Out and about in Lodi
The Lodi Community Concert Association has a great line up for the 2017-18 season.
The season starts on October 19 with Paul McDermand, a multitalented artist who plays the steel drums, marimba and vibraphone. Next on November 12 are the Side Street Strutters, obviously a Dixieland/Blues group with toe tapping rhythm.
Pavlo, called the “Greek God of the Guitar” entertains on January 25. He will be followed on March 1 with “Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes,” a nostalgic retrospect by Jason Petty. The final concert is Duo Baldo. Violinist Brad Repp combines with pianist/actor Aldo Gentileschi for a varied musical experience.
If you buy your season tickets before August 1, 2017 you will pay $70 compared to $80 after August 1. Where can you get this variety of musical entertainment for such an inexpensive price? For more information and tickets call (209)-333-0360 or (209) 369-0336.
——— Many of you remember Norm Mowery who served as pastor of First United Methodist Church in Lodi and was on the Lodi Unified School Board for nine years. Although he retired, he and Linda could not resist the call to serve as interim pastor at Galt United Methodist Church where he started on July 2.
I mention Linda because, as you know, she is very much a part of Norm’s ministry. Norm rides his bicycle the 10.7 miles between his home on Timberlake Circle and the Galt church. While a lovely ride, I don’t envy him going through that underpass on Lower Sacramento Road.
After serving the Lodi Methodist Church for 12 years, Norm was transferred to the Church of the Wayfarer in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Linda stayed behind until retirement to continue teaching in Lodi Unified, then joined him.
Retirement didn’t slow Norm down. He has been an interim pastor at three churches including one on Kauai where Linda was born.
Norm says, “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Galt church. Having been raised in a small town in Pennsylvania, I look forward to making new best friends in this lovely town. It is with excitement and passion that I begin this new phase of my ministry.”
——— After visiting McFarland Ranch in Galt, I can understand what the Lodi Historical Society had hoped to accomplish in their association with Hill House. Two members have told me repeatedly that Lodi needs an actual museum to house the many artifacts donated to the Society over the years. All Historical Society members want nothing but the best for Lodi when it comes to preserving the memories of the town and area. They have so much to display — and need their own space. Wouldn’t it be great if there was another old house or building that could accommodate them? Good luck!
——— LeAnn Johnson emailed me about my anecdote on Linda Brown then added about husband Jack. Seems he’s survived more than his share — first Valley Fever, then Stage 4 stomach cancer. The good news is he appears to be cancer free, with his doctor calling him “a miracle.”
LeAnn’s anecdote about Linda: One of Linda’s attendance office coworkers always said she needed to powder her nose, then went to the restroom. One day Linda brought her coworker a mirror so she wouldn’t have to leave the office “to powder her nose!”
LeAnn also wrote about a teen in Amador County, a story about driving mountain roads (maybe too quickly) and a caution for us all about being in a hurry.
Jessica graduated from High School June 2. She was active in high school sports and FFA for four years, serving as both president and secretary. On June 8 her life changed forever.
She had just left a friend’s house where she was raising two pigs for the Amador County Fair. She had to go home to get ready for work. As she drove Curran Road in North Comanche, a road with many curves, she failed to negotiate one curve and rolled her pickup three times. A Medi-flight took her to Kaiser South and her first report said she would be a quadriplegic.
She now is at Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Sacramento. She has regained use of her arms and can feel her legs and toes when people touch them. A friend will show her pigs at the County Fair on July 26-30. She hopes to spend a day there.
Jessica has gone through two more surgeries and her prognosis has not improved. Her plans are to become an AG teacher with her scholarship from FFA. She hopes to take online classes. With her will and the prayers of those around her another miracle just may occur.