Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Main Street

Mary Ann Cook

Accident victim continues amazing recovery

BACK HOME: Erich Pichler is back home and making amazing and steady progress, reports his mother, Josette. "He's our miracle," she says. Erich was in a coma for four months after sustaining traumatic brain damage in an auto accident in Arizona. After six weeks in a Phoenix hospital he was transferred to Kentfield Rehabilitation Hospital, which specializes in head injuries. Erich's been back in Los Gatos for three months and walks with only slight support from a crutch. He had pneumonia for six months and had to eat via a tracheotomy tube. Now he's tube-free and eating an almost normal diet. And he's talking about furthering his education. His learning capacity is definitely there, and he's gradually remembering things from before the accident. His family wants to thank the community for its support. Both Fisher and Lexington schools had fundraisers for him, as did the Leos, who teamed up with Fresh Choice this spring in a fundraiser. Josette used to work at Lexington School's day care but is now caring for Erich full time. Other members of the household are father Art Pichler and sister Katie, a Los Gatos High School student. Erich also has a grown brother and sister. His sister was recently married, and Erich wore his Marine dress blues to the ceremony, escorted down the aisle by his brother.

SPIRITS AND SPRITES: Halloween may be long gone, but the Tait Street version lingers on in memory. Witches on invisible pull strings fell out of trees, cobwebs entrapped front doors and weird noises abounded. One yard was turned into a mock cemetery with a headstone: "To Be or Not to Be No Longer a Question." Hordes in the hundreds come from outlying areas to thrill to the sights and sounds on Tait. One homeowner there is MarLyn Rasmussen, who was bedecked as a fairy godmother in toddler tutus used on head, arms and neck, plus coils of blond wigs. MarLyn required those over age 12 to sing or dance for their handouts. Perhaps the most imaginatively dressed beggar was 16-month-old Cole Williams, as a chicken, newly hatched. The costume was handmade by his mother with help from his father in constructing the egg. The goblins of Tait set the L.G. (Living Ghouls) standard for Halloween.

TURNING 90: Mims Stewart, longtime teacher in Los Gatos, celebrated her 90th birthday with friends and former students, such as Jimmie Cooper of University Barber Shop and Jim Greenfield. Mims drives downtown daily from her home on the summit to shop at Lunardi's, have her hair done or run errands. Then she has one drink at the Last Call. 'Tis a ritual for her, so naturally the party was at the Last Call. Mims Stewart taught for 35 years, including fifth grade at Van Meter. Later she worked at the assessor's office until she was 89. "She acts and talks so young," says Shirley Woodhead, "it's hard to believe she's 90. So vibrant." She never forgets a birthday, so this time the favor was returned.

NELSON MEMORIAL: A memorial for Peter Nelson, a Santa Cruz County parks supervisor, drew upwards of 80 people from this side of the hill, who paid tribute to the man who had been an avid Little League and softball coach. Peter Nelson coached the L.G. All-Star Major 12-year-olds in their winningest season ever this year: They made it to the semifinals of the championship of the district. The service was in a Ben Lomond park, and the most moving speaker was Adam Nelson, 12, who read the Little League pledge. Blair Hansen, LL president, described Nelson as a man you couldn't miss on the field--"a big bear of a man, kind and gentle." But the main reason he stood out was that "he had the light in his eye because he loved what he was doing."

RALLY '97: The first annual Peckler Memorial Rally drew 67 competing teams and a crowd of 600. The Fitness Clinic Team of Karl Malmsheimer, Mark Rackley, Ray Umeda and Robert Jones came in third. Track teams from Davis (Judy Peckler was a member) took first and second. Winning walkers were the DDS Squared team: Janice (Indian Store) and Ken Benjamin, Mary Ellen and Bill Comport, first; and the Bells--Celia, Derek and Stephanie Bell Loller--second. Proceeds go to CASA, A Place for Teens and the Teen Counseling Center of the West Valley.

NONAGENARIAN: Thelma Rhine-lander, who died Oct. 29 at 98, was the best-known nonagenarian in town and may have been our oldest citizen. She grew up on the family ranch on Saratoga Ave., now home to the Diner. Thelma Rhinelander worked for the telephone company, was active in the History Club and was a 50-year member of the United Methodist Church. Until a few months ago she lived independently. She was alert up to the end, reports regular visitor April O'Keefe. Her husband, Andrew Judy Rhinelander, a local pharmacist, died in 1977.

TO EMQ: An open house and trunk show Nov. 14, 6-10 p.m., at the Maid's Quarters and Jennifer Croll's will benefit Eastfield Ming Quong. Twenty percent of sales during those hours will go to EMQ, say Claudia Mann, Jennifer Croll and Deborah Walker.

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