2000: Loomis Lions Club, Lion Russ are honored

25 years ago Aug. 17, 2000 Homer Takahashi fondly recalled his fourth-grade teacher at Loomis School, Ms. Anna King. "She taught us to appreciate the beauty of living things, to have neat penmanship, and how to build up our vocabulary. She was also so patient with her students." Loomis Basin Dolphins swimmer, 10-year-old Meghan Erkel, was the league's "High Point Girl" for all age groups. Historical documents and other early school memorabilia were displayed by the Loomis Basin Historical Society at the local library. Included were original programs from the first graduations for 1926, 1927 and 1928 of Loomis School and the 1901 class at Franklin School. Del Oro High School junior Ross Harold was named as a Samsung American Legion Scholarship National Finalist on the basis of academics, school and community involvement. For the second time in four years, Raley's had been voted as the No. 1 supermarket in the nation by Consumer Reports magazine. The grocery chain was voted best in produce, meat and courtesy to customers. Food For Families was also Raley's own nonprofit charity. Paul's Place Association recognized Russ Kelley and the Loomis Lions Club as the 2000 Awards of Merit for Outstanding Community Achievement. For many years, Russ had been an important fixture in community affairs. He was the Placer County Park Commissioner for Supervisorial District 4 for four years and Vice President of the Loomis Basin Heritage Foundation, working to revitalize the fruit sheds. In its more than 40 years of existence, the Loomis Lions Club played an integral role in community affairs. The club supported Boy Scouts, sight conservation and the needs of the deaf, diabetes and drug awareness. The Lions Club purchased and donated the land that makes up the park on King Road. 50 years ago Aug. 14, 1975 Franklin 4-H Club Sheep Group earning awards were Sandy O'Hara, Erin Burke, Frankie Montero and Mike Montero. In Dairy Goats were Darren Woodcock, Brendon McCann and Donald Woodcock. Home Furnishing, Erin Burke and Tisha Burke. Ceramics, Debbie Palmer, Mike Dowd and Tisha Burke. Dog Show, Scott Sammons, Tori Crockett, Jerry Hilton, Donald Vance, Jody Hilton, Mike Ingram, Mike Dowd, Debbie Palmer, Steve Dowd, Tom Hutchison and Tim Dowd. During Gymkhana Playnight, Rhonda Posten of Loomis won the junior hi point for the 17 and under age group. LaVerna Dietrich of Newcastle was second and Pat Albright of Rocklin third. Room mothers were needed to Penryn School and Cherie Nantze was the head room mother to contact. In other Penryn news, Gladys Isaacson was registering prospective voters at her home on Rock Springs Road. Del Oro High School grad Bill Anderson was awarded the Most Valuable Player for the Roseville Alyn Butler Post baseball team. He served as the ace of the pitching staff. Presenting him with a trophy were manager George Buljan and coach Larry Brubaker. Historical note: In the early days of the fruit harvest, the fruit was shipped under the ranch name or under the label name. Many ranchers had impressive arches over their road entrances. One that stood out was the W.H. Tudsbury's gateway, "Alba Sepes," or White Poplar, of which there were many surrounding their place. To list a few of the ranch names, there were J.A. Ferguson (Holly Glen), R.L. Tudsbury (Wildwood), P.L. Taylor (Moonshine), C.C. Nitta (High Ranch), Taft Sasaki (North Star), W.P. Swetzer (Morningside) and J.J. Brennan (Kingmont). 75 years ago June 1949 Masonic funeral services were held for John Edwin Leek. He had undergone an operation and appeared to be getting along fine, but a blood clot seemed to have caused his death. Born in Dorby, England, on Jan. 24, 1885, he came to America as a small boy. In 1922, John was engaged in the feed and grain business in Southern California and more recently moved to Placer County. He was a member of the Loomis Congregational Church. Mrs. H.N. Hansen was re-elected as director of the Auburn Red Cross. A lumber hoist belonging to the Grass Valley Lumber Co. was used to raise the 2,500-pound steel girders into position on top of the structure of Mehl's new Chevrolet garage in Loomis. Playing at the State in Auburn was "The Life of Riley" starring William Bendix. The Loomis School Class of 1949 graduated 52 students. The valedictorian was Mary Ann Rogers, salutatorian Sumiye Hirota, Address, Jerry Lopes, and Class Gift, Travis Pierson. The new officers for the Loomis Women's Club were Nellie Boller, Edith Kramer, Betty Johnson, Lou McCrary and Beth Stokes. Applicants will take an examination for a rural mail route in Loomis. On a standard daily route of 30 miles, the annual salary would be $2,470. Rural carriers must furnish their own equipment and be allowed an equipment maintenance of 7 cents per mile, which amounted to $640 per year. Standing Guard - oral histories: After spending the duration of WWII in Tule Lake Relocation Center, Mas Sugiyama did not return home because "the atmosphere in Auburn and Placer County wasn't very friendly." Instead, Mas survived the cold winter of Buffalo, New York. In 1946, he did return to Auburn to work on a local farm. Mas and his family were able to purchase their own farm in 1948 in Newcastle.