Paying tribute to Carol Marvel, Richard Jones and other bright lights of Lodi

October is here already — and everything still looks like early September. No bright colors on much of anything, but some trees are beginning to challenge summer green.

Dead leaves are underfoot, though, and two other signs of Autumn are in evidence — cawing crows and the occasional scent of wood smoke.

Cooler nights have helped encourage some fall-blooming flowers, but in general the whole season is dragging its feet. I am hoping we will get full, flaming October glory before we get the rains. (I am also hoping we will eventually get the rains, too, of course.)

Anyway, my roses are profligate with late blooms, and a yellow double hibiscus, which hadn't bloomed all summer, is budding and blooming at a great rate. So not all hibiscuses (hibsci?) like full hot sun all day. Live and learn!

As my husband is an ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce, he gets to go to a lot of ribbon-cutting and anniversary celebrations. Occasionally, I get to go, too, which is how I met Dick Guthrie at the 30th anniversary of J&D Auto Body. In the course of conversation, I found out he is the nephew of the late Dr. Mamie Pallesen, who was our family doctor when we first came to Lodi until she retired. It was her quick action with the right medicine that saved first son from catching full-blown meningitis. One more instance of meeting people connected with earlier years.

I recently enjoyed visits at the two new stores in Lakewood Mall, Randall's men's shop and Wrappin' Up. Both add quality to the neighborhood, as well as friendly conversation and tempting merchandise. Wouldn't it be great if the Lakewood Drug store and the Blasting Blenders spaces got new tenants of the same quality? One recent returnee to the mall on that block is the Lodi Art Center, which has been there before. The poor LAC has had to be more nomadic than it ought to have been because of too high rental rates, but wherever it is, it deserves being visited to see Lodi's pool of great art talent.

And, speaking of the arts, two wonderful concerts are in store for Lodi and environs far and wide. On Nov. 15, St. John's Episcopal Church will be host to a marvelous women's vocal trio from Oslo, Norway. They are well-known for the purity and beauty of their singing and are leading artists in Europe. Call the church at 369-3381 to learn more.

The second concert will be sponsored by the Lodi Community Band in spring. They will be presenting the Herald Trumpets, a group of 17 who play the long trumpets with banners hanging from them. The Trumpets are often seen on televised holiday concerts on the Mall in Washington, D.C. This group is called The President's Own, and appears at all inaugurations and at visitations from foreign heads of state. Watch the newspaper for more information.

I was privileged to introduce Carol Marvel, who recently joined members of their Hall of Fame, at the Boys and Girls Club the other night. She was honored for her community service, especially in the arts. There were lots of speeches but the best one came from Ken Davis, chairman of the school district's board of trustees. He was among several speaking about the stellar accomplishments of Richard Jones, a single man who has "parented" all the children at the club, as well as the 11 adopted children of his own. Richard is truly one of God's own, a special person.

Which leads me to a church story, told by the Rev. Dr. Dennis Maynard, who was the guest preacher at St. John's this past weekend. It seems that he was traveling home by air from National Convention, in company with other churchmen. Shortly into the flight, there was a large thud and the plane dropped. Eventually, it leveled out and the pilot came on the air. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have lost one of our four engines but I can assure you the plane is perfectly capable of flying on three." Then he added, "As further insurance of safety, we have four bishops on board." A bit later, he spoke again. "I have just had a message from one of our passengers. She says she would feel safer with four engines and three bishops!"

And speaking of churchly matters, I have learned that it was a 17th century hymn writer, Joachim Neander, who had his name given to prehistoric human remains found in a cave near his home — Neanderthal man. An interesting honor for a hymn writer, who died at the age of 30.

Gwin Mitchell Paden has been a resident of Lodi since 1956. She has long been active in numerous community groups and projects, and has taught at Lodi High and Delta College. Before teaching, she had careers in advertising, radio and newspaper reporting.

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