Chamber Memories

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Click here for a list of our past Grand Marshall's.

4th of July parade's have always been a yearly tradition in Alturas as far back as the early 1900's, but the name "Fandango Days" actually started in 1963 by the Modoc County Chamber of Commerce. This turned out to be one of the largest parade's ever to come to Alturas with over 50 exhibits taking to the parade route down Main Street. The remainder of the afternoon celebration was held at the Veteran's Memorial Park where it is still being held today.  One event that was popular at the time was the "Frog Jumping" competition.  The contest was the first big event to be held at the park, and it received official recognition and sanction from the Frog Jumping Capital of the World in Angel's Camp located in Calavaras County.  A total prize purse of $250 was up for grabs with a $100 top prize going to the first place winner. The official Chairmen who helped spearhead this event were Bliss Paul and Bob Schorch.  Privately owned frogs were not eligible for competition, and the contestant had to select a frog from the "frog stable" that were chosen by the frog jumping chair committee. The Fandango Days Royalty were also selected and rode in the parade route.  Lettie Genung was crowned "Goddess of Liberty" and 6 year old Rhonda Hartley who was crowned "Little Miss Sparkler".

• Mary Mapes was crowned Modoc District Fair Queen and will represent the Modoc District Fair in Cedarville in August.  The Queens courts are Princess Diana Stevenson and Kelle Sigler.  The competition was sponsored by the Alturas Rotary Club.

• The 18th annual Likely Rodeo is set for June 15 - 16 in Likely.  This event was considered by the locals to be the "Wildest Amateur Rodeo in the West".

•  In June, Cleo's Market was having a special throughout their store on selected items.  You can get 8 oz. Tomato Sauce 5 for 59 cents, Apple Sauce in the 303 size can (3) for 59 cents, Fruit Cocktail in the 303 size can (3) for 69 cents, Rib Steaks 99 cents a pound and chuck Steaks at only 79 cents a pound.

• John Andrews came out on top as the winner in the annual Fandango Day's Frog Jumping Contest.  His frog named "Beverly" jumped a whopping 7' 9" to claim the top prize of $24. This years jump actually fell way short of the record set in 1965 by Scottie Jones as his frog leaped an amazing 15' 2".

• Margie Briggs was officially crowned "Miss Fandango" out of the six candidates that initially tried out for the crown.  This years competition was held at the Niles Theatre.

• Other local businesses who contributed to our community at this time were:  Western Auto at 106 East 1st Street, Phillips Furniture at 104 North Main Street, JFG Motor Sales at East 2nd and Court Street, Woodwards market at East 1st and Court Street, Pioneer Realty "W.M. Butch Sloss" Broker at 405 South Main Street, Ingraham's Hardware at 304 South Court Street and Bowman's Supermarket at the corner of 12th and Main Street.

• In January, Charles Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick's Dry Goods Store in Alturas announced that he was selling his store to his son, Delbert Fitzpatrick effective this month.  The sale includes the store and the entire inventory.  Charles Fitzpatrick has operated the store in Alturas since 1936 and his son has been a junior partner for the past eleven years.  Charles wanted to sell the store so he can devote more time to the job of County Supervisor.

• A party was held on June 13th in honor of Mrs. Janice Roby who is retiring after nursing for almost 47 years.  Mrs. Roby went into nurses training in 1910 and graduated from St. Peters Hospital in Helena, Montana in 1914.  Mr. and Mrs. Roby came to Alturas in 1926 and she did private duty nursing until August of 1933 when she went to work at the Alturas Hospital.

• Bowman's Supermarket specials this week include:  Del Monte 303 size tin Fruit Cocktail (5) for $1.00, US No. 1 potatoes 10lbs for 39 cents, Cello bag Carrots (2) for 17 cents, White Star chunk tuna (3) for 83 cents, lean beef short ribs 19 cents a pound and fresh lean ground beef 3lbs for only $1.00.

• On June 25th it took the Henderson Chevrolet an extra inning to down the stubborn Loveness Loggers of Canby 18 - 9 in Canby.

• Other local business who contributed to our community at this time were:  Southers (Clothing), Modoc Plumbing Shop, Alturas Building Materials (F.C. "Frog" Ballard - Proprietor), Alturas Tire Shop, Hart's 5 - 10 - 15 cent Store, Modoc Cash Grocery, D & K Refrigeration, Western Store, Henderson Chevrolet, Jack Stooksberry and Sons Well Drilling in Fort Bidwell and Sandy's Feed Service (Purina Feed) on the Lakeview Highway in Alturas.

• One of the largest crowds ever to witness a football game in Alturas turned out Saturday afternoon to see the Modoc Warriors defeat Lassen Union High School 16 - 0.

• Alturas Grocery at 908 Main Street was offering 4lbs of cabbage for 10 cents and two heads of lettuce also for 10 cents.

• Jarman's Garage (Ford Sales and Service) had a used 1930 Model "A" Coupe on their lot for $200 and a clean 1932 Ford V-8 Coupe for only $275.

• On October 31st and November 1st the Niles Theatre was showing "They Gave Him a Gun" starring Spencer Tracy, Gladys George and Franchot Tone.

• The Polly Ann Bakery was open and making the entire city block smell good with their fresh baked bread and other goodies.