LOOKING BACK From our archives; compiled by Howard Stitt

10 Years Ago Dec. 30, 2010 Residents were asked, "What stands out about 2010 for you?" Jo Kellogg - "Response to worldwide disasters erased political lines." Jen Hendricks - "Living on my own at Chico State, paying rent." Mary Armes - "I realized how homesick I am. I'm finishing my master's in epidemiology at UCLA and miss the smallness and slower pace of Loomis." Heather Bouma - "I changed direction, changed my major and returned to Loomis for a more positive atmosphere." Dave and Michelle Finkelstein of Loomis provided six refurbished vehicles to in-need families through their business, Golden State Collision Centers, Inc. "Each year, we come across cars that are written off by either the owner or the insurance company," Dave Finkelstein said. If you love your job as a teacher, why retire? That is how Placer Elementary School teacher Carleen Foley looks at it. At age 73, she continues to teach kindergarten. The amount of growth her students experience during their kindergarten year has kept her coming back. Foley started teaching 39 years ago as an eighth-grade teacher at Franklin School, also in the Loomis School District. Before being in the classroom, believe it or not, Foley was an Air Force boot camp drill instructor. Foley said that is probably why the school district initially hired her to teach eighth-grade. Dave Larsen, Loomis Town attorney, is in the process of trying to determine if Walt Scherer and Miguel Ucovich should remain on the Town Council after a term limits initiative was passed by voters. The situation is complicated by the fact that the two members were also re-elected to the council. Local hot spots to spend New Year's Eve include Pizza Factory, Cafe Zorro, High Hand Cafe and Alexander's Horseshoe Bar Grill in Loomis, along with Cattlebaron's Cafe and the Valencia Club in Penryn. For something different, the Rhythm Riders will perform their tribute to Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline at the Blue Goose Fruit Shed. For those who would rather stay home to ring in the New Year, Kelly Warden of Skadoodle Toys suggests a game of Ligretto Dice. "It's easy to learn and fast paced," she said. 25 Years Ago Dec. 21, 1995 Services were held for Hugo Takuma Nishimoto, 79, a native of Penryn and a resident of Placer County for his entire life. A 1934 Placer High School graduate, Nishimoto was a retired fruit farmer. He was a member of the Placer Buddhist Church, Placer County JACL, A-1 Club of Auburn and Hiroshima Kenjin Kai of Sacramento. Donald Gazzaniga, author of the book "A Few Good Men - The Marines," is a former Marine Corps officer. He presented an autographed copy of his book to Dale Whaley, who received the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism as a machine gunner during battle on the Pacific Island of Guam during World War II. The Loomis News was founded 55 years ago in 1940 when Paul Sagaser decided to start a weekly newspaper. The equipment used in the production of the paper was brought down from Fall River Mills in Shasta County. "The type faces are all brand new," Sagaser said. Debra Hosler of Rocklin is curator for the Roseville Quilt Show, which will feature traditional and contemporary designs by area quilt makers. Del Oro High School senior Holly Stoddard was nominated to compete in the national Principal's Leadership Award Scholarship Program. Among her activities in high school are student body president, captain of the cross country team, and a member of WINGS and Talons. Michael Campbell, a 1988 Del Oro graduate, was appointed interim police chief of the city of Trinidad in Humboldt County. He attended the Police Academy at College of the Redwoods in Eureka. At 25 years old, he is one of the youngest persons ever named police chief. In the Del Oro Girls Basketball Tournament, the host team defeated Oakmont 52-40 in the semi-final game but lost to Colfax in the finals. Amber Oliver, Coral Sage and Susie Main made the All-Tourney team. Gene Schmale can finally read after 10 years of having only 10-percent eyesight. The Loomis Lions Club purchased a "computerized reader" for the use of a fellow club member. The device came from HumanWare of Loomis. Lions President Alan Kidwell said, "We're very fortunate to find equipment right here in Loomis." Schmale said, "I'm discovering things in print I never knew existed." 50 Years Ago Dec. 31, 1970 Services were held for Lyonel Nash in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Chief Nash. The former Loomis resident died when his car went off the roadway and struck a concrete irrigation culvert. Army Specialist 4 Michael Nakashoji, a 1967 Del Oro High School graduate, received the Bronze Star Medal for action against hostile forces in Vietnam. He was assigned as a rifleman with the 101st Airborne Division. Navy Seaman Apprentice David Taylor, a 1970 Del Oro graduate, reported to Machinist Mate "A" School at Great Lakes, Illinois. Marine Corporal Michael Carr, son of Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Carr of Rocklin, is serving at Marine Corps Air Station, New River, North Carolina. Coast Guard Ensign Michael Billingsley, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Billingsley, soloed in a Navy "Mentor" aircraft to complete his first step toward becoming a naval aviator. He is with Training Squadron One at the Naval Air Station, Saufley Field, Pensacola, Florida. Bob O'Neal advanced to First Class at the Court of Honor for the Boy Scouts of Loomis Troop 12. Earning merit badges were David and John Bradfute, Dean Makabe, David Owen, Steve Patterson, Brian Schroeder, Mike Hewit, Greg Mason, and Lee, Lindy and Lyle Valdez. Del Oro High School's Golden Eagle Marching Band captured the Governor's Trophy and a cash award of $200 for being chosen the best band during the Camelia Bowl Band Competition. The first "Santa" was St. Nicholas, a real bishop. Centuries after his death, about 342 A.D., he was honored as a friend of the young. Dec. 6 became "Children's Day" and St Nicholas, traveling by horse, brought gifts to reward children for good behavior. Happy New Year from Lawrence & Hansen Realty; Kenny McCarty of Loomis Body Shop; Bert, Velma, Kathy and Donna of Loomis Beauty Salon; Loomis Fruit Growers Association; Blue Anchor, Inc.; Dr. Kenneth Davis; Loomis Building Supply; Deer Creek Lumber; George and Jackie Riolo of Riolo's Country Meat Market; Ed Rippey's Marine Supply; and John's Barber Shop. 75 Years Ago November 1945 Major Robert Laird, a patient at DeWitt Hospital near Auburn, arranged a buckstew dinner for a group of 20 veterans, including two WAVES, from Ward 107. Mrs. Lorena Laird helped with the dinner and Robert Larsen provided the meat from a buck he shot. When the lake in back of Folsom Dam becomes a reality, the Placer County Planning Commission wants all acreage bordering the body of water to be set aside for the public. While local men were enjoying a special dinner at the Blue Fryer Cafe in Loomis, prowlers were stealing two coats from one diner's old car. Officers for the 1945-46 season of the Blistermites Club are W.E. Court, Frank Nute and Francis Lindsay. Meeting at the Hotel Auburn, the members discuss farm problems. The club is beginning its 12th year. Harry Harvey, a machinist at Jones Steel Products of Roseville, received the Navy "E" award for excellence in production at the company, one of the groups of Sacramento War Industries Inc. The Orange Cove Restaurant in Loomis offers fried chicken, fountain service and a pool room connected to the dining area. Local Justice Court Judge Doty seems to feel it is necessary to sentence speeders to a jail sentence. Fines do not appear to slow people down who travel up to 70 MPH on Highway 40. Recent wrecks were on Penryn Hill and one near the Live Oak Service Station. (Standing Guard-oral histories) Yosh Domen's family returned to Rocklin from the Tule Lake Relocation Center. The family continues to farm as they did before the war and internment. While in camp, Yosh worked as a construction timekeeper, watching over various camp improvements. Yosh married Harue Mizuiri.