Reader takes trip down memory lane
Editor: I really enjoyed the recent column written by Chris Piombo. He had me thinking of my childhood. Oh how the world has changed. Born and raised in Lodi, the last of eight children.
School days were 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bells sounded. Didn't have to worry about locking the doors. A drive-by was a wave. Curfew was when the street lights came on and it was time to come in the house. Bed time was 9 p.m. unless “The Waltons” were on. 11 p.m. on Saturday so you could watch Carol Burnett. I was the remote control. Color TV was still new.
No cable! Rabbit ears and aluminum foil. Air conditioning was opening a window. Put the twin bed under the window for a night in a twostory house built in 1920. Transportation was what's on the end of your legs or a Schwinn bicycle. Would never think of asking for a ride. Walked to school rain or shine.
Lived in the country, you rode a bus. Turning 16 and a license was great but you bought your own car while working as a bagger at SellRite Market. McDonald's is there now. Java Stop used to be the Milk Stop. You could pull up and get milk, bread, etc. Fast food was a big treat. Oh how I miss Pizza Garden. Smart Foods and Taco Bell are now there. Taco Bell used to be where Lodi Avenue Liquors is now.
Hutchins Street Square was the East Campus where my father taught many years. I have a picture of all the buildings in its glory. For a dollar you could swim at the lake all day.
Penny candy! Yes candy that cost a penny. I'd get a Look or a Big Hunk bar for 5 cents. Of course I didn't smoke, but you could write a note and send your child to the store asking for a pack for 35 cents.
One last one, I remember Kettleman Lane as a two-way road, no underpass in town. Lodi was the end of town, and so was Lodi Avenue. ELIZABETH CAREY Woodbridge
Thanks for great event
Editor: Recently, Bike Lodi hosted a 16-mile round trip bicycle ride to the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve - Phil and Marilyn Isenberg Sandhill Crane Reserve.
We met with two fantastic docents, Mamie Starr and Alan England, who were amazing. Being able to experience the fly-in of these magnificent birds was a unique opportunity heightened by the education provided by Mamie and Alan. We would strongly encourage everyone to participate in the sandhill crane experience.
A huge thank you to the Sandhill Crane Festival team and to Flight Lounge for being our home base. KATHRYN SIDDLE Chair, Bike Lodi
Headed in the wrong direction
Editor: This country is going in a direction no one saw coming, where changing the truth into a lie is acceptable and then attacking anyone who objects has becomes the norm.
Now the athletes are disrespecting our national anthem — they say it’s against the police but our national anthem represents the military and those who gave their lives for this country and our freedom to govern ourselves. Therefore the athletes that will not stand for the national anthem, our using the game as a stage to give an un-educated opinion of their loathing of our country. This should not be allowed for a few to present their opinions to the public as it can give young minds the wrong direction to follow.
We saw after this disrespecting protest, a teacher had his young students kneel for the national anthem. When is this acceptable to teach our children to hate our country and all it stands for? We are distorting our children and their future by showing that they don’t have to value their country.
What happened in New York is a good example of our police at work and why we need them. We need to stand in honor of all that has been done, and all the lives that have been given, or we can kneel for nothing. NANCY VINCELET Stockton