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Tom Stewart (1969)

Following my paper route days I got a job at Kentucky Market working for the Nardenelli family.  I think I made about $1.35 and hour or there abouts, but saved quite a bit anyway.  Eventually I was resonsible for closing the store at night, then I moved on to my first union job working for Safeway.  Worked with a bunch of Woodland lads during that time.  I remember Benji Argumeto (don't know the spelling) was a sworn enemy of Bubba Miller and they got into a fight one night. Can't even remember who won.

Benji had a Camero tricked out for speed and a full racing clutch.  Sometimes he would let us borrow his car to cruise Main street, and the clutch was so stiff your leg would start to spasm from holding it in at stop lights.  I eventually bought a new Firebird in 1968.  It was actually a 1969 model, but I ordered it from the factory and had to wait for delivery.  I got if from the Pontiac garage on Main.

We used to play football at the parks and one Saturday I was out playing with Bubba and a bunch of other guys and Bubba was going out for a pass.  He was looking back over his shoulder and ran full speed into the brick wall of the restrooms.  It knocked him off his feet, but he just got up and kept on going.  I would have been out cold, or on the way to the hospital.  He was one tough hombre.

John Michael Somero (1967)

Tom, and others,

I had the same safety patrol job at Beamer in the fifth grade, and even another important responsibility.  When they had us watch a movie, I got to run the 16mm projector!  And your paper route story certainly brings back memories; I had the Sacramento Bee route also, with both saddlebags full on the back of my bike, plus a full bag on the handlebars.  We used to have to pedal to downtown Woodland in the wee hours of the morning to meet and get our papers.

One day, delivering the Sunday paper, which was HUGE, I had a large dog attack me on my bike.  I laid the bike over and got away, and when I got back it took forever to get all those papers back in the bags and get the bike back up on its two wheels.  When my dad heard what happened and why I was late getting home, he went to the store and bought a squirt gun for me.  The next time I went on my route, I had a plastic squirt gun loaded with a 50/50 mixture of water and ammonia.  And sure enough, that dog was waiting for me again.  When it got close enough, I unloaded my squirt gun into his face; he turned and ran off howling all the way.  He never did come after me after that! I still carried my sidearm on my route, and had to replace it every week or so because the ammonia affected the glue holding the gun together and it ended up leaking, but that was the end of dog chasing me problems.

Joel Childers (1966)

To he who protesteth too much..."You reap what you sow." --- Grasshopper.

P.S. Robert Cowing, if you are still out there, thanks for naming me "grasshopper" from the old Kung Fu tv series. Nicest thing I've ever been called. Now I think I'll go drink one. I had a Woodland Daily Democrat paper route and later a Sacramento Bee paper route. I'm not surprised that everyone remembers the Bee delivery being a nightmare. Same here. The first Sunday, a stack of half the paper was delivered to my house. I didn't understand that it was only half, so I delivered my entire route at 4 am only to come home to find a stack of the other half of the paper. So I had to do the entire route over delivering the other half. It took about 3 hours to earn about $1. The following Sunday it was pouring rain and the wind was howling. The wind was knocking me off my bike and the newspapers and I were getting drenched. Rubber bands were breaking and newspapers blowing apart down the street. I quit after a month. Shame on the Bee for using child labor to do a man's job.

Does anyone remember the year we in the MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship) did a rock-garden display at the Yolo County Fair? I don't remember if we won anything. The county fair was second only to Christmas in my Woodland memories.

Joel Childers (1966)

P.P.S. My Uncle, Charlie Hoecker ("Signs By Heck") always ran the Kiwanis hamburger stand every year at the Yolo County Fair. Ah, I can smell the onions... in my memory. The fair here in Spokane Valley leaves a lot to be desired, but it does have a very good classic car show. My favorite...the '57 Ford Fairlane retractable hardtop convertible, cherry red on white.

George Manthey (1967)

Thanks for the reminders of paper route memories.  The other Woodland paper was The Record.  That's what I delivered, but it was only Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  We also had to collect and the monthly rate was only 25 cents.  But still some folks wouldn't have it and I would have to return. Almost all of the money collected went to the paper--but we could win "fabulous" prizes if we sold subscriptions. One of my strongest memories of the route was of riding by a fountain on Keystone that had been left on during a freeze--it was a wonder of icicles--only early risers got to see it.

I too was on both the AV and Safety Patrols at Beamer. Loved getting out of class to show a movie--unless it was for Miss Conger's class--she was just scary for students who hadn't had her.

I've wondered why it was so "uncool" to ride a bicycle to high school. Is that still true? We lived on North College so it was a long walk. I remember wishing Woodland was like Davis where everyone rode bikes.

Dan Ree (Ree) (1964)

Joel...thanks for that classic Ford...It's one of a kind..Love Hot Rods...and Hamburgers at the Fair.......

Dan Ree (Ree) (1964)

George....it was uncool to ride a bike to the original WHS...We had to wear our best Arrow...button at the collar shirts...either purchased at Stan's or Robert's Men Store across the street........We were guys with fresh hair cuts....the girls were great looking and it was a time ..when we like Wolf Man Jack...Rock.-N-Roll....Beach Boy's......But it was the times to shine...Now I rebuild Old Bikes like new of the past.........Plus Building a new Harley from scratch in my Garage...Goota Have a Harley Sportster!!!!!!!...Thanks for the input..Put up some of your Photos......

Doyle Phillips (1961)

Tom, was the Kentucky Market the one with the Meat Market and Leons TV or the one across the Street on College?  One belonged to the Ferris I believe. In the 50's they had the Easter Egg Hunt in the Field behind the Market on the West side. Were you in the Ioof? 

John Eaton (1964)

The original Kentucky Market was west of College and I am pretty sure it was owned by the Nardinelli family.  I remember the neon sign on top that had a horse race theme, I think due to another name for Kentucky Avenue being Race Track Road.  I have a humiliating memory of being caught shop lifting one day.  I have no memory of what it was I carried out, but I will never forget the shame.  I didn't intend to steal, I think I was just so excited to get what I had I completely forgot to pay.  I was probably in the second grade then. 

I filled in for Bruce Hiddleson for a day or two on I think a Bee paper route.  It took me forever to put all those papers together and it was very late by the time I got them delivered.  At least one customer wished me everything but well.  Never did a paper route again!

Tim Tucker (1965)

John, the one that faced " Race Track Road " was called " Kentucky Village Grocery Store ". My brother Tony managed it for a few years for Cliff Faris. I worked there one summer when I was 14. Bob Carter, Don Duzan, Louie Robles and  John Hedrick among others also worked there. I remember the big teepee shaped trash burner ( incinerator ) behind the store and stacking fly-ridden deposit bottles for a buck an hour.

Tom Stewart (1969)

Doyle Phillips,

That was Kentucky Market, owned by the Nardinelli family, across the street was Kentucky Village.  Kentucky Market had a meat market operated by Joe Rudi.  He was the uncle of Joe Rudi who played for the Oakland A's in their prime.  Joe Rudi, Sal Bando, Raleigh Fingers, Reggie Jackson, Bert (Campi) Campineras, Blue Moon Odem, Catfish Hunter, and that's all I can remember.

Joe Rudi opened his own butcher shop on Main street out near the Pioneer Market.  We ought to see how many businesses we can name like Stan's Mens Store, Roberts Men;s Store, Reed and Bell, Foys Toy Cabin, Hong Kong Cafe, ....... what was the name of that ice cream shop that opened for a while?

I remember going to Foster Freeze after school and getting a cherry silver fizz and eating a Nestle's Crunch with it.  Life didn't get much better than that.  Do you remember the pool hall on First Street just off Main?  Wasn't it called Brackets or something like that?
 

Dan Ree (Ree) (1964)

February 24.1961...the City Workers installing the new Control Boxes ...so the signal lights will Flash All night......noticed the old Ford  Pick up and the Flag as their Caution warning...Across the street was American Trust Company....Later became Bank Shot Family Billard March 3, 1969...this was College and Main Sts

Dan Ree (Ree) (1964)

Tom...there was Traynham Music Store........Breits.....Hertel's.....Sprouse Reitz Co...Chop Suey Cafe...Sportsman Club (next to Stan's)...Fong's Cafe....Yes....it was called Brackets...across the street from a Barber Shop...and next to an appliance Store..

Donald Urain (1964)

Tom, I played in that game at Beamer park when Bubba hit the wall,we all thought he was dead but he kept going .Those games were great in the rain and mud, we got in trouble from the park service for tearing up the grass so you know that stopped us,ha,ha,ha,

Doyle Phillips (1961)

Tim, the one I remember was the Kentucky Village Grocery on the west side of College. Rob Faris dad had the store and I believe owned that whole square block. When You and Keith and others went to see Elvis was he a show or was that when Elvis was spraying lead? I remember in 64 or maybe 65 when I was home on leave Keith took me to the I.O.O.F location. You guys had all the comforts of home with pool tables.

Tom, I do not remember the pool hall on First. What years was it there?  I remember the Barber Shop on the west side of street by the Villa and around the corner was the Legion Hall. My barber Ted Ramirez cut hair at that Barber Shop and when he was boxing he had fights at the Legion Hall. On the corner was Yolo Grocery across from Mulcahys and a frosty place.  Places I remember on Main were Nakamuras, Cranstons, A & W Root Beer, George at the Spudnut Shop, Didions Service Station, Greyhound Bus Depot, Tamale Shop, The Corner Drug, Leitholds Drug, Rexall Drug, Traynhams, Porter Bldg, with DR. Fisher Office, War Surplus next to the Chicago Cafe, Canton Cafe, Fongs Cafe, Hong Kong Cafe, Sportsmans, Tracy Motors, Orrick Oil, Woodhaven Lanes, Yolo Theatre and State Theatre. Stans Men Store where I bought my Levi's 501 and Frisco Cant bust em jeans.  There was a CHP Office down by the park on Main.  In 66 after being discharged from the Navy I had been a Master at Arms and did Shore Patrol Duty and was interested in joining the CHP. I went in to get Papers to apply and was told by a 5' Sgt. I was disqualified because i was only 5'6". I could serve my Country but not my State.

Dan, in your posting 5320 would the Porter Bldg. be on the right? 

In #1253 could that be Dale Lackey  second from right? 

Joel Childers (1966)

Pioneer Market on Main. I'd forgotten that place. Good memory, Tom. And the Meat Market right next door I believe. Yes, I helped Grampa deliver produce to Pioneer Market and Kentucky Grocery, but not Kentucky Market, which was right across the street. Kentucky Market with the race horse sign was there first. Every year there was a big Easter Egg hunt in the field behind Kentucky Market. Anybody remember the Three Jay Market on Second Street near Court Street? Shamefully we often filched a piece of penny candy there. The lady, Nellie, must have known from the guilty looks on our dirty little faces, but she was too nice to bust us. The family always shopped at the Nugget Market. They would always give out Booster Barrel tickets for a big drawing on a summer night. I remember the huge spotlight they had. One year we won a Bar-B-Que grill which was kind of a big deal back in those days. 

Joel Childers (1966)

Oops, Kentucky Village was the name. Okay, okay, I'm 69 years old and 10,000 bottles of beer have passed through my blood stream. Just correct me when I lapse.

Dan Ree (Ree) (1964)

Doyle...that was the Porter Building on the right...and Mckinney's was the store on the corner at that location

Joan Richter (Lucchesi) (1960)

I may be wrong but I think Kentucky Avenue got the name "Race TrackRoad" because there was once a race track there, hence, Kentucky -Avenue. There was also a bar called The Brown Dirby across from Kentucky Villiage. 

Doyle Phillips (1961)

Joan, that is the one I knew as Kentucky Village. Across from the Bar.  All the way down on East Kentucky was Wrong Way Riegels. From the bar most of the way down to West Street was tomato fields on North side. 

Were Frank and Ralph related?

Dan Ree (Ree) (1964)

Joan....makes sense to me..I think on the otherside of the Kentucky Market...was a Sporting good Store..I remember we used to get out .22 ammo there

JoAnn Kergel (Wirth) (1965)

Dan Wirth & Chris Ivy started riding 10 speeds to WHS in 1963.  Only ones for a long time.

Was there a dress shop in or near the Kentucky Market?  Remember going in there with my Mom.

Tim Tucker (1965)

Doyle, the time I saw Elvis's show with your brother Keith and some others, was at the Sahara at South Shore. Great show. The time Elvis shot his T.V. was a couple of years later at the Hilton in Las Vegas. Me, Vern Vick and our wives drove down for his show, but heard on the radio that he had cancelled for "medical reasons". We had a great time anyway and saw a whole bunch of other shows. And yes the IOOF was a great place to hang out and shoot pool or raid the refrigerator. Great memories.

Walter J. "Wally" Summ (1967)

Joan,

The horse race track was north of Kentucky Village on the property most recently owned by Layton Knaggs, I believe.  I was told by Kenny Price that up until the mid 60's, he could fly over that field and still see the remains of that oval track.

Norma Berrettoni (Plocher) (1966)

JoAnn Wirth - I believe that Cooper's Dress shop was in the Kentucky Village shopping area owned by Mr. Faris.  It then moved to Main Street --- Joan Lucchesi .... do you remember?