Indexes
The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.
- Will terrorists be given Miranda warnings? (75)
- President Obama's first year (67)
- Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts (64)
- Local business leaders say tourism, Costco, Home Depot may play roles in city's future (60)
- Islamic symbol in mosaic — what is all the fuss? (49)
- Many reject the politics of 'no' (43)
- Writer comments on Neely column (42)
- The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch (41)
- Police: Train victim was a Lodi teen (31)
- Time to shed the convenient sham of 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy (31)
Dennis Baskin and Rich O'Hara aren't your typical ministers
Dennis Baskin and Rich O'Hara are a little out of the ordinary. They dress like ranchers. Baskin talks with a Texas drawl and he loves the large slices of bacon that go with his blueberry pancakes just before church begins at the Clements Stampede grounds.
They have their own church in San Andreas, conducting services at 4 p.m. each Sunday. They dress a mite more formally there, at least the one who's giving the sermon that week. That's because the one giving the sermon changes into a white shirt.
Baskin, who will turn 62 in October, said he was a nonbeliever until he was 34.
Baskin, a cattle rancher during the week, told cowboys on Sunday about how he got into a train wreck in Montana when he was 18. He turned out all right, but his dog was killed.
"I was cussing God," he said. "I learned that wasn't a good idea."
As he got older Baskin discovered something about God.
"I figured out He wasn't just God — He was Lord."
O'Hara has a little different background. Although he looks the part at cowboy church, he's no cowboy.
"I work for the city of Oakdale — street and sewer department," he said.
Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback
Comments on this story are now closed.