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Vern Larson (1960)

Tim, I too have tons of memories about the I.O.O.F. building. I visited Woodland years ago and the building had been completely redesigned from what it was origionally. The Mormon church use to rent the 2nd floor on Sundays for services from the mid 30's to 1955 when they built their own chaple on the corner of 2nd & Lincoln which they used for years until selling it to another denomination. I remember the long wide main stair case going to the 2 floor and the kitchen with what we kids used to call the secret stairway leading to the sidewalk on 3rd Street. The building also had an elevator shaft but no elevator. It was scary to look down the elevator shaft and visualize what would happen if we fell. The 3rd floor was occasionally used for special large meetings. I remember the toilets had a separate water reservoir located high up on the wall near the sealing with a long chain to pull in order to flush the toilets. I went exploring one time and found a room which was full of old pianos as well as a few grand pianos stored there. I also remember the pool tables. We used to lean out the windows and wave to people below. I never did find the way to the roof. Maybe it was a good thing I didn't.

Dan Logue (1969)

My Dad remodeled the Odd Fellows building in the late 70's.

It did have arches in the front but they were filled in and converted into offices .

On the very top floor in the back right corner of the pic.He  built a suite which was  a living room and a wet bar.

The access is a narrow circular  wrought iron staircase.

You had a great view of the whole town from there.

He spent a fortune to make it eartquake proof.

Joann Damsen (Dahl) (1961)

OK everyone, need help.  With all the pictures of main street, can someone locate where Lawrence's Stationery, then became Woodland Stationery was.

Dana Lynn Hoover (1967)

I remember the IOOF building as my mother was a Rebecka and she had her meetings on the second floor.  I also went to a wedding reception there in 1964, got into the champagne and had a real difficult time with the stairs when I left....I know TMI.

Tim Tucker (1965)

Joann, go to pg 48, item #1191.  527 Main St was the location of what used to be J.F Laurence Stationary and later Woodland Stationary , next door to what used to be Stan's Men's Store, and is now an antique store.

Mary Cassel (Mailloux) (1967)

In answer to buinesses in IOOF building, in 50' to 60s on street level and basement the Welfare Dept. had their offices on the end away from Third Street.  The arches were open then.

Tuni Gravink (House) (1964)

Tim, many of us spent time in the Odd Fellows building. If you remember the stairs had a door off to the right (second floor) that went into a big huge room with nothing in it. You could see up and down Main street from the windows. There was a kitchen up there also. My grandfather was and Odd Fellow, and grandmother was a Rebeca. I was in Theta Rho, which is the group before becoming a Rebeca.  I remember doing installations, and they used the Jr. Odd Fellows, and Theta Rho girls to help in the installations. I can also remember going to Marysville, Colusa and other towns to help with their installations.  That building like many of the old buildings in Woodland had huge rooms, and they went on forever.

I remember you Vern, and some of the others always hanging out there., Connie Young, myself and some other girls (the Miller sisters) also hung there, we mostly listened to records on the record player up on the second floor.

Tuni

Doyle Phillips (1961)

Was the IOOF Building catty corner from the Shanty?  If so, they had a Holloween Party there in 1966.  I believe the bottom floor had a court there in 1966 accessed from Dead Cat Alley. .  If not there it was down 1 block on the corner. 

Tim Tucker (1965)

Tuni, I remember those trips for installations. Alan Mc Grew and his T-Bird or Tom Covington and his 409 Impala were our mode of transportation. Do you remember the big event in Santa Cruz ?

Tim Tucker (1965)

Doyle, Yes, the Shanty was at 800 Main St. S.E. corner of 3rd and Main, next to what used to be Whitehead Tires.

Tuni Gravink (House) (1964)

Tim i do remember the big installation in Santa Cruz. That was the convention for the year too. I remember us all having a good time, and we had all buddied up with the group from Orangvale. I still have my photos of then. Of course, us girls had Mrs. Mills as our "dorm mom."She wanted us dressed ladies proper, and not a lot of makeup, and to be ladies all the way.  She cut no slack whatsoever. But she was nice, and she did know we needed to have some fun too, so she did okay the boardwalk area. Once i moved after high school i did not remain active in the organization anymore. Now, i am involved with Paws 4 LIfe, and Kiwanis of Apache Junction. I am also involved with other groups that also work with my organization Paws 4 Life. I know and do things with many of the AJ Mounted Rangers, and i also have involvement with the local shelter Paws and Claws Care Center. I train along with two of my other trainers their dogs. In trade we get to use the big tower lights for our training. The shelter falls under the Police dept. here, and the lights belong to the police dept. However, it sure beats having to set up 15 tri-pod lights for each evening class. The key on and flip two switches and the whole area lights up, If we want to work in the agility area, we just turn the tower lights the other way, and wala we are in business. 

My other half is in Kiwanis, and he will be installed into the Elks, and the Lions club here in town. He is on so many committees, that i cannot figure out when he is home for dinner or not. So i usually call and say you home for dinner tonight or do i Lean Cuisine it?

Life has changed a for many of us. This town is not too much different than Woodland. The only difference is the town is spread out long with spaces inbetween , and you haven't seen anything till you see the local liquor store with a hitching post for horse, and if they do not want to hitch the horse, they can do the drive through with the horse. The court house, and the Dash In, and many other businesses also have the hitching posts outside their businesses. You will see horse riders going right down the middle island of the main street, cutting across, and right on the sidewalks too. Or here the horse cutting across the road always has the right away. Even on the hwy , they come first. You must stop and let them cross. It is a little like Elvis is still in the building and the calendar is still stuck in the late 40's going into the 50's and 60's. Tuni

Jean Duncan (Miller) (1968)

Hello-o-o-o-o!

I think there's an echo in here...

JoAnn Kergel (Wirth) (1965)

Pretty quiet out there in message land.  Are you all talked out?

JoAnn Kergel (Wirth) (1965)

Interesting Tim!  Wash it well.

Janice Bell (Killian) (1966)

Hi, all.  The Woodland Chamber Singers returned from New York City on Wednesday, March 19.  We had a fabulous trip and a wonderful response at Carnegie Hall.  There were two high school choirs that had won multiple awards over the years, as well as the Cal Poly Polyphonic Choir and the Arab Music Ensemble from Cal Poly.  We were privileged to hear the world debut of a choral work composed for one of the high school choirs and the composer attended the concert.

Performing in Carnegie Hall was a dream come true for many of us.  We never would have made it on our own, but through the direction of Lenore Turner-Heinson who pushed us to excellence, and the recommendation of John Abigana, who taught at WHS for many years, we were able to live our dream.  So many of our members were active in music through school programs and developed our talents there.  But after school, it is through community music programs such as WCS that allows to continue enjoying the gift of music and to share it with our community.

If you are interested, you may visit our website woodlandsingers.org or attend our next concert, May 24th and 25th at the Pioneer High School. 

Janice Bell Killian, Secretary

Woodland Chamber Singers Board of Directors

Harriet Shamshoian (Giles) (1964)

I think I remember attending concerts with my Mom.  Did they sing at the Christian Church on College St.?

Or perhaps at Shakespere Club?

On another topic, I received a post card regarding a mini reunion for the Class of 1964 at The Woodland Hotel in September. Since a medical crisis in my family prevented my attending the Big Bash, I am seriously considering attending this one. What about the rest of my classmates?  Any takers?

Harriet Shamshoian Giles

Cheryl Matter (Fowler) (1963)

Oh,yes, Tom I remember the old State Fair Grounds - it was such a beautiful place.....with real grass.   I remember the first year of "Cal Expo" State Fair - the summer of 1969,  I was pregnant with twins, it was so hot and there were no shade trees to sit under and no grass - all concrete!   It was so disappointing - I didn't go back there for many years.

The Almond Festival is still going strong - this year they celebrated thier  99th year.....and my youngest granddaughter, Makayla Shera, was the Almond Queen!

Connie Long (Brace) (1963)

Congratulations to the Woodland Chamber Singers!  What a wonderful asset to the Woodland community.

Theresa Eve (1964)

It was great to read about the Woodland Chamber Singers!  Nice to see Woodland with such an active group in such a positive way.  Good posting.  Yes, the Class of 1964 is having their 50th Class Reunion at the Woodland Hotel this September 20, 2014.  It should be lovely in the historical building we all remember.  It looks so lovely after the reconstruction.  I will be there for sure!!

Janice Bell (Killian) (1966)

Thanks, Robert, for posting concerts, etc.  We are hoping to upload pictures from the New York trip in the near future.

Carol Dunton (Stone) (1968)

Just thought I'd throw in a little history about the Chamber singers.  My father and I were original members of the Wdld Chamber Singers. The original group had two singers on each part, therefore, 8 members. I think some parts took on another singer, cause I recall the altos had 3 singers after a while. They were myself, Lilly Hayes and Carol Dahnke. My dad, Jack Dunton, sang tenor with Dr. Buren Krahling. Pretty sure Dr. Edmondson sang bass with Mr. Page and Mrs. Page (Katherine) was a soprano.  I think Doris Warden was our director, although later Dr. Edmondson took over. It was a nice group and we all loved what we were doing!

Theresa Eve (1964)

Great picture of the singers and I really like the history of when they started.  Can someone list the names of those in your group?  That would be so nice to know.  Great group.

Janice Bell (Killian) (1966)

I joined the Woodland Chamber Singers in 2006.  At that time there were about 35 members and Bob Edmondson was the director.  A year or so later, Tracia Barbieri became the director and stayed for 3 or 4 years.  When Lenore Turner-Heinson took over 4 years ago, the choir almost doubled in size to about 70 singers.  About 50-60 singers when to New York.  I will post those names when I have a little more time.  Nice to read the memories you have.  A couple of years ago we were able to honor Doris Warden at one of our concerts.  She still enjoys the music.

Walter J. "Wally" Summ (1967)

Besides all the wonderful styles of music that Lenore Turner-Heinson is known to teach and conduct, she has yet another side to her arsenal of talents........Rock.   Yes, Lenore came to me to learn such "new standards" as "Smoke On The Water" and other rock and roll numbers.  She was using these songs so that she could instruct her students at the Yocha Dehe school in Brooks............Go go.....Go Lenore go!!!!!!

Tuni Gravink (House) (1964)

I remember the state fair grounds in Sacramento, both the old one and the new one Cal Expo. We spent a lot of time at the old one, and went to several Octoberfests at both.  It was hard to do the state fair at Cal Expo due to cemment all over, and no real shade (trees had not established themselves yet, so we became the shade for each other so to say.

Green Pool yes, and what about Cannon Ball , that rock had been painted red for years. Senior skip days used to be held there till that young man dove in and broke his neck, that ended senior skip there anymore. Does anyone remember some of the guys driving their cars off this small cliff into the creek out by the gravel pitts? I thought they were nuts, and would drive by them in VW and wave at them, as some were stuck and my VW just putted right on past them. It had the hardest working squirrel in that engine. Shooting the rabbits, and some farmers paid a buck a pelt on the nutria that were tearing up their crops off the sloughs and the Sacramento river area. I could not kill them so i did and do target shooting instead.

Were i live in AZ. they have the dark sky provisions law, and i can say we do not turn on our porch lights much at all because the moon lights up so cool, and you can see stars fro miles and miles away. I believe i found the Milky Way again. In the bay area we used to go up on the Skyline and say look at all those diamonds. You could see nothing but city lights from San Francisco to San Jose, and across the bay also for miles and miles, and not break between. Here you can see some lights far away, but mostly stars. Most of us have soft yellow lights with a front that have to point downwards, and to tell you the truth during the summer most of the time that ole moon lights us up pretty naturally, and when the monsoons come, and that lightening you see the cactus, the mountain, and you do not need any lights at all!

I remember the tunnel under the road for the frogs, and many thought that was just silly, of course, the many of us were Woodyville people. But again, farm land is usually conservative, and college towns usually liberal. I used to ride my bike over to Davis and see my cousin, whose dad taught at UCD. Would i do it now? Nope, do not know that town at all now, it is not small like it was then! But then neither is Woodland anymore. We grow up so do the towns, and life goes on. Tuni