Craft Talks from two of our newer members proved again to be a great way to get to know members, their background, families, hobbies and accomplishments.

Jim Pontello, Pharm.D., was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Jim moved to Baldwin Park with his family at eight years old. His first day of school, dressed in a matching ensemble, shorts, coat and hat, he was beat up by some bullies. His mother promptly purchased some California wear and Jim fit right in. After elementary school Jim went to San Gabriel Mission High School and then joined the U.S. Army with some buddies. Upon discharge Jim attended Pasadena City College then transferred to the USC School of Pharmacy. Jim remembers rooming with some prominent football players while there and even a celebrity, the actor Nick Nolte.  USC made such an impression on Jim that he started the San Gabriel Valley Trojan Alumni group.  After graduation, Jim first worked in retail drug stores for ten years then spent fifteen years in Hospital Pharmacy. With the advancement of drug therapy to combat some of the world’s worst diseases and illnesses and reduce healthcare costs, home infusion was introduced. It was a convenient, safe way to administer drug therapy and get the same results as “in hospital” patients. Drugs such as chemo-therapy, aids medication, etc., are administered from small pre-loaded bubble pumps which are prepared at the pharmacy in a “clean sterile room”. On initial visits Jim would teach the patient or caregiver the concept of home infusion. Since some patients can’t take infusion at home, ambulatory infusion suites were developed where the patient can get their therapy then transported home. Jim has successfully administered home infusion therapy for the past twenty years and is now semi retired and we welcome him to Arcadia Rotary.  Jim has two boys and a girl, all grown and enjoying successful careers.

Dan Place was born in the small town of Blossburg, Pennsylvania and attended New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse where he received his degree in wood products and engineering. He then joined the U.S. Army and became a medical corpsman. He shipped out to Korea on a troop ship and recalls how they missed out on Christmas Day one year. Apparently the ship crossed the International Dateline on Christmas Eve but after crossing it became the day after Christmas. (I would be upset too Dan)   After the Army, Dan returned to Syracuse to get degreed and while there was searching for possible career opportunities when he found a 3”x5” card box full of corporations names and information students could use for job prospects. He made contact with Packard Bell in southern California and made his way to the west coast to begin his career. At that time Packard Bell manufactured televisions and stereo’s in beautiful wooden cabinets as pieces of furniture for peoples homes. PB had five hundred people manufacturing wood cabinets and another five hundred in the electronics division. Dan stayed for five years then became the manager of a small furniture company in Monrovia but was asked to return to PB in a management position where he stayed for the next ten years. Over the past twenty-five years Dan has worked in the sale of plywood and veneer. Plywood, made of face veneer, fiberboard and particleboard, is used in the manufacturing of furniture, desks, doors, boats, and a host of other areas

It was also good to know that Dan has enjoyed singing barbershop harmony over the past fifty-five years and is a part of the Masters of Harmony organization.

(Pat Dolphin)