For seven weeks it was “All, Hail!” to the glories of California for former BJ State Desk reporter Pam McCarthy.

She saw grandchildren Jackson and Elia nearly every day and “also had some great quality time with daughter Beth and son-in-law Andy. Saw daughter Kate (travel nurse in San Diego) several times.”

Visited friends in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

“And woke up to sunny blue skies every single day!”

And alongside husband Ken Pakenham, who taught English at the University of Akron when Pam’s sister was Ken’s secretary when they Pam and Ken met.

Ken, from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Pam were married in 1988 and are the parents of  twins Michael and Kate.

Bethany Marvin Stevens, the daughter of Pam and former BJ photographer Tom Marvin of Cochocton, Ohio, is a Los Angeles attorney specializing in commercial litigation.

But, as we all do when we return to Ohio, we’re not in California or Florida any more, Toto.

Pam writes:

“Okay, it's hailing in North Canton. Seriously? I suppose it could be described as really heavy sleet . . . ” 

University of Akron graduate Pam retired in 2008 after 33 years of teaching English and journalism at North Canton Hoover High School.

Then she launched into another career, as Independent Consultant and District Manager at Arbonne International.