Fleet Week was celebrated while we were in San Diego earlier this month and it included a special tribute to Bob Hope for his 60 years of entertaining our military men and women that were stationed in foreign lands. His USO shows brought them much joy and a little taste of home. Hope and his troop of famous entertainers even put on a show on the tiny island of Guam where my husband and I and our three children lived during the Vietnam War era.
In honor of Mr. Hope there was a very moving ceremony that was held adjacent to the aircraft carrier USS Midway. Actress Connie Stevens was the master of ceremonies and her movie star daughter Joely Fisher sang our National Anthem. Some very talented artists sculpted beautiful military figures that are representative of the various ranks and service. You can see this memorial in San Diego near Seaport Village.
It's a funny coincidence but I just might have slept in the same bedroom as Bob Hope. We stayed at the charming old Lafayette Hotel during the San Diego military squadron reunion. This historic hotel was built in 1946 and the very first guest to sign the register was Hope. Other Hollywood stars, including Betty Grable, Ava Gardner, Harry James and Lana Turner frequently came to the hotel's Mississippi Ballroom to dine and dance to the music of the big name bands. Permanent residents included Padre baseball managers Lefty O'Doul and Bucky Harris.
The resort had the style of an elegant old southern mansion and it still boasts a large Olympic-size tile swimming pool. Pictures of famous people, mostly movie stars of days gone by, adorn the walls as you walk down the long halls. As I slowly walked across my third-floor room, I vaguely heard the melody, and then Bob Hope singing, "Thanks for the memories..."
More memories ... One time my brother Mike was in an elevator at the fancy Sheridan Universal Hotel and Bob Hope got in the elevator. Mike looked at him and said, "you're ... ah ... ah ... ah ... Johnnie Carson!" Mr. Hope hesitated, and then laughed out loud. He was a very spontaneous and funny guy - and so is my brother Mike.
Urban sprawl coming to Fish Springs? We've heard that the Bently Family Trust has applied to make a major change to the master plan for Fish Springs. Several parcels are zoned "Forest and Range 19" which means only one dwelling may be built on each 19 acres. Mr. Bently wants to lower the zoning so that a house may be built on each five acres. That would increase the density of housing in Fish Springs and destroy the rural nature of the community. If you are concerned about this, you need to attend the Planning Commission meeting 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Old Courthouse, 1616 Eighth Street in Minden.
Yearling died: We lost another wild horse last Sunday here in Fish Springs. The pregnant yearling died in the yard of a home on Calle Hermosa. We don't know the cause of her death but we're very sorry to hear of it.
n Linda Monohan can be reached at 782-5802.
