Please tell us about your Coronado Memory
Paradise Regained by Jack Larison

One year after buying our first home (Coronado 1956), we were given the traditional transcontinental set of orders that challenge a successful Navy career. After twenty-three years away, we were finally able to return to our treasured little cottage on Parkview Place-- when after two adoptions our first child was born. Having spent a rewarding career full of travel, pay and adventure, we were frankly ready to relax and smell the Agapanthus - or so we thought. The refreshing energy and vitality of the Coronado community awakened that elan that had dominated our years away.

Thanks to my old squadron mate and first tenant Stu Powell, we were able to quickly join in the myriad of local activities that offered innumerable chances to expand our base of friends. He was the point man when it came to umpiring Little League, mentoring in the schools, helping with the Fourth of July Committee, serving "Meals on Wheels" and finding the right place to worship. Most notably, he introduced us to the Optimist Club.

Through the Optimist Club we connected with the Blumenthal clan which led to Saturday morning hoops at the gym with the infamous 'Sixth Street Regulars'. That group of serious competitors and local leaders were so receptive to an old hack that had a sense of belonging that immediately developed and grew which included trips and cruises that left indelible impressions on us with respect to shared values and priorities. How we each got to where we were, made for some hilarious (and some not so funny) stories that we delighted in exchanging. Memories of Dave and Lola are very precious to us.

When we first returned to Coronado, we were in search of a second car - and once again thru the good offices of Stu, we met Jack Couture who would sell his prize VW convertible only with the proviso that we retain it's "NADOBUG" license tag. It's inevitable departure from the island some twenty years later was one our saddest goodbyes. Thank goodness we still have Jack to harass us about the health and welfare of the "NADOBUG." (We're happy to report that the bug is alive and well with our daughter on another island called Clear Lake Shores in Texas.)

"NADOBUG" brings to mind the fourth of July Parade and the number of times we showed it off carrying outstanding CHS students as a prelude to the Optimist Sports Fiesta featuring the longest running triathlon in the world. In fact, many of our favorite memories center around the events sponsored by the Optimists ranging from Scouting, to Lamb's Players Theater Outreach Program, Camp Able and Miracle League, all which afforded gratifying opportunities for serving the special needs youth of San Diego.

Which brings us to another aspect of memories about Coronado-and that is the number of trips we have made to visit friends and family. In each instance, we would come over that bridge swearing, Why did we ever leave?' Then once we get to the front door, we are even more satisfied that we made the right choice for spending our time in our little branch of paradise- remembering St. Peter's admonition to a recent arrival from Coronado that "You may not like it here".

Coming home usually brings a very of catch-up chores, but we rely on the year round Optimist calendar and St. Paul's United Methodist Church Pastor Keller's three-part homily sermons to keep us alert to new and challenging opportunities to avoid the pitfalls of aging.

For that we are thankful - that we are able to remember the good things that fuel our perseverance. Moreover, we are eternally grateful to the good Lord for abundantly blessing our lives in Coronado.