I'll Take The Back Road By ELIZABETH CHAPMAN WAY BACK IN DECEMBER I was accused of being sort of a "scaremonger" because I warned of a possible summer drouth in the Central Valley. "We've been saved before with late April storms," said critics, "and it will happen again." No one would have been happier than I if it had happened again, but it didn't--and, of course, you can't bank on the unusual repeating itself. A quick plane trip two weeks ago from Stockton down to the Salinas Valley brought forcible realization of the dearth of water. Stream beds were dry. The same is true in the Mother Lode area.
During almost the whole spring, the streams that should have been tumbling brimful over the rocks and alongside the roadways, looked like mid-July. Barely a trickle in some, and some completely dry. It's the third year in a row we've been short of water. All we can hope now is that next winter the cycle will be broken. The last couple of late light rains we had didn't relieve the summer situation.
It did save a couple of irrigations that will lengthen the season a week or two- -but heavy snow was what was needed to fill the reservoirs which are dangerously low. I'm not a forecaster but water rationing of some sort could be necessary come August. Even now irrigation districts are timing the water-10 minutes per acre, and they're cracking down on greedy farmers who aren't co-operating. It's a tough situation for irrigation directors do they give water to the farmers who need it now for the early crops, or do they save some for the farmers who need it for late crops, even though early crops suffer? However they do it, they'll never please everybody--and there'll be some belt tightening this year, that's for sure. WHAT WE NEED in some of our smaller towns is a "cosmetic" job such as the citizens of Ceres finished yesterday.
The merchants and the city council, believing the city had not kept pace with its growth from a village of about 1,000 in 1940 to a "small city" of just over 5,000 now, decided the downtown section needed sprucing up. One citizen coined the phrase "cosmetic and the idea took hold. The service clubs, the five elementary schools, the high school, the 18 churches, and all the social groups pitched in for a "clean-up, paint You can see the results when you travel through city which straddles Highway 99 just south of Modesto. Close to a hundred trees have been planted by the garden club, with Pacific Tel. Tel.
and Turlock Irrigation District assistance. The whole town turned out, paint brush in hand, to follow a planned color scheme designed by a nationally known color consultant assigned through the courtesy of the W. P. Fuller Co. The parade of brushes took precedence over everything else on Saturday.
Stores were closed and the town made a weekend of it with entertainment, lunches and a barbecue. A victory parade last night complete with a queen ended the work weekend. No doubt there are a few sore muscles today, but they won't count. Active in the work was Charles E. Whitmore, grandson of the founder of the city which was named for Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture.
The name is apt, because the town. lies in the center of the rich Stanislaus farm area, and than 100 varieties of grapes, fruits, vegetables and nuts, and melons abound. In 1970 it can celebrate its 100th birthday, having been founded by the Whitmores in 1870. I'VE BEEN SAVING SOMETHING for this season of the year. Since this column started last fall I've held off with this admonishment to campers, received in the mail last July.
The following verse was written for, given to, and was used by a Stockton Boy Scout troop on an annual pack trip. The boys left it on an old cabin at Dodge Meadow in August, 1959. I don't know if it is still there. "The camp that we must leave behind Will tell a story that's true Be it yours or be it mine It surely will tell on you. Home is calling, soon we must go.
Then clean up camp, but GOOD. Begrudge the time, but spend it, tho We know we really should. The story that's of our making Good or bad it may be. The camp we are forsaking Tells a story that others see." SPEECH CLINIC Age of Credit IN TUOLUMNE LODI, May in 22--The Lodi freedom SONORA, May 22-Plans for an eight-week speech clinic, sponsored by the Tuolumne County Society for Crippled Children and Adults, was announced this week by Carroll J. Bravo, speech clinic committee chairman.
Bravo said notices are being mailed to parents interested in enrolling their children in the third annual summer clinic conducted by Robert E. Tice, of Modesto, speech therapist. Schedules will be arranged following interviews conducted by the instructor. There is a registration fee of $5, but it is not mandatory as the society wants those needing speech training to participate in the clinic, Bravo said. Bravo urges that applications be returned immediately so as to determine the number of students who plan to participate in the clinic.
Antone P. Souza MANTECA, May 22-Serv. ices for Antone P. Souza, 78. will be held tomorrow at 9:15 2 a.m.
in the chapel of P. L. Fry and Son. Graveside services and committal will be at 10 a.m. in St.
John's Cemetery, Atlanta. Mr. Souza died Saturday in a Stockton hospital after long illness. A retired dairya man, he lived at Rt. 1, Box 431-A.
Manteca. He was a native of the Azores, and lived here 25 years. Survivors include his wife, Charlotte; three daughters, Esther Leuis, Manteca; Mary Avelar, West Hollywood, and Elaine Dignum, in Washington; a son, Frank, in San Leandro; six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. MONDAY, Stockton MAY (Calif.) 1961 Record 17 of Central California" GRAPE FESTIVAL FINALISTS- These five Lodi misses wear big smiles following their selection as finalists for the Lodi Grape Festival queen title. From the left are Kay Conner, Sharon Schultz, Judy Christman, Connie Campbell, and Carolyn Rohnow.
One of the girls will chosen festival queen June 14. The annual harvest celebration is Sept. 15-17. 5 LODI LOVELIES SELECTED AS GRAPE FETE QUEEN FINALISTS LODI, May 22-A quintet of as finalists for the title of queen tival and National Wine Show. After hours of questioning for the royalty, a panel of Stanislaus State Seminar Is Set TURLOCK, May 22 A seminar of special interest to administrative and supervisory personnel in elementary and secondary schools is planned for the week of June 26-30 at Stanislaus State College.
School administrators, supervisors and others, will study late developments in California, and across the nation, in selected areas of their respective fields of work. A review of 1961 legislation in California; experimental approaches to methodology in their teaching, including team teaching and teaching machines; and appraisals of progress derived from three years of participation in the program of the National Education for Defense Act will be included. The new social studies framework for education in California will also be discussed. The college is currently conducting a pre-registration for this seminar, in addition to the other seminars and programs scheduled for the first summer session at Stanislaus State College. Inquiries should be addressed to the Admissions Office at Stanislaus State College, P.
O. Box 1000, Turlock. Autopsy for Jail Prisoner MODESTO, May 22 An autopsy is scheduled in the death of Charles Leo Williams, 48, dead on arrival Saturday morning at the County Hospital. McWilliams was in the County Jail on a drunk charge when other inmates called a jailer to report the victim was gasping for breath. McWilliams had been picked up Friday morning by police.
Investigators have been told McWilliams was a diabetic. He was a farm laborer and had lived here 38 years. He i is survived by a son, George of San Francisco; his mother, Mrs. Alice McWilliams of Stockton; two sisters, Velma Williams of Modesto and Alma Weese Stockton. The Salas Brothers-Moore Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
New Co-Leader for Manteca Brownies MANTECA, May 22- Mrs. Ace Smalley will succeed Mrs. Fred Whitecotton as co-leader of Brownie Troop 37. Mrs. Whitecotton will be leader of an intermediate scout troop next fall.
Mrs. Tony Mello, Troop 37 leader, has named committee chairmen for next term including: Mrs. Martin Reichmuth, calendar; Mrs. Jimmy Southard, cookie; Mrs. Bobby Mount, day camp, and Mrs.
G. E. Land, refreshment chairman. Valley, Lode News TUOLUMNE OES HONORS GRAND LODGE COUPLE SONORA, May 22 -Officers Star Chapter, Order of Eastern Rheingans of Paradise, worthy Burnham of Long Beach, worthy NEW OFFICER Joanne Meyers is the newly installed worthy advisor of the Manteca Chapter, Order of Rainbow for Girls. Birthday Fete for Angels NDGW Unit ANGELS CAMP, May 22 The 66th birthday of the Princess Parlor, Native Daughters of the Golden West, featured an atmosphere of 1895 when all members dressed in clothes of that era and listened to the first minutes written May 27, 1895, in Masonic Hall.
Mrs. John Lemue was in charge of the program. During the business session, the following officers were nominated: Mrs. George Cooper, past president; Mrs. Fred Felz, president; Mrs.
John Lemue, first vice president; Mrs. Leslie Brown, second vice-president; Mrs. Delbert Lee, third vicepresident; Mrs. Al Beltramo, recording secretary; Mrs. John Vierra, financial secretary, and Mrs.
Henry Elevi, treasurer. Trustees are Mmes. John Fletcher, Lucy Nayden, and Clarence Lee, and Hadassah Burns, inside sentinel, and Vivian Tuck, outside sentinel. Women patients Mark Twain Hospital were remembered on Mothers Day with gifts. Mrs.
John Fletcher was in charge of the program. Hostesses for evening were Mmes. Fletcher. Ray O'Connor, and Vivian Tuck. Oakdale Club to Seat Corps OAKDALE, May 22-Dr.
Virgil Graff and other newly elected officers of Oakdale Lions Club will be installed in June and will assume new duties July 1. Frank Bianchi will be first vice-president; C. M. Olson, second vice-president; Dr. Lowell Dorius, third vice-president; Dallas Ott, secretary; Bill Jeffers, treasurer; Elwyn Acker, tail twister; Bill Lorea, lion tamer; Howard DeCavitt, George LeClair, and Gerald Mack, directors.
Roche Husing is the retiring president. Dinner Planned by Lodi Church for Graduates LODI, May 22-The annual dinner sponsored by the First Methodist Church for eighth grade, high school, and college graduates among its membership, will be served at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow in the Epworth Room. The graduates will be recognized by the Rev. J.
L. Butler and the Rev. Maurice Cheek, pastor and associate pastor of the church; Mrs. Basil Osborne, church school superintendent; Miss Ida Rinn, superintendent of the junior school group, and Frank Stocking, senior MYF counsellor. Responses will be made by John Hodgson for the eighth grade, and by Barbara Griek for the high school group.
The dinner will be served by the Women's Society of Christian Service. Thornton Sewing Club Loses Its Leader THORNTON, May 22 The Northern Baptist Sewing Club will not meet again until a new leader is sent to this area. Miss Veronica Lanier of Sacramento who has been leading the group, has been sponsored by the Northern Baptist Churches through the United States. She has accepted a transfer to Detroit and will leave here June 12. and members of Tuolumne Star, honored Mrs.
Kenneth grand matron, and D. K. grand patron, at a formal meeting in Masonic Hall. Mrs. Reese Campbell, worthy matron, and John Germain, worthy patron, presided over the session and Mrs.
Andrew Morgan, past matron, and Peter Kole, past patron, were hostess and host for the evening, with Mrs. John Grohl, past grand matron, acting as honorary hostess. Other honored guests included Mrs. Carl Griesner of Knight's Ferry, deputy grand matron; Mrs. Eunice Benson of Woodbridge, grand treasurer; Dan Danielson of Modesto, past grand patron; Mrs.
Leroy Thomas of Woodbridge, grand representative from the State of Rhode Island in California; Mrs. Kitty Briggs of Modesto, past grand treasurer, and Mrs. Perry Stickles of Escalon, grand representative from the State of North Carolina in California. Deputy grand matrons in attendance included Mmes. Margaret Ashley of Lodi; Dorothea Schiffman of Stockton; Arthur Ricketts of Livingston; G.
W. Brignall of Stockton, and Lillian Gorman. Mrs. Bessie Baker, past matron, was honored as the mother of Tuolumne Star chapter. Participating in the presentation were John Germain, Mr.
and Mrs. Ray Wagner, Arthur Martin, William Waters, Herbert Waltz, and Mmes. Wallace Fiske, Harold Johnson, Stanley Atkins, Charles Wilkey, and Donald Upwall. Entertainment included accordion numbers by Barbara Jean and Corynn Miller, and vocal solos by Mrs. Reese Campbell, accompanied by Mrs.
Henry Temple. General chairman for the evening was Mrs. C. Rex Nelson, 1, past matron, assisted by Mmes. John Roster, Jay Gibson, A.
D. Zimmerman, Joseph S. Lemos, Leroy Parks, Willis Hobson, Henry Temple, Gladys Reitz, Phoebe Waltz, and Blanche McKeny. Soroptimist Club in Sonora Has New Officers SONORA, May 22-Officers were elected for the 1961-62 term at a dinner meeting of the Sonora Soroptimist Club. The new staff is comprised of Miss Elsie Cox, president; Mrs.
Frank Bigelow, vice-president; Mrs. C. B. Hatcher, recording secretary; Miss Elinor Brown, corresponding secretary; Max Just, treasurer, and Mrs. Robert Lewis, twoyear director.
Miss Cox reported on the glaucoma clinic held in Angels Camp. She and Mrs. Frank Sweeley, registered nurses, attended and assisted the Angels Soroptimists with free examinations. A report was submitted by Miss Cox and Mmes. M.
G. Marsh and Hatcher, delegates, on the southwestern regional conference held in Fresno. CORPS NAMED BY LODI CLUB LODI, May 22-New president of the Lodi Soroptimist Club is Mrs. Deran Dee. Other officers are Mrs.
Shirley Steely, vice-president; Mrs. Don Simmet, secretary; Mrs. Garland Druin, corresponding secretary, and Miss Evelyn Welty, treasurer. Members of the board of directors are Mmes. Helen Morton, Lola Wilkinson, Erma Day, and Druin.
Delegates are Mmes. Harlie Auburn and Steely, with Miss Welty and Mrs. Jack Melby as alternates. Installation will be held June 28 in the Cathay Room of the Tokay Bowl. Tracy Girls Block Seats New Officers TRACY, May 22-Carol Ann Baier is new president of the Tracy Joint Union High School girls' Block T.
Other officers are Ronnie Clark, vice-president; Cheryl Kirk, secretary; Marlene Esarte, treasurer; Peggy Spencer, historian; Linda Wade, sports Laccoarce, manager, junior and representa- Mary tive. West Point Meeting for PTA Council ANGELS CAMP, May 22 The Calaveras County PTA Council will meet in Town Hall in West Point Wednesday at 10 a.m. A representative of the State Department of Equalization will speak and answer questions on money-making projects, according to Mrs. Joseph Costa, president. Installation of Pythian Girls Set Tonight LODI, May 22-In formal ceremonies at 7:30 o'clock tor night Miss Karel Ficklin will be installed as royal princess of Clarawick Council No.
4. Pythian Sunshine Girls. The meeting will be in the VFW Hall. Assisting Miss Ficklin during her second term in office will be Judy Wallin, Junior past royal princess; Brenda Terry, Charity; Sandy Clapp, Friendship; Lynda Rempfer. prelate; Charlene Lonero, royal recorder; Sandy Beach, royal exchequer; Diane Bansmer, royal guide; Sherrie Moore, mystic one; Cherrie Mastel, royal warder; Sandra Terry, royal sentinel; Sharon Rempfer, musician; Linda Dais, press correspondent, and Terry Wardrobe, Margie Lathrop, and Peggy Peregoy, trustees.
Councellors are Clara Smith, Brenda Ficklin, Harry Nelson, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Wallin, and Marlene Huntadviser is Margaret Flath. Installing officers are Miss Wallin, Miss Hunter, Janice Nelson, and Joan Stephens. Lightning Cause of Pasture Fire OAKLAND, May 22--A fire, believed started by lightning, burned approximately 70 acres of pastureland Saturday on the Vernon Rodden Ranch near Cooperstown.
Local rural firemen, called at 2:25 p.m., were at the scene hours. They were alerted by the La Grange Fire Department which had attempted to control the blaze. Chief Henry Landers said the fire apparently had been started by lightning during Thursday night and Friday's storm and had been burning unnoticed for some time. While Landers was at the scene, William Fogarty, called attention to another burned area in which were found three dead steers, and to another dead steer under a tree. These casualties also were attributed to lightning.
Landers did not know the owners of the steers. Cemetery Hit by Vandals MODESTO, May 22 Vandals struck at the Denair Cemetery over the week end, according to Jack McCauley of Denair. He reported to sheriff's deputies that eight posts of a newly installed fence had been broken off and bricks in the' new wall loosened and thrown around. In addition, he said a number of headstones were overturned. The cemetery is located on Zeering Road, and McCauley reported that mail boxes along Zeering Road for a distance of two miles were knocked over or torn out of the ground.
Hungry Thief Takes Clothing MODESTO, May 22 A choosy, and hungry, thief Saturday evening entered the home of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Thomsen, Rt. 1, Box 1301. Thomsen recently entered the service and his mother, Mrs.
Lois Pearl Thomsen, said she checked the house, next to hers on Floyd Avenue, just before leaving home Saturday night. Yesterday, she found someone had entered the home, taking a suit of men's clothing, slacks, sport coat, three men's sweaters, and a tie. The intruder ate two cans of pork and beans, some bread, and a quarter pound of margarine on the back lawn. Tuolumne C. of C.
to Hear Dr. Burns SONORA, May 22-Dr. Robert Burns, president of the University of the Pacific, will be guest speaker at the dinner meeting of the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce at 7:30 p.m. next Monday in Twain Harte Lodge. T.
F. Sourriseau, chamber history and landmarks chairman, is in charge of the program. Dinner reservations may be made at the chamber office. Thursday Event OAKDALE, May 22 Mrs. Claiborn Schonhoff, assisted by Mmes.
Oscar Eastman and Arthur Beckwith, is directing an Episcopal Women's rumsale Thursday and Frimage day, commencing at 9:30 a.m., in Tulloch Hall. Garden Club Aides Named Lodi lovelies has been selected of the 1961 Lodi Grape Fes- and viewing the 14 girls vying judges yesterday narrowed the (field of candidates to five. They are: Connie Campbell, 17, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dean D.
Campbell, 519 Palm. Judy Christmas, 17, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Christman, Rt. 2, Box 276, Acampo.
Kay Conner, 17, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. B. Conner, 210 S.
Corinth. Carolyn Rohnow, 17, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George C. Rohnow of 1701 Holly.
Sharon Schultz, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. K. Schultz of Olive, Woodbridge.
FIRST ALTERNATE Named first alternate is Barbara Griek, 17, daughter Mr. and Mrs. G. D. Griek of 900 W.
Vine. Second alternate is Shirley Brenneise, 17, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. A.
Brenneise, 313 N. Fairmont. All but two of the finalists and alternates are seniors at Lodi Union High School. Miss Campbell is a junior, and Miss Schultz is a graduate of Hamilton High School in Los Angeles. The girls made their first public appearance last night at the 39th annual American Legion picnic in Micke Grove.
Miss Campbell is 5 feet, 7 inches in height, weighs 135 pounds and has brown eyes. She is a brunette, measuring 38-24-36, and has lived in Lodi for six years, moving here from Englewood. Miss Christman, a blonde with hazel eyes, is 5 feet inches and weighs 124 pounds. Measurements for the Lodi native are 35-27-37. Petite Miss Conner, a Texan who has been a Lodi resident for years, is a 5 feet, 2 inches, brownette with green nine, eyes, who tips the scales at 110 pounds.
Her vital statistics: Mc-34-23-36. ANOTHER BEAUTY Another diminutive beauty is Miss Rohnow, a 5 feet, 3 inch blue-eyed brownette who came to years ago from Los Angeles. She weighs 120 and measures 35-25-36. Miss Schultz is 5 feet inches, and weighs 120. She is a blonde, has blue eyes and was taped at 34-22-34.
She came to Lodi last year from Los Angeles. One of the girls will be named festival queen in ceremonies June 14 at the amphitheater on the festival grounds. The selection will be made by five out-of-town judges. The queen will represent San Joaquin County in the Maid of California contest in late August in Sacramento. Coronation ceremonies for the queen and her court are set for Sept.
15, the opening day of the three-day harvest celebration. The queen will be crowned at that time by Elvera Thornesberry, the 1960 queen. Graduation Ahead SAN ANDREAS, May 22- Miss Sandra MacNider, daughter of Mrs. Cornelia MacNider of San Andreas, a history major, will be graduated next month from the University of California at Berkeley. She is a member of the Alpha OmiIcron Pi Sorority.
SONORA, May 22-Mrs. R. Rasmussen, president of the Tuolumne County Garden Club, appointed chairmen and delegates during a meeting in the home of Mrs. Betty Wilder. Named as delegates to the garden club convention to be, held this week in Berkeley were Mmes.
Richard Eddy, Rasmussen, Blanche and Harry Murphy. Miss Mary Long was appointed conservation chairman and Mrs. Goeffrey James, historian. Mmes. J.
L. Polly, Mary Lorenzo and Rasmussen reported on the California County Garden Club installation and tour of the Vallecito Conservation Camp. Mrs. Bartel Kress, and Mr. and Mrs.
Louis Kress were in charge of decorating a float for the Mother Lode Roundup Parade. Books and magazines, tributed by Mrs. Ed Pfeiffer, were given to the County Men's Home. Banta School Club Installs TRACY, May 22-New officers of the Banta School Club have been installed by Mrs. Phil Harvey, retiring president.
Mrs. Alvin Petz took office as president and other new officers are Mrs. Mike Yrigoyen, vice-president; Mrs. Evo Coelho, secretary, and Mrs. Mrs.
Petz named Josephine Castro, ing as standing committee chairmen: Mrs. Joseph Sanguinetti, publicity; Mrs. Albert Emhoff hospitality; Mrs. Manuel Chaves and Mrs. Calvin Vollbrecht, ways and means; Mrs.
Jim Lynch and Mrs. Richard Leibe, membership; Mrs. Richard Pires and Mrs. Ore Waller, bazaar; Mrs. Albert Ceciliani, and Mrs.
Charles Lewis, teachers' reception; Mrs. Bernice, Ferris, welfare and safety, and Mrs. Harvey, parliamentarian. A school picnic will be held at noon June 6 and Mrs. Yrigoyen is chairman.
of credit and the age of credit were among aspects of a talk by John Collins at last week's meeting of the Credit Women's Club of Lodi. Collins, director of the medical-dental division of the Sacramento Retailers Credit Association, also commended the for its fine work. An engraved gavel was presented Mrs. Ralph president, by Rich Moreno, manager of the Lodi Credit Bureau. Credit accounts payable, deferred payments, accounts payable on pay day, and past due and open accounts were covered in a round-table discussion moderated by Mrs.
Linda Wheeler. Gerald Kaemmerling will speak on "Skip Tracing" at the June 13 meeting in El Topaz. Wednesday Event for NDGW in Manteca MANTECA, May 22 The local Native Daughters of the Golden West parlor will sponsor a whist party Wednesday in MRPS Hall on North Grant Street. Refreshments will be served at 1:30 p.m., and the games will begin at 2 p.m. Mrs.
Ralph Holcomb is chairman, assisted by Mrs. Henry McMurray. Susanville Man to Speak in Sonora SONORA, May 22 Fred Nagel, a prominent Republican of Susanville, will speak Thursday to the Tuolumne County Republican Women in Sonora Memorial Hall. Mrs. Jessie Durfee, president, will open the 2 p.m.
business session. The public is invited to attend. New Officers for Antioch Club ANTIOCH, May 22-The local Soroptimist Club elected new officers at its last meeting, and set installation ceremonies for June 10. Elected were Lois Sundborg, president; Bess Combs, vice-' president; Ethel Lampley, treasurer; Margaret Davi, recording secretary, Agnes Bonde, corresponding secretary, and Myrtle Victor, directors. June Clark and Margaret Davi were elected delegates to district conferences, while Frances Winton and Agnes Bonde were elected alternate delegates.
Delegate Named by Escalon YLI ESCALON, May 22 Mrs. John Dosio was elected delegate to the YLI-YMI convention to be held in Stockton June 14-18 at the last meeting of Our Lady of Fatima Young Ladies Institute in the social hall of St. Patrick's Church. Plans for a convention barbecue June 18, which will be sponsored by the local groups were discussed. Hostesses for the meeting were Mmes.
Fred Laugero, Paul Dismukes, Glen Shaw, and Clarence York..
