A Frozen Story cast photo

The playfulness of Linnea and Kadence in “Build a Snowman” showed their bond as dancers and friends and led directly to their older counterparts Olivia Ormachea and Mariah Beckman.

These two young women have danced together for many years, and you can sense their trust. Their movements and emotions complemented each other in “Losing Touch”, a loving tribute that show the sisters growing apart, yet yearning to be together. This dance also mirrors what Olivia and Mariah will face in a couple of months as they leave the comfort of home for new adventures.

There were many beautiful performances in A Frozen Story, let me tell you about some of my favorites:

Aaralyn Penaloza as Olaf was the perfect comic relief for the two sisters. Aaralyn was adorable in her snowman gear and her tap numbers “Cold as Ice” and “It’s Too Darn Hot” were very entertaining.

Another standout performance was from Mamma Troll, Savannah Stephenson. With her graceful steps and arm movements, Savannah conveyed love and warmth to the stage and other dancers.

Travis Ross as Kristoff was strong, brooding, and provided a steady base for a complicated series of lifts and partner work with Olivia in “How Am I Supposed to Live”.

Fittingly, it is Elsa who saves Anna in the end and it felt like a bit of closure for friends Mariah and Olivia. It’s difficult to put into words, but I felt content watching their performance, knowing they will dance together again, always be in each other’s lives, even if it’s now exactly on a stage like this one. This performance honored their friendship with a grace and depth only seen in lifelong examples.

My favorite performance of the night was “Only a Lifetime” featuring the Modern 3 class which provided a moment of reflection to end the evening. Again, the emotion was palpable as each dancer put their heart into the steps they executed with perfection.

J&J instructors Wade, Katherine Guess, Raina Stump, Nicomi Reed, Celeste Wiser, and Uvea Grace offer a variety of classes from hip hop to pointe, tumble to jazz, modern to ballet, at many levels of difficulty.

One of the sweetest dances featured Wade, Guess, Wiser, and Grace dancing with their children, showing how the tradition of dance has grown in the studio.

Olivia Ormachea, Aaralyn Penaloza, and Mariah Beckman as Elsa, Olaf, and Anna

Remember when news was ‘newsy’? When you read about weddings, family events and engagement announcements in the newspaper? If you have something that might be newsworthy, please submit it to shelleybennett24@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to include it here in “The Good Stuff.”

Lola is about 4 years old, spayed, and ready to meet you! If interested in getting to know Lola, or other adoptable animals at the Lassen County Animal Shelter, please call staff at (530) 257-9200.

Featured animals at the Lassen County Animal Shelter are available for adoption on a first-come-first-serve basis. According to California law, all adoptable dogs and cats must be spayed and neutered before leaving our facility. If interested in adopting an animal, please contact the shelter directly.

Current shelter hours during the COVID-19 pandemic are Monday through Friday, 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. You can contact the shelter at 257-9200.

Susanville Best of Broadway’s Annual BOB-B-Q Announcement of 2024 Concert Series Lineup. Thursday, June 22nd at 5:30p.m., at Susanville Memorial Park. Past, Present, and Future Broadway families are welcome to attend. RSVP on Facebook event page. Hotdogs, hamburgers, and water provided. Please bring a side or dessert to share if you are able.

Lassen County Arts Council Summer Art Program, June 26th-30th from 9:00 – 12:00p.m., Monday and Tuesday, ages 5 and Up and Wednesday through Friday, ages 9 and up. An instructional art jam with local instructors Rob and Danielle Cannon. Register online by June 1st for a $10 discount.

Soaring Eagle Blue Star Moms are having a Firecracker and Freedom Bingo Convention Fundraiser on Thursday, June 29th at 6:00 at the Veteran’s Hall. $5 per bundle, beverages, and snacks available for purchase. In conjunction with this Convention Fundraiser, they are also having a drawing for a cord of wood. Tickets are $20 a piece. The winner will be drawn on the night of Bingo. Tickets can be purchased at Zaengles, Margie’s and JDX or Blue Star Mom. For information call Berva Treat at 530.310.1361.

Save the date. Lassen Pride Network is having its second annual Susanville Pride Potluck BBQ on Friday, June 30th at 5:00p.m. Come hang out at Memorial Park for this family-friendly event. Spread the word. If you’re interested in being a vendor at the event, email us at lassenpridenetwork@gmail.com

Paul Bunyan Mountain & Blues Festival is on Saturday, July 1st. Gate Entry is $5 all ages, children’s area not included in admission price. Breakfast by WHS ASB Clubs, 8:00a.m., at The Community Center. Festival Gates Open at 11:00a.m. Westwood Park Greenwood and 2nd Street Logging Shows at 12:00p.m., sign-ups at 10:00a.m., antiques, crafts & collectibles on the lawn, kids area with petting zoo and games, Blue Ox bingo, Pickle Ball at 12:00p.m., on tennis courts. Food Booths and More. Blues Festival, Rowlind & Tumlin’ 12:00-2:00p.m., Second Hand Smoke 2:00-4:00p.m. Free Friday night street dance, Friday June 3oth 8:00-11:00p.m. Music By Timeless.

Lassen County 4-H BBQ, Tuesday, July 18th at Lassen County Fairgrounds from 5:00 to 6:30p.m. Tickets can be purchased from a 4-H member or at the 4-H office at 707 Nevada Street, Susanville. $15/Ticket (all ages). Tri-Tip, salad, baked potato, roll, dessert, and a Drink. Benefits EVERY Club in Lassen County and funds scholarships and educational events. For more information contact, Lassen County 4-H Council or see a member today.

Lassen Land & Trails Trust presents Nature Camp Day Camp 2023. Session 1: 8-10 years old from July 10th-14th and Session 2: 10-12 years old from July 24th-28th. Registration: $125/week, includes transportation, food, and supplies. Available online at www.lassenlandandtrailstrust.org or Susanville Railroad Depot 601 Richmond Road. (On the kiosk in front of the building)

Chimney Fund’s annual Backwoods BBQ Competition. Looking for teams to sign up to compete. Donation Entry fee is $50. Cooking starts at 7:00a.m. Judging is at 12:00p.m., and tasting begins at 1:00p.m. Chimney Fund provides teams with Tri-Tip, Ribs, and 1/2 Chicken. Tasting kits are $7. Entry forms are located at Iron Horse Saloon. Any questions please contact Mary Gow: 530.339.6878 or 530.256.2621 Entry forms are due by July 24th.

Amy’s Corner presents Art in the Park from June to August at Memorial Park, 1201 North Street, Susanville. Limited to 30 seats per session. For more information or to register, go to www.amyscorner.art.

In our community, Lassen College presents a unique opportunity to engage in various enriching discussions with their free lunchtime lecture series. The series takes place every Tuesday from 11:30 to 12:30p.m., at the Lassen Library District conference room on Main Street. These weekly, hour-long sessions delve into diverse topics ranging from practical skills such as writing effective professional emails and starting a small business, to crowd-pleaser topics including beekeeping and the mysterious world of spiders. They even cover critical issues like managing financial worries and cyber-awareness skills for the whole family. For a special treat, they also offer beginner and intermediate classes in AI with ChatGPT. All are invited to join these free, educational events. For more information, reach out to Annika Peacock from Lassen College Outreach at 775.567.9457 or via email at apeacock@lassencollege.edu. For information on upcoming topics, follow our facebook page: www.Facebook.com/LassenCollege. Join in, learn something new, and become a more engaged member of our Susanville community.

Join the fun with Bottle & Brush Art Bar for their New Summer Schedule for Trivia Night. They’re moving to once-a-month schedule for Trivia Night for the next few months, starting in May. On the second Thursday of each month, they will host Trivia Night for the brainiacs in the crowd. $5 a person, up to four people per team. For more information, contact 530.250.3701.

Join us for the Budgeting and More Life Skills Course. Every Monday 4:00 – 5:00p.m., at Lassen Family Services, 1306 Riverside Drive in Susanville. This week’s topic: Exploring Financial Literacy. An introduction to key terms in the financial world. Participants may join the course at any time. For more information, call 530.257.4599.

Calvary Kids Storytime, 450 Richmond Rd., Susanville, CA. Every Tuesday from 1:00-2:00p.m. Bring your kids to a Safe, Peaceful place where they can be a kid. There will be two book reading groups, ages 1-5 and 6-11. We will be reading biblical, moral, and outdoor books followed by a craft. Questions, call 530.257.4833.

Don’t forget to email the Chamber at director@lassencountychamber.org with any upcoming event or swing by the Chamber Office at 1516 Main Street with event posters.

“Upon arrival, Officers observed the owner of the Chevron Gas Station on top of the suspect, holding him down for safety.”

The owner of the establishment notified officers that the gun was still under the suspect and waited for assistance.

Officers were able to safely disarm the suspect, who they identified as 18-year-old Susanville resident Bluestarr Maudie Sue Hefner. He was placed under arrest and officers were able to secure the scene and report that all parties involved were safe without injury.

“During the investigation, it was discovered that Hefner used a Sig Sauer P365 C02BB Pistol to threaten the Chevron clerk to give him money out of the register.”

Before any money was given, the owner of the store observed what was occurring and he apprehended the suspect from behind, taking Hefner to the ground.

Due to the collaborating efforts of the Chevron employees and a witness that was in the store calling 9-1-1, officers arrived on scene in less than two minutes after receiving the dispatch.

Bluestarr Maudie Sue Hefner was arrested for Attempted Robbery, as well as a charge of Resisting Arrest, and has been referred to Lassen County District Attorney Office for prosecution.

“We would like to thank Lassen County Sheriff Office and Lassen County Dispatch for their assistance in the response to this call allowing for such a quick resolution. We would also like to commend the Chevron owner and Chevron employees for their bravery and quick actions to seek help in such a terrifying moment.”

Yuana Roxie Peconom 105 years old in a picture taken for the 1954 Lassen County Centennial Celebration.

Susanville’s Honorary Queen for its Centennial has been here for the Whole Century

June 20, 1954

Yuana Roxie Peconom, oldest living resident of Susanville, is approximately 105 years old. Roxie was born on what is now known as the old Hulsman place at the foot of Diamond Mountain in Lassen county, apparently in 1849.

Her age is determined by different happenings and events that had taken place during her childhood. She was born into the Maidu Indian tribe and as a little girl Roxie can remember this valley as being covered with just sagebrush and scrub pine.

Her recollections of Susanville in its infant stage are numerous, as her mind and memory today are still very alert for her age.

Among her memories of Susanville in its early beginning are of its first buildings that were erected. There was a store, a blacksmith shop, jail, saloon, stable and also Roop’s Fort. She recalls that every time something burned in Susanville it was always a dwelling other than the jail house, as in her words, “Jail, him never burn.”

She tells many stories of Honey Lake Valley’s first settlers; one is the fine treatment the indians received from Med Arnold’s family.

Although Roxie has been blind for a number of years, she still manages to get around fairly well, and she is spry enough this year to be Lassen County’s Centennial Celebration honorary queen, and ride in the parade.

She has raised a family of 12, six boys and six girls, four of whom are still living. She has 18 grandchildren, 28 grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Many of her fine woven baskets and other forms of Indian craft have been exhibited at the State Fair in Sacramento for a number of years, and up to just a few years ago, although she was blind, she still managed to weave some of her fine baskets.

Asked what her secret is for living to such a ripe old age, she says, “Through prayer to my Maker, to give thanks for bringing each sunset and the dawn of each new day.”