You're a Lodian if ...

It's no secret — Lodians have a lot of pride and memories about their youth in Lodi. A recent News-Sentinel column, "You know you are from Lodi if . . .," by Wade Heath, got people talking about their favorite Lodi memories, from playing kick-the-can and Chinese jump rope to eating 18 cent hamburgers at Popeye's and bratwurst at Helwig's.

Most are nostalgic about the past, wishing they could watch boat races at the Lake on Fourth of July or spend just one more summer at Sunset Theater or in Jack Chappell's swimming pool.

This is a list of memories that make Lodi memorable to the people who grew up here. (Comments from http://www. lodinews.com are included below.)

It's no secret — Lodians have a lot of pride and memories about their youth in Lodi. A recent News-Sentinel column, "You know you are from Lodi if . . .," by Wade Heath, got people talking about their favorite Lodi memories, from playing kick-the-can and Chinese jump rope to eating 18 cent hamburgers at Popeye's and bratwurst at Helwig's.

Most are nostalgic about the past, wishing they could watch boat races at the Lake on Fourth of July or spend just one more summer at Sunset Theater or in Jack Chappell's swimming pool.

This is a list of 50 memories that make Lodi memorable to the people who grew up here.

They say, you're only a Lodian if you . . .

• Remember the wooden-floored skating rink at the fairgrounds.

• Were read a story by librarian Dorothy Maas who use paper mache puppets.

• Hung out and played pong at the Lodi Pizza Garden.

• Rented paddle boats and paddle boards at Lodi Lake.

• Still have green stamps and blue chips from that gas stations.

• Had a charge account at Squires.

• Swam at the refreshing waters of Jack Chappell's swim club.

• Attended a Lodi Dodgers game on 25 cent beer night.

• Played softball at the armory.

• Had shaved ice at Okazaki's.

• Had bratwurst and eggs at Helwig's.

• Ate at Tony's Pizza when it was on Cherokee Lane.

• Had a "BellBeefer" at the old Taco Bell.

• Bought a bicycle from the Schwinn store or Western Auto.

• Bought a Christmas tree from Art's.

The Sunset, once a lively place to catch a movie, has set idle for years on Lodi Avenue. (Courtesy photo)

• Remember milk in glass bottles and a wire carrier from Milk Stop.

• Remember when the schools had no portable buildings.

• Remember playing pinball machines in the back room, behind the beaded curtain, at Westside Market (on the corner of Locust and California streets).

• You had senior pictures taken by Jerry Cook.

• Bought railroad pants from Joe Hassan's.

• You bought records at Westgate.

• You went "Cruuuuisin' down School Street. Oh, those bad teenagers."

• Swam in the irrigation canals.

• You chased foul balls at Lawrence Park and turned them in for sodas and hot dogs.

• Remember Don Knotts and Tim Conway films at Valley Cinema in the late '70s.

• You watched the Fourth of July boat races at Lodi Lake.

• Watched "Bonnie and Clyde" at the Sunset Theater.

• You went to T&E, a market, to buy wax lips, wax harmonicas and "fruit" juice in little wax bottles.

• You went with your father to Puff-N-Stuff.

• You watched in horror as Robbie, of Robbie's Swim Club, would toss small children from the high board.

• You ate locally made Victor brand Braunschweiger.

• Remember someone actually living in the Hill House.

• Played miniature golf at Lower Sacramento and Armstrong roads. "You could win a soda for getting your ball in the clown's mouth!" — marleyo

The Lodi Swim Club met at the Chappell pool, at the corner of Orange and Lodi avenues. In this 1950 photo, Orange Avenue (in the background) is being extended south of Lodi Avenue. (News-Sentinel file photo)

• Remember eating many sandwiches at Howard's Deli. "I s-o-o-o-o-o-o miss Howards Deli." — Leonard

• You played Frisbee at Lodi Lake with Rock 104 blasting from the car radio.

• Remember swarms of crickets in Lodi? "Where did all the crickets go?" — Lodian

• You ate pizza and salad at Capri Pizza "Pizza and salad drowning in a thick ranch dressing, the best!"

• You remember when it snowed in Lodi. "We built a snowman in the front yard and it lasted for days" — Audi 5000

• Played pinball at the bowling ally.

• Remember the red stools, stainless countertops and burgers at Woolworths.

• You miss Mr. Felton and his El Topaz.

• Bought Flicks candy and Wacky Packages from Jolly Candy Store.

• Remember flower girls being in Lodi High School graduation ceremonies.

• You went to the tire shop to buy tubes to float down the river.

• You know about the tunnel that was used when an opera house was above Thornton House. "My grandfather, who was born in the 1890's, said there were rumors of opium dens down there at one time, and later 'tea rooms' during Prohibition." — nylodian

Reader Feedback

Lodian wrote on Jul 12, 2008 7:05 PM:

" Let's compile a list of things that our children will remember about growing up in Lodi. I hope they have good memories too, but I have a feeling their childhood memories of growing up in Lodi will not be as great as our fond memories. "

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