Dennis Holland Lecture At Oasis Senior Center

 (image courtesy of the Orange County Register)

LECTURE ON A LOCAL LEGEND
There will be a lecture/presentation about my friend, Dennis Holland, on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at the Oasis Senior Center, 801 Narcissus in Corona del Mar.  The event begins at 6:00 p.m., but viewing of Dennis' 1909 Buick Racer - we believe the 2nd automobile registered in Orange County - beginning at 5:30.  Here's the announcement:

THE PILGRIM
Dennis was one-of-a kind.  His biggest claim to fame was the construction of the Pilgrim on a lot in Costa Mesa covering more than 13 years.  We were there the day it was hauled from that lot down to Newport Harbor and launched.  That proud vessel can still be sailing Southern California waters.

 (image courtesy of the Los Angeles Times)

THE BUICK
I mentioned that Buick Racer.  Well, Dennis and my friend, Wayne Stanfield, drove that magnificent car in several iterations of The Great American Race - a time and distance rally across the USA.  The first race began at Knott's Berry Farm and the motor was not ready yet.  So, with the permission of the other drivers, we pushed that car across the start line and directly onto a trailer.  It was hauled home, the motor installed and hauled to Phoenix for the second leg.  Approximately 35 miles east of Phoenix it died and that was the end of that race for Wayne and Dennis.  However, they were successful over many years and the Great Race Logo featured an image of that car.  I'm sure Dennis, Jr. will have many stories to tell on Tuesday.  You can still see him tooling around the Newport-Mesa in that fantastic car.

A STORY WORTH HEARING
Please try to attend this event if you're interested in racing, sailing or just plain-old American spirit, which Dennis had in abundance.

Happy Father's Day, Guys...

 IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN!

Once again we'll all gather to smother our fathers with love this one day of the year... showering him with goofy gifts and gorging him with decadent BBQ... it's the perfect holiday, especially for those of you who are "first time fathers" this year.  Enjoy it.

I'VE TOLD IT MANY TIMES...
Most years since I've been publishing this blog I've written about this day and have told you stories of my father and friends who became de facto fathers to me.  I think I like the one I wrote in 2007 the best, HERE.  If you want to read the rest, just go to that search box in the upper left corner of this page and type in "Father's Day".. you'll get most of what I've written.

MY FATHER...
Those who have followed these pages know that my father, Robert J. West, was an uncomplicated, hard-working man.  I wrote about him in that linked item above.  He's been gone more than three decades and I miss his guidance every day.

MY MENTOR AND FRIEND...

This year Father's Day is especially tough for me because my dear neighbor, Wayne D. Stanfield, passed away a couple months ago.  He's shown here with his wonderful, loving wife, Barbara, who died three years ago.  I've written about him many times.  He has been my friend and mentor for nearly four decades.  And, as if his passing was not loss enough, today escrow closes on the home we saw from our kitchen window all those years, putting a final, painful exclamation point on the loss we feel.  It's our understanding that the buyers will lease it out for a few months while preparing plans for a new home on that beautiful, big lot, then scrape most of the existing structures and foliage down to dirt and start over with a home of their own design.  Such is life...

ENJOY THE DAY...
We here at A Bubbling Cauldron wish every one of you a very Happy Father's Day.  We hope you remember to tell your fathers just how you feel about him and the impact he's had on your lives.

Saying Goodbye To My Friend

WAYNE D. STANFIELD 

AUGUST 21, 1928 - JANUARY 26, 2013

A SAD DAY FOR US...
This is a bittersweet weekend for us.  Our great neighbor and friend, Wayne D. Stanfield, passed away peacefully at his home Saturday afternoon following a battle with cancer.  We are deeply saddened at his passing and for the tremendous void it creates in our lives, but know he is now where he wanted to be - with his wonderful wife, Barbara, who pre-deceased him in May of 2010, HERE.

A TRUE FRIEND FOR ALMOST FOUR DECADES
Wayne and Barbara - we say their names like it was one word because it seemed like they were never apart - have been our friends since the very first day we took occupancy of our home more than 39 years ago.  We learned of Wayne's kindness and selflessness that day when he spent three hours helping us unplug our guest shower drain.  That was the beginning of a wonderful friendship - one in which they welcomed us to the neighborhood, into their lives and, eventually, embraced us as members of their family.

AN HONEST, HARDWORKING MAN
Wayne operated a family plumbing business in Costa Mesa for more than a half-century.  He and his son, also Wayne, did the work and Barbara helped with the paperwork.  Wayne was a hardworking, honest man who lived a true Christian life.  In all the years that I've called him my friend I've never known him to say an unkind or harsh word to or about anyone.

MORE THAN SIX DECADES OF SHARED LOVE
He and Barbara were married for more than 63 years, having been childhood sweethearts as they grew up in Banning, California.  Their affection for each other was obvious every day that we knew them.  Barbara's passing two and half years ago was deeply felt by all who knew her, but Wayne was devastated.  He would carry a framed photo of her with him as he drove around town in his 1931 Model A Ford coupe and shared stories of their lives together to all who would listen.

A TRULY KIND MAN
Wayne may have been the kindest man I've ever known.  He spent a lifetime helping others - friends and strangers alike.  For example, for years he and Barbara and their children would gather toys and other gifts for the Hopi Indians in Arizona and would personally transport and distribute them over the Christmas holiday each year.  They sought no thanks or recognition for this tremendous act of kindness - they just saw a need and filled it.  If you needed advice on a project Wayne was your guy.  He not only provided guidance, but would just jump in and help you do it correctly.

FRIEND, NEIGHBOR AND MENTOR
For more than half my life Wayne Stanfield was a friend, neighbor and mentor, selflessly sharing his life experience as a God-loving man by example.  There is simply not enough space here to recount all the stories of the joy we shared with him over these years.  I smile as I recall decades of dune buggy and boating adventures and the wonderful times we spent with him just hanging out or helping with projects.  Age-wise, he was more like an older brother, but everyone called him "Father" - such was the esteem in which he was held by all who knew him.


SURVIVED BY LOVING FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Wayne is survived by his children, Wayne K. Stanfield (Theresa) of Santa Ana and Cathy Binnquist (Bruce) of Costa Mesa, four grand children, eight great grandchildren and hundreds of friends.  A celebration of his life will be held later this week, followed by a private family service at a future date. 

TOGETHER FOREVER AT LAST