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John Michael Somero (1967)

Tom Stewart, were you wondering about the little hole in the wall on W. Main called "Rich's Ice Cream"? I think we used to get burgers there, along with ice cream...

Linda Gonzales (Roach) (1964)

Hi enjoyed the history of Woodland, But L remember it a little different. The barber shop was east of the yolo movie house and on the  west side was a gun shop. The guy's name, I be leave was Sid. on the east side of the state theater was the state fountain and on the west side was the Stork shop and next was the standard station.       does anyone remember the electric train going down main st. Bobby matta did live on the corner of Beamer and walnut. The owner before them was a man called art emmen , when I was a kid he had mules and used them to move houses in woodland, The Luceros lived on the corner of emerald and walnut, Richard and I would walk over to the Kentucky village and get a fountain coke for 10 cents. those were the days.You are right about John Didion living across the st. he had the best western toys in town,we all called him hoppy, short for hop along Cassidy. Kentucky ave. Was once called race track rd ,there was a horse track at the east end and there was a corral  across from the Kentucky village. when I was in high school  there was still a tank house and on top was a weather vane with a race horse on it . The story about the race track was befor my time, But that's what I was told. maybe someone can check it out. if this comes up as Linda ,it's because she's signed me on,I am Al .

Sally Skellchock (Miller) (1964)

Yes, you are correct. Cliff's Barber Shop was next to the Yolo Theatre.

Frances Handley (Jones) (1964)

Just so you all don't think you are crazy...My great uncle Thomas "Butch" Hooper owned the White Palace Barber shop on First Street in a white house type building across from the Police Station. It was on the corner of First and Dead Cat Alley. There was a women's beauty shop in the back of the house. His first barber shop was located on Main St. in what was to become Burton's Shoes. He opened that shop in the 1920s. He died in 1954 and the land was sold to the City for a City parking lot.

To continue, we lived on the corner of Walnut and Beamer and the Mattas lived diagonally across from us on the corner of Walnut and Beamer. My father was good friends with Mr. Matta.   One time they found a big snake that had come over and crawled up under our car! That was still a big farm (called the Inman property)  with a big wooden  house, barn and fence when we moved there in 1951. Most of the block was included in the farm property. In the early 60's it was all  sold and the current houses were built. 

Across the street where Camerena Park was built were three or maybe four oblong apartment type wooden buildings which were designated Veteran's housing (the Housing Project), built to house returning vets and their families. Many of our friends lived there. We all went to Beamer School.

It was torn down in the late 50s early 60s and made into a park and Little League field.

Doyle Phillips (1961)

Al Roach, Thats correct. Emerald and Walnut.  I googled the wrong corner. They were on the corner and the next house along the ally.   Did you live by Richard or around by Manuel?  Sally confirmed the barber shop, Cliffs next to the Yolo Theatre.  Thats the one I remember. You know a Paul Relei in Paradise?  He retired and moved there late 90's.

Dan Ree (Ree) (1964)

Frances..thanks for clearing that up..yes ..See I was not crazy..LOL.....I had Part of the name right..' White ".....I remember I and my brothers went there for butch cuts.....and I do remember the housing tracks for the returning Vets...I delivered the Democrat there ..also........

Vern Larson (1960)

Oh pshaw! All this talk about barbers and you've got probably the best "potential" barber on this website right here and now..."ME". I became interested in cutting hair when I was 12 and used to pay my little brother, Eldon "WHS 64", a quarter to cut his hair. Then I started cutting my dads hair... then Terry Morris was next "WHS 60"... then the little kids in the Laugenour neighborhood. I honed my skills by taking care of Mr. Forrest Laugenour's yard and trimming his bushes and hedges. When I went to BYU in 1961, I opened a little barber shop in my room in the dorm and charged 50 cents. I even went to Salt Lake City to a barber supply and bought a strop and straight raiser. You noticed I said strop instead of strap. If you're going to cut hair, you've got to use the proper terminology. When I shaved a client for my first and only time, I was dripping wet with sweat. Didn't cut him though. I didn't do anymore shaves. I used to occasionally cut the Mormon missionaries hair for free when they would stop by. I still to this day cut my own hair using a "Flobee" tool which attaches to your vacuum cleaner and suckes the hair up and cuts it at a length determined by the length of the attachment. At our next reunion, I may bring my clippers. Any takers?

Photo taken 1960.

P.S. - It's a good thing I ended up being a heavy equipment operator.

Dan Ree (Ree) (1964)

Vern..Do you remember the White Palace Barber Shop on First St...that was across from the old Police Dept....Frances mentioned?.........I rememeber the White building that stood out..by it's great piece of time went into the building.it...it  was a piece of art.....that stair way...and railing to the sides..as you enter the shop.....the Barber would know my dads name   and it was a Butch hair cut for all........isn't it weird one remember things like that when we were so young......good luck finding a Barber today...there are a couple here in Bakersfield....but  not in the best neighborhood.....

Linda Lopez (1967)

Well guys, you were not the only ones going to a barber to get the hair cuts. I remember at the age of 10 or so going to Sid Widaker at or by West and Main to get my hair cut. My dad got his cut there too.

Great memories you are sharing. Keep it up. We love to read what you were up to while going to school. Great memories for us all.

Thanks,

Linda

Don Murdoch (1962)

The best barber I ever had was in the Army.  He cut my hair exactly the same every two weeks.

Dan Ree (Ree) (1964)

Don...that's right... I remember Boot Camp at Fort Ord.....we stood in line for hair cutting thing...there was this 'Long Hair ' Guy..who sat in the Chair next to me...The Barber asked..."How Would You Like Your Hair Cut "...The Kid said...just trim the ends and my bangs please///all I knew is the razor buzzing...hair every where..the Barber stopped and said is that OK......and finish with the Buzz job.....Those Barber had a Great Sense of Humor.....My barber asked me the same....I said ..I'll leave that up to you..and BUZZZZZZ!!!   LOL!

Linda Gonzales (Roach) (1964)

Sorry Doyle, Don't  know your buddy. Everyone up here is my age or older and I can't remember who I met yesterday! does anyone remember the little market across from the pioneer distributor? I think it could of been  west side or main st. Market. Remember the band that  played at the armory,the challengers, it was Richard Luceros, Bobby carter, Jerry Balley, Phil shear and a guy named Tom on the bass guitar.those dances were great fun.also Billy carter was the bouncer. There was also dances held at the fair grounds ( Bobby freeman band ) and at the open air pavilion next to Jody's bar. Rock and roll was alive!!!

Vern Larson (1960)

Dan Ree Ree - Sorry I don't remember anything about the "White House" barber shop. The only barber shops I ever went to was the one in Yolo as a young boy, and the one that Linda used to go to on the corner of West & Main, and then only on special occasions, as I started cutting my own hair when I was 12.  Looking at the photo of you directing traffic #5232, I would love to have run some clippers through your hair. I used to cut hair 50's style, and your's was definitely 60's - 70's. My wife to this day says I still cut my hair too short. I have started letting it grow just past the ears before I bring out my Flobee.

Linda Lopez LaBrie - I've seen photos of you and your beautiful 3-wheeler Can - Am Spyder type motorcycle.  Don't be shy...we would love to hear about some of your adventures. 

Craig Mayfield - Shhhhhh, the secret to the bet was that Everette said he could get a date with the 1957, Yolo County Sugar Queen, Mary Lynne Vaughn. (Just kidding) Actually, I really don't know what the bet was about, but I do have a good story to tell about Everette. We were both about 14 and were walking around the fair when we saw Mary Lynne Vaughn who had just recently been crowned Sugar Queen.  Everette walked right up to her and ask her for a kiss... She gave him one! I was so bummed out and jealous! Why didn't I think of that! 

Joel Childers - that 1957 Ford Fairlane red and white retractable hard top convertible...I walked into the ford dealership in 1957 as a 14 year old boy and salivated all over one. It was absolutely beautiful! 

Linda Gonzales Roach - I remember when Bobby Carter first started forming his Rock & Roll Band. He, as lead guitar, and Mike on base guitar, would come out to the little store just South of Cache Creek, where I lived, and I would join in playing Boogie Woogie, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Fats Domino style piano. The 3 of us played at a wedding out at the fair grounds one time. I can just see Bill Carter as a bouncer. He was very powerful and could really throw those hay bales around. He and I bucked hay together for several years. I also played the trumpet in band with Phil Shearer on sax.

Jean Wright Johnson - It's good to see you on this site. I heard you and your husband have a motor home and have done some traveling around the country. You have got to have some experiences and tails to tell. Come on, it's your turn!

Gary Wegener - How about we hearing from our fearless leader. I know it's going to be practically impossible to top the motorcycle trip you completed in Russia several years ago. But it would be fun to hear of some of the rides you've taken. And thank you Gary for the great work you and others do in maintaining this wonderful website. 

And to all those we have not heard from yet...we have all got a story to tell...and we would love to hear yours!

Jean Wright (Johnson) (1960)

Yes, Vern  Thank you for the memories.  We really enjoyed our travels and was a regular at the FairGrounds, on our way to Ore/Wash.  I did sell the beautiful  40ft diesel pusher, after Fred passed away.  Jeanne

Eldon Larson (1964)

Greetings 60's mates, I need to clear up my big brother Vern's comments on hair cutting.  Yes he did say he would pay me to cut my hair, it's been so long that I don't remember being paid.  I was in complete shock when Vern stopped cutting my hair and I went to Sid to cut my hair.  Sid asked me for money, I was under the impression barbers paid you.  Another fact about Vern, he would take me to the ground and make me eat grass.  He always got the Bible verses mixed up.  "Do unto others as you would have done unto you."  Our big brother Leon used to make Vern eat grass, so Vern read this verse as "Do unto others as they have done unto you."  Thus began my diet of grass.  It wasn't too bad and a grew to like the taste.  One other story about Verns self control.  I looked up to my brother and enjoyed doing things with him.  We were out shooting a BB gun and taking turns shooting.  The problem was my turn never came up, just one more shot the reply was always when is it my turn question was asked.  Finally when he cocked the gun, you couldn't hear any bb's left in the gun, and Vern said, "Your turn."  I was a little mad, no, big time mad.  I took the gun and (now kids don't do this at home) pointed the gun at Vern.  I didn't realize how fast he could run, but I pointed at him, thinking the gun was unloaded and fired hitting him in the back.  Remember a gun is not a toy and never point it at anyone.  I again found out how fast Vern was when he started chasing me.  He was so mad he didn't make me eat grass, just stood over me thinking he was going to hit me.  I wasn't worried as no one in the family ever got physical.  We would go and kick the person's bed we were angry at and return and report what we had done.  The cool thing was you didn't have to actually kick the bed, just saying you did would even the score.  Oh for the good life.

One thought on basic training at Fort Ord 1967.  As I remember the barber shop had about 5 different pictures of different styles of haircuts.  You were asked to choose one of the styles.  I guess the army started our thinking of being one in mind and being a unit early because we all came out with the same haircut.

Doyle Phillips (1961)

Al, those were the days.  Yes the Challengers.  Bobby Carter, Jerry Bally, and also Mike Thompson played lead guitar and Tom Allen on bass. Phil Shearer played sax, Richard on the drums and Doug Smith played piano some.  When they played in Knights Landing Richard would have me sit in for him  while he was sparking the young ladies.  Good times.  

Speaking of markets, does anyone remember the name of the market on south side of east main half to a mile down from East Street. Seems like a Italian or Greek name. When you walked in you were greeted by a very very tall black Great Dane.  Friendly dog but he would get out at night some times and enjoyed chasing us clear over around Beamer School.

Linda Lopez (1967)

Eldon,

Speaking of pointing guns, I use to play army with Steven Kolb and others from our neighborhood. One time we were playing and some disagreement came up between me and one of the guys. He tried to scare me by chasing me home. When I got in the house he stood at the door tormenting me. I quickly grabbed my dad's shot gun and pointed it at him, told him to go home and leave me alone. Good thing he listened, it was loaded.

Linda

Dan Ree (Ree) (1964)

Linda..You go Girl...The Annie Oakie of Woodland......see how we played...todays ...things would go crazy..but Steve got the lesson of the Double Barrel..Don't mess with Linda....LOL!

Bill Means (1961)

Vern:

I have it on very good authority that you were not at all the Good person you talk and act like when you were in school.

Attached is a 1960 ILEX picture of you manhandling Larry Thompson just outside Leonard Thatcher's room after you found out Larry got a slightly better score on the Calculus III / Differential Equations test.

If you can read the note below the picture, you will see it says Mr. Thatcher then took both of you to Mr. Lacky's office for disciplinary action. What I don't understand is why you are wearing a funny pair of nurse's white stockings? Some medical problem??

I don't think any other ILEX year book is as wild as the 1960 book. Just inside the covers are all the students and teachers and places we attended in school. If any of you can get a copy, check it out.

Betty Ciemny (Gastineau) (1964)

I remember Rich's Ice Cream on W. Main. My older sister, Mona, worked there. Best chocolate malts in town!

Dan Ree (Ree) (1964)

Bill..that photo..is the Best..Kids now days go to school wearing attire exactly like that in 2017...and they really believe they invented it.........Vern   all you can say..." I am Bad " !!!!   LOL!

Linda Lopez (1967)

Dan,

It wasn't Steven, but who it was knows who he is and didn't come around any more. 

I truly enjoyed walking over to Clark Field and watching all the teams play baseball. Pretty much was going on right after school until 10 pm. Every one of the teams put on a great show. I was yelling for home runs for everyone. Thanks guys for your hard work and enjoy your team pictures that I've seen on fb. 

The World Series we had in Woodland was a great time. Dan, you have any ball pictures in your trophy box?

Linda

Dan Ree (Ree) (1964)

Linda...you Bad anyway...even though the guy wasn't Steve......I hope that person posts...as far as baseball pictures at Clarks Field...None...It was the day of no Smart Phones...sim card cameras...and the Democrat did not have much back then...I played for the Democrat at Clark Field though..........I too went to watch and went to watch the Little League Games and get snow cones............

Frances Handley (Jones) (1964)

Regarding yearbooks:  If you join www.Classmates.com ; they now have lots of Woodland HS yearbooks online...from 1925- 2007. You can turn the pages and read the whole yearbook...Yes, it does cost a little to join, but I think that older yearbooks are fascinating ( and all in one place) and worth it.   They also have yearbooks from  nearly every high school in the US.   You are also able to purchase copies of the yearbooks.

Joan Richter (Lucchesi) (1960)

Doyle Phillips: I think you are talking about Lavender's Market.