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Navajo Smoke Signals Historical
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August 2006
Wahoka GHV!
The Navajo have kept busy this summer. We kicked off the summer with a craft making session hosted by our great chief Ron Pascual at the YMCA’s SeaCliff elementary location. The girls enjoyed making magnetic American Flags in preparation for the upcoming July 4th parade and the usual assortment of food, drink and conversation. Next up was the great Parade walk. We kicked off the celebration with a morning expresso, juice and bagel bash at the Remax Real Estate office on Main Sreet, and then headed out in full force to lead the parade. Thanks again to Chief Ron for hosting this event.
Last up was our first, but not last, Beach Cleanup along the sands of Bolsa Chica State Beach (Tower 17, to be exact). The Navajo Braves and Princesses stormed the beach in search of discarded paper, wrappers, bottles and other garbage in an effort to make our beaches a nicer place (See Photos). The campfire and smores at the end of the evening didn’t hurt either. Many kudos to Bob Bayer and Clay Bogott for pulling this event together.
Next up is Catalina, where you can expect to see the Mighty Navajo in full force!
Noonway,
Glenn “Broken Elbow” Selbo Navajo Scribe
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May 2006 Wahoka GHV! Let me tell you that the Navajo had one awesome weekend at Fiesta Island! Many, many thanks to Jon Ely and the Sioux for putting on one of the best camps ever. Not to make it sound like everything went well, it didn't. We arrived with a 4 family caravan to initially scout out the facilities. I made an executive decision to camp in an interior location away from the rest of the Nation (typical Navajo fashion). Low and behold after unloading and putting up a couple tents we find out the spot is reserved for the boy scouts. So we had to move all our stuff and find another location - major bummer. Luckily we found a great water front location and re-established our Navajo campsite which was to be a blessing in disguise. Read on. From this location we had everything the Navajo would ever need, pop up tents, fire ring, barbeque, poker room, restrooms and best of all direct beach access to all the water toys. Talk about being set up. We all enjoyed our first evening with a few sailing in the Catamarans and kayaking around the Mission Bay. Friday night’s dinner was a pizza buffet with dessert included, good stuff but not as good as our tradition Carne Asada cookout which we had later that evening. Big thanks goes to all of you who brought all the fixin's. Tasty carne - Livingston/Rule, awesome chicken - Bogot, tortillas, cilantro & onions - Evans, Chips and salsa + - Burley, plates and forks, napkins - Au, Fresh guacamole - Montgomery. Pop ups, table etc... Thank you all! BTW, even though we had the carne cookout on Friday we still drew an appreciative crowd of neighboring tribes. The evening’s topper though was the 20 minute Fireworks show ala Sea World directly across the bay from our site - a stroke of good fortune from the day’s earlier events. What a way to end the day. Thank you all for the kudos regarding the Fireworks, but I really didn't have anything to do with it ;). Saturday started off where Friday ended. Great times for all - the catered meals gave us the energy we needed to enjoy additional activities like fishing, paddle trikes, more Hobie cat sailing and kayaking along with the now infamous "Navajo Gone Wild" Party Pontoon! You should've seen the girls while they watched their Dad's dance like the Wu Tang Clan for over and hour cruising around the bay with the muzac blaring... crazy! Good times with great people. All this before we even sat down for lunch. After lunch we had the Nation Games - Country Club Father/Daughter golf range (reminder sign up with the Y for the Nation Golf Tourney May 12th), Frisbee Distance Toss and the Water Bottle Fill over the Dad's head event - a Princess favorite. Our girls showed up in full force to proudly represent the Navajo with lots of wins, places and shows. Some of our notable princesses were Lisa Nialis, who took home 3 awards, and Jacqui Pascual, who took 3rd in the Alumni Frisbee Toss and won a Shimano Rod and Reel for a 14" yellow fin croaker! After the games the Nation Kayak Race was a held. Let me tell you there was lots of trash talking before the event. Our great Nation Chief, Brad Spell (Sioux) even came by our camp fire Friday evening to ask if we had brought the Nations Paddle Award and warn us that they brought their "Sioux Young Guns" to take us on. We had another thing in mind with Russ Buccola and Brian King to lead the race and Dan Livingston and Kelly Evans to anchor. Boy did the Navajo braves kick some royal booty and beat all comers by 2 kayak lengths! It definitely was a close race with the Sioux giving us a great battle and the lead exchanging more than once but in the end the Navajo held up our Paddles in all our Glory and another notch was carved into the GHV History books! The Navajo Dynasty wins again. The Nation Campfire was the capper to the weekend events with the Navajo Girls performing a movie film skit which was very humorous and entertaining. Thank you to Dan Nichols for coming up with our original screen play. Afterwards we had a tribal campfire with smores and hot chocolate (thank you Simitian and Kings for providing the goodies). With the girls off to bed some of us stayed up for a short but fun game of low stakes poker. Mark Nialis cracked my Aces and went away with a couple extra bucks. This was just another incredible Indian Princess Campout (all this for less than 2 tanks of gas, lol). If you and your daughter enjoyed this weekend please remember to invite your daughter’s friends and their fathers to join the "Best Kept Secret in HB"! Noonway Ron Pascual, Eagle Eye Jacqui Pascual, Fire Star
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April 2005
Wahoka GHV!
This month's Navajo Smoke Signal is presented by princess Jacqui Pascual, the great Chief's daughter
Navajo Invade Brewbakers in HB! We had the best time at brew bakers with our fathers. Our tribe went to Brewbakers and made pretzels & special root beer with our very own Navajo labels. I had a great time hanging out with my dad and friends. We rolled root beer on the sidewalk to mix it all up and then we filled and capped the bottles to take home. We also made pretzels. The pretzels were fun to make because we got to shape the dough ourselves.
I can’t wait till our next event where we will be making our mom’s charms for Mother’s day!
Noonway,
Jacqui Pascual, Fire Star Princess of Navajo Chief Ron Pascual
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February 2005 Wahoka GHV!
The Navajo had a great time at this year's Winter Camp. The tribe headed in mass to Camp Cedar Lake at Big Bear with almost 50 braves and princesses in tow.
We kicked off the weekend on Friday night in town, enjoying fine Italian cuisine at Paoli's. As dawn crested on Saturday morning, the girls charged off to the nation games, dominating the obstacle course events with our own Emily Hubbard setting the course record. For lunch, some of the tribe went on another road trip into town to La Bamba's Mexican restaurant, a new watering hole which may become an annual lunch time event. Later that afternoon, our tribe enjoyed hiking and sledding with the rest of nation, along with an occasional snow ball fight.
After the festive nation campout, we closed the evening off in typical Navajo fashion, once again entertaining our nation brethren with our world famous carne asada tacos. Mucho thanks to our grill master and incoming Chief, Ron Pascual. All hail the new Chief!
I know the Navajo had a awesome time at Camp Cedar Lake and I hope we can come back every year. Now that I am Sachem for the Navajo, Danielle and I will enjoy and take it easy in our last year. Noonway, Doug "Golden Eagle" Drake Danielle "Tiger Lily" Drake
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December 2005 Wahoka GHV!
This month's Smoke Signal presented by princess Brianna Selbo The Navajo and the other tribes went to a Christmas party where we decorated cookies and the Chiefs. We also took pictures with Santa. We also went on boats and saw the Harbor lights and enjoyed having pizza and hot cocoa (see photos). I hope you had a very Merry Christmas. Brianna Selbo, Age 7
Chief's Footnote: Thank you Brianna for that fine summary of the Navajo’s active December. We certainly kept ourselves busy with the nation Holiday Party and our own special Navajo Harbor Cruise of Lights. During the festive nation holiday party, our girls enjoyed the cookie and picture frame decorating activities, as well as the run of the Sowers facility. Our girls also did a tremendous job covering our noble chief in wrapping paper, Christmas lights and snow flakes. Next up was our annual pizza bash and boat cruise of the holiday lights in Huntington Harbor. Many, many, many thanks to Ted Polich and Brett Cyprus for sharing their home and boats with over fifty Navajo braves and princesses. The girls had a great time enjoying each other’s company and the lights of the harbor. The boats weren’t too bad, either. J
Until next time, Chief Doug "Golden Eagle" Drake
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November 2005 Wahoka GHV! This month's Smoke Signal is presented by princess Daniel Drake
The Navajo have had a fun November! First we had our tribal activity at Ruby's, where we had burgers, chicken tenders and shakes. Also for a craft, we made Indian necklaces. We had ice cream for dessert. As always, we had a big turnout (see photos). Recently, we went to Fountain Valley Bowl for our nation event. We enjoyed bowling and eating lots of popcorn. A good time was had by all braves and princesses.
I hope everyone has a Happy
Thanksgiving.
Danielle "Tiger Lilly" Drake
Chief's Footnote:
The Navajo had a tremendous month of November. Our tribal meeting was held at Ruby's at the end of the Huntington Beach pier, where we commandeered the entire second floor for dinner, crafts, and ice cream. After most of the 49 Navajo in attendance dined on a variety of burgers and fries, the girls gathered for our craft activity, which consisted of building a mighty Navajo necklace to be worn at future nation campouts. The girls then finished off the evening with a slew of ice cream sundaes. Many thanks to the Ruby's staff for accommodating us and making this a great event.
Several of the Navajo also participated in the annual nation Bumper Bowl. Congratulations to Melanie Au for taking 3rd place in the second grade contest.
Until next time.... Chief Doug "Golden Eagle" Drake
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October 2005 Wahoka GHV! After a brief respite at the end of summer due to the start of the new school year, the mighty Navajo kicked off the fall with an October tribe event and the recent Induction Picnic. In what is likely to become an annual Navajo event, our tribe met for a fun-filled evening of crafts at the Hidden Talents Ceramic Painting Studio in the Huntington Harbor Mall. The staff members at Hidden Talents were worth their weight in gold, as they personally guided and assisted our princesses in dressing up their favorite horse, puppy, kitten and various other statuettes. They were also very accommodating in allowing us to bring in our favorite beverages, pizza and more to enjoy during our crafty session, and their prices were far more reasonable compared with your typical Color-Me-Mine (or as one of our dads likes to say, “Rob-Me-Blind”). We ended the evening with each of the girls sharing a recent activity they experienced with their fathers. Many thanks are owed to the Simitian family for making this a great event all the way around. Although faced with threatening skies and a little rain, the great spirits turned out in force at the annual Induction Picnic held on October 16. The Navajo entertained the nation at this family event with Pumpkin craft painting, soccer goals and corn balls, throwing in some hotdogs, chips and soda for the hungry for good measure. Credit is due the Selbo family for creating and manning the pumpkin craft booth and the Drake clan for the fine food and barbecue, as well as all the dads and daughters who helped out during the day. We were graced with many of our wives in attendance as well, for a truly memorable family outing. We also introduced many new princesses at the event and look forward to even greater events in the coming year. Until next time, Chief Doug "Golden Eagle" Drake
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September 2005 Wahooka GHV! Summer has ended but the Navajo have kept busy these past few months. We finished off the summer season with a pizza party where the girls prepped for Catalina by creating new name tags for the great Navajo shield as the Dads made plans for the 26 miles across the sea. Catalina was marked by many victories for the great Navajo. Not only did our Dad's keep the coveted Paddle by beating our nation brethren in the great kayak race, but our Navajo princesses took home many awards in the nation games and fishing competitions. As always the Navajo had the great taco bar, and this time it was better than ever. The Navajo also had five new indian princesses going on their 1st campout. We are glad to welcome to our tribe; Mackenzie Burrly, Madison Heslin, Emma Hill, Jillian Rule, and Darcy Weizer. This trip also marked the final campout for two great Navajo warriors and their daughters - Mark Nuremberg and his daughter Lucy, and Tim Wetzel and his daughter Blake. These two families have played an important part in the growth of the mighty Navajo tribe, and we will miss them greatly. Until next time, Chief Doug "Golden Eagle" Drake
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August 2005 Wahooka GHV! It has been a great summer for the Mighty Navajo. June & July were very busy so August is our month to rest before the big Catalina trip. At the end of July, our dad’s, princesses and their families gathered at Huntington State Beach for a Beach Bash. Russ, Lori and Paige Buccola hosted this great family event. Great food and games were had by all. Thanks again to the Buccola’s and for everyone who attended and helped make this another great Navajo event. Until next time, Chief Doug "Golden Eagle" Drake
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July 2005 Wahooka GHV! The steamy dog days of summer are upon us, but the Navajo are well schooled in the art of staying cooooool. Kicking off our summer fun was the Dads and Daughters Dance. To get in a festive mood, the Mighty Navajo gathered at the home of past chief Tim Wetzel and daughter Blake for plenty of pre-dance conversation, drinks, and appetizers. The evening was topped off with each of the girls making their own corsage for the evening from fresh flowers in the garden. Many thanks to Blake’s mom, Dana, for helping coordinate this activity, because I’m certain we dads would have made a mess of it! Next up on the calendar was our preparations for the 4th of July festivities. Our dads and princesses gathered at Chief Doug Drake’s abode the day before for a very wet swimming party and wagon decorating event. Burgers and beer (root, of course) were had by all, and the day was capped off with each of the girls helping to decorate two wagons for the July 4th parade. On the morning of the 4th, the Mighty Navajo gathered at dawn for doughnuts and pre-parade activities at the home of Jack Behlmer and his princess, Sierra “Raging River” Behlmer. Parade-prep was in overdrive, as the girls sprayed their hair red and blue and fine-tuned our third parade wagon by fastening the legendary canoe paddle secured by the Navajo during our last campout. Thanks again to all who attended for making this another memorable Navajo experience. Until next month… Glenn "Broken Elbow" Selbo Honorable Scribe to the Mighty Navajo Chief Doug Drake
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June 2005 Wahooka GHV! Spring is in the air, and the Navajo have been beating the war drum of activity these past couple of months. We kicked off Spring with a trip to Boomer’s in Fountain Valley for an evening of miniature golf and pizza. With 30 girls in attendance, the Mighty Navajo swarmed the links and kept the lights on well past the parks scheduled closing at 8 pm. Many thanks to Ron Pascual for pulling this event together, as it was a great opportunity for both dad’s and daughters to reconnect after a bit of an absence, as well as build up some momentum heading into this year’s Spring Camp. Spring Camp was marked by several mighty victories for the great Navajo. Not only did our dad’s regain the coveted Paddle by demolishing our nation brethren in the great canoe race (words cannot describe the chaos), but our young princesses stood proud for the Navajo by defeating the mighty Sioux in a great tug-of-war match. Okay, I’m leaving out the part where our girls were bested in a follow-up title tug match, but the way I see it, we’re 1-1, and worthy of a rematch in Catalina. The Navajo also continued our tradition of being the tribe everyone wishes they had joined, as our dads barbecued over 80 pounds of carne asada for all comers (thanks to Annie at the Y for footing the bill). Our girls were also the only tribe to put on a skit, two in fact. A special thanks to our alumni princesses Blake Wetzel and Karina Hubbard for leading our young minions in song and dance. We also recently got together for a Kidnap breakfast, where our dads arose at 6:00 am to whisk away their daughters, unbeknownst to them at the time, to a secret hiding place in a back room at IHOP where 47 of their closest friends awaited. The surprise in their faces and excitement in their voices when they arrived to see their fellow Navajo princesses was priceless. The same could not be said for the IHOP pancake breakfast. After a slide show displaying great Navajo moments in history, the event culminated in the passing of the Navajo headdress to our new Chief, Doug “Golden Eagle” Drake, and his daughter, princess “Tiger Lilly” Danielle. Thanks are due to Bob Bayer for setting this fun event up. Until next time… Noonway! Glenn “Broken Elbow” Selbo
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January 2005 Navajo-jo-jo!! While we have sent few smoke signals these past few weeks, the Mighty Navajo have been very active during this past holiday season. In November, many young Navajo princesses took part in a Coup Stock decorating party at the offices of Jack Behlmer’s Creative Imaginations offices. Handcrafted by Jeff Hubbard’s dad, the sticks were a major hit and the girls enjoyed the chance to reconnect over pizza, soda and mountains of stickers. Sounds of the Navajo chant (for the uninitiated, Na-va-jo-jo, Na-va-jo-jo, hey-hey-hey, Na-va-jo,) ended a great evening. We also had a great turnout for the annual GHV Bumper Bowl as well, with Nicolette Simitian holding up our Navajo pride with a second place finish in the kindergarten competition. The Navajo greeted the start of the holiday season in style in December with a victory in the Chief decorating contest at the annual Holiday Party. While our attendance was limited, our girls and dads stepped it up to completely encase yours truly in mountains of toilet paper, garland, stickers and lights. Many thanks to all the girls for an inspired effort, as well as to the host Cheyenne for putting on a truly enjoyable event. Later in the month we collected at the homestead of Big Toe for our annual holiday cruise through the lights at Huntington Harbor. We had a full house with a total of 18 families in attendance. After pizza and bonding, our dads and daughters took to the boats and had a festive time cruising the harbor. A special note of thanks to Jeff Silver and Ted and Jennifer Polich for a putting on a truly memorable evening. See you at Winter Camp! Glenn “Broken Elbow” Selbo
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Home | About GHV | Newsletter | Photo Gallery | Nation Business | Resources | Contact Us West County YMCA • Seacliff Office Park • 2100 Main Street, Suite 200 • Huntington Beach, CA 92648 • (714) 847-9622
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