Madre of the Month

January Madres of the Month

Hostesses with the Mostest
by Marcia Mengel, Roving Reporter; Photo by Rick Zambori, Historian

Katie Johnson and Pua McLeod, our two brunch hostesses, are the Madres of Month to start 2010.

Katie told me of her love of baseball. “I’ve loved baseball a lot since 1993, but remember listening to the World Series as a little girl with my dad. I became a Padre fan in 1983 when I moved to San Diego and the 84 Padres set me over the top a year later. Starting to work for the Padres as an usher in 93 made me love them more. I get to know the players’ family because I have taken care of the family section.”

When I asked her what her favorite baseball memory is, Katie replied, “When the bull pen came across the field after losing the last game of the World Series and the crowd gave them a standing ovation. The memory still brings tears to my eyes. Un-conditional love! It was so awesome.”

Katie told me of some of her other favorite things. “I love local music and my favorite is Tim Flannery. I try to go to every concert possible he does during the off season. I love animals. I have had horses, goats, a potbellied pig, and of course, dogs and cats. I even had a pet skunk when I was 18. I adore my family, and especially my 10 year old grandson Christopher. “

Pua told me how important baseball is to her. “I have been a Padres fan since high school, going to games with my mother or father, sometimes even playing "hooky" from school just to watch a game. My love for baseball began early in my life, having played softball in the 2nd grade. I played short stop, 2nd base and pitcher, which continued into high school and college.”

Pua continued, “Baseball is a huge part of my life, and now my son Jason is home after spending 6 years as the Red Sox Scouting Director, and 2 World Series rings later, is home taking on the position of Vice President Player Development/Assistant General Manager of the Padres.”

Pua told me, “I have coached both men’s and women’s teams in fast pitch and can proudly say, that we have taken first place many times. I even coached and played with my husband on the same team. When my sons and daughter were younger, I coached them in Little League, as well.

Pua then told me about one of her favorite baseball memories “Alicia Gwynn asked that I baby sit Tony Jr. and his sister on the jet taking us to New York for the 1998 World Series. Tony Jr. and I played board games and talked non stop about baseball and how he was hoping to make it big one day. And now look at him...he's a Padre like his dad!”

Both these ladies are enthusiastic about the Madres and they certainly are hostesses with the mostest.

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Madre of the Month

April Madre of the Month

Roving Reporter Marcia Mengel
by Marcia Mengel

After being the editor of the Madres newsletter for a number of years, you’d think I’d understand the importance of deadlines. Well, I totally messed up this month and didn’t get my Madre of the Month interview completed in time to meet the deadline. So, I decided to interview myself (not an easy task, I’ll have you know).

So, Marcia, how long have you been a Madre and how did you find out about us?

I joined the Madres in 1985 after seeing the Madres sign over the left field bullpen. I have loved it ever since and made some great friends along the way! I love our luncheons (now brunches) because we learn so much about the players and what goes on behind the scenes. I really enjoy that we have representatives from our sponsored teams. It is great to see the benefit of our work. I’ve had a number of jobs with the Madres over the years, but I think my favorite is writing the “Madre of the Month” article for the newsletter. I get to meet so many interesting people. My favorite luncheon was when Mark Sweeney was our guest. He was told that he was Dee Anderson’s favorite player and that special arrangements had been made for her to attend this luncheon. He went over to talk to her on his way to the autograph table. After that, he visited her at the convalescent home every time he was in town. I will always remember that with a smile.

How long have you been a baseball fan and have you always been a Padre fan?

I became a baseball fan in 1956 when my family was living in Germany because of my dad’s work. In ’56 and ’57 the World Series was between the Yankees and the Dodgers. Everyone in my school was rooting for the Yankees, so I decided to root for the Dodgers. (Oh, I know, don’t hate me!) When we got back to our home in the L.A. area in 1958, the Dodgers moved there, too. I moved to San Diego in 1973 and started going to Padre games. It didn’t take long to change my loyalty. I remember in 1984, after the Tigers won the World Series, going to the ballpark to welcome the team home and show my support, along with thousands of other fans. The only player I got close to was Bruce Bochy, and we all know about his career after that!

Do you have any fun hobbies you’d like to share with us?

I love to travel! I used to take a cruise once a year, but more recently I’ve started taking train trips. In fact, the first train trip I took was part of a river cruise package in Oregon. On that trip, I woke up in the middle of the night on the train and looked out my window. We were in some mountain area in Oregon, and everything was covered with snow. And then right there was a small cabin with lights on. It looked like a Thomas Kinkaid painting! Trains are so relaxing and are a great way to see our country. That said, I’m thinking about taking a trip across Canada later this year. I’ve heard that is pretty amazing, too.

What do you do for a living?

I work for Northrop Grumman, a major US defense contractor, and have for 34 years. Over those years I’ve had many different jobs. I started as a computer programmer (now known as software engineer) and more recently I’ve been working on proposals for additional work for Northrop Grumman.

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Madre of the Month

May Madre of the Month

Beverly Fredrickson
by Marcia Mengel, roving reporter; photo by Rick Zambori, historian

I talked to Beverly during our April brunch and decided she’d be a great Madre of the Month, but I didn’t have time to finish an entire interview. So I emailed her the following questions.

When did you join the Madres and how did you find out about us?

I joined the Madres at Fan Fest when PETCO first opened. Barbara Sennett was there explaining what the Madres are all about. She became my “mentor” and has been my friend ever since. Since she was also the volunteer organizer, I was quickly involved.

I guess I’ve always been baseball fan, if only by osmosis. I grew up in the Midwest. My dad was a Cardinals fan, and my brothers rooted for the Cubbies. My husband grew up in San Fernando Valley and is a life-long Dodgers fan. It wasn’t until we moved to San Diego in 1976 that I became a true fan, not only of baseball, but of the Padres!

What is your favorite Padre memory?

I have a couple of favorite Padre memories. The first one was winning the Shirts Off Their Backs raffle. I got Ryan Klesko’s jersey that year! A recent memory is our trip to Cooperstown to watch Tony Gwynn inducted into the Hall of Fame. I was only one of 70,000, but it was very special!

Do you have children?

Are you still working? If so ,what do you do?

My husband is retired. (I’m jealous!) I work as a bookkeeper and still have a few more years to go before retirement. We have family members in eight states and on two continents. (My brother just left for Africa for 18 months.) So as soon as I can retire, we will have some great vacations in the works.

What words of wisdom do you have for your fellow Madres?

I was recently diagnosed with diabetes and, thankfully, seem to be controlling it with just medication and diet. I’ve lost 20 pounds since Christmas! It’s a family “curse,” so I should have seen it coming and done something sooner. My message to you is that no matter what your health is, please take care of yourself! That way we’ll all be Padres fans for many years to come!!

While we were eating brunch together, you mentioned that next year is special. Tell us why.

We will be celebrating Bill’s 65th birthday, my 60th, and our 40th wedding anniversary! We will be treating ourselves to an Alaskan cruise and land tour sometime during the summer months. I’ll try to schedule around the Padres’ home games, but . . . oh, well!

I certainly enjoyed talking to Beverly at brunch last month and enjoyed reading her answers to my written questions, too. She is a fun person to be with and a valuable member of the Madres. Plus, I’d like to congratulate her on her great success in managing her diabetes.

Madre of the Month

June Madre of the Month

Nella Kressel
by Marcia Mengel, roving reporter

I’ve known this month’s Madre of the Month, Nella Kressel, for a number of years but haven’t had a chance to chat with her in a long time. So this was another fun Madre of the Month interview for me.

When I asked how she found out about the Madres, Nella told me, “I had an early connection to the Madres. When I worked for San Diego Trust and Savings Bank in 1972, I helped open the first checking account for the Madres! I have been a Madre since the first luncheon of the 1993 season. A good friend, Lancey Wilson, invited me. The guests were Tim Flannery and Gary Seiler, who were then part of the band "Buffed Out." I won a bus trip to Yuma for two at that luncheon, so Lancey and I went together. What a fun trip! Certainly a wonderful introduction to the Madres.” After that, Nella became active in the Madres. “I have been printing labels for the newsletter for editors Lancey Wilson, Stevie Vigeveno, Kris Hardesty, and now Rickie Sevadjian. Thanks to the email version of the newsletter, my work has been cut down quite a bit, but I still am pleased to do my little part to support the Madres!”

When I asked Nella how long she’s been a Padres fan, she surprised me. She is the first Madre of the Month I interviewed who has been a Padres fan as long as she’s been a baseball fan. She told me, “I have been a baseball fan since 1984. After the final game of the LCS that year, the TV cameras were in the locker room, and Craig Lefferts, dripping with champagne, kept saying, "We're going to the World Series!" and I thought, this sounds like fun! I have been a Padres fan ever since.”

“My favorite Padres memory was in Scottsdale a few years ago at Spring Training. Lancey and I always made a point to say “Hi” to Jerry Coleman, so he knew we were there. After a few innings, he came down and squeezed in between us, and then invited us into the broadcast booth with him and Bob Chandler. We were like giddy little girls trying to stay quiet, despite our excitement!”

Nella retired from the Health and Human Services Agency in December 2004, but has been working part-time as a consultant to them since March of 2005. “I get to work at home in my jammies!”

Another thing about Nella that I didn’t know before is that she is an honorary Grandma and loves it. “A long-time friend needed a coach for the birth of her third child, and I stepped up to the plate! Hunter and I bonded immediately, and I became a big part of his life (and he of mine). His "blood Grandma" and I became close friends instantly, and she gave me the title of honorary Grandma. I have no kids myself, so I am taking advantage of skipping raising kids, going right to the best part! He is 3 1/2 now and has been to PETCO Park with me twice so far this season. He loves the Park in the Park and the hot dogs.”

Madre of the Month

July Madre of the Month

Judy McGuire
by Marcia Mengel, roving reporter

Of all the positions our Madre of the Month Judy McGuire has held, she says that the one she holds now, Ways and Means VP, “has been the most challenging and the most rewarding. I have wonderful helpers and everything we do benefits youth baseball. I especially love the craft nights. And I invite all of you to join us. It’s a social time and we get a lot done.”

Prior to being this year’s Third Vice-President, Judy has held several positions as a Madre, including Hostess, Luncheon Director, Board Member-at-Large, and Program Director.

A Madre for 26 years, Judy became really active 19 years ago when, she says, “I read an article in the Madres newsletter about a volunteer meeting to get ready for the 1991 Fan Fest.

I went, and the rest is history. I have been volunteering ever since.”

When I asked Judy how long she’s been a baseball fan, she told me, “I have liked baseball and softball for about 39 years, since my daughter started playing at six years old. I have always been a Padres fan, and I always will be, win or lose. I love going on road trips and helping the Padres when we are needed. I also love going to spring training. I always go with the Madres, even when we drive ourselves. Such a fun group!”

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