OUR 24th ANNUAL DINNER FOR MEMBERS AND GUESTS WAS HELD LAST OCTOBER.
HIGHTLIGHTS FROM 2025 AND THANKING ALL FOR A GOOD YEAR FOR THE BOOMTOWN MUSEUM AND THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
“I REMEMBER THAT” - A sell-out crowd once again! A loving community of members and guests. Pat Karch was masterful tickling the ivories. Jean Naylor led us in singing the national anthem. Charlotte Bailey and Valerie Cantwell served the delicious wine donated by the Trinchero Family Winery in Sonoma. Shasta Lake Garden Project graced the tables with flowers. The Central Valley High School Key Club waited tables and the Kiwanians prepared a great buffet. The room hummed and vibrated with voices as people were greeting old friends and engaged in making some new. Many thanks for tables reserved by American Legion Post#720, Central Valley Alumni Association, City of Shasta Lake, Computer Logistics, Heritage Plaza Board of Directors and the Wintu Tribe of Northern California.
THANK YOU for the Raffle donations and/or for helping as worker bees: Donna Adams, Linda Beaver, Charlotte Bailey, Bill & Darlene Brown, Valerie Cantwell, Nicki Chambers, Melody Christenson, Pete Droesch, Scotty & Angel Dyer, Bert & Joan Fackrell, Mary Hale, Kay Kobe, Allen & Cheryle Mancasola/Farmer’s Marketplace; Pam Morgan; Ann Morningstar, Lorraine & Gary Ramsden; Connie Strohmayer, Bill & Virginia Tavey, Leanne Westphal and Shasta Lake Garden Project members: Tena Eisenbiez, Tina Monk, Becky Butt VanSickle and Cheryle Yednak.
A short video was shown followed by a great raffle! SLHHS President Joan Fackrell engaged the audience in reminiscing our theme and encouraging everyone to tell a story (several people did) or write a memory - here are some memories written and turned in that evening:
Janice Powell: “I remember the A&W Root Beer stand that was located on the west side of Farmer’s Marketplace (the lot is vacant now). Our family of six would pull up in the station wagon and order root beer floats in those heavy frosted mugs. The car hop brought them out on a big tray that attached to the car window. It was a very special treat (and trip) that ended up at the Dam to feed the deer!”
Betty Crampton Leas: “The Giant Orange”. “Both of my children met their school bus there. We lived on West Street in Pine Grove.”
Joan Beaver Wilburn: “The Ritz Beauty Salon - (my) Mom’s shop”. “Pike’s Market”. “TJ’s”. “Big Dipper”. “Carriage House.”
VT: “I grew up in Central Valley, left in 1958. At age 8, I helped my cousins load a wagon of different sodas and go to the sawmill and sell them for 25 cents. My fondest memory is the day after graduation from 8th grade. Bill Pike asked me if I wanted to work in his grocery store. I worked two summers for them.”
Janine Lewis: “I enjoyed Juanita Sweeny’s Art Museum one block south of Shasta Dam Blvd. Her guest book boasted visitors from not only our area but international guests as well. She created many pieces such as charcoal drawings, paintings, dolls, and furniture with her brother. Juanita painted a mural for the Veteran’s Hall.”
Gary Bohn: “Please have name tags next year!” “Teacher - Mrs. Hanson, 3rd grade. Toyon School 1945-49. Dr. Harold Bursell in the 1950s. The Big Dipper in the 50s-60s”.
Jeanie Naylor: “I remember my first trip to the store for mom. She gave me a list and money and told me to walk to Mike’s Market and pick up a few things. That very day I saw a red headed boy working at the store. He talked to me and I fell head over heels in love for the very first time. So far that love is still alive and will never end. Marrying a Valley Boy was a gift from Heaven.”
Don Spurgeon: “Foster Freeze in front of the fire hall. I got paid 25 cents for a 50 lb. bag of potatoes. Great ice cream cones, milk shakes, fries and burgers.”
Sam Sowards: “Big Dipper was the place to meet. Jim Evans was one of my best friends.”
Valerie Peterson Cantwell: “How fun the Damborees were! My mom and dad were members at the Buckeye Grange. They made the best burgers! I loved CVHS! My dad taught there from 1957-1981. Such a great group we all were.”
Cheryle Yednak: “Back in ‘64, my family visited the Dam while we were on vacation. We visited Sentry Market and the Caverns as well. When I moved here 10 years ago, I was amazed at seeing the market still standing looking as remembered. I’ve visited the Caverns several times over the last 10 years and (they’re) always better each time. And of course, The Giant Orange.”
Kay Kobe: “Cathy’s Variety”. “That store was Central Valley’s ‘Department Store’. They had everything - jeans, hats, sheets, craft items and smiles for everyone. The building still stands (remodeled) as the Old Mill Eatery and is one of the oldest buildings in the City of Shasta Lake.”
Teresa Burge: “Big Dipper’s banana split”. “Dr. Hinman, the kind doctor who stitched up my leg. Mike’s Market where I stole an ice cream bar - baddy!”
Carol Burge Humiston: “Hazel and I kicked around ole’ CV in the 1950s as preteens and teens wreaking havoc; Froster Freeze in the phone booth fun! Jumping in puddles and giggling all the way. Then we grew up and married. John Sellars was my favorite teacher 1959-’60. His wife, Sally, later became my best friend.”
Gale Clarke: “The Giant Orange”. “When coming home (to Redding), it was always a treat to stop there. We were usually dirty, dusty, and windblown from riding in the back of a pickup. It was fun to watch the server squish the fresh cut oranges in that giant squeezer. The ‘treat’, best of all, was that wonderful cold juice. Just what was needed!”
Debbie Rowland Brownfield: “My grandpa helped build the dam and then he was a night watchman for many years. As a little girl, I thought it was my grandfather’s dam! There were hundreds of deer. I remember the Big Dipper; they had black licorice ice cream. We always went to the A&W on Friday nites.”
Greg Watkins: “George (Babel?) lived on First St. in Toyon and he maintained all 40 houses the USBR owned for the workers and families operating and maintaining Shasta Dam - 1960 era. The nice thing was if a window was broken or a heater did not operate, all one had to do was, ‘Call George’.
These recollections were written at the dinner. Do they bring back memories for any of you?