My grandma often led the crafting sessions, and she could transform trash into treasures. Must have been the Okie in her. Nothing was ever wasted, and she would save random items for months to create enough product for the bazaar.

Rocks were painted. Pictures were made on leftover pieces of wood using popcorn kernels, a variety of beans, and lentils as the “paint”. Afghans and quilts were created out of scraps of yarn and material. The WMs were the original “up cyclers”.

Almost every meeting centered around a potluck of some kind and as they crafted, delicious smells would fill the church basement. There would always be some kind of casserole, made with chicken and creamed soup, salads galore (many contained Jell-O), and of course dessert. Coffee was the drink of choice, it percolated throughout the morning and afternoon, served with powdered creamer.

More important than the refreshments or crafting was the socializing. The group was anchored by two of the church’s matriarchs: Grandma Middleton and Grandma Langley. I don’t know that I ever knew their first names, they were just another grandma who offered warm hugs and kindness.

And baby blankets. Every infant born in the church from 1950-75 likely has a baby blanket made from one of these women.

The other members I remember were Bertie Langley, Opal Berry, Denny Midgley, Virginia Baker, Tressie Gann, MaryLee Elledge, Lois Towell, Mae Sherman, Francis Parker, Sue Ward, Betty Williams, and Pat Cooper. And of course, my grandma Joann Simpson and two of her best friends Virginia Middleton and Jane Voss.

They were also the Sunday School teachers, Children’s Church leaders, and made sure we were at VBS in the summer. They played the piano, led song service, and organized the Christmas pageant every year. They threw dinners for visiting missionaries, held baby showers, and even catered Wedding receptions. In short, they were what made the church go ‘round.

They were the quintessential village it takes to raise a community of kids.

Many of these women continued to look after us as we grew up as teens and into adulthood. It was one of those benefits/curses of growing up in Susanville. There was always going to be someone who knew you and it would go through the Susanville phone chain like wildfire.

When I started high school, Jane Voss was our vice principal’s secretary. Now, I wasn’t the getting in trouble type, but I knew from day 1 that I wasn’t going to start then. If Jane had to call my mom because I got caught ditching, there would be heck to pay.

Jane, her husband Larry and their family have continued to be a part of my family. Somehow my grandma convinced Jane that she wanted to take care of my newborn son during her first year of retirement and that started a new branch to their friendship.

That was over twenty years ago, and I am still grateful that Jane found room in her heart (and home) for one more baby to love. Somehow this is all connected, but I am struggling to find the words to explain how this network of like-minded church women grew to encompass a community and came back to benefit me. I guess that is what friendship does, especially in a small town.

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for friendships that become like family, especially one that started more than 50 years ago in a tiny church basement.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone out there! Take some time to share some memories around the table.

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.”

Lassen College is urging all eligible donors to make an appointment now; they have twenty-five appointments to fill. Walk-ins are welcome too.

Please bring your photo ID with you. You can complete your health screening ahead of time to make the process a little faster at the drive. Click here to complete the screening.

Organizers suggest that you drink plenty of water before your donation.

The blood drive will be held from 10:00a.m. to 2:30p.m. in the cafeteria at the college.

Click here to book an appointment.

According to Myers, the fire was found in the kitchen, isolated to the bottom portion of the main fryer, where the electrical components were located.

“The engine crew utilized a commercial kitchen extinguisher to put out the main fire in order to gain access to the electrical compartments, where the seat of the fire was located.”

Once the compartment doors were opened, the remaining fire was quickly extinguished.

“The fire crews worked to remove smoke from the building and once the scene was determined to be safe it was turned over the business management.”

Captain Myers and the Susanville Fire Department thanked Cal-FIRE and the Susanville Public Works Department for their assistance with the incident.

Susanville Soroptimists raise the money to help the community contributing to scholarships, adopting families for the holidays, girls self esteem program, teen esteem and dating violence awareness day, Project Hope, Lassen Family Services women’s shelter, senior citizen’s utility assistance, Foster Kids Matter Project, Camp Ronald McDonald and many other worthwhile endeavors.

South of Milford along Highway 395 in the late 1930’s. From an Eastman Studio postcard.

Lassen Asks for Road Improvement

November 22, 1932

Delegations from Lassen county, Cal., appeared before the California state highway department at Sacramento yesterday, seeking state funds for the improvement of the Reno-Susanville highway, through Long Valley, north of Reno. This area is practically snow free during the winter.

The section on which improvements are sought extends north from the California-Nevada state line towards Doyle for a distance of approximately 25 miles. From that point the highway has been reconstructed. From Doyle to Milford the road is in fair condition and from Milford to Susanville is oil surfaced.

The unit adjacent to the Nevada line is of the old dirt type and is maintained in travelable condition by frequent dust oiling.

The new Reno-Purdy highway, when completed next year, will provide a modern, high class asphalt road from the California lint into Reno.