Who's Online
We have 16 guests online
|
|
|
Biscuits & Gravy - One Last Helping of ‘Biscuits & Gravy’ |
|
Written by Don Chaddock
|
This is the last installment of “Biscuits and Gravy,” a weekly column I have penned for the Sentinel for about five years. With a new baby on the way (Rachel is due in about three weeks), it was time for this newspaper editor to make some changes. This Friday, I’ll be starting my new job as the editor of the Folsom Telegraph.
But, before I throw myself into the daily happenings of Auburn’s neighbor to the south, I can’t help but be thankful for all the wonderful people I’ve met while having the privilege of covering this area.
The photo in this space, snapped by my friend Bill Radakovitz, was taken just a few weeks ago at Jennifer Richardson’s 40th birthday bash. That’s her husband Bob on the left and Ty Rowe on the right, with me carrying a beer and two sauce bottles for the roast pig. Ty did a great job that night, as did my wife and Catherine Rowe with the desserts. There’s nothing like a small town gathering.
That’s something the Aroz family knows a thing or two about. They have always been generous, helping anyway they can whenever a nonprofit group would benefit through some fundraising event. The Liquor Outlet donates more than their share and for that, I know the community is thankful.
I will miss seeing the Kopp Coffee Klatch standing outside Rico’s Barbershop near Depoe Bay every morning. Jerry Kopp, Vance Sauter, Curt Smith, Bruce Cosgrove, John Moise, Bud Pisarek and Keith Nesbitt can solve all Auburn’s problems over a few cups o’ joe.
The Cruise Nite Crew – Monique Krafft, Nancey Holland, Debi Lawrence and Dave Rosenthal – are a staple at the Friday night event in Downtown Auburn, usually found at the KAHI van as Dave plays 50s tunes. I have spent many an evening sipping cold brews with that group.
I’m a better person for getting to know Eric Peach, one of the great guys behind Protect American River Canyons. If I ever had any questions about an unmarked trail that seemed to lead me into parts unknown, I could always rely on Eric to tell me where I ended up and what trail that was. Thanks for all your help, Eric.
Sarah Nolivo, owner of the Club Car Restaurant and Bar in Downtown Auburn, has been a great friend. She re-opened the old Smokeshop shortly after Rachel and I arrived in town so we had an instant connection as newbies to the area.
There was a time when a group of us met regularly on Wednesday nights at the Club Car as part of “guy’s night.” That’s when I got to know Steve Conklin, Steve Galyardt, Steve Brown and Steve Peckham (the “Steves,” as I called them). Our gatherings have since dwindled to Conklin and myself, but we still have a good time listening to the DoubleShots play.
In 2007, I met a great group of people through Leadership Auburn such as Bill Wharton, Rod Gross, Ralph Laird, Tony Hazarian, Karen Grunwald, Karen Hancock, Dave Lawicka, Fred Relya, Eileen and Bob Ferber, Janet Paehlig, Andy Heath, Kevin Capps, Kahl Muscott and many others, of course. As a bonus, I was able to reconnect with Becky Martin, whom I had met a few years earlier. Peggy Seitzinger, my wife’s friend, was also in the class and we were able to become pals in our own right. Her hubby, Tom, and I have sat on the back deck at my place many times making sure the meat didn’t burn on the grill while our wives did whatever wives do in the kitchen under such circumstances.
Through various organizations, functions and the like, I’ve gotten to know great people like Ken Tokutomi, Ron Lichau, the Holmes brothers (Jim and Mike), Kevin Hanley, Richard and Herb Yue, and Bob Snyder.
Last year, four guys and two gals trekked up into the wilderness to cover the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. The experience left me with a greater appreciation for what the runners go through. On that trip, the “Three Blind Mice” (Harvey Roper, Monti Reynolds and Bob Richardson), Kathleen Sailor, Bridget Powers and I, camped out along the trail the night before the run, swapping stories and taking a few sips of the hard stuff. The next day, we shot video and photos, piled into the Jeeps and made our way to Devil’s Thumb, where I really struggled hiking down into and back out of that canyon. It was Bridget, to whom I refer to as my guardian angel, who came back down to help me get to the top. It was this experience that forced me to get up off the couch and out on the trails, sparking my “Notes from the Trail” column.
Editors who also happen to write a “what’s happening around town” column attend many mixers, gatherings and cocktail parties all in the line of duty. But, if you’re lucky, you also meet some great people at these things such as Rebecca Toedter, the lovely lady from All About Design. She used to slop drinks at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce mixers along with Gary Capps. Another lovely lady I met through the Chamber was Leslie Maita. Rudy and Ann Rivero are very involved in Chamber functions, so it was inevitable that our paths would cross more than a few times. It was also through the Chamber that I got to know Forrest Eklund, a big man with a heart to match. After a long conversation at a mixer one evening, I discovered that Forrest and I have a lot in common. Forrest, hubby of Chamber president Cindy, is battling cancer and I’m rooting for him.
I also wish Karla Tilley, the little lass with a great big smile, and her husband Marty all the best. Karla used to own California Payroll Concepts, but now works as a personal life coach and helps Marty with his parachute manufacturing business. They’ve become close friends over the years.
There isn’t enough room in this space to mention all the wonderful people I’ve met while at the Sentinel, but they know who they are and they have my thanks and friendship.
Don Chaddock was the executive editor of the Sentinel for more than five years. He may be reached at his personal e-mail address at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
 |
|
|
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Congrats, Don: Change can be exciting and much change is currently taking place. Best wishes on your new adventure and for the Sentinel, as a community media, the challenges are great and time for the Sentinel to strike out for more ad revenue and a focus on locals who have yet to be featured and a shift away from the "same eight faces". Onward/upward. 