Once they had a chance to get used to their new country, they looked at job opportunities. Pierre went to Oregon, where he eventually became a dairy owner, married and raised a large family. He became a U. S. citizen in 1917. But Jean decided to try his hand in the lumber industry, and that brought him to Westwood, where he took a job for the Red River Lumber Company.

Jean became a U. S. citizen in 1916 and worked to make Lassen County his new home. By 1934, he was a barber in Susanville, and his business was “booming.” He was fined $5 that year, for keeping his barbershop open during the Washington’s Birthday holiday! But ‘Frenchie’, as he was called by most, was a well-respected member of the local community.

He did very well as a barber, saved his money and never lived extravagantly. His dedication to his adopted country was obvious, but little did people know that he had a plan to thank Susanville for the opportunities that he found here. Upon his death, in 1956, it was discovered that he had bequeathed his savings to the City of Susanville, to be used for permanent improvements for the newly built Memorial Park.

The park plans had provided for the construction of tennis courts, but the funds had not been found to fulfil that goal. In 1959, with Frenchie’s gift, the city moved forward with the plans. Morgan Construction Company, from Redding, constructed the two courts for $7,900. Butte Creek Rock Company, from Chico, charged $2,475 for the fencing, and Naef Electric Company, of Susanville, put in the lighting for $3,375. The $13, 750 needed to complete the project all came from Frenchie.

On September 7, 1959, after a luncheon at the Hotel Mt. Lassen, the $14,000 double tournament-type courts were dedicated, and the plaque to Jean ‘Frenchie’ Loumena was unveiled. There were exhibition matches and players came from Reno, Nevada to highlight the new courts. Today, Frenchie’s plaque is mostly hidden in the tall grass between the tennis courts and Paiute Creek.

Frenchie’s gift to Susanville has remained to inspire athleticism and provide thousands of hours of enjoyment for local citizens.

The Susanville Indian Rancheria will be holding their annual Powwow June 24th, 25th and 26th, on the campus at Lassen Community College, featuring three days of dancing, storytelling, artwork, crafts, tasty food and more.

The annual event is a wonderful way to experience Native American culture and the public is welcome to attend. During special songs such as the Grand Entry, veterans’ songs, flag songs and any other songs designated by the emcee, please remove hats and please stand.

Listen to the emcee. He will guide people through the event with informative details and entertainment.

Thousands of dollars in cash prizes are waiting for the best dancers in several categories including Fast and Fancy, Veterans’ Special, Headman and Headwoman Specials. There will also be a teen category for both boys and girls.

Host Drum for the event are the Sharp Shooter Singers, a group that has been performing at Powwows across the U.S. and Canada since May of 2016. The drum group performed at the National Finals Rodeo Powwow and has won various Championship Powwows.

Head Woman is Violet Olney from Yakama Nation, White Swan Washington. Head Man is Caley Ouray Pratt / Can’tsee Pyramid Lake Paiute, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation.

The first Grand Entry of the weekend, with its colorful dancing and music, is Friday at 7:00p.m.

On Saturday, June 25th, the Grand Entry begins at 1:00p.m., followed by the Red Dress Special which is sponsored by Bold Concepts and Plumas Bank.

“Around 4:00p.m., we do our Honoring of Veterans, Native and Non-Native, and we are pleased to have the Blue Star Moms, who have been honoring the Veterans with us for 13 years,” explains Pow Wow Coordinator Amelia Luna.

According to Luna you do not want to miss Saturday evening’s Grand Entry, which begins at 7:00p.m.

“This is where our biggest and most powerful, and colorful, competitive performing dancers will compete, from which there will only be one winner.”

On Sunday, the Grand Entry begins at noon.

Native Tiny Tots will be recognized after every Grand Entry.

This year’s Powwow will be held on the soccer field at Lassen College and there will be dry camping, no showers and no RV hookups. Organizers suggest that you bring a canopy and chairs.

The Powwow will be following the current Covid-19 guidelines, and masks are required if you are not vaccinated.

For more information contact Luna at 1.530.249.7192 or email crzyluna@hotmail.com. Click here to visit the SIR website.

If you are interested in being a vendor at the event you can contact Aaron Brazzanovich at 1.530.310.3381 or email ab96130@gmail.com.

Diamond Mountain Casino is the Host Hotel.

The Lassen Land and Trails Trust is hosting its third annual Lassen County Homebrew Competition on May 7th, to support activities in conservation, working landscapes and trails. Homebrewers of all varieties of beers are encouraged to participate.

“We are hoping that beer makers will begin planning their brews for this friendly competition that raises funds for our work in conservation, trails and environmental education,” said Andrew Johnson, a member of the LLTT board of directors.

Brewers can enter any category of beer, either bottled or in kegs. They must provide five gallons of beer for judging and public tasting for each style of beer they enter and are encouraged to pour their brews at the event. Entry forms are available online at lassenlandandtrailstrust.org.

Beer tasting and judging will be held Saturday, May 7th, from 5:00 to 8:00p.m., at the Historic Susanville Railroad Depot, 601 Richmond Road.

Proceeds will support Nature Camp, upgraded visitor amenities at the Depot, and management of conservation easements that conserve working lands and Lassen County’s rural way of life.

With its big plant here in readiness for operation, the Fruit Growers’ Supply Company will employ approximately 1,000 men during the 1921 season and will manufacture supplies for several thousand California fruit growers.

The plant under installation for more than a year, is now completed and has been tested for steady runs after about April 4. Lumbering will be resumed soon after that date.

The company plans to employ about 600 men in the different departments of the plant and 400 men in the woods during the summer. The wage scales have been fixed and crews are now being organized.