Ledger Dispatch

Lawrence “Larry” Frey

Daneri Mortuary — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:08:08 +0000

Lawrence “Larry” Richard Frey, 61, of Pine Grove, CA, passed away Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at Mercy General Hospital, in Sacramento. Larry was born in San Francisco on January 5, 1951, a son of Charles Croom Frey and the late Dolores Fern (Roberts). A celebration of life to be announced in the near future. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.danerimortuary.com and signing the guest book.

Percy Collins

Daneri Mortuary — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:18:59 +0000

Percy Collins passed away following a sudden illness May 13, 2012 at Mark Twain Hospital surrounded by his family and friends. Percy was born in Winnemucca, Nevada on June 7, 1940. The family moved to Jackson California in 1942 and he attended Jackson Elementary School, Jackson High School and Humphrey’s College. He joined the Navy at age 17. Percy worked briefly at Winton’s Lumber Company before starting work at Calaveras Cement in San Andreas where he mastered the electrical trade. When Calaveras Cement closed in 1983, be began a career as Chief Electrician at Preston School of Industry in Ione and worked there until he retired in 2005. Percy was a master storyteller and, as a result, made countless friends who will cherish the time they spent with him. Percy was also a superb craftsman and photographer. In addition to his regular work, he owned and operated a photography business, Fotos, Etc., from 1982 to 1992 and took thousands of pictures of local sports teams, special dances as well as senior and family portraits and weddings. Many of Percy’s artistic creations live in the homes and gardens of his treasured friends and relatives. Throughout his life, Percy pursued his many interests with vigor, just a few of which were fishing, bicycling, camping, gardening and hiking. Every interest was self taught and learned to perfection. Percy is survived by his wife and constant companion of 37 years Jan, his son Aaron (Nicole) and grandchildren Cori, Cade and Haley. He is also survived by his sisters Joyce Triplett and Minerva Dunn (Art), his nieces Denny (Gary), Susie (Bob) and Amy (Jerry), 5 great nephews and his mother-in-law Irene Harrington. Percy enjoyed a loving relationship with his step children Kathleen Martens (Dave), Jim Ianni and Patricia Ianni (Angela) and their families. He was a proud “host dad” to 15 year long foreign exchange students and numerous short term students from all over the world. He was proceeded in death by his mother Minnie and his father Percy. Percy was a member of Amador Lodge #65. At his request, no services will be held. The family requests contributions be made to a charity of one’s choice. Percy’s family would like everyone to remember him with this thought, “Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to all”.

Larry Brown

Daneri Mortuary — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:09:58 +0000

Larry Brown passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at his home in Sutter Creek. Larry was born in Colville, WA to Leonard and Viola (Bryan) Brown. In 1941 he moved with his family to Ukiah, OR where his father was partner in the Brown and Hoxie Sawmill. He graduated from Ukiah (OR) High School and Oregon State College and after serving in the United States Army, he returned to Bend, OR to work in the wood products industry. Moving to Sutter Creek in 1972, he continued his career with American Forest Products and Bendix Corporation. In Sutter Creek, Larry met and married his wife of 38 years, Gale (Arnese) Brown. Together they enjoyed fishing, hunting, hiking, antiquing, entertaining, and traveling. Larry was a talented jack-of-all-trades with a particular skill in woodworking. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Roger, and sisters Doris and Lois. He is survived by his wife Gale, brother Gerald (Doreen) Brown of Payson AZ, his children Doug Brown of Temecula,CA and Julie Wright of Butte, MT, three grandchildren and his Aunt Viola Peterson of Clarkston, WA. Other survivors include his mother-in-law Kathryn Arnese, brother-in-law Gary Arnese (Mary), sister-in-law Sandra Trexler (Carl), as well as an extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. Services have been entrusted to Daneri Mortuary in Jackson on May 19, 2012 at 1:00 o’clock p.m. Internment will be private. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.danerimortuary.com and signing the guest book. Donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Joyce A. Johnson

Jack Mitchell — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:48:56 +0000

A ‘Celebration of Life’ for Joyce A. Johnson, will be held at 23280 Fortress Court, Pioneer on June 2, 2012 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Friends and family are invited to attend this open house in loving memory of a very beautiful and kind person who departed from us on January 20, 2012. She leaves behind her loving husband Elvin (Al) Johnson, her children, Roy (Linda), George and Mandy. A luncheon buffet will be served, hosted by family friend Chesney of the Blue Moon Café in Pine Grove. Pastor Larry Caris of Amador Free Will Baptist Church will give a brief speech on behalf of Joyce. Parking is limited on the premises but street parking is available on Fortress Court. Please respect the neighborhood speed limit.

Ione postal worker arrested for narcotics trafficking on the job

Scott Thomas Anderson — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:05:30 +0000

Shelley Crab

By Scott Thomas Anderson

Agents for the Amador County Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team told media this week of the arrest of an employee from the Ione Post Office for allegedly selling narcotics through the mail, as well as stealing prescription drugs from veterans. According to authorities, the apprehension of 45-year-old Shelley Lynn Crab happened after weeks of investigation.

Amador County Undersheriff Jim Wegner said the probe into Crab’s alleged activities began in April, after a concerned citizen reached out to law enforcement. ACCNET agents were told by their source that Crab was selling illegal drugs to local residents, delivering drugs through the U.S. Postal Service and stealing drugs out of various items mailed to local veterans. ACCNET began conducting an independent investigation, in concert with the US Postal Inspector’s Office. Their findings ultimately resulted in a search warrant for Crab’s home, on Poplar Street, in Ione.

On May 9, ACCNET agents executed their warrant, allegedly discovering illegal drugs, two firearms, digital scales and mail that had reportedly been stolen from citizens. The agents put in a call to on-duty Sheriff’s deputies, who drove out to the Jackson Valley area to arrest Crab as she was delivering mail. Wegner said the deputies who detained her found additional “controlled substances, cash and other evidence confirming her involvement” in the sale of drugs in her vehicle.

After Crab posted bail, ACCNET agents executed a second search warrant on her house. The agents said they found signs that Crab had tried to “remotely destroy” evidence of her alleged drug sales activities.

Master Gardener’s advice: ‘Don’t jump the gun and plant your tomatoes too early.’

Claudia Lamar — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:51:42 +0000

Janice Johnson, along with other Amador County Master Gardeners, will host a tomato and vegetable plant sale May 19. Photo courtesy to the Ledger Dispatch

By Janice Johnson

Amador County Master Gardener

One thing most gardeners don’t have is patience. All it takes is a few warm, sunny days, and they are itching to plant their tomatoes. But planting too early usually backfires. Tomatoes aren’t finicky plants to grow, but the one thing they don’t like is cold soil — it makes them sulk. They refuse to grow and will lag behind ones your neighbor plants a month later, when the soil is warm. Most gardeners plant too early. One way to test the soil temperature is to sit on the ground early in the morning. If it’s cold on your fanny, then it’s too cold for your tomatoes.

If your elevation is below 1,000 feet, plant during mid-April to mid-May. This includes Amador City, Buena Vista, Carbondale, Comanche Village, Drytown, Ione and Sunnybrook.

If your elevation is between 1,000 and 2,500 feet, plant in May. This includes Fiddletown, Jackson, Jackson Butte, Martell, Plymouth, River Pines, Sutter Creek, Quartz Mt. and Westover Field.

If your elevation is above 2,500 feet, plant during mid-May to mid-June. This includes Amador Pines, Buckhorn, Daffodil Hill, Ham’s Station, Pine Grove, Pioneer, Mt. Zion and Sherwood Forest.

The Amador Master Gardeners want you to plant your tomatoes at the right time. Our tomato and vegetable plant sale is Saturday, May 19, from 9 to 11 a.m. That’s when most gardeners should plant their tomatoes. The sale is at the Amador County GSA Building, 12200-B Airport Road, in Martell.

You’ll have plenty of choices to fill your garden, including 25 each of our special, grafted Brandywine and Tomaccio tomatoes — they’ll go fast. We’ll also offer 22 varieties of red tomatoes, 18 varieties of non-red tomatoes, and three varieties of cherry tomatoes, including everyone’s favorite, Sun Gold, which wins the Master Gardener Tomato Tasting Farmers’ Market competition every year.

If you have any questions about the sale, or have other gardening questions, call the Master Gardeners, at 223-6838, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays. You can also contact us by e-mail, to mgamador@ucdavis.edu or stop by our office at 12200-B Airport Road. For more information, sign up for the monthly newsletter at ucanr.org/mgenews.

Helene Ann Williams

Daneri Mortuary — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:07:56 +0000

April 7, 1936 – May 5, 2012
Helene Passed away peacefully at her home in Sutter Creek with her husband, Bob at her side after losing her battle with cancer. She was 76. Helene enjoyed cooking and baking, especially chocolate, gardening, travel, stained glass, fishing, and Western movies.
She planted 80 trees on their property and with Bob’s help, planted 200,000 Daffodil bulbs.
Helene and Bob married in 1964 and have lived in Sutter Creek the last 32 years. They were married 47 years. Their love for each other made for a long rich marriage.
Helene and Bob had no children but loved and spoiled their dogs and cats.
Helene was never afraid of work. She was always looking to improve her skills and pay. She always tried to progress her whole life. She held some 27 different jobs. Helene and Bob owned a residential care home for elderly for 13 years in Rancho Cordova. After moving to Sutter Creek her stained glass hobby became a business on historic Sutter Street in Folsom. In 20 plus years she made over 2,000 stained glass windows for homes and churches around the U.S. and in many other countries.
Helene is survived by her husband, Bob Williams, three sisters, and one brother, along with many nephews and nieces.
Helene got to attend her own celebration of life on her birthday April 7, 2012 with her friends and family. There will be no funeral service.
In lieu of flowers donations in her memory can be given to A-PAL Humane Society, P.O. Box 190, Jackson, CA 95642.
Think of her as living in the hearts of those she touched. For nothing loved is ever lost and she is loved so much.
Inurnment will be private. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.danerimortuary.com and signing the guest book.

Glen W. Alexander

Daneri Mortuary — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:22:28 +0000

Glen W. Alexander, beloved husband, father, grandfather, passed peacefully at home on Saturday, May 12, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Deborah L. Alexander; daughters, Vivian R. Wyman, Amber R. Alexander; son, Troy D. Alexander; and brother, Carl D. Alexander. He was preceded in death by his son, Glen W. Alexander. Glen was born December 20, 1939 in Atkins, Arkansas and moved to California when he was a child. He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Army. Glen enjoyed many activities in the great outdoors and made Amador County his home for most of his life. Friends are invited to attend a graveside service Thursday, May 17 at 11:00 A.M. at Plymouth Cemetery in Plymouth, CA. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.danerimortuary.com and signing the guest book.

Amador Sawmill & Mining Association to present a Steam Power Exposition at ‘Celebrate Amador’ June 9-10

Claudia Lamar — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:50:11 +0000

The inaugural “Celebrate Amador” trade fair will be held at the Amador County Fairgrounds June 8 through 10. In support of the event, a rare and historic “Steam Power Exposition” will be staged by the Amador Sawmill & Mining Association Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10.

Roll the clock back 100 years to hear whistles blast and watch saw-dust fly, as steam “comes up” to power the dramatic — and completely authentic — 19th-century sawmill.

Never before seen at one location, you will experience the mesmerizing machinery of a 1904 Corliss Steam Engine, a mammoth 1945 Triple Drum Steam Logging Donkey that once drove pilings in San Francisco Bay and a 1918 Navy “K” steam engine that originally drove a Navy cutter.

Members of the Sawmill and Mining Association will provide colorful talks and close-up tours and, twice each day, there will be live demonstrations of the equipment. Visitors will be able to ask broad — or detailed — questions. The demonstrations will also include a rare, square-piston Dake steam engine, an 1890s Smith & Sayer Steam Engine and a 1920 Sullivan Air Compressor, built in New Hampshire. Not to be outdone, participating modelers, builders and collectors will exhibit their precision models and full-size steam engines. Come and be part of a full two days of re-creating steam engine history.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our group to show off our machines and knowledge, as well as our commitment to the history of steam power. Maybe even more important, we get to support the Amador County Fair and help raise sustaining funds,” said Bill Braun, President of the Amador County Sawmill & Mining Association. “Finally, we get to fulfill our mission to restore and demonstrate historic equipment for the purpose of educating young people about their American heritage.”

The sawmill is always a crowd pleaser. All are welcome to learn how to fire up the Dutton boiler and see how to muscle huge logs onto the carriage that carries them through the saw blade. Watch as the “sawyer” directs the operation by hand motions and tells the “setters” the thickness he wants to cut. Take a look in the engine room and be hypnotized by the rhythmic machinery that, huffing and puffing, turns steam into 60-horsepower torque. If nothing else, enjoy watching a totally unique demonstration that you won’t see very often.

For more information, visit amadorcountyfair.com. To exhibit your steam engine, register at info@amadorsawmill.org.

The Amador Sawmill & Mining Association operates one of the last operational steam-powered sawmills in California and, alongside, an authentic re-created gold mine exhibit, complete with head frame and mine. The AS&MA is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization, supplying rough-cut lumber and timbers for projects that require time-period saw marks for their restorations. The sawmill is a living history museum, using a 1900s-era steam engine turning a 48-inch circular saw blade. The sawmill’s mission is preservation and education by acquiring, restoring and preserving authentic, historic working equipment.

Your weekend for May 18-20

Claudia Lamar — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:26:44 +0000

The second annual Motherlode Cruise Car Show kicks off Saturday at 10 a.m. on Main Street, in Jackson. Ledger Dispatch photo by Steve Farrell

1. Motherlode Cruise Car Show

On Saturday, stroll down Main Street, Jackson, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and enjoy a showcase of 125 classic cars, food, drinks and “car-riffic” music. Free fun for the whole family. For more information, contact event chair Walt Hoeser, 223-2026, or visit www.visitjacksonca.com.

2. ‘All American’ Concert

The Sutter Amador Hospital Auxiliary and the Amador County Concert Band present a musical program for Memorial Day, Sunday at 3 p.m., at the Community Church of Pine Grove, 14045 Ponderosa Way, just off Ridge Road, in Pine Grove. Music highlighting American composers and saluting armed service veterans will be highlighted. Patriotic and familiar American tunes will be presented by the 40-plus-member Amador County Concert Band, under the direction of Steve Chambers and Irv Gidding. Tickets are $10 per adult, and are available for purchase at the Sutter Amador Hospital Auxiliary Information Desk, SAH Gift Shop, Sutter Amador Auxiliary Thrift Shop or at Mother Lode Music, in Jackson. Children 12 and under are free. Refreshments will be served directly following this exciting musical event.

3. Old Soles

Listen to the Old Soles, on Sunday, at the Volcano Union Inn, from 4 to 6 p.m. No cover, all ages, great food.

For more events, visit www.ledger-dispatch.com/events.