Gleanings around Lodi, from the old LNS crowd to the soon-departing hot dog man

Tidying Up: Regarding my bit about reminiscing with Jim Turner about old days at the LN-S: I should have included Paul Zimmerman, the one and only photographer in those days. Paul was a good photographer and, later on, a pretty good managing editor. Paul died some years ago, but I found out that we can add a fourth person to those of us still extant.

Had a call from Loretta Perman (at least one of whose children I had as a student at Lodi High), who is Wilma Gross' cousin. Wilma, now Mrs. Boland, lives in Sacramento, so I called her up and we had a fine chat. She formerly worked for photo studios and still does some photography for the American Cancer Society and for her church. She has a grown son, Ross; a grown daughter, Lynn; and a 13 year-old grandson, Nathan. She said she and her husband had not been to Lodi in about 30 years. I told her she wouldn't recognize it!

Also omitted from the reunion bit: I had a fine time chatting with David Fuso, whom I had had as a Lodi High student and who was also the band's drum major. David, now a farmer big time, had brought his son, Michael, to the May Garden Club meeting to receive the scholarship awarded him by the club. It is always good to visit with "old kids"!

Someone reminded me that in listing the places I missed I had left out Squires. Yes, that, too, but our family went more to the Toggery, which I miss for sure. And one can't pass Lodi Avenue and Orange Street and watch buildings being built on what was once Chappell's Swimming Club pool without a pang. A lot of kids learned to swim there, and a lot of grownups enjoyed Jack's beef dinners. By the way, Cindy Chappell has turned into a super cookie and muffin baker. Taste her wares at House of Coffees.

One place where old friends can and do meet and chat is at the American Legion omelet breakfasts on the third Sunday of each month. Some people go before church; some, after. At $6, one can go down the line of Legion cooks, each with his frying pan, and get quick service. First, one chooses all the ingredients wanted in the omelet — and these are many and varied. Then, there are biscuits and gravy, potatoes, fruit, coffee and juice. Starting with a Father's Day breakfast on June 15, each breakfast will have a theme of some sort. Watch for the notices in Local Ledger.

And speaking of cooks: I had been wanting to go to A Taste of Brittany creperie in Stockton for a long time and finally made it. The owner of the restaurant makes all the crepes, and he is in perpetual motion, pouring and spreading batter on three or four crepe cans, carefully lifting and turning them, then adding the filings and carefully folding them over. We had the buckwheat batter with beef burgundy, and with ham, eggs and mozzarella fillings. No room to be tempted with the light crepes and sinful dessert fillings. That's for another time.

Last-minute flash: I finally got to the Post Office on a Thursday when Lou Fugazi was there with his hot dog stand, and could and did get one of his superior hot dogs. I was really sorry to hear that this will be Lou's last summer. He still loves being Downtown and talking to people, but the setting up and taking down and washing pots, etc,. is getting to be too much for him. He's had the stand for 18 years, and says it has been a wonderful retirement job. He's his own boss and can decide where and when he'll set up. I hope someone sees this opportunity and becomes a worthy successor to Lou.

Can't let a column go by without a word about words! Someone asked me to remark on the constant overuse of "you know" and "like" in sentences. Yes, this does go on as a habit, and one that should be broken. These expressions take up time and do not advance any information. Remember, brevity and clarity!

And we should watch writing "alter" (change) when we mean "altar" (church worship table), and "laying" (placing) when we mean "lying" (reclining, lying down). Subject and verb have to agree in number, too. Ex: EACH (one) of these men IS a veteran. Second ex: AN egg and A piece of ham ARE in the omelet. However, THE couple IS going to be married. "Couple" is a collective noun, like "the Army" or "Congress."

Suggestion One: We need a large directional sign on the south side of Harney Lane, pointing to Ham Lane, very readable from both sides. It is all too easy to overshoot the intersection, especially when traveling east.

Suggestion Two: We need more bus stops, just simple shaped plastic with shading overhead and a bench big enough for at least four persons. Maybe various groups around town — and businesses — could each sponsor at least one. More simple comfort makes for more riders, and would certainly be a boon to senior citizens, mothers with small children and disabled people. Waiting in hot sun, cold wind or rain does not make for happy riders!

Gwin Mitchell Paden has been a Lodi resident since 1957. She has had careers in advertising, the WAC, news, and teaching and has been active in community work.

Reader Feedback

OTH wrote on Jun 24, 2008 11:48 AM:

" ttodd45 that's what is scary. "

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ttodd45 wrote on Jun 24, 2008 5:36 AM:

" Folks, give the old lady a break. She has seen more B.S. go on in Lodi over the past 50 years than anyone. And through it all she can still write a "warm and fuzzy" article. "

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educated reader wrote on Jun 23, 2008 11:17 PM:

" Only slightly more useful than the Jennifer Bonnett articles which are totally useless. Way to keep an ex-LNS reporter on payroll. Noticed there is no responding to her "information" for mothers. Jennifer needs to bone up on the English language and talk about things that can actually be useful to mothers and/or families! Anyone could write the kind of tripe this woman produces. Now I know all the places not to shop for a "suit" for a toddler. Wow! I needed that info. "

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Scrutiny wrote on Jun 23, 2008 8:02 PM:

" Yes, that, too,... isn`t that a bit of a punctuational error? "

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papercut wrote on Jun 23, 2008 4:12 PM:

" OTH, keeps the good old boys from being exposed for another day. "

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OTH wrote on Jun 23, 2008 2:47 PM:

" Other than to fill space and mention peoples names, what was the purpose of this article? "

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