2000: Rocklin-Loomis Soroptimist hold landmines program

25 years ago Sept. 14, 2000 Funeral services were held for Geoffrey Makoto Igarishi, 79, a resident of Placer County for 76 years. A WWII U.S. Army veteran, he was a past member of the American Legion, Rocklin Lions Club and the JACL. He served as director of the Rocklin Sunset Bank and president of the Rocklin School. A landmines program will be presented by the Soroptimist International of Rocklin-Loomis. The event will spotlight the problems of landmines placed in countries worldwide during the wars, conflicts and civil uprisings that remained undetected. A total of 26,000 people each year were maimed or killed by landmines, 30-40 percent being children. Megan Hirsch moved past a Rocklin defender to score for the Del Oro girls water polo team and Chris Obranovich was in all the action for the boys team. Beware of a phone scam if you receive an "important" message from an 809 area code with a number to call back. After calling back, you would be charged $25 a minute until you hang up. The area code 809 originated in the British Virgin Islands, where there were no laws governing fraud. Del Oro High School FFA members had success at the Gold Country Fair in Auburn. Among those were Kelley Kern and Shelena (market steer), Ashley Coughran (AOB Bull), Cody Rosenaur (Rhode Island Red chicken) and Abigail Loos (market turkey). Tami Baggaley and Glenda Reyman, Del Oro graduates, showed their hogs at the fair. More than 500 people, mostly those who lived in internment camps during WWII, attended the Sacramento Region Reunion 2000. The majority of those Americans of Japanese heritage were fruit and vegetable farmers when evacuated in 1942. The reunion also included those who looked after the properties of the incarcerated. 50 years ago Sept. 11, 1975 The last weekend in September had residents looking forward to the Placer Buddhist Church's annual chicken teriyaki barbecue. General Chairman Herb Takuma will be assisted by Albert Yoshikawa, "Lefty" Takayama, Ted Fujii, Rev. Akira Hata and "Doc" Takemoto. Finalizing dinner plans for the Del Oro Parents Club feast were Pat Andrews, Marguerite Wells and Tillie Wenger. Alma Weaver entered "A Pair of Dols" in the Arts and Crafts Division at the Auburn District Fair. Mr. Pchelkin helped Del Oro FFA members prepare for the fair with their animals. The very first principal in the Loomis Union School District, Earl Gates, addressed the audience at the rededication of the new Loomis School. A time capsule constructed of local granite was sealed and placed in a special brick slab at the front of the new school building. George and Mary Coleman enjoyed a train trip all around Alaska, our largest state (sorry, Texas). A question was asked at Del Oro High School, "What do you look forward to during the school year?" Kelli Smith: "Football and basketball games. I also like rallies and Twirp Week." Mike Ell: "Football games and Twirp week." Mr. Jack Sanchez: "For the first time in 12 years, I can concentrate on teaching. I am not coaching, counseling or directing student activities. I am looking forward to teaching students how to write, using all my strength and energy." AFS exchange student Cathy Jacquesson attended Del Oro. She found America a little strange but fascinating. Understanding our California accent was a challenge. (We didn't know we had one.) Cathy discovered peanut butter, Dr Pepper, drive-in movies, tacos, doggy bags and more. 75 years ago July 8, 1949 Placer County Deputy Sheriff Charles Dolce reported the death of an unidentified man who burned to death in the jungle west of Penryn. Gas thieves were on the loose. Barrels of gas were taken from the Pacific Fruit Exchange property on the Green Tree Orchard and also from a barrel on Lou Wetmore's place. In another instance, a rancher realized vandals had put sugar in his gas barrel after not being able to steal any gas. All children up to 6 years old were eligible for the Well Baby Clinic to be given physical examinations and immunizations. Boy Scouts will enjoy scout camp at Camp Pahatsi. The activities will include a pack animal trip and an overnight hike. Scoutmasters included Phil Leak of Roseville Troop 11, George Perry of Troop 18 in Lincoln and R. Bruce Barnes of Troop 12 in Loomis. Francis Lindsay of Loomis, 6th District Assemblyman, announced a bill was passed in both houses that would call for a special election on a $250 million school bond issue for upgrading school buildings. Food facts: Potato pie was a favorite of food rationing in Britain and being tried here. It's practically beef stew without the beef. Food was so important that a Seattle woman demanded one chicken a week alimony from her divorced husband, a poultryman. NRG dextrose candy was flown into Berlin via airlift planes for German children, elderly and others who needed more calories. Standing Guard - oral histories: Rose Takuma Yokote, born and raised in Loomis, was a junior at Roseville High School when her family was evacuated in May 1942. However, Rose did graduate as a member of the Tri-State High School at the Tule Lake Relocation Center. Rose's grandmother died in camp. "It was difficult for the older people. They worked so hard for what they've got and then they get uprooted."