ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 

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Posted June 17, 2017 By Lou Hoffman's wife, Marcia   Hi All, Just wanted to thank everyone for the wonderful event you put together at the Veteran's Memorial for Lou. He was in the midst of writing personal thank you notes to everyone when he began having great pain walking. You who were there may remember he was using a cane which he had just started doing the day before. After visits to the E.R., x-rays, MRI's etc., it was determined that he had a fracture of the sacrum located at the bottom of the tailbone. He is now at Montebello in the Rehab Unit at 10500 Academy N.E., Room 610 after stops at Rust Medical Center and Anna Kaseman Hospital. We don't know how long he'll be there, but hopefully with physical therapy, he can recover. He has his call phone with him (250-4044)and know he would appreciate good thoughts and visits from his friends from Valley. Thank you all again for one of the most memorable and appreciated honors of his life. Marcia, Leslie, and Natalie Hoffman   ******************

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Posted May 29, 2017 Submitted by Leslie Fluke   Herman Martinez Sr, another Class of 64 Viking Alumni has passed away. Herman Martinez Sr., a lifelong resident of Albuquerque, NM went home to be with the Lord and to receive his rewards on May 25th, 2017. He was born on January 24th, 1945. Herman Martinez Sr. played an instrumental role in New Mexico Music, he began his music career at the age of 6 playing the trumpet. Mr. Martinez also formed Alta Vista Records (1967) and Chelly Publishing, he recorded various artists with 23 Gold Records, and 4 Grammy's. In 2016 he was also inducted into the New Mexico Music Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife Catherine Martinez; son Herman Martinez Jr. and Sonia; daughters Michelle and husband John E. Rael, Lizzie and husband Lorenzo Gallegos III; grandchildren Felicia and Nichole Martinez, Gabriel and Priscilla Rael, Amanda, Lorenzo IV, Melody and Tiffany Gallegos; and six great grandchildren. A Service will be held on June 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Sagebrush Church 6440 Coors Blvd, Albuquerque, NM, reception to follow at the Moose Lodge 2121 Edith Blvd. NE. Herman will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. From Cristy Records: New Mexico has lost another great artist. Cristy Records sends our sincere condolences to the Martinez family. Herman Martinez Sr. played an instrumental role in New Mexico music! Herman Martinez Sr. began his music career at age 6 playing the trumpet with his uncle, Benny Martinez and the Benny Martinez Orchestra. He was also part of the first Mariachi’s in NM, Mariachi Del Norte. Martinez performed at the World’s Fair in Seattle in 1962. Martinez formed Alta Vista Records and has recorded artists with 23 Gold Records, 4 Grammy’s and several other well-known artists like the Blue Ventures, Purple Haze, Jackie, Ortega, Little Joe, Johnny Hernandez, Ramon and Lydia, Nick and Jamie (Herrera), Juan Salamon and many more. Martinez has performed for President Kennedy as well as recorded with Boston Philharmonic. The New Mexico Music Hall of Fame is grateful to of honored a great man into the Hall of Fame November 2016. Herman, may you rest in peace, vaya con Dios....

 

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Posted May 20, 2017 Lou, we can only imagine the overwhelming honor and respect you have for our country and our veterans that propelled you into this Profound VISION of the development of such an extraordinary memorial for our veterans. We honor YOU, Lou, for your perseverance, follow thru and your Resolution to accomplish YOUR VISION of what is the amazing New Mexico Veterans Memorial Park which has become an inspiration to us and will be to many generations that follow. With love and respect, Katherine Zachary Lowry Posted by Kattherine Zachary (Lowry)

 

Reposting of a previous Announcement

By Glenn Fellows & Tony Scarton from April 7, 2017

 

 

Special Award for Lou Hoffman

 

Many of us have been lucky enough to know Lou Hoffman in school (at Valley or UNM), in his official roles in the City Government (presently Director of Financial and Administrative Services), or at our reunions and gatherings where Lou has played an active role on our Reunion Committee.

Lou is a very modest and humble guy, so you probably do not know of the impressive things he was a part of, the driver of, and even the creator of.

So, here is some of ‘the rest of the story’.

The New Mexico Veterans Memorial on Louisiana Blvd, is one example.  If you haven't seen it, you've missed something exceptional. According to experts around the country, it's one of the best Veterans Memorial tributes in the country.  In fact, organizations from around the nation come here for their own ceremonies. It's that unique!

It's not just a sculpture, it's a whole park.  It was Lou's idea, his passion.  He raised money for it, was in on most every aspect of the design, and was the driver in its completion.  It celebrates all veterans.

This Memorial day, a plaque will be placed in the Visitors Center of the Veterans Memorial Park honoring Lou, dedicated by our Class of 64.  A number of our classmates want that plaque to be something distinctive and are making donations.  Many of you might want to be a part of this effort, so please join us and celebrate one more member of our very special class. 

If there is any extra money donated, it will go to pay for the ceremony and support this website. Each contribution no matter the size is important - Thank You!

If you want to help, please mail a check to:  

Glenn Fellows – 530 Chamiso Lane NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107

 

VHS Class of 64 - A Class to Remember

 

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The plaque will show Lou in uniform and will say:

 

"In honor of and with sincere appreciation to Lou Hoffman, US Army veteran, high school and college classmate, family man, and longtime City of Albuquerque employee, this plaque recognizes Lou’s unswerving dedication to the development of the New Mexico Veterans Memorial, arranging and shepherding the project from conception thru land purchase, design, construction and operation of this special place."

Presented by the Class of 1964, Valley High School

Memorial Day, 2017

Posted by Glenn Fellows & Tony Scarton as a Class Announcement April 7, 2017

 

 

•	May 19, 2017 Thanks to all of you who wished me a Happy Birthday. I don't look at emails or computer very often. It's a giant time killer! Posted by Michael Williams

 

 

April 23rd, 2017 Today's Journal published Mr. McCarroll's obituary. I'm sure those who knew him share my sentiments that he was an excellent, fun math teacher and all the girls had a crush on him. He was our ice skating sponsor and we girls would ply him with candy to curry favor.   He was absolutely the most handsome man at Garfield, who ended up marrying our chorus teacher, Ms. Thomas. I'm happy to say there must have been a happy ending to that union, since the obituary lists her has his wife.   Looks like he had a wonderful career as a teacher and then cattle breeder in his retirement. I'm sure i'm not alone in having thought of him many, many times over the years remembering how he made math fun in our 7th and 8th grades.   I can only imagine how man students he must have inspired over the years. We should be so lucky that our grandchildren will have teachers like Mr. McCarroll. Posted by  Geraldine 'Gerri' Rivera

 

 

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From Dawn Higgens:

 

I came across this saying again today, and as we are all aging just a little, thought it might be appropriate and amusing!!



As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play, on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50, 60 & 70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.

I will walk the beach, in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But, broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).

Posted By Dawn Higgens - May 25, 2016

 

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From Tony Scarton 

 

Phil Ewing, VHS class of 1966, Valley High School Historian, has put together a beautiful compilation of historical facts about the north valley, photos, and general memorabilia regarding the times and people that have passed through the halls of VHS. There is "what or where are they now" type info as well regarding old hangouts, neighborhoods, etc.
Great read---you can get a copy for yourself from Phil.
Email is:   phile@thuntek.net

And, an addendum by Tony to his preivous announcement above:

•	After talking to Phil--he said APS is in the process of a total revamp of Valley. They have already done the gym and will work in phases to complete entire school revamp within the next 3 years. We may have to take another tour at our next reunion.

Thanks Phil,

Tony Scarton

Posted by Tony Scarton - May 22, 2016

 

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