MY FRIENDS DR. DEXTER W. JOHNSON MD 2003 & HARWOOD “Bill” BANNISTER 2010

MY FRIENDS DR. DEXTER W. JOHNSON MD 2003 & HARWOOD “Bill” BANNISTER 2010

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In February I reflect on two people who were important to me and died this month. Dr. Dexter Johnson was an internationally recognized radiologist born December 6, 1931 and died February 4, 2003. He graduated from the University of Washington medical school. He began as a general practice physician in Lynden plus residency time on the medical staff at the old State mental hospital in Sedro Woolley. He did a residency in radiology at Mayo's and practiced in Montana for…

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WISDOM FROM POETRY

WISDOM FROM POETRY

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I  admit that while I enjoyed literature and reading, I was never particularly interested in poetry until my wife Lita introduced me to it over thirty years ago. I am grateful to her for doing so because I have found a great deal of enjoyment in poetry. In addition, I find wisdom in some poetry as well as inspiration. Over the years of trying jury cases I don't think there was any in which I didn't use poetry in my…

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WILLIAM H. TAYLOR COACH, LEADER OF YOUNG MEN AND MENTOR

WILLIAM H. TAYLOR COACH, LEADER OF YOUNG MEN AND MENTOR

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On January 24, 2002 William "Bill" Taylor died in Anacortes. He was one of Anacortes's most successful basketball coaches. He also was a positive influence in so many young men's lives, including mine. He was a great coach and mentor to me. I've published a full account of my high school relationship to this great coach and his profound influence in my life: https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2013/01/william-taylor.html . In addition, I published a background of this unique man who was so important in guiding…

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PHYLLIS MARIE ENNES 1928 – 2013

PHYLLIS MARIE ENNES 1928 – 2013

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My sister Phyllis Ennes died on January 7, 2013. She was the oldest of the three children with Anita Mayer in the middle and I as the youngest. For my previous post about Phyllis see https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2013/01/phyllis-luvera-ennes-1928-2013.htm Born to Paul and Mary Luvera in Anacortes she graduated from Anacortes High School in 1946 with honors and attended the University of Washington where hs obtained a degree in English. In 1953, the year I graduated from high school, she earned a teaching…

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UNUSUAL EVENTS THAT CHANGED HISTORY

UNUSUAL EVENTS THAT CHANGED HISTORY

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I have enjoyed watching a television political drama series The Newsroom, written by Aaron Sorkin and which  premiered on HBO in June 2012 and ended in 2014. The acting is outstanding with Jeff Daniels playing the role of a TV anchor and Sam Waterston as the manager of the network. Sorkin's writing is entertaining and extremely articulate. in one program, Daniels  recites a lengthy  list of coincidences that impacted history. One example was the assassination of the mayor of Chicago in…

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THE 1960’S HIPPIES WERE RIGHT ABOUT PEACE AND LOVE OF OTHERS

THE 1960’S HIPPIES WERE RIGHT ABOUT PEACE AND LOVE OF OTHERS

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In the mid 1960’s a counter culture blossomed throughout the United States. The movement took place in rebellion of the Vietnam War. The “Flower Power” movement was made up of teenagers and young people who became known as hippies. Peace and love was a message they wanted to get across. While largely rejected by the adult population at the time, in fact the movement did influence our culture, spirituality and even religion. I sometimes think we need another era of "hippies"…

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FILIPPA LUVERA & ELIZABETH “BETTY” BARNETT

FILIPPA LUVERA & ELIZABETH “BETTY” BARNETT

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Two members of our family died on the same day, but  years apart  and in different places. My paternal grandmother, Phyllis Flippa Luvera, born in 1870 died in Anacortes on December 20, 1946, My wonderful mother in law, Elizabeth (Betty) Barnett was born in 1910 and died in Pierce County December 20,  1985. Nonna Luvera, dad's mother, was an Italian grandmother who looked and sounded like what an Italian grandmother should look and act like. She spoke no English, but she…

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AN ITALIAN IMMIGRANT’S JOURNEY

AN ITALIAN IMMIGRANT’S JOURNEY

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That's the title of a book written by my father Paul Luvera Sr and edited by my sister Phyllis Luvera Ennes. It has just been privately printed for our large family and it is an interesting story of an immigrant family's success in America. I just published in this blog, on the anniversary of dad's death, November 4th, a  short outline of his life. It's the story of a young boy who traveled with his mother and sister from Italy…

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ALL I KNOW IS WHAT I READ IN THE PAPERS

ALL I KNOW IS WHAT I READ IN THE PAPERS

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That's a quote from Will Rogers who said : "All I know is what I read in the papers…" Rogers was born in 1879 and was a vaudeville performer, comedian and motion picture actor. He died the year I was born in 1935. That year Wiley Post, a nationally known pilot, and Rogers left Lake Washington in Renton on a float plane for a tour of Alaska. In August they had left Fairbanks in bad weather. About 20 miles SW…

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