Antique engines and neat ladies
Galt seems to keep busy with events continually — Sip and Snack at the Mac in July; Ice Cream Social in August; Cultural Heritage, Art Tour and Car Show in September. Coming on Oct. 6, 7, and 8 is the 2017 Antique Equipment Show to be held at McFarland Ranch. Antique engines and tractors are featured at this 39th annual show. This is their 17th year at the ranch.
Friday features School Day Activities. Saturday is the big day with Tractor Sled Pulls, the Lion’s Club Breakfast and Lunch, the Tractor Parade, and the Ladies Tea (already sold out). New this year is the Kids Zone open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday also features a Tractor Parade.
Free admission and parking is part of the attraction.
In September one more event of note was the Galt Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting at the Galt Methodist Church. Lodians familiar with Norm Mowery, former pastor of the Lodi Methodist Church, know his civic consciousness. As the interim pastor in Galt, he wants the church part of Galt activities. This is a church perfect for his goals with their monthly Food Pantry and other outreach.
••• It’s fascinating to discover how many people who were raised in the southern Sacramento County area and stayed here.
Meet Penny Lozano who grew up in South Sacramento and graduated from Luther Burbank High School. After graduating she went to work for the State of California in 1972 as an analyst in the Department of Justice working in narcotics intelligence.
Penny met her husband while in high school, marrying him during her senior year. Three years older, he worked at Campbell Soup Company as a commercial painter. They lived in South Sacramento until his retirement in 2009. She retired in 2001.
Then North Carolina beckoned them. During a previous visit they bought property in Waynesville because they loved the area, so built a house upon moving. “It was a beautiful place to live,” said Penny. They enjoyed it until her husband was diagnosed with cancer.
At this point they decided to return to Galt to live with one of their sons. Her husband died nine months later. Then Penny decided to stay in Galt, moving to Emerald Village.
Her son Jared is chief deputy warden at Folsom Prison, living with his family in Serrano. Daryle, another son, is a correction counselor at Folsom and lives in El Dorado Hills.
Son Richard, who lives in Galt, is a security officer for Elk Grove School District. He is in his second term on the Consumnes Fire Community Service District and currently is president.
“I love Galt,” Penny comments with her usual smile and sparkling eyes.
••• Jeanette Munsill still laughs about her birth which was at home in Courtland with her brother and sister jumping on the bed. “Or at least that’s how it was told to me,” Jeanette says with a smile, illustrating her cheerful personality.
Born during the depression, she moved from Courtland to Elk Grove to Galt. Her father was a shoe repairer and also drove a school bus before becoming Fire Chief of Galt. She graduated from Galt High School, first attended nursing school at San Jose State College, then transferred to the nursing program at San Joaquin General Hospital.
Her first nursing job was at Mercy Hospital in Sacramento. In 1957 she joined the staff at Lodi Memorial Hospital as a surgical nurse, retiring in 1992. Her nursing background is evident in all she does for her neighbors. A smile never leaves her face.
Jeanette was the second person to move to Emerald Village in 2002. Because the project was new she was able to put extra touches onto her house making it perfect for retirement.
She still keeps busy serving on the board of directors for the Emerald Village Homeowners Association, working to maintain an exceptional environment.
Her most enjoyable volunteer job is Marshall at the American Century Golf Tournament held at South Tahoe each June. She and her sister Darlene have been doing this for so long that all the celebrity sports stars recognize them and give them big hugs.
Jeanette laughed as she told about the man and woman who came up to her this year. They said, “We wondered why these cute grandmas were getting such big hugs. That’s why we had to come up and meet you.” Jeanette thanked them, adding she always enjoys the tournament for that reason. Her family consisted of two boys and a girl. One son is deceased and another is a physical therapist in the Oakland area. Her daughter lives in Meadow Vista and manages an equestrian veterinary service.
“I’ve always enjoyed my life,” Jeanette concludes. “What more can I ask for?”