2001: Loomis students get to play crime solvers

25 years ago March 22, 2001 A memorial service was planned for Clifford Hayes, 91, the former Penryn Fire Chief from 1953 to 1971. A WWII Army Air Force veteran, he worked on the Norden Bombsight as a machinist/draftsman. He retired as a draftsman for Gladding McBean in Lincoln after 16 years. Clifford served as master of the Penrhyn Lodge, No. 258 in 1950 and received his 50-year longevity in 1994. Graveside services were held for Alfred Petroni, 83, a native of Dutch Flat. A WWII veteran, Alfred served in the U.S. Army in the European, African and Middle Eastern Campaigns. A lifelong resident of Placer County, he retired as a fruit rancher and winery owner on Luther Road in Auburn. In the Indian Creek Women's Golf Tournament, Mary Ann Horton had the low net score. The senior project for Del Oro's Michael Foster was a "Boardathon/Skiathon," a fundraiser to benefit Disabled Sports of USA. Participants traveled up and down a ski slope for pledges. Former Del Oro softball player Sara Thomson pitched a 1-0 win for the University of Iowa over the previously undefeated UC Berkeley (32-0) team. Penryn School held its Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) graduation with guest speaker Deputy Bob Nield. Top honor students included Julia Semenyuk, Rachel Gibson, Jessica Haddad and Yana Dubinetsky. Top essayists were Ian McPherson, Stephanie Williams, Pong Ma and Asia Sanchez. Placer Sheriff's Victoria Skellenger, with squad car lights flashing and sirens blaring, arrived at Loomis School. Teacher Kristine Sohrakoff directed the deputy to an evidence-laden crime scene where students gathered, anxious to don their lab coats to run forensic tests and solve the crime. It was a "Who Done It" mystery, part of UC Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science "Great Explorations in Math and Science." Among the student crime solvers were Kevin Wood, Jessica Stemuedel, Luke Vaughn, Kala Chapman, Ryan Cornelius, Carolin Reissenweber, Hailey Levens, David Rosas, Shain Hodges and Stacy Yale. 50 years ago March 18, 1976 Funeral services were planned for Benjamin Franklin Chapman, 85, a native of Iowa and a resident of the Penryn-Loomis area for 36 years. A WWI veteran of the U.S. Navy, he was engaged in ranching. Enid Griffith, owner of the stone Griffith Quarry in Penryn, offered the quarry property to the county. Enid insisted the quarry be used as a museum and park for historical and educational purposes only. Fred Yeager, county parks consultant, supported the idea, but some of the county supervisors didn't think too highly of the offer. Due to health concerns, Mr. Bruce Barnes would be retiring from Del Oro High School after 17 years as a social science teacher. Before coming to Del Oro in 1959, he taught at Placer High School for 13 years. When the Gideon Society made a request to distribute Bibles to children in the Loomis School District, a decision needed to be made. The board decided to not allow religious related articles in the schools. Winners in the Loomis School Science Fair in fourth grade were Valerie Swickard, Lori Horton, Monica Paiz, Inger Moeller and Maggie Muir. At the Franklin 4-H club meeting, reports were given by Darren Woodcock (dairy goats), Sandy O'Hara (ceramics), Scott Sammons (leathercraft), Kelly Portner (dog care), Nina Woodcock (horse group), Jessica Rice (beef group) and Frankie Montero (sheep group). Yesteryear by Vivian Rasmussen: In 1894, the Placer County Horticultural Training College was established in the area of Citrus Colony. Built on 40 acres in the tract of a ranch called Belmont, it was located one mile west of Penryn. The college was built and financed by Frank Karslake Sr. with every intention of being a real agricultural school for young Englishmen sent from London. It was believed the Citrus Colony lands had good prospect for the future. However, 1893 was the first year of a worldwide depression, which adversely affected the agricultural market. (continued) 75 years ago October 1949 Helping to raise funds for the Sister Kenny foundation to fight polio included Mrs. Al B. Broyer and Mrs. E.S. Riggs of Roseville, Mrs. Leland Oakes of Penryn and Mrs. John Brace of Loomis. "Attention All Students" was the first edition of the Loomis School newspaper written by students. It was sponsored by fourth-grade teacher Mrs. Mary Brown and typed by Mrs. Lavonne Nassi. Contractor John Piches informed the John A. Stacker Post that the construction on the Loomis Memorial Hall was nearly completed. The American Legion extended membership to veterans of both World Wars who served from April 6, 1917, to Nov. 11, 1918, and Dec. 7, 1941, to Sept. 2, 1945. Al Jolson, famous star of stage, screen and radio, believed the United Nations, "Will enable all nations, faiths and races to live together in equality and peace." Construction was panned for the enlargement of Folsom Dam from a 355,000 acre-foot flood control reservoir to a 1,000,000 acre-foot multipurpose structure. The Central Valley Project was the first addition since authorized 14 years ago. One of the concerns parents had when it came to their children was the effect of comic books on behavior. The community was invited to attend an "Open House" in the remodeled main building of the Loomis Union Elementary School thanks to the passing of a bond. Board members on hand to also show off the new cafeteria were Mrs. Dorothy Oakes, Harold Fischer, W.E. Court, Frank Nute and Robert Hansen. Standing Guard - oral histories: Joe Kageta was listed as missing in action after being wounded while serving as a medic in Europe with the U.S. Army. He eventually ended up in a military hospital while his folks were still interned in the Heart Mountain Internment Camp, Wyoming. After the war, the family found most of their possessions were lost. Eventually Joe, and his brother Frank were able to get a GI loan to buy property in Penryn.