Saturday, December 29, 2007

SPECIAL THANKS FOR SUPPORTING THE MAPLE LEAF ENDOWMENT FUND IN 2007

THANKS BROTHERS FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE MAPLE LEAF ENDOWMENT FUND! YOUR GENEROSITY IS A TRIBUTE TO THE OLD PHI DELT SPIRIT!

The campaign for the Maple Leaf Endowment Fund is underway, and hoping that year's end will boost our income for 2007. In the last two months, since the campaign began, we have raised $1,810.13 toward our goal of $15,000.

Contributions to the Maple Leaf Endowment Fund have been given by: 
Jerry Berns 
Dick Counsil
 Steve DuBow 
Jerry Fecht 
Clay Koerner 
Igor Olenicoff
 Jerry Olson Dennis Parcells, Vance Meyer, and 
Ralph Muzzillo.

In addition to our normal scholarships, we will also contribute make a contribution in memory of our Brother John Hostinsky founder of our chapter at Virginia Technical Institute.

Tax deductible contributions should be made to: 

Maple Leaf Endowment Fund

c/o Anchor Education Foundation

21031 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 419

Woodland Hills, CA 91364

Happy New Year Gang --- 2008 --- 52 Years of the Phi Delt Spirit --- Happy New Year Raiders ---

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

LOSS OF OUR BROTHER JOHN LOUIS HOSTINSKY FOUNDER OF OUR VIRGINIA TECH CHAPTER


JOHN LOUIS HOSTINSKY Jr. BROTHER IN THE PHI DELTA PSI

Our Fraternity Brother, and hero of the Phi Delta Psi passed away on Saturday, December 15th, 2007 in Manakin-Sabot, Virginia. John Hostinsky, who was 63 years old, was the son of the late John J. Hostinsky Sr.
Br. Hostinsky was initiated into the Phi Delta Psi Fraternity Beta Chapter in the Fall semester, 1957 at Los Angeles Pierce Community College. John graduated from Virginia Technical Institute in 1971, but not before he founding a Chapter of our Brotherhood on that campus.

The Phi Delta Psi Chapter at Virginia Tech, inspired by the loyalty and intense brotherhood of our Fraternity, remained for some years a strong and independent organization. Later it became a colony and active chapter in the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

Cherishing with us the memory of John Hostinsky is his wife Beverly, his son John Louis Hostinsky III and his wife Melicent; and son Joshua Lee Hostinsky', granddaughter Lillian Grace Hostinsky; mother Valorie, sister Captain Catherine Wilson USN and her husband Captain Don Wilson USN Retired, and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.

Big John enjoyed spending his time fishing and devoted much of his time to sand drag racing at Newtown Dragway in Virginia. His memorial service was held on December 20th, 2007 at Saint Alban's Anglican Catholic Church in Richmond, Virginia

President Bob Marko of Beta Chapter spoke about sending the rituals and traditions of our Brotherhood with John for the purpose of forming a Chapter of the Fraternity at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Little however was known about John's efforts until the year of the 50th anniversary of our founding in 2006, when Brothers James Easter and Clifford Moseley contacted us via the Phi Delta Psi website. Both consequently attended our 50th year celebration in Palm Springs.

A contribution to Virginia Technical Institute's scholarship fund in memory of John Louis Hostinsky has been made from the Maple Leaf Endowment Fund of our enduring Brotherhood.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

PHI DELT FAVORITE CLOSES FOR GOOD - DEC 31st.



For those of us who were hotdog freaks, the Weiner Factory is scheduled to close for good this Dec. 31st.

Sigh!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Bros DAVE PAGE and SAM HERR

Phi Delta Psi Brothers Dave Page and Sam Herr - Spring 1967 - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2007

Br. David P. Page (Beta Chapter Spring 1966) and Br. Sam Herr (Beta Chapter Fall 1964) Dave Page lives in Westlake Village.

Friday, December 7, 2007

GARY FREDBURG KEEPS BUSY WITH THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Gary Fredburg Studies Archive Preservation Techniques - November 2007

Dr. Robert Marshall, CSUN Archivist explains preservation of historical artifacts to Br. Gary Fredburg. Gary, who is the Vice President of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley is an expert in historic paper goods, such as postcards, letters, deeds, and even regional match book covers.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Br. BILL WESTMYER

Wlliam Westmyer - June 1957 - Archieves of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

This photograph of Br. Bill Westmyer was taken for the Notre Dame High School yearbook in the Spring of 1957. About four months later, Bill pledged his loyalty to the Phi Delta Psi Fraternity in Woodland Hills, California.

Monday, December 3, 2007

STATUS OF THE MAPLE LEAF ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN

The campaign for the Maple Leaf Endowment Fund is off to a good start. Since the beginning of November the Brotherhood has received $1,451.13.
Contributions have been given by:
Jerry Berns
Dick Counsil
Steve DuBow
Jerry Fecht
Clay Koerner
Igor Olenicoff
Jerry Olson
Ralph Muzzillo.

We have $13,549.13 left to go to meet our goal for the 2006-07 fund raising effort.
Tax deductible contributions should be made to:

Maple Leaf Endowment Fund
c/o Anchor Education Foundation
21031 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 419
Woodland Hills, CA 91364

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Br. McALVEY'S HORSE A REAL WINNER

"Bit of Baja" Wins Spectacular Race

Jerry McAlevey - Second from the left

Brother Jerry McAlevey, president of Phi Delta Psi's Alpha Chapter at LA Valley College, is one of the fortune owners of the amazing race horse "Bit of Baja".

Monday, November 12, 2007

BIG CATS AND BIG TALES



Jerry Fecht - a Lion Cub and Teacher Gary Wilson

In the spring of 1996, Gary Wilson, then director of America's Teaching Zoo at moorpark College, brought a new lion cub to be introduced to Jerry Fecht and his colleague Karen Whitaker. Jerry and Karen had recently renamed the animal compound America's Teaching Zoo to help the zoo gain more public support (It worked.)
Not to pass an opportunity by, Jerry and Karen put together an international "Name the Baby Lion" contest for the Boys and Girls Clubs. The contest gave Gary Wilson and the zoo-crew the opportunity to teach thousands of children about wild and domestic cats. Thousands of entries poured into Anchor Education. The winner was a little girl in Phoenix, Arizona who named the quickly growing cat, "Savannah". The children drew wonderful pictures to support their entries and the college displayed them, so that every child could say that her or his art had been displayed in a real art gallery.
Savannah was assigned to a second year student in the Exotic Animal Training and Management program (EAT'M). The student was responsible for Savannah's care for over twelve months.
The years later, exploring the Dominican Republic with Brother Igor Olenicoff and a gang of Phi Delt brothers, Br. Jerry McAlvey found Jerry and said, "Come on, you have to see these white tigers."
The great cats were simply wonderful. The young animal trainer brought one of the cats to a claw-tooth-proof window, and told us about the creatues. Jerry Olson asked him, where did you learn how to take care of tigers? The young fellow answered that he went to school in California. Jerry Fecht asked, "Moorpark College?" "Yes" he replied. He had been Gary Wilson's student and had been in charge of Savannah for a year.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Thursday, November 1, 2007

DETINU VIDAL BROTHERS OF PHI DELTA PSI

ALUMNI BROTHERS OF DETINU VIDAL 2005

Phi Delta Psi's Chapter at Moorpark College used the name Detinu Vidal. The name was chosen to avoid discrimination against Greek letter organizations. Thirteen Brothers of the Chapter were initiated into The Thirteenth Hour in a stable belonging to a Dominican priory in Santa Rosa Valley, Ventura County.
Left to right:
Larry Allomong, John Elrod, Jim Powers, Rick Riggs, Burnet Brown, Jerry Crossman and Bob Cole.

Br. JIM POWERS


James W. Powers
Detinu Vidal - Moorpark College - Fall 1972

In September of1989, Brother Jim Powers was promoted to the position of Fire Captain for the Newhall, and Santa Clarita communities. Three years later he earned a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection and Engineering from California State University Los Angeles.
In 1994, Jim was assigned to Office of Emergency Management, LA County CAO. Two years later he was promoted to Battalion Chief (East LA, Technical Operations Section, and Malibu).
As a member of the Christian Church of Thousand Oaks, Jim has participated in missionary construction projects in Mexico (1996-1999), Chile (2001 & 2003) and Kenya (2004).
As LA County Team Leader of Urban Search and Rescue Team, Jim responded to Oklahoma Bombing and Sri Lanka Tsunami. He has participated in international
disaster exercises in Iceland, Norway, Ethiopia and Switzerland. He also has participated in international disaster conferences in Costa Rica, Peru, Tunisia, Japan, Jordan. He most recently was involved in the rescue operations in Hurricane Katrina in the New Orleans area.
In 2005, Brother Jim Powers is assigned to Battalion 5 in Malibu.

Br. AL AQUINO'S ONLY TRICK-OR-TREATERS THIS YEAR

Grass Valley Trick-or-Treaters.

Al Aquino had only these trick-or-treaters this year. Fortunately, he had enough candy for them, having secured ninin packages of bite sized Snickers bars. Because Br. Al is opposed to wasting things like Snickers bars, he was forced to put them in the freezer of his refirgerator.
Al has been doing a lot of thinking about how much energy it takes to keep Snickers bars in the freezer.
jf

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Br. BOB COLE SEPTEMBER 2007

Art Photo of Bob Cole
Brother Bob Cole at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, September 27, 2007. Image by Jerry Fecht

Friday, October 26, 2007

MAPLE LEAF ENDOWMENT NEWS AND DV CHAPTER REUNION PHOTO

Br. Bob Cole greets old friend and Fraternity Brother Ken Duell at Reunion of the Detinu Vidal Chapter of Phi Delta Psi. Photo courtesy of Br. Bill Chapin (left).

NEWS ON THE MAPLE LEAF ENDOWMENT FUND CAMPAIGN
On the week of October 13, emails were sent about the Maple Leaf Endowment Fund. This Phi Delt year's years goal it to add $15,000 to the endowment. As of October 25th, six Brothers have donated $1,051 to the Fund. This leaves $14,049.13 to go.
Thanks to Brothers Jerry Olson, Steve Dubow, Ralpha Muzzillo, Jerry Fecht, Igor Olenicoff, and Clay Koerner for kicking our campaign off to a great start!
Brother Gary Fredburg and Bob Cole have contacted Jerry Fecht about serving on the Board of Anchor Education Foundation. Any of the alumni of Phi Delta Psi's chapters are welcome to nominate themselves to Anchor's board. The foundation meets about two to three times a year.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Br. BILL CHAPIN

BILL CHAPIN - DETINU VIDAL CHAPTER - MOORPARK COLLEGE

Brother Bill Chapin lives in Plano, Texas. This portrait is based on a photograph by Br. John Elrod at a chapter reunion.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

PHOTO MEMORIES OF LAKE TAHOE



Photo collection of Andy Wallace

Monday, October 15, 2007

HISTORY'S YEARBOOKS

Rowland LoBianco Jr.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley collects school and college yearbooks from the greater Valley region. Recently The Museum acquired a copy of the 1955 "Arches" yearbook of Notre Dame High School. On page 29, among the Juniors is none other than Roy LoBianco. It's been a few years since Lobo has looked like this.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

WELL MY FELLOW TROJANS, THERE IS ALWAYS 1936


1936 USC football - Collection of the University's archives

Note to Bros. Igor Olenicoff, Richard Box, Steve Falk, Roy Lo Bianco and Paul Queyrel - Next year guys!

ALPHA CHAPTER PLEDGES POSE FOR FREDBURG'S CAMERA


Pledges of Phi Delta Psi at Valley College at Fraternity "work party". Photo from collection of Gary Fredburg
Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

The pledge period of Phi Delta Psi was short, about 6 weeks in length. After that all members of the organization were expected to participate in regular work parties.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007


Brother Gerald T. Buttaccio Founder of Beta Chapter
Phi Delta Psi Fraternity

Jerry Buttaccio graduated from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks in the spring of 1957. He enrolled in Los Angeles Pierce College, where he pledged into the mother Chapter of our Fraternity. He was among the first members of the Fraternity's newly formed Beta Chapter and was elected its first president.
After his graduation from Pierce in 1959, Jerry attended California State University Northridge where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.
With his diploma in hand, Jerry Buttaccio entered the banking profession. It was to be a lifetime career. His first position was with Security Pacific Bank, where he worked in banking operations. He spent 15 years in operations.
As time passed, Jerry opted to work for Independent - Community type banks. And, he has been involved on this side of banking since. He is skilled in developing smaller banks.
In 2007, Jerry is the Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Desert Community Bank in the Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jerry and his wife Donna live in Henderson, Nevada. He has five sons and a daughter. Two of his sons live in Las Vegas. Each has a family of two children each. Jerry's other three sons, Mark, Aaron and Brian, and his daughter Becky live in the Southern California area. Donna has two daughter's, each living in the Southern California area.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

BROTHER JOHN BOGDANOFF TRIES ON MILK MUSTACHE


John Rowland Bogdanoff - Beta Chapter - Los Angeles Pierce College
Fall 1963

Brother Bogdanoff considers the importance of the World Dairy Expo. Got milk!

BLINDNESS DOESN'T KEEP BROTHER BOB FROM THINKING OF US.

The following email is a response to news I sent Brother Bob Barbley about 6 months ago.

"Glad to hear from my brothers again.
The Veterans Administration GAVE ME new computer
and AM RETRAINING MYSELF TOP USE IT.
MY BLINDNESS HAS BEEN GOING MYSELF A
HARD TIME.BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU GUYS
A LOT . GOOD WORK JERRY -
B0B -
ALPHA PLEDGE CLASS S=57"


Brother Bob Barbley's email address is
blkt1@msn.com

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

JERRY BERNS IN 2007


Jerry Berns -- Beta Chapter -- Spring 1962
Photo taken at a lunch in September 2007

Now residing in Woodland Hills, Br. Jerry Berns continues to work in real estate. He served as Pledge Master for Beta Chapter in the Fall of 1962. He was in Vietnam from 1966 to 1969.

Monday, October 1, 2007

ALPHA BROTHERS LAKE TAHOE ADVENTURE 1963


Buick 69 - an inboard boat - Lake Tahoe 1963
far left at top
Michael Rosenthal, Roger Shannon and Jerry McAlevey
bottom left to right
Gary Fredburg, Vito Mazzarino, possibly Gary Alzeibler
bottom center
Andy Wallace

Archive photograph of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Friday, September 28, 2007

LETTER OF THANKS FROM SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

To: Maple Leaf Society Scholarship Committee

From: Ivan Iakhniouk
(address) Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

To Whom It May Concern:

I would like to take time to thank the Maple Leaf Society scholarship committee for their generosity. I am the recipient of a $500 scholarship award. Receiving the scholarship motivates me to maintain my high GPA and helps to complete my degree in a timely manner. I look forward to being able to give back to the community and to Ventura County in particular. I thank you for your confidence in my and willingness to help achieve my goal.
Sincerely Ivan Ivakhnniouk
(Student at Moorpark Community College)

Thursday, September 27, 2007

RESEDA BOULEVARD AND SHERMAN WAY


Br. Gary Fredburg just donated this post card to the collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley last evening. It is postmarked 1963, when most of us were still living or going to college in the Valley. It's caption reads: "Fabulous San Fernando Valley. Reseda Boulevard looking south from Sherman Way in the city of Reseda, California. The busy community is located near the center of the Valley."
The card was sent to Harry Farr in Woodland, Washington.
It reads: "Dear Dad and Myrtle. Here I am and it is warm. Everybody is fine. New baby boy was born Tuesday. Mark is his name. Kids have grown a lot. I will get pictures of them. Love Louise."
Gary is the Vice President of your Museum. He is working to secure us a permanent location.
JF

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

BROS BERMAN AND HINZ


Brothers Dave Berman (in pig tails) and Dave Hinz ham it up before Alpha costume party.
Year is unknown.
Archieves of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

ROGER SHANNON PICKS UP A DATE


Roger Shannon -- Alpha Chapter -- Fall 1960 -- LA Valley College

The young woman being lifted by Br. Roger Shannon is unknown. The fellow in the backgroun may be Bob Cruger.

DEAN BREWSTER AT JERRY BERNS' LUNCH IN WOODLAND HILLS


Wallace Dean Brewster
Beta Chapter -- Phi Delta Psi -- Fall 1962 -- Pierce College

Our Brother Dean Brewster is still actively engaged in his insurance business in Chatsworth California. He and his wife Patty live in the Simi Valley.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

PHIL GATCH SHARES THIS CELL PHONE PHOTOGRAPH



Beta Chapter Brothers, Dean Brewster (initiation semeser unknown) and Joe Riggio (Fall 1961) at Jerry Berns lunch at Alcapulco Restaurant September 2007. Photo taken by cell phone camera by Br. Phil Gatch.

Friday, September 21, 2007

Br. TOM MONTES JOINS OLD PALS AT PHI DELT LUNCH


Br. TOM MONTES - BETA CHAPTER - FALL 1961

Once or twice a year I get a telephone call from Jerry Berns announcing an impromptu Phi Delt lunch. As is our custom, we positioned Br. Tom Montes so that he would be the most likely one to get the check.
Tom is still at work in his landscaping and gardening business. He and his wife Gayle live in Simi Valley.

FOREVER A PLEDGE - PLEDGE DAN MILLER


Pledge Dan Miller

When he was looking, all those years ago, for an apartment in Manhattan Beach, no one would have expected that Dan Miller was to discover a lifetime Brotherhood of friends. Dan was out of college when he encountered Dave Hinz and our bros who had moved to Manhattan Beach for the stewardesses and volleyball. Perhaps because of the Margaritas, it was soon hard to distinguish Dan from the most raucous of the Valley Phi Delts.

When some of us offered to initiate Dan Miller at our Las Vegas Reunion, he refused. Some say it is that he promised his Kansas college buddies never to join another fraternity. But, most believe that he enjoys being the only one of us not to be hit up for contributions to the Maple Leaf Endowment Fund or having to pay dues. For whatever reason, he is now forever enshrined as Pledge Dan.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Br. LEROY HUNT COMPLETES ALPHA CHAPTER DATA BANK

Our Beta Br. LeRoy Hunt has taken on the huge project of cleaning up Jerry Fecht's data base on the Phi Delta Psi. He has transcribed the information from 135 pages to a more manageable 54.
LeRoy has double checked all the addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses.
He notes "There will be typos in the copy I am sure, but I will never send it if I keep checking. The beauty of this document, is that you can change anything you don't like."
You can share LeRoy's data banks on Alpha and Beta Chapters (Our other chapters will be available in the future.) Drop LeRoy or Jerry Fecht a note, and we'll be happy to get you copies - for the right price, free.

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Thursday, September 13, 2007

GETTING READY FOR ALPHA CHAPTER TOGA PARTY




















Kirby Wayne prepares Pledge Tim Herles for an Alpha Chapter toga party.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

GERALD McALEVEY LIFELONG SPORTSMAN


























Jerry McAlevey - President Alpha Chapter - L.A. Valley College


Brother Jerry McAlevey was initiated into Phi Delta Psi Fraternity shortly after his graduation from Bishop Allemany High School in the San Fernando Valley. Famous for his notorious Boxer dog Sapphire, Jerry led the Brotherhood at Valley College during some of its most fun and exciting times. Life for Jerry has been one great adventure after another. His love of sailing began with the purchase of a wooden boat, desperately in need in repair. He and the Bros christened the suspect vessel as "The Bullship."

Monday, September 10, 2007

BR. JERRY OLSON EXPLORES ANCIENT CAVE














Jerry Olson
Beta Chapter
Spring 1961









Brother Jerry Olson explores Haitisis culture cave in the Dominican Republic. The ancient Haitisis people are believed to have used this shoreline cave for cannibal rituals, or maybe to just stop by for lunch.
Jerry was initiated into the Beta Chapter of our Phi Delta Psi Fraternity at L.A. Pierce College.

BROTHER AL B. CONAHAN DISCOVERED!




















And, we've been worried about the whereabouts of Brother Al Conahan!

We've been looking for big Al Conahan for about six years, and he found us. By good fortune Al discovered the Phi Delta Psi website and checked in. Al pledged our Brotherhood at Pierce College in the Fall of 1962. Jerry Fecht
" I moved to Reno over 5 years ago, from Las Vegas. I retired from the construction business and took a position with a spa dealer/contractor. I manage all the marketing and sales. I also administer the web site and other computer related responsibilities. Just out making new friends. AL B. C.

PLEDGEMATES SPRING OF 1962

























Larry Pitsch and Gary Fredburg (Valley College - Spring 1963)
During his recent visit to the United States, Larry Pitsch looked up Gary Fredburg for a long visit and a trip downtown LA to have lunch in the now-historic Clifton's Cafeteria. Larry, who was president of Alpha Chapter in 1963, lives in Bangkok,. Tailand with his wife Vicki. Brother Fredburg and his wife Wendy live in Burbank (now historic) where he collects rare paper artifacts and serves as Vice President of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

DALE ALEXANDER WORKS AS ARTIST ACTOR



















Dale Edsel Alexander Mother Alpha Chapter Fall 1957
Painting in the office of Dr. Roberta Cerveny Encino, California

Now retired as a set builder for the Walt Disney Company, Dale Alexander now works as an artist and professional actor.