The picture of the week in Life magazine shows Lily Pons performing at the Metropolitan Opera House. We had the pleasure of observing her at close range in the Rose Room of the Palace Hotel in San Francisco where she sat next to the table of ours. The big shot who was giving the party in her honor came in about an hour before her arrival to see that the flowers were just right and in exactly the right place on the table. The tablecloth did not please him so four waiters rushed around and changed it quickly. With last minute instructions to each of the waiters as to what he should do, where he should stand and when each course was to be served, he left. When the party arrived Miss Pons, or rather, Mrs. Andrew Kostelanetz , came in on the arm of the gentleman who had arranged the party, and then followed a dozen assorted men and women who looked like they might be society people…that is they looked sad, bored and were altogether very ordinary creatures. But Lily was worth seeing. She is quite pretty, has red hair, and gestures with her hands all the time that she is talking which, in this case, was most of the time. Her gestures were more impressive because she wore a diamond about the size of a walnut.

* * * **

I am very proud of the fact that our employees spent over one thousand dollars of their wages during the month of November for defense bonds. Among them were Morris Savercool, Carmen Rutala, Larry Burke, Hank Kerber, John Hoy and Herb Bowe.

* * * * * *

My wife Evelyn, watching me type this out, says “You know you might be famous all over the world some day for your writings”, and then adds, “They say that it takes peculiar people to make a success of writing, and if you are not peculiar I would hate to live with one who was”.

Dave Minch 1900-1964

The Greater Highway 36 Association made its annual trek to the coast last weekend. The hardier pioneers went over via the Beegum Express route, and fortified by many a watering hole, were able to make it to the party Saturday night in Fortuna on the coast. Discretion being the better part of valor, I decided to take Highway 299 out of Redding, for, with four kids in the car, you just don’t start out pioneering anything. When we headed back Sunday morning, heavily laced with Dramamine, funny books and a willow switch, we pointed the station wagon east out of Fortuna through Bridgeville, Mad River, Forest Glenn, Wildwood, Beegum and on to Red Bluff. The redwoods were enormous, the mountains awe inspiring, the canyons deep and the wilderness complete. It was so primitive, that a doe was nursing her two fawns in the middle of the road.

During the banquet Saturday night, a number of officials were called upon to give their blessings to the further development of Highway 36. Our own Fred Engle Jr. recieved a great ovation in recognition of his work with the Correctional Conservation Camps. Everybody got into the act .The engineers told us of the money being spent and the dirt being moved. The politicians got in their licks, and then, when everyone was feeling as though a new Autobahn was in the making, John Erreca, Director of Public Works for the State of California, arose and said that this was all well and good, but that until the Interstate Highway plans (which did not include Highway 36) were completed in 1972, nothing was going to happen…and furthermore, if you wanted to see him retained as Director of Highways, you had better vote for you know who. I just about choked on my New York steak…which came, by the way, from San Francisco via Highway 101.

* * * * * *

Miss Karen Arano, our new Miss Tehama County, heads for the Sacramento State Fair Monday to represent this area in the Miss California Contest. She is provided with transportation and lodgings to the Fair for herself and her chaperon…and I think given a swimsuit. But for the rest of her wardrobe, there is no assistance. Too bad some local merchants don’t kick in a little ensemble or two. I have a soft spot for Miss Tehama County winners. I was privileged to marry the first one.

Robert Minch 1929-

It has occurred to me that animals do not name themselves…and so their names reflect the taste and humor of their owners.

Bill Dalby’s cat is named “Ariadne” whereas Judge Wetter’s cat is merely referred to as “Damn Cat”. This would indicate to a student of animal behavior that the Dalbys have found that one in a million Siamese that is both haughty and loving and have gone to Greek Mythology for a fitting moniker. The good judge, however, has probably come to the frustrating realization that a cat does not ascribe to rules of conduct laid down by the court or any other body, august or otherwise. That’s just the way it is with cats.

The dog, however, will, for a stroked head or scratched ear, tolerate a demeaning name heaped on him by his owner, and still remain his best friend. That’s why our cattle buyer Herb Flournoy, once had a dog answering to the name “Stinky”. My father’s cocker spaniel was named “Piff”. For every royal title of “Rex”, “King” and “Prince”, there will be a “Shorty”, “Bonzo”, “Tiger” or worse. I recall Don Phillips story of the sheep herder calling all his dogs to dinner: “Here Ring, here Rock, here Spring, here Sprock, here old dog with nine pups…here all you sons a bitches!”

I once had a female boxer dog that the late Hank Kerber had found half starved out on the Diamond Range west of town. Most of her teeth were gone but she was still a classy dog. I took her in and named her “Mrs. Kennedy” in honor of the first lady at the time. She, the dog, eventually passed away, but just in time, for she would never have come to dinner if I, to keep abreast of the times, had to call out “Time to eat, Mrs. Onassis!”

Robert Minch 1929-

John Hoy and I were talking over the experiences we had when we were getting our meat department started back in the 30’s. He thought the following incident was one of the funniest he had ever seen.

It was a busy Saturday afternoon about 25 years ago. We were operating the grocery and meat department of Minch’s Market on Main Street where Retterath’s store is now (Ed. Note where the mattress and furniture store is in 2010). This lady from Richfield, whom I shall not mention by name, had driven into town in a horse drawn wagon with a box on the back full of fat hogs. Saturday afternoon was not a good day to send anyone out to our slaughter plant (2 miles west of town) to weigh hogs, but we wanted to accommodate the lady. When she came back to the store to collect her check, we deducted one dollar per hundred weight because the hogs were considerably heavier than number one hogs. Then things started to happen.

She was a rough speaking lady, and as she warmed up she called me everything she could think of including many un-lady like names. The longer she talked the louder she got and I wasn’t sure to what limit she would go. She was accompanied by her big 16 year old daughter who, at this point, started jumping up and down and screaming at the top of her lungs, “Hit him, maw…slap him maw…give it to him maw!” With a store full of customers watching, this was very embarrassing.

I could not us that kind of language in my own store, and I didn’t dare use violence, for I would not have had a chance against those two hysterical women. I retreated quickly out the back of the store. *

Dave Minch 1900-1964

*Father did not say if he gave the woman back her deducted money, which, in later years, he would have been inclined to do.

Have you thought much about goats lately? The name has been much maligned. A player responsible for losing a game is often referred to as “the goat”. Paul Horning, the football great, was nicknamed “Goat” because of is rather narrow shoulders. There is also the Billy goat of comic strips who butted the tycoon as he bent over to pick up his hat.

Anna was none of these things. She was a good loyal friend. It is true that given provocation, she would butt Buddy, the boxer, if he were not alert…and she did trim the missus’ rose bush a bit too closely, but usually, if I yelled “Baaah” to her down at the old barn, she would answer back “Baaah” and I would know everything was alright in her department. When she was younger, she would accompany us on our horse rides…and if you’ve never seen the 6 of our family on assorted horses and ponies being led by a white nanny goat, then you have not seen the ultimate barnyard parade. My father thought I should not keep “that monstrosity” on the ranch. He felt she was unattractive with her pendulous bag, non productive and completely worthless. He continued to say so until one day I produced a photo of him and his goat, little David, and that was the end of that discussion.

But Anna answers my calls no more. She went to her reward last week. Dr. Stoufer said it was old age. She is now buried down in the grove in the pet cemetery with the rest of our four footed friends…except for Spike, who only had three legs. So ends the story of Anna, a good friend of the family.

* * * **

These have been trying times for the Froome family. Jim, Senior, is trying to stay with us a while longer with a pacemaker, Barbara (the late Max’s wife) has been trying to win the coveted title of County Treasurer, and Jim, Junior, the local banker, has been trying to secure a loan for us so that we might build a large freezer and go into the cow boning business. I hope they all succeed.

Robert Minch 1929-

Ad. In the Chico paper: “Berry pickers wanted. No high school girls need apply”.

School children are of value as workers if they have been brought up to work. Many have not the slightest idea that they owe every minute of their time they are on the payroll to their employer.

* * * * * *

Our work is never dull or boring. We discovered last week that an Oakland wholesaler had overpaid us $800.00 When we refunded this amount, they said they never would have discovered the error.  The same day a lady who had sold us some hogs, came in and insisted we had purposely tried to beat her out of $20.00 on her hogs. And so it goes…something every minute.

* * * **

Our town was certainly not complimented last night. One of the ladies from Redding, who came down to play in the Badminton tournament, said that when she drove down Main street with her mother, her mother asked, “Is this Cottonwood?” I’ll admit we don’t have traffic lights like they do in Redding, but I insist our town is larger than Cottonwood.

* * * * * *

I want to thank the writer of the complimentary letter the editor published a few days ago. It is pleasant to receive occasionally orchids instead of skunk cabbage.

* * * **

How about having some genuine milk lamb for your Easter dinner? You can buy it at any of the following Red Bluff markets: Wentz’s, C and H Market, Kilpatric’s Market and Purity Market. It is no more expensive than good cuts of any other meat this year.

* * * * **

When the Chautauqua used to come to town each summer, 25 people had to guarantee that the entertainers would receive a  certain amount  of money or else the guarantors would have to make up the deficit. My father was usually approached and told what a fine man he was in the community and that such men as he should consider it a privilege to be asked to guarantee the ticket sales. I could never see it and we had lots of arguments about it.  I contended that worthwhile entertainers did not need subsidizing…that no one had to guarantee the circus when it came to town.

Dave Minch 1900-1964

Larry LaLaguna Sr. suggested I get liable insurance. I laughed it off at the time. However, after a phone call from an irate reader, it might be good preventive medicine.

The caller was the Glassblower, not to be confused with the Benchwarmer, an earlier adversary. The Glassblower is, in real life, Mr. Richard Hanson with his business in south Corning. He said, while it appeared I was sympathetic to his cause, concerning his right to advertize his products via outdoor signboards, that what I had done in reality was to belittle his occupation and his factory. He went on to say that my column had implied that his business consisted of Bunsen burner and a straw…or words to that effect. And in the future, I should research my subjects more thoroughly. Although, in effect, he was giving me hell for my article, he was doing it is a nice way i.e. he did not sue me.

His point about research is well taken. I think father was more careful in his column…more informed. My material is perhaps less documentary and I use more poetic license. Maybe distortion is a better word.  Anyway, my comments are meant to catch the eye and touch the wit of the readers as opposed to the present Sports Page, for example. In so doing I may exaggerate, somewhat. To this Mr. Hanson, I confess. For shoddy, erroneous information, I apologize. To set the record straight, I find that you have four employees, another shop in Sausalito and make many diverse art objects of glass. So purse your lips and blow something beautiful and I’ll keep my eyes on the road when driving by your establishment

* * * * *

Abner McKenzie has purchased Dr. Hardin’s Don Shasta Pony Farm. Abner currently raises Quarterhorses. I guess it will be Eighthhorses now.

Robert Minch 1929-

(Ed. Note: We have had our fair share of criticism over the years. Here is one example)

“Letters to the Editor of the Red Bluff Daily news,

Dear Sir: Is Mr. Robert Minch really saying what he appears to be saying in his paid advertisement that he chooses to camouflage as a cross between a gossip column and an editorial commentary?” (Ed. Note: When my father wrote his I Say column, he did not want the Editor to edit it,  so he paid for the column to make sure it ran as he intended. When I took over the column, the situation remained the same)

” I refer to the ad that appeared in the July 29 edition of the Daily News in which he appears to be implying that people who use ‘SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL POLICE’ bumper stickers are members of the John Birch Society, and even worse than this, that those who actively support the police are somehow subject to suspicion? Is this really what he means? If not, would he care to clarify his meaning? In these days, when interpretation of laws appear to give greater protection to the criminal than to law-abiding citizens, the police need and deserve the support of the citizens rather than to have their supporters subjected to irresponsible criticism. This time Bob Minch has gone too far. What he implies is not only a shocking attitude for an American citizen to profess, but it also comes very close to defamation of character. Parenthetically let me state that I am not, nor have I ever been, a member of the John Birch Society. Since I cannot afford to buy advertizing space I can only hope you will publish this letter as a public service because I believe that someone should stand up and object when such irresponsible and potentially dangerous statements are allowed in print. Sincerely, Mrs. Louise Bouett.”

(Ed. Note: Mrs. Bouett and her sister, the late poet Nan Culbertson, often disapproved of my conduct in the old days. Eventually I think I won over Nan, but Louise continued her objections to my writings until her demise. In a column a week later, I wrote “Uncle Stan bought a champion steer at the local fair last week which made everyone happy including the owner Bert Owens. Everyone that is, except Mrs. Bouett. Color her angry! She was alert enough to catch me authoring ‘irresponsible and potentially dangerous statements.’ Her letter suggested I had heaped scorn and so forth on those who support the local police. Aha! So that’s what devilment I’ve been up to! No wonder my children refuse to eat and my dog has bit me. So now it can be told. I am out to get Don Phillips (local highway patrolman at the time) and his friends. Beware!”

Robert Minch

President Roosevelt must have laughed when he read in the papers that former President Hoover was advocating that we should give our President dictatorial powers.

* * * * * *

Twenty three years ago when we arrived in Red Bluff, we purchased 40 acres in the Orchard Park subdivision south of town for $150.00 per acre. Jim Feely, who was in the real estate business at the time, told us that the ground would grow anything under the sun, and he might have been partially right. We ran out of money before we tried everything.

(Editor’s Note: The family consisting of an invalid poet father, hard working mother, 5 sons and one daughter, spread out looking for work wherever they could find it. Dave, the oldest son, worked 6 days and 1 night for Standard Oil and 6 nights and 1 day as bartender at the Elks Club even though he did not drink…and sold Collier’s Magazines in his spare time.)

* * * * *

You may have read in the papers about the money a San Diego jury awarded to Clarence Bates’ daughter. Clarence was working for us at the time his daughter was hit by a car while they were visiting in southern California. Soon after the accident, an insurance adjuster offered to settle the case for $2,500. As long as it was not known how long it would take to rehabilitate her, I didn’t think they should be in any hurry to settle the case. Last month the insurance company made a final offer of $7,500. Then, while the trial was underway, they upped it to $10,000. The company put it up to the mother whether she would rather accept this amount or take her chances of getting nothing. The mother replied that she would rather leave it up to the jury and she was certainly right. The jury awarded the girl $20,000. After paying all the doctor’s and lawyer’s fees, Clarence and his wife still had $12,000 left to try to bring their daughter back to health. She will have to have at least 3 operations to repair her broken neck.

* * * * *

From the number of men called up by the draft in Tehama County for the month of June, it would appear that nearly a million men throughout the country will be inducted. Which also means that as many will be released from training camps for actual combat. We are certainly moving faster than we did in the last war.

Dave Minch 1900-1964

President Roosevelt must have laughed when he read in the papers that former President Hoover was advocating that we should give our President dictatorial powers.

* * * * * *

Twenty three years ago when we arrived in Red Bluff, we purchased 40 acres in the Orchard Park subdivision south of town for $150.00 per acre. Jim Feely, who was in the real estate business at the time, told us that the ground would grow anything under the sun, and he might have been partially right. We ran out of money before we tried everything.

(Editor’s Note: The family consisting of an invalid poet father, hard working mother, 5 sons and one daughter, spread out looking for work wherever they could find it. Dave, the oldest son, worked 6 days and 1 night for Standard Oil and 6 nights and 1 day as bartender at the Elks Club even though he did not drink…and sold Collier’s Magazines in his spare time.)

* * * * *

You may have read in the papers about the money a San Diego jury awarded to Clarence Bates’ daughter. Clarence was working for us at the time his daughter was hit by a car while they were visiting in southern California. Soon after the accident, an insurance adjuster offered to settle the case for $2,500. As long as it was not known how long it would take to rehabilitate her, I didn’t think they should be in any hurry to settle the case. Last month the insurance company made a final offer of $7,500. Then, while the trial was underway, they upped it to $10,000. The company put it up to the mother whether she would rather accept this amount or take her chances of getting nothing. The mother replied that she would rather leave it up to the jury and she was certainly right. The jury awarded the girl $20,000. After paying all the doctor’s and lawyer’s fees, Clarence and his wife still had $12,000 left to try to bring their daughter back to health. She will have to have at least 3 operations to repair her broken neck.

* * * * *

From the number of men called up by the draft in Tehama County for the month of June, it would appear that nearly a million men throughout the country will be inducted. Which also means that as many will be released from training camps for actual combat. We are certainly moving faster than we did in the last war.

Dave Minch 1900-1964

There are a lot of rumors around the country and here is one that you may have heard which I would like to help stop.

It goes something like this: “Say, you know what shortage of ham and bacon there is, well there was a driver of one of those big refrigerated trucks up in Redding the other day. He stopped at a café and ordered ham and eggs. When they told him they could not buy either ham or bacon he said that was a fine state of affairs because he had a  truck outside jammed full of hams and bacon for the Japs up at the Tule Lake detention center…and U.S. citizens can’t buy any!” This is not the truth and I know what I am talking about. Not only do we furnish the camp with meat but I visited the camp when we first contemplated selling meat to them.

Their meat consists of old cows, old mutton, bologna and pork from hogs they raise on camp garbage. The vegetables on their tables are for the most part carrots, turnips and beets.

They are fed in a series of mess halls and eat when it is ready if they want to eat at all. The only entertainment they had when I was there was home talent shows they arranged for themselves.

The American born Jap boys and girls consider themselves Americans and do not like our attitude in considering them as enemies. There is little need for guards, for while they are safe inside the reservation, they realize the odds would be very much against them if they were ever found outside. Because of this, there are only a few strands of barb wire around the camp and very few armed guards.

Speaking of meat, the federal government purchased two big freight cars of boned beef for export to one of our lend-lease friends, presumably Russia. The meat was purchased in Houston, Texas and was 28 days on its way to San Francisco. During this four week period, it was only iced twice. When the meat arrived in S.F. it was found to be in such poor condition that only 12,000 pounds was salvaged, and the rest, some 50,000 pounds was destroyed. The probable loss was between ten and twenty thousand dollars of your money and mine.

Dave Minch 1900-1964