Foothills Sentry December 2021

Foothills Sentry Page 8 December 2021 Come Visit Our Showroom 3024 East Chapman Avenue Orange, CA 92869 QUALITY BILLIARD PRODUCTS. EXPERT POOL TABLE SERVICE. Tuesday - Friday: 10 AM - 4 PM Saturday: 10 AM - 3 PM (714) 620-4001 Call/Text dkbilliards.com david@pooltableguru.com Appointments Available: DK BILLIARDS SALES & SERVICE VP water polo champs relive the triumph The Villa Park High School 1981 CIF Championship Men’s Water Polo Team gathered on Nov. 13 to celebrate the 40th an- niversary of their win. The reunion, held at The Post in Villa Park, was attended by coaches Jeff Ehrlich and John Kulisich, 11 players from the 1981 team, a couple of wives, and Ehrlich’s son, Chris, who was only one year old at the time, but still attended that champion- ship game. Players traveled to the event from all over the country, and as far away as Lynchburg, Virginia. Others who could not attend in person were able to join in the conversation by Zoom. While conversations during the evening started with discus- sions of family, work, and other accomplishments over the last four decades, the main topic in- evitably returned to memories of the championship season and that game at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach. “We were just a bunch of awk- ward, misfit teenagers who spent three years doing everything to- gether so that we came together as a team,” recalled Dr. Ed Van Vooren. Jim Godfrey agreed, say- ing, “What most players remem- ber is how close we were as a team. We played for each other, and not individual glory. It was this team unity that allowed us to beat teams with more talent and experience.” It didn’t hurt that the team also had Glenn Thomas, the CIF Wa- ter Polo Player of the Year, who, along with junior Jim Nowak, scored four goals each. First Team High School All-American Goalie Mark Maizel blocked 11 shots that day. As a program, the Villa Park Men’s Water Polo team has a long history of success. Villa Park alumni boast the most men’s Olympic team players of all high schools in Orange County. The 1981 team’s 20-game win streak, culminating in the CIF Champi- onship, was a school best for con- secutive wins in a single season, until a few years later when it was The 1981 CIF water polo champs, front row from left, Bret Young, Jim Godfrey, Coach John Kulisich, Coach Jeff Ehrlich, Chris Ehrlich; back row from left, Keith Haskins, Eddie Van Vooren, Paul Nelson, Greg Hill, Scott English, Mark Maizel and Mark Tutwiler. Steve Coates, Erik Kuli and Jeff Fairbanks attended the reunion, but are not pictured. topped by a 30-game win streak. Perhaps the sweetest part of the championship win in 1981 was the opportunity for Villa Park to revenge a loss to rival Foothill High School during the regular season that had cost Villa Park the league title. After a heart- breaking double overtime loss to Mission Viejo High School in the 1980 championship game, the Villa Park team was determined not to let that happen again. In 1981, Villa Park comfortably beat Foothill, 10-6, in regulation time. Villa Park Mayor Crystal Miles stopped by The Post to congratu- late the team. As for Coach Eh- rlich’s son, he did not have any memory of that game, but had a good time at the reunion. Covenant presents Jennifer Hart The Women’s Fellowship of Covenant Presbyterian Church will feature Jennifer Hart, vo- calist-pianist, on Thursday, Dec. 9, performing Christmas Music from the HeART and a few favor- ites from her latest album, "Close to My Heart." Hart has been capturing hearts in Southern California since she settled here in 1990, after a de- cade of performing in jazz clubs, festivals and concerts throughout the United States, Scandinavia, Northern Europe and Singapore. The program is open to the community and will be held at the church, 1855 N. Orange-Ol- ive Road. Doors open at 11 a.m. Reservations can be made by call- ing (951) 237-9888. The catered luncheon is $10 per person, with paid reservations required before noon, Dec. 6. Reservations are not required to attend the pro- gram only, which starts at 12:30 p.m. The cost is $5. Sheryl Franke, her daughter and STAR Scholar Jennifer Franke, cur- rent STAR Scholarship candidate Keira McNamee, and her father Daniel McNamee, enjoying the barn event. Fundraiser supports P.E.O. P.E.O. (Philanthropic Edu- cational Organization) Chapter IE, of Orange, held a silent auc- tion fundraiser on Nov. 13, at the Holland Barn in Newport Beach. Ninety people attended the event which raised $5,000 for P.E.O. projects that support education for women. The event was co- chaired by Barbara Sobel and Bet- ty Holland-Cox, the owner of the barn. Guests enjoyed a display of antique cars, hors d’oeuvres and desserts provided by chapter members, as well as the original Irvine Ranch Buffalo Barn. P.E.O. projects include the Educational Loan Fund, grant- ing loans for education at a low interest rate; the International Peace Scholarship for foreign students; the Program for Con- tinuing Education for women re- turning to school; Scholar Awards for women working on advanced degrees; the STAR Scholarship for high school seniors going on to college; and the ownership and operation of Cottey College for women in Nevada, Missouri. Chapter IE is actively sponsor- ing high school seniors for the STAR Scholarship of $2,500, awarded each year to approxi- mately 1,000 young women throughout the United States and Canada, who excel in academics, leadership, extra-curricular ac- tivities and community service. Chapter IE has sponsored seven young women who were awarded this scholarship, and have an out- standing candidate this year. The scholarship will be awarded in April. Quarters add up for fundraiser Premiere Women’s Council Di- rector Alice Salinas displays an item up for bids at the group’s an- nual Quartermania fundraiser. The Premier Women’s Council (PWC) reports its annual Quarter Auction Fundraiser was well-at- tended by ongoing supporters and first-time participants. The auction, held Oct. 19 at the American Legion Orange Post 132, featured items sold for 25 cents to one dollar, all of which were donated by vendors, PWC members and supporters. Attendees vowed to return next year and bring family and friends. The proceeds from this suc- cessful fundraiser will be allo- cated to scholarships for deserv- ing students and women seeking higher education opportunities. A donation was also made to the American Legion Post for veter- ans. For more information regarding the Premier Women’s Council, contact Susie Flores, ocmujer@ sbcglobal.net or (714) 914-5272; or Anita Preciado, manzanaa@ aol.com or (714) 290-5802. VPWL to host holiday forest For the second year, the Villa Park Women’s League "Commu- nity Holiday Forest” will provide sparkle and holiday cheer with a stand of Christmas trees deco- rated by League activity groups, and school and community orga- nizations. The faux trees will highlight VPWL bunco, gourmet, Petal Pushers and pickleball activities, among others, and will be lit and available for viewing Dec. 4 in front of Villa Park City Hall. Oth- er groups are welcome to join in the merriment, and may contact Beautification Chair Kimberlee Martin, (949) 228-5451.