Gwen Kaae was the first "stunt girl" in Hollywood in 1938.
Childhood
She was born Gwendlyn Lorraine Gillaspy at her parents home in Los Angeles, California on October 9 1926. Her father, Cranmer "Charlie" Gillaspy, was a casket maker and also worked for the railroads. Her mother, Agnes Zeta Kendall Gillaspy was a homemaker. Gwen was their third and last child; she was 18 years younger than her oldest sister, Florence LaVerne "Vernie", and nine years younger than her brother, William Kendall Herndon "Kenny."
All the Gillaspy children had strong musical abilities apparent at a young age. Vernie played and taught violin, Kenny played accordion, and Gwen played violin. Along with her musical talents, Gwen showed a strong interest and talent for acrobatics and dance. By the time she was 6, she was performing on stage. Gwen played violin in the Los Angeles Junior Philharmonic Orchestra. She could perform tap, ballet (toe) and modern dance.
Stunt woman
The movie Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus starring Spanky McFarland of Our Gang fame needed a stunt double for the 12 year old Anne Gillis, who was portraying a bareback rider in the circus in the film. The producers thought they could use a little person stuntman as Anne's stunt double, but none of them looked convincingly enough like a 12 year old girl. Then Gwen's dance teacher convinced the producers that Gwen could do this and she was hired.
Marriage
During World War II, Gwen was a member of the Civilian Air Patrol (CAP). In September of 1945 she met her future husband, United Statea Army Air Corps lieutenant Glenn Kaae, who proposed to her ten days after meeting her.
Gwen's mother died of cancer shortly before the wedding. Her last wish was that the marriage not be delayed. They were married in Hollywood on April 21, 1946. Gwen's father died six months after the wedding.
Family life
After six years of marriage and almost as long trying to conceive a child, Gwen and Glenn decided to adopt a child. Through the "Children's Home Society" their son, Kenneth ("Kenny"), was born on December 18, 1953 and came to live with them six weeks later. Their second child, Kathleen ("Kathy"), was born on September 8, 1956 and came home with her new family three weeks later.
In 1959, the family moved from El Segundo, California to Canoga Park, California (now West Hills). Glenn worked as an engineer at Litton Industries, while Gwen was a stay at home Mom.
Death
After a lifetime of smoking, which continued even after open heart surgery in 1977, Gwen was diagnosed with lung cancer in November 1987. Since the cancer was inoperable, she decided there was no need to quit smoking. The cancer was very slow growing, but the chemotherapy weakened her immune system until she was totally septic. She died suddenly on May 25 1988.
Childhood
She was born Gwendlyn Lorraine Gillaspy at her parents home in Los Angeles, California on October 9 1926. Her father, Cranmer "Charlie" Gillaspy, was a casket maker and also worked for the railroads. Her mother, Agnes Zeta Kendall Gillaspy was a homemaker. Gwen was their third and last child; she was 18 years younger than her oldest sister, Florence LaVerne "Vernie", and nine years younger than her brother, William Kendall Herndon "Kenny."
All the Gillaspy children had strong musical abilities apparent at a young age. Vernie played and taught violin, Kenny played accordion, and Gwen played violin. Along with her musical talents, Gwen showed a strong interest and talent for acrobatics and dance. By the time she was 6, she was performing on stage. Gwen played violin in the Los Angeles Junior Philharmonic Orchestra. She could perform tap, ballet (toe) and modern dance.
Stunt woman
The movie Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus starring Spanky McFarland of Our Gang fame needed a stunt double for the 12 year old Anne Gillis, who was portraying a bareback rider in the circus in the film. The producers thought they could use a little person stuntman as Anne's stunt double, but none of them looked convincingly enough like a 12 year old girl. Then Gwen's dance teacher convinced the producers that Gwen could do this and she was hired.
Marriage
During World War II, Gwen was a member of the Civilian Air Patrol (CAP). In September of 1945 she met her future husband, United Statea Army Air Corps lieutenant Glenn Kaae, who proposed to her ten days after meeting her.
Gwen's mother died of cancer shortly before the wedding. Her last wish was that the marriage not be delayed. They were married in Hollywood on April 21, 1946. Gwen's father died six months after the wedding.
Family life
After six years of marriage and almost as long trying to conceive a child, Gwen and Glenn decided to adopt a child. Through the "Children's Home Society" their son, Kenneth ("Kenny"), was born on December 18, 1953 and came to live with them six weeks later. Their second child, Kathleen ("Kathy"), was born on September 8, 1956 and came home with her new family three weeks later.
In 1959, the family moved from El Segundo, California to Canoga Park, California (now West Hills). Glenn worked as an engineer at Litton Industries, while Gwen was a stay at home Mom.
Death
After a lifetime of smoking, which continued even after open heart surgery in 1977, Gwen was diagnosed with lung cancer in November 1987. Since the cancer was inoperable, she decided there was no need to quit smoking. The cancer was very slow growing, but the chemotherapy weakened her immune system until she was totally septic. She died suddenly on May 25 1988.
Numerous Jewish synagogues around the United States and internationally are named Beth El.
Connecticut
There is a synagogue in Southbury.
Maryland
There are synagogues in Baltimore and Bethesda.
Minnesota
Beth El Synagogue is a Conservative Jewish synagogue located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1920.
The current synagogue was dedicated in 1968.
Nebraska
There is a synagogue in Omaha.
New Jersey
There are Beth El synagogues in both East Windsor and Margate.
New York
There is a synagogue in New Rochelle.
North Carolina
There is a synagogue in Durham.
Vermont
There is a synagogue in St. Johnsbury.
International
Canada
There is a synagogue in .
New Zealand
There is a synagogue in Wellington, North Island.
Connecticut
There is a synagogue in Southbury.
Maryland
There are synagogues in Baltimore and Bethesda.
Minnesota
Beth El Synagogue is a Conservative Jewish synagogue located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1920.
The current synagogue was dedicated in 1968.
Nebraska
There is a synagogue in Omaha.
New Jersey
There are Beth El synagogues in both East Windsor and Margate.
New York
There is a synagogue in New Rochelle.
North Carolina
There is a synagogue in Durham.
Vermont
There is a synagogue in St. Johnsbury.
International
Canada
There is a synagogue in .
New Zealand
There is a synagogue in Wellington, North Island.
Major General Stephen Douglas Tom assumed the duties as Chief of Staff for U.S. Pacific Command August 2007.
He attended the University of Michigan where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971. In 1971, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Army Reserve Officer's Training Corps Program at the University. He continued his civilian education by entering Boston University School of Law, and graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 1974.
After completing the U.S Army Field Artillery Officer Basic Course in 1975, Major General Tom has served in the following U.S. Army Reserve assignments with IX Corps (Reinf)/9th Army Reserve Command/ 9th Regional Support Command: Military Justice Officer, Document Control Officer, Personnel Actions Officer, Personnel Management Officer, Assistant Adjutant General, Adjutant General, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, Chief of Staff, and Deputy Commander. From April 1992 through July 1995, he commanded the 322d Civil Affairs Brigade at Ft DeRussy, Hawaii. In September 1999, he was assigned to Eighth United States Army, Yongsan, Korea as the Assistant Chief of Staff G5 (Wartime) and served in that capacity until July 2003. During this tour he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in October 2000.
In addition to the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Major General Tom is a graduate of the Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course, the Adjutant General Officer's Advance Course, Command and General Staff College, the Civil Affairs Officer's Advanced Course, and the Army War College.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (3 OLC), and Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon.
In his civilian capacity, Major General Tom is an attorney in the private practice of law, and is a partner in a law firm.
He attended the University of Michigan where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971. In 1971, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Army Reserve Officer's Training Corps Program at the University. He continued his civilian education by entering Boston University School of Law, and graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 1974.
After completing the U.S Army Field Artillery Officer Basic Course in 1975, Major General Tom has served in the following U.S. Army Reserve assignments with IX Corps (Reinf)/9th Army Reserve Command/ 9th Regional Support Command: Military Justice Officer, Document Control Officer, Personnel Actions Officer, Personnel Management Officer, Assistant Adjutant General, Adjutant General, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, Chief of Staff, and Deputy Commander. From April 1992 through July 1995, he commanded the 322d Civil Affairs Brigade at Ft DeRussy, Hawaii. In September 1999, he was assigned to Eighth United States Army, Yongsan, Korea as the Assistant Chief of Staff G5 (Wartime) and served in that capacity until July 2003. During this tour he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in October 2000.
In addition to the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Major General Tom is a graduate of the Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course, the Adjutant General Officer's Advance Course, Command and General Staff College, the Civil Affairs Officer's Advanced Course, and the Army War College.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (3 OLC), and Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon.
In his civilian capacity, Major General Tom is an attorney in the private practice of law, and is a partner in a law firm.
The Knoxville Racquet Club is an independently owned and operated tennis and swimming club. It is located on Lonas Road in Knoxville, TN.
Tennis
Since its founding in 1954, the Club has grown to become one of the premier junior tennis facilities in East Tennessee. The most notable tennis player to come out of Knoxville Racquet Club (KRC) alumni is Chris Woodruff, who was formerly ranked #29 in the world, reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, and beat Pete Sampras.
Swimming
Although the swim team at KRC does not compete on a national level (USA swimming,) it is perhaps the most dominant summer swim team in the history of GKAISA, the Greater Knoxville Area Interclub Swimming Association. Since GKAISA and the KRC swim team's inception in 1962, the KRC swim team has won an astonining 26 city championships, more than any other team. (For a list of the years that KRC has won the city meet, see Appendix C.)
Joe Hendee
Joe Hendee is considered by many to be the driving force behind the current KRC swim team. Hendee has been the head coach of the KRC swim team for 17 years. He also works as the assistant coach for the University of Tennessee swim team, under head coach John Trembley. During Hendee's tenure at KRC, the team has won 11 city championships.
Bad Boys
One of the most venerable and venerated traditions of the Knoxville Racquet Club swim team is the "Bad Boys." The Bad Boys is the unofficial name for the senior boys age division (15 years old - 18 years old) at KRC. Although all senior boys are by definition Bad Boys, throughout the years certain groups of swimmers have become the definition of what a "Bad Boy" truly is. To achieve this honor, a group of boys must generally become City Meet Champions in both the 200 Medley Relay and the 200 Free Relay and/or set a record in one of these events. Whenever a group of Bad Boys wins the preliminaries of one of these relays, they walk out at finals to the song Bad Boys, by Inner Circle. This is considered for obvious reasons to be the theme song of the Bad Boys.
Tennis
Since its founding in 1954, the Club has grown to become one of the premier junior tennis facilities in East Tennessee. The most notable tennis player to come out of Knoxville Racquet Club (KRC) alumni is Chris Woodruff, who was formerly ranked #29 in the world, reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, and beat Pete Sampras.
Swimming
Although the swim team at KRC does not compete on a national level (USA swimming,) it is perhaps the most dominant summer swim team in the history of GKAISA, the Greater Knoxville Area Interclub Swimming Association. Since GKAISA and the KRC swim team's inception in 1962, the KRC swim team has won an astonining 26 city championships, more than any other team. (For a list of the years that KRC has won the city meet, see Appendix C.)
Joe Hendee
Joe Hendee is considered by many to be the driving force behind the current KRC swim team. Hendee has been the head coach of the KRC swim team for 17 years. He also works as the assistant coach for the University of Tennessee swim team, under head coach John Trembley. During Hendee's tenure at KRC, the team has won 11 city championships.
Bad Boys
One of the most venerable and venerated traditions of the Knoxville Racquet Club swim team is the "Bad Boys." The Bad Boys is the unofficial name for the senior boys age division (15 years old - 18 years old) at KRC. Although all senior boys are by definition Bad Boys, throughout the years certain groups of swimmers have become the definition of what a "Bad Boy" truly is. To achieve this honor, a group of boys must generally become City Meet Champions in both the 200 Medley Relay and the 200 Free Relay and/or set a record in one of these events. Whenever a group of Bad Boys wins the preliminaries of one of these relays, they walk out at finals to the song Bad Boys, by Inner Circle. This is considered for obvious reasons to be the theme song of the Bad Boys.