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“Show me your smile and I will show you mine”
(by Della Bacon - August 21, 2007)
Being a newcomer in Oroville is like going to Disneyland for the first time. It is overwhelming. Everything is spread out. There seems so much to explore. I’m not sure which arrow to follow...Where should I start?
I frequently travel with a companion, who is friendly, out-going and cheerful. She attracts people, who want to stop and chat. On our first outing we connected with Sandy and Shalee, who suggested we visit Pet Land in downtown, Bark Avenue Grooming and Paws Thrift Shop. That’s correct; my companion is of the four-legged variety. Her name is The Duchess. We walk a lot and try to remember to always carry a medium-size plastic bag.
We urge all pet owners to form a similar habit. Please pick up your pets droppings when you walk. Why? Common decency and a few good manners go a long way, in all communities. Besides, it really is a nice thing to do. Remember, sidewalks and parks are for everybody. Do you pick up after your pet?Speaking about parks and pets, we went to Feather River Bend Park with Shirley Swader on a Saturday. Walking the trails and resting at the lanai’s gave us a chance to get acquainted. It was well-worth the short drive. Swader was excited to tell me about her new friend...Ray Trumbly. She said he was a super-honest sales rep at Hobbie Auto Center. (I wouldn’t have guessed it, in a million years. She bought a new-to-her car.)
(“Hey Shirley, did I do okay? I gave him a plug. Now...may we continue our walk?”)
Swader and her daughter Brenda acted as tour guides at The Farmer’s Market in Oroville. Lucky Mother Swader won a beautiful original print painting by Artist Robert Thomaston. Of course, I loaded up with lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and pastries from all the local vendors.
Daughter, Brenda Swader suggested we take a tour of the Casinos. The tour was fine; the Casinos are gorgeous. There is food, fun, entertainment and lots of people! (I’ll send my friends who visit from out-of-town.) Sorry, gambling isn’t my cup of tea. I prefer floor shows and live-entertainment.
The next time we went to a casino, it was to see Mike Albert (an Elvis Presley Impersonator) at Feather Falls Casino. He was great! It was almost like seeing Elvis in person. Wow! Our group really enjoyed his style of entertainment. The audience participation was exceptional. That is, the special guests who played their own musical instruments on stage, and others who danced with Mike Albert in the isles.
Anxious to inhale the entertainment available, we jumped at the opportunity to purchase tickets to see Tanya Tucker, in person, at GOLD Country Casino. She performed to a full house. Many of us were anxious to hear her sing “Delta Dawn,” like she did at the age of 13, back in the 70’s.
It is here, I want to point out, there is no “t” in Della. Please forgive me if I seem a little paranoid; I tolerated a lot of ribbing, way-back then...when my very own aunts and uncles brought me flowers and pronounced my name with a “t” as in Delta.
Another Saturday at Oroville’s Farmer’s Market, I met up with none other than Marilyn Elwell, wife of the not so bashful David Elwell). The only other people I knew in Oroville. They happened to be friends of my only son. With Mrs. Elwell was daughter Holly Paul carrying an adorable baby, Ginny Rose Mullen. Lo and behold that chance meeting helped me to be adopted by this compassionate family. It also led to my attending three birthday celebrations in less than a month. A year older, according to Mom, and a lot wiser are the birthday people: Holly, Ginny Rose and Daryn Murphy. What fun it was to be included in the celebrations.
That brings us back to The Digger Shopper and News. The Digger has officially turned 30 years young, (old?), as of August 18, 2007. Now I want to know the truth! You...the readers, are supposed to let me know who has or will celebrate an August Birthday. Time passes quickly, so please advise at your earliest possible convenience.
This writer also wants to know what it takes for a business, any business, to mature to the ripe ol’ age of 30 in Butte County? Who in this community can claim equal fame? How many such businesses are still around? Sure, I can do the legwork and find this out through the Chamber of Commerce, Internet, or local library. But why should I, if you will do it for me?
Honestly, I want to know...You can provide me with answers for future columns. E-mail me at della@diggernews.com.
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