Alice thinks it’s wonderful that I do the Christmas cards and letters each year. My secret is that I think that it’s wonderful too. Each year a great white space begs me to fill it with something interesting and memorable. That’s a big challenge because then I must change my focus from Alice and I to you, the cherished reader of innumerable Christmas letters. What would you think is not only interesting but memorable?
How about the Gualala Art Center presenting its most memorable show ever, Fiddler on the Roof. I had two parts, the innkeeper and a rabbi. Best ever? A huge talented cast – almost 40 – plus a superbly crafted set with outstanding stage crew members doubling as Russian soldiers. The key was our director, Tony Salamone, supported by selfless musicians Don Krieger and Sue Bohlin who played at every moment we rehearsed.
Early May we spent ten days on San Pedro Island, Belize. We peddled bikes and snorkeled amongst big nurse sharks – non-man eating - that thankfully preferred the chopped fish our guide threw amongst us. Another highlight of our trip was a scenic flight over the mysterious Blue Hole located 78 miles from our resort. We chose the two-hour flight rather than a bone-shaking six-hour boat trip, which would have begun at 5:30am. We also visited the Altun Ha Mayan ruins and stopped at a roadside restaurant on our return for curry chicken, so good that we’re still trying (without success) to duplicate the recipe. Memorable ruins, memorable chicken.
Front, Alice and Hans. Behind, Josie, Debbie, Jeanette, Jack, Me, Daniel, and Kevin
On the 5th of April a very interesting and memorable person, Hans Stiller, died. Hans and Alice married in 1962 and have two daughters, Jeanette and Debbie. Hans was born in Karlsruhe, Germany in 1941 and survived Allied bombings. His father was killed on the Russian Front in 1944. His mother, Ilse, remarried and his family immigrated to Las Angeles in 1954. Hans became a SF Bay ferry captain and an accomplished cello player. Alice and I married in 1989 and I met Hans in the Dallas airport just before he took a photo of Alice and me sleeping together on a flight enroute to a 1991 vacation in Germany.
In July I hosted a fifth Point Arena High reunion, this time in Santa Rosa – never the same place twice. This reunion was small - I underestimated the effect of schoolmates aging two years since the last one - but it was fun. I’m already working on the next. Alice and I had reunion leftovers – spaghetti, fettucine Alfredo, cake – for a month.
Kevin Mone, Vulcan wire CEO Mike Graffio, and founder and former CEO Alice
Alice founded Vulcan Wire 50 years ago and its CEO Mike Graffio is mentoring his replacement, Alice’s oldest grandson, Kevin.
Front, Theresa and husband Chuck
Vulcan’s annual Christmas party was attended by 15 of 17 employees plus six guests. Special honor and thanks went to Theresa Rodrigues, soon to retire after forty years of selling wire for Vulcan.
After grandsons Jack Cosentino and Daniel Mone graduated from college this year, youngest granddaughter Josie Cosentino will be the last graduate next year.
2nd Lieutenant Daniel Mone
Daniel was also just commissioned an Army 2nd Lieutenant and will start after Christmas at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, training in field artillery.
Savannah and Eric
Oldest granddaughter Savannah Mone and fiancé Eric Briltz announced their plans for a 2027 wedding at Keady, Northern Ireland, with her father, Kieran’s, family plus us Californians.
My oldest son Bruce and his wife Lisa now live in Arizona, and my middle son Scott in Fortuna, Ca. My youngest son, Jeffrey, died over a year ago at age 55 in San Antonio following a stroke. I have five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren scattered in California, Arizona, and Nevada.
Alice’s first husband, Hans, told her: “Alice, you plan too much.” As such, we have plans that already take us through 2026 – and beyond – many involving eliminating her right-leg pain caused by a back issue. Progress looks good, with injections to stabilize bone strength and density and arthroscopic surgery to relieve spinal cord pressure. That probably won’t allow us to answer Jamaica’s call this year, but if not, there’s a lot to like and enjoy closer to home. I wonder what is interesting and memorable around Corvallis, Oregon? We’ll probably go there twice, once to admire Josie’s Oregon State campus, and then for her graduation.
Plans, plans, and more plans. Maybe Hans was right.
Merry Christmas and a Happy (Memorable) New Year!
Michael, Alice, and cute little Radar
Hans with grandchildren, 2005-2006
David and Oi-Lan motorcycle to visit from Idaho
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