- by Chuck Mortensen -
The small, semi-rural town of Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley during pre-World War II days displayed all the accoutrements of the typical community of that time, struggling along economically during the Great Depression. Many backyards contained a chicken pen or two, fruit trees and vegetable gardens. Dairies, farms, citrus orchards and walnut groves dotted the land between Van Nuys and neighboring San Fernando, Canoga Park, Chatsworth and North Hollywood.
The town had a library, a Women's Club, and the Van Nuys News and Green Sheet published social events, weddings, births, deaths, school activities and farm news, and pictured sandbagged storefronts during the big storms of 1933 and 1938. The Big Red Cars of the Pacific Electric coursed down the middle of Van Nuys Boulevard.
Van Nuys High School held grades seven to twelve on one campus located much in the middle of town. Students walked, peddled bicycles or trolleyed; a few older juniors and seniors sported Model A's and many endured long bus rides each day. With the post war boom and urban sprawl, those halcyon days are long gone, but those who attended recall good memories associated with the nickname, Wolves, and the school colors, crimson and gray. Not so unusual, one might say, for any of us growing up during the American thirties and forties, particularly in the country, small towns and semi-urban communities.
However, what if six residents here in University Village attended and graduated from Van Nuys High and a seventh was enrolled for a full year before his parents moved him to San Fernando and the rival Tigers of San Fernando High? What about the fact that four of them were Wolves during the same time period and have many friends in common, and that two, a tad younger, were acquainted with younger brothers and sisters of the four? What if the one who went on to San Fernando had attended elementary school with one of the six? And what if – other than a chance meeting – they had not seen one another for over sixty years? Until they were reunited at University Village, that is!
Bill Hubbard and Chuck Kircher went to the same elementary school, and it was Chuck who became the Tiger of San Fernando. Our other Wolves are Carol (Durfee) Durst, Marty (Mollett) and Chuck Mortensen, Jerry Strawn and Evelyn (Taylor) Ballsun. If you ever wish to talk about the good old days at Van Nuys High before Valley Girls and Surfers, give us a call! We will be happy to share stories and compare notes.