had booked it for her!  I asked to see her documents.  I had to be the one to inform her that the reservations were made for "Avalon, Florida"!  She not only missed her hotel reservations, but also her plane flight!

"Are your glass bottom boats on tracks like Disneyland?"

I must say that a particular restaurant that I and two friends frequented on Thanksgiving provided a WONDERFUL MEAL.  So glad that we were able to enjoy this meal with so many friendly people. 

I don't know about you, but I am one of those individuals who go into a "tail spin" during the holidays.  Starts with Halloween and continues through the New Years celebration.  I FINALLY figured a few years ago partially why.  Not only are so many of my friends and family who I used to celebrate with no longer around, but the holidays have become very frivolous and materialistic beyond imagination.  I can't compete on this level and DON'T WISH TO!  I then was invited to serve food to homeless people in the China Town area of San Francisco once and boy, it really made me realize the true meaning of Christmas.  Serving those who truly need help as they live on a survival, not selfish, mode.  Through my membership in Rotary, I also learned about the need for clean water in 3rd world countries.  A few years ago I made up my mind to STOP spending ridiculous amounts of money for Christmas Cards, that are only looked at and discarded, and trying to come up with creative gift giving to those who definitely DON'T need it.  I found responsible charities that provide programs to help poor communities who need fresh, clean water.  HOW BASIC!  I am now taking all of the money that I would normally waste on "Holiday Gimmicks" and am now focusing it on those who have REAL NEEDS!  So don't be expecting any cards or presents this year or any year from me.  This is it!

Also, another suggestion.  There are those in need here in Avalon and I am sure in your own communities.  Find a way to "slip" some of them a food gift certificate or non perishable food, clothing item, etc. NO MONEY.  Put a card with it saying that you love and respect them and DON'T SIGN YOUR NAME. It will make them feel SO SPECIAL and not knowing who the giver was will make them feel that it could be anyone they see everyday!  It is DEFINITELY "better to give than receive", especially when it makes a person's life better, not promoting greed!

"CATALINA'S GOOGLE"

I am sure that many of you have seen me proudly wearing a blue baseball cap with this beautifully inscribed on it.  In recognition of my "trying" to learn and pass on the history of Catalina.  It was a present from two of my wonder friends, Matt and Jeannette Affolder, for my 70th birthday, May 24.  By the way, I had the HONOR of officiating at their wedding, September 30, this year, at, believe it or not, "Glacier Point" in Yosemite!  WHAT A BACKDROP FOR TWO BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE!  Guests literally came from around the world to share this wonderful celebration!  As this was my first, and so far ONLY, opportunity to "marry" anyone, I am watching the couple closely.  Two months in and they are still in love! So pleased to be a part of the lives of those who I feel a close kinship with (O. K., "dangling participle".  I DON'T CARE, I WRITE THE WAY I TALK).

I NEVER in my WILDEST DREAMS nor desires thought that I was ever be considered by some as the "Catalina Island Historian"/"Google"!  When my younger brother, Bill, committed suicide on January 22, 1974, at 24 years of age, my father, who found his body, had a major heart attack and stroke in May of that year.  I decided to discontinue my teaching at Indiana University, move back to Catalina, and take care of him.  I promised Dad that I would NEVER make him leave his home on Catalina, but I never dreamed that my commitment to him would last seven years!  I was only 26 years old.

Anyone who has ever been a "caregiver"  knows that for the sake of your sanity you have to "make time" to occupy yourself when you are not facing these sometimes overwhelming responsibilities!  Patricia Moore had just moved to Catalina from the East Coast and had taken on the position of Director of our local museum, at that time situated in the Casino building.  Although she had visited the island before, she had a lot of information to quickly learn. Her new husband, Bruce, was native born like myself, but had other commitments and so wasn't able to give her all of the assistance that she needed.  I had known many of the "old timers" and had picked up a lot of information over the years.  I had always been interested in world history, but felt that getting to know more about my home had suddenly taken on a new importance.  Besides, it got me out of the house, when I had Dad bedded down (he insisted on keeping the house temperature at 99 degrees!), or when he was in the hospital.  I had A LOT of free time on my hands and I felt that I could make the best use of this to assistant Patricia.  Along with Thelma "Pat" Nowlin, I started making 3"x5" index cards of information gleaned from old newspapers and other documents.  When not doing that, I was assisting Patricia and Lloyd Rathbun in conducting "oral histories"  of some of the real "OLD TIMERS".

One of my greatest sources of information, or anyone else's for that matter, was Johnny Windle (b. September 27, 1903).  His father, Judge Ernest Windle, had started the "Catalina Islander" newspaper in 1914 and Johnny had spent most of his life on the island, going back to around 1910!  He had "SEEN IT ALL" and, although he was in his 90's, a more lucid man you could ever hope to find!  He remembered EVERYTHING!  He would "hold court" at Pete's Snack Bar, Sumner Ave., and if you were lucky enough to find a seat around the large outdoor tables, you were in for a REAL TREAT!  You could either come prepared to have a specific question answered or simply enjoy sitting back and letting him regale you with his many historically accurate stories, making you feel you were THERE!  If you asked him who lived in a particular home during the turn of the century, he would not only tell you their names, but who they married, what they did for a living, etc.  The old adage of asking someone "What time is it?" and then being taught how a clock was made perfectly fit him!  IT WAS PURE DELIGHT!  He was truly "Catalina's Historian" and no one else came close, but, unfortunately, this situation was not to last much longer!

May 15, 1999, I will NEVER forget!  I was driving the tour busses for "Discovery Tours" at the time and one of my fellow drivers broke the terrible news to me that Johnny had just died!  I WAS STUNNED!  NOT Johnny, NOT our link to the past!!!  I was literally nauseous!  I couldn't imagine how Catalina could survive without Johnny Windle! The Museum had planned an "Islanders' Night" program entitled "Ask Johnny Windle", with the date set at least one month before he passed.  The family agreed to let this program continue, as it came a few days after Johnny had died and they feared that not everyone had been notified.  Besides, it would now be his "tribute" and we could all sit around and share stories about him, for once.

I was still in a major daze as I slowly walked out to the Museum, not wanting to go inside to see the family of friends without Johnny!  I was late and they had already started to share stories and historical facts.  They must have been stumped by some trivia, because as I walked through the doors, immediately one of the participants looked over at me and said the words that would change my life FOREVER!  "There's Chuck, he'll know the answer!"  I did and at that fateful moment the baton of "historian"  was passed from Johnny to me!  A race that I never even expected to enter, let alone win the laurel wreath!

Since then I have dug though countless documents, conducted interviews, and have done my best to "try" to set the record straight on misinformation and try to remember one bit of Johnny's knowledge.  I have conferred with others who shared these now famous "round table" discussions, to try to remember what facts we had heard or how to find out what we forgot or was never brought up.  I have "tried" to carry on the legacy of my mentor and friend.

Years later I saw the movie, "The Lion King".  Boy, did it ever hit home, especially one character in particular.  The baboon had stored all of the history in his cave and was able to share the past with each new generation, "The Circle Of Life"!  I suddenly viewed myself as the monkey (NO COMMENTS!), the keeper of Catalina's history, to be shared and enjoyed by present and future "lovers" of this remarkable Island!

In 2000, as a tribute to Johnny, I humbly nominated him for "The Catalina Islander's Person Of The Century".  Not surprisingly, he won!  WHO ELSE!?! 

Over the years, I have had many monikers extended to me.  "Mr. Catalina" is the one label most handed me, but THAT WAS lifeguard, Duke Fishman, "Duke Of Avalon", and no one else.  By the way, he gave me the title of "Champ" when I was only a few years old and took the credit for teaching me to swim.  He really didn't, but I never wanted to hurt his feelings about this so called "accomplishment".  Last year a young marketing student, Chris Puma, 22, grandson of one of our late City Councilmen, Paul, was an intern for the Chamber, and wrote a very flattering story about me and called me "Catalina's Personal Goggle"!  THIS TITLE, I WILL PROUDLY ACCEPT!  Thanks, Chris!

As I am now 70, I am looking for SOMEONE willing to accept the baton, but in the meantime, I will continue to do my BEST!

If you want to contact me directly, email, chuckliddell.catalina@gmail.com.