Author Archives: David Stevens

Ted Hall

Theodore “Ted” Hall — Class of 1956

Leave a reply

We recently learned of Ted’s passing. Ted graduated from Trona High School in 1956.

Ted was the son of John and Nettie Hall. He was the last of 10 children. The Hall family lived in Trona from about 1954 to 1960. Before moving to Trona they lived in Tulare County, CA. 4 of the 10 Hall children attended Trona High School. The other three were Harold Hall, class of 1957; Peggy Hall, class of 1959 and Jim Hall, class of 1961.

Ted was married to Sally Klein from the THS class of 1958.

We send our heartfelt condolences to Ted’s family.

Margaret Odine “Peggy” (Hall) Collier– Class of 1959

1 Reply

Margaret Hall Collier age 83 passed from this Earth on April 11, 2024. She was born on December 6, 1940 in Woodville, CA the 9th of 10 children born to Nettie and John Hall.

She was in her youth, an avid athlete. Later in life she became an excellent bowler and golfer. Peg retired in 1999 after 28 years of service working for the Department of Defense U.S. Marine Corps. In her career she achieved many accomplishments and awards and retired as the Inventory Control Officer for the United States Marine Corps. She loved her Marines and served her country proudly.

She and her husband Russel (Russ) Collier moved to The Villages in 1999. They enjoyed traveling, cruising, golfing and dancing. In their lives together they rescued from shelters 6 dogs and loved all animals. They were active members of The Villages Community and are deeply missed by friends and neighbors.

Peggy came from a family of 10 children. The Halls were only in Trona for a few years and left before Peggy graduated. Three of her brothers also went to Trona High School, Ted ’56, Harold ’57, and Jimmy ’61.

Margaret Collier

Richard Stalnaker 1944-2025

Richard Stalnaker — Class of 1962

2 Replies

Richard A. Stalnaker, class of 1962 passed away August 1, 2025, due to complications after a stroke. Richard was proceeded in death by his wife, Margaret (Downs) on 2020, his father and mother Ralph and Mary and his brother Phil who died in Trona in 1961.

Richard (1903-1965) and Margaret (1913-2007) had three children, all boys, who live in Tucson and Prescott AZ.

Richard’s sister, Gale, was in the class of 1955; His brother, Phil, was in the class of 1960 and his sisters, Marcia and Marilyn, were in the class of 1963.

We are deeply sorry for Richard’s family and close friend’s loss.

 

A VISIT WITH GEORGE & BARBARA SHERMAN

Leave a reply

George Sherman (Class 1956, and former Trona web-master) was visiting Los Angeles mid-July with his caregiving daughter, Becky, and his sister, Barbara Sherman Heyl (Class 1960).  Barbara arranged for me to visit them for a morning.  I was elated to see that George was doing quite well, given some old-age mind deterioration.  He was glad to see me, smiling, and listening to conversation between Barbara and myself, sometimes adding to the flow.  His mobility was very good and he is his old affable self.

I showed them a picture of my uncle, Walter Mezger, who was manager of the Trona hospital and then plant manager in 1944, indicating that his family was why the Millers moved to Trona.  George, without prompting, said: “I remember Steve Mezger”; my cousin Steve and George are about the same age and obviously knew each other.

George loved the desert, often traveling to Searles Valley in his Toyota Camper with kids/grandkids/and/or Dee, his companion in the early 2000’s.  Camped up on Slate Range, the Kilns, Great Falls, etc. For this reason, I gave them a dozen or so Desert Magazines from the 1940’s to peruse for memories.  Barb said that the next morning George was looking through them during a long breakfast.

They all went to a Paul Simon concert on the 12th at Disney Hall and had a great time.

Really an upbeat visit!

Alan Miller (Class 1963)

Attending the Reunion? Here’s What You Need to Do!

2 Replies

If you plan on attending the reunion then here’s what you need to do:

1. Fill out the 2025 Reservation/Souvenir Order Sheet and make out a check for the total
amount payable to: “Trona Alumni Association.”

If you are married to an alumni, please fill out a separate reservation sheet for each person
with your class year indicated. Your tickets, and any souvenirs you order will be available for pick-up with your class.

2. Mail the 2025 Reservation/Souvenir Order Sheet and check to the following address:

Barbara Sorges
TAA Treasurer
416 Dewalt Ave.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555

AND DO THIS BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2025
This cutoff date is firm….registrations/orders will not be accepted after this date.

2025 All Class Reunion Hotel Information

Leave a reply

All Rooms are plus tax. All rooms are double occupancy. Price is per night.
All rooms need to be reserved under Trona All Class Reunion.

Springhill Suites – 760.446.1630
King or double queen $109.00 plus tax
Holding 10 rooms, will add more if needed and available

Hampton Inn and Suites – 760.446.1968
King bed or double queen $109.00 plus tax
Holding 10 rooms, will add more if needed and available

Red Roof (Heritage Inn & Suites) 760.446.6543
King or double queen $95.00 plus tax

Holiday Inn Express 800-439-4745
King or queen double $165.30 plus tax
Includes breakfast

Clarion Inn 760.446.7910
King $106.00 plus tax
Queen $111.00 plus tax
Includes breakfast

Best Western 760.371.2300 Only holding 20 rooms
King $119.99 plus tax
Double Queen* $129.99 plus tax
* Additional adult in room $10 per night per head
Not pet friendly
Includes breakfast

Quality Inn 760.375.9731
5 kings reserved $114.53 plus tax
5 double queens reserved $114.53 plus tax
Includes breakfast

Please note: You must call and reserve room(s) directly with the hotel to get these special
rates. Reserving the room through a 3rd party (Expedia or Booking.com) will NOT get you these rates and rates can not be changed by the hotel later.

Gearing Up for the All Class Reunion 2025

2 Replies

The festivities will begin Friday night, October 24, with the coronation ceremony and bonfire, followed by a street dance on Frontage Road from 8:00 to midnight. DJ Eric Shoaf of Good Vibrations will again be proving the music. Saturday activities include the pancake breakfast, Homecoming parade, with our very own Andy Ledesma as Alumni Grand Marshall. Lunch will be served from 11:00-1:00 in the high school gym. The Varsity football game against Lone Pine will start around 2:30 pm, preceded by the introduction of the Homecoming Court at 1:45 pm. Saturday evening includes dancing and entertainment from 9:00 pm -1:00 am at the Elks, provided by Monarch Party Band, led by our very own Trona alumni John Young. The evening meal will be heavy Hors d’oeuvres.

Souvenir tee shirts, zip up hoodie sweatshirts, and baseball caps are available for purchase on the order form.

Here is the schedule of events:
Friday, October 24th
• 6:00 pm Coronation on the football field
• 8:00 pm Bonfire and “T” lighting
• 8-12 pm Street Dance – Frontage Rd. (where the liquor store/pizza parlor was)
Saturday, October 25th
• 7:00 am Pancake Breakfast at the Senior Citizens Center
• 10:00 am Homecoming Parade
• 11:00 am Catered Lunch in the high school gym (11:00-1:00)
• 1:45 pm Introduction of Homecoming Court followed by Varsity Game
• 6:00 pm Social hour at the Elks
• 7:00 pm Heavy Hors d’oeuvres meal served from (7:00-9:00)
• 9:00 pm Dancing at the Elks

◊ Reunion souvenirs: Souvenir tee shirts, hoodie sweatshirts, and hats can be ordered on the order form. These souvenirs will NOT be available for sale during the reunion weekend, so buy them now! Souvenir packets will be available for pickup at the street dance on Friday night and after the parade on Saturday in front of the gym. A group picture will be taken at the gym prior to the lunch. Be sure to wear your reunion shirt!!!

◊ Cell phones: Only Verizon cell phones will work in Trona. If you plan to purchase a prepaid
Verizon phone for the event, please make sure to ask if that phone will work in Trona. Apparently some do, and some don’t.

Here is a list of Cell phone providers that use Verizon:

Visible: Owned by Verizon, Visible offers unlimited data, talk, and text plans.

Xfinity Mobile: Offers plans that can be bundled with Xfinity internet services.

Red Pocket: Provides various prepaid plans across Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile networks.
US Mobile: Offers customizable plans with options for premium data and international features.
Straight Talk: Uses Verizon’s network, as well as AT&T and T-Mobile.
Twigby: A low-cost provider with plans for different data needs.
Page Plus: A prepaid provider operating on Verizon’s network.
Spectrum Mobile: Offers plans bundled with Spectrum internet and mobile services.
Total Wireless: A prepaid service provider that utilizes Verizon’s network.
TracFone: Another prepaid provider that uses Verizon’s network, along with other major networks.

Griffith Field – The Pit

3 Replies

Climax of “Homecoming Week” at Trona Unified School will com during the half-time period of the Trona -Big Bear football battle on Saturday afternoon when the local gridiron will be christened “Griffith Field” in honor if William Griffith first Trona team captain who is now serving in the Navy.

The dedication will be made by R. W. Mumford vice-president of the American Potash and Chemical Corporation and chairman of the board of trustees of the school. Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Griffith of Trona, parents of the Navy man will acknowledge the tribute.

 

This was in the November 23, 1944 Trona newspaper.  The headline was:

Gridiron Takes Griffith Name

Bill was in the first graduating class of the newly built Trona High School, the class of 1942. The school that he attended has been leveled to the ground due to it’s age and damage from the eathquake.

When Bill played football there was not much of a field and they didn’t have football uniforms.

In later years they learned to water the field to hold down the dust.

Even back then the croud was enthusiastic

Even back then the crowd was enthusiastic

The Trona School about 1950

 

Jeffery Dale Newman

2 Replies

June 10, 1955 – May 13, 2025

Jeffery Dale Newman, age 69, passed away on May 13, 2025. A lifelong resident of Trona, California—with a few unforgettable adventures along the way—Jeff was known for his love of music, deep friendships, and unwavering devotion to his family. With a biker’s exterior and a hippie’s heart, he was affectionately known by many as the “Mayor of Argus.”

Jeff was born on June 10, 1955, in Trona, CA to Grady (Dale) and Mary Newman. After graduating from Trona High in 1973, he hitchhiked across the country, a free spirit chasing stories and songs,  but he always found his way back to the town he called home, and this is where he started his family and lived most of his life.

Jeff loved the Elks Lodge, where he spent countless hours with friends who became family. His loyalty, humor, warmth, and friendly disposition made him unforgettable to all who knew him.  Jeff was preceded in death by his parents Grady and Mary Newman, Brother-in-law Thomas Gossett, and stepson Michael Vogel all of Trona, CA.

He is survived by his three daughters: April Rodriguez and husband Juan of Midland, TX; Nicole and Mary Newman of Trona, CA; his stepson Robert Vogel of Spokane, WA; his grandchildren: Anthony, Maggie, and Samuel Rodriguez of Midland, TX; Julian Newman-Medina, Titan and Odin Valdez of Trona, CA; and his great-grandson, Antonio Rodriguez of Midland, TX.

Jeff also leaves behind his sisters: Donna Dodson and husband Robert of Inyokern, CA; Robin Gossett of Trona, CA; and Lea Ann Unger and husband Dale of Las Vegas, NV; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, he loved being an Uncle!  He had a wide circle of lifelong friends who will miss him dearly.

Jeffery Dale Newman lived life on his own terms. His spirit will echo in the music he loved, the stories he told, and the love he gave so freely.

Graveside service is Friday, May 30, 2025, 10AM at the Trona cemetery. Following the service, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Trona Elks Lodge. Family and Friends are invited to come and encouraged to wear a tie dye shirt in honor of Jeff.