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Volume XVII Issue 122
Tuesday, January 28th, 2025
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The Good Stuff by Shelley Bennett
Today is my grandma’s birthday. I think she would have been 92. I can’t believe it’s been almost 10 years without her.
If you knew my grandma, Joann Simpson, you know she was kind, generous, sassy, resourceful, and fun. My grandma was always busy; working in the kitchen or her sewing room, organizing a group or activity at church, or planning a family dinner.
At lunchtime, she would set up her TV tray with a sandwich and a cup of soup and watch “Days of Our Lives.” This was usually followed by a nap or “rest” for me as I would just stare at the ceiling for half an hour while she dozed.
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Then it was time for chores: feeding the animals, watering the garden, getting dinner on the table. I don’t know how she did it all!
Today as I talked about the grieving process with my students, I realized that at some point I have reached acceptance. We discussed how grief doesn’t end or stop. There is no timeline that it follows. You just learn to work around it.
In my case, it has been healing to see how my grandma’s personality and character traits exhibit themselves in my kids. Jacob has her gift of cooking and baking. He can follow any recipe or just throw ingredients together and they will turn into something delicious.
Light and fluffy scones, thick and rich caramel sauce, a perfectly grilled steak. It comes natural to him.
Landon has her appreciation for nature. As he took me for a walk along the river yesterday, he pointed out things that had changed since last week. A broken branch, cats hiding in the brush, the depth of the water.
He doesn’t just go outside, he notices things that I would never see.
Sofia is a good baker too, but she really shines in the “running-a-tight-ship” department. When Sofia is home, our house is picked up, the carpet is freshly vacuumed, the dishwasher is unloaded, and there are warm cookies cooling on the counter.
Then she adds the extra touches, like decorating the entry, lighting a candle, or fluffing the pillows on the couch, just like my grandma would make time to do.
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Thank you to my brother Casey for pointing out that I missed one of my favorite teachers last week when I was naming buildings after people. Mr. Ed Bertotti was my Geometry and Algebra II teacher. Math was not my forte, but he tried patiently, every day, to teach me about proofs and formulas.
I would definitely dedicate the math side of the 300 building to honor his memory. There would be a desk in the hallway with his name on it. In the bottom drawer would be a small TV playing a continuous loop of the 1986 World Series.
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.”
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Students enjoying a breakout session – photos provided
More Than 1,500 Students Reached at Office of Education’s ‘You Matter’ Conference
The Lassen County Office of Education has announced the successful conclusion of the 2025 You Matter Conference, held January 21st through 24th. According to the LCOE, the transformative week-long event reached more than 1,500 middle and high school students throughout Lassen County, “inspiring them to make smart decisions, prioritize mental health, and build resilience in the face of challenges.”
“The conference empowered students to understand that life’s difficulties are temporary and that resources and support are always available to help them navigate through tough times,” explains LCOE Communications Specialist Kaitlyn Midgely.
“The success of the conference would not have been possible without the incredible partnership and dedication of local organizations that joined forces to make a lasting impact.”
- Lassen County Behavioral Health
- Lassen Child and Family Resources
- Lassen Family Services
- Lassen County Care Teams and MHSSA
- Banner Lassen Medical Center
- City of Susanville Police Department
- Lassen County Sheriff’s Office
- SEL4Lassen
- CalHOPE
- Lassen County Public Health MCAH
- Lassen County Public Health
- CalFresh
- Lassen County Public Health – Oral Health
- Trinityspeaks.com
- KateGarnes.com
- Lassen County Office of Education – District Support
The conference featured dynamic keynote speakers, including Trinity Wallace-Ellis, an inspirational speaker and resilience expert, and Kate Garnes, a motivational coach and speaker, who both delivered powerful messages to encourage and uplift students.
Workshops, interactive activities, and discussions throughout the week reinforced the importance of mental health awareness, personal growth, and making positive life choices.
“We are so proud to have reached so many students across Lassen County with this important message,” said Lassen County Superintendent of Schools Patricia Gunderson, “This conference would not have been possible without the dedication of our community partners. Together, we are building a brighter, more resilient future for our youth.”
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Keynote Speaker Trinity Wallace-Ellis | Amber Akiwo speaking to a breakout session of students | |
Officer Foulk talking about the impacts of impaired driving | |
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Enter to Win Tickets! Taste of Beef, Sip of Wine Happens February 15th
The Lassen County Cattlewomen and the California Cattlemen’s Association will be presenting their 36th annual Taste of Beef, Sip of Wine fundraiser on Saturday, February 15th, to raise money for scholarships, beef promotion, youth activities and agriculture in the classroom and we have two pair of tickets to give away to our lucky SusanvilleStuff readers.
Taste of Beef, Sip of Wine is a signature event celebrating exceptional flavors and community spirit.
Savor the best of locally-raised Lassen County beef, perfectly paired with a curated selection of wines, beers, and beverages from across the West Coast.
As the evening unfolds, guests will enjoy live music and have the chance to participate in silent auctions featuring exciting prizes, including overnight stays, firearms, and more.
More than just a night of indulgence, Taste of Beef, Sip of Wine reflects the mission of the Lassen County Cattlemen & Cattlewomen: to raise awareness about the vital role of the beef industry in California’s economy and sustainable practices.
Funds raised from this event also support scholarships for local youth, fostering the next generation of leaders in our community and agriculture.
Tickets for the 36th annual wine and beef tasting, which will be held at the Susanville Elks’ Lodge, are just $35 each ahead of time or $40 at the door. You can click here to purchase them online.
You must be 21 to attend.
Would you like to win tickets? Of course you would!
Follow this link over to our SusanvilleStuff website to enter to win a pair of tickets to this year’s wine tasting. You can enter once per day, per email, and the deadline to enter is Wednesday, February 12th. We will announce the winner right here on Thursday, February 13th. Good luck! You must be 21 to enter.
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Register for Camp Ronald McDonald Local Kids’ Week: Counselors Needed
Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake, a unique summer camp experience for children aged eight to twelve, has announced the dates for this year’s Lassen County Kids Week, where local kids can enjoy getting away to the awesome summer camp.
This year, the annual local’s week will be June 29th through July 3rd, and the cost is $250.
The number of campers is limited, and the camp is popular, so register early.
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Camp experiences include:
- Archery
- Arts and Crafts
- Canoeing
- Drama / Music
- Fishing
- Group Games
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Outdoor Education
- Swimming
“This summer camp promises an unforgettable experience filled with fun, adventure and learning. Don’t miss out!” says Camp Director Joseph Kahn.
“We also look for counselors, which is perfect for Junior or Seniors in high school looking for volunteer hours.”
Kahn and the camp are seeking enthusiastic and responsible individuals to serve as Cabin Counselors for a week-long summer camp experience. Counselors will provide care, leadership, and guidance for a cabin group of 4-5 campers.
Click here to download more information about the Cabin Counselor position.
For more information about Lassen County Kids Camp or the Counselor positions please contact Kahn at Jkahn@rmhcnc.org.
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Lassen High News and Information
for Parents and Students
Students: Don’t forget to reserve your copy of the yearbook for $95.00 before the next price increase on February 3rd.
Do you have a sibling at the high school? If so, submit a photo to Mrs. Schall for the yearbook sibling’s page.
Junior Class of 2026 – Deposits for your Senior Trip are being accepted now through February 28th. Please see Sara in the Attendance office for more information.
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CSF Meeting: Wednesday, January 30th @ lunch Rm 112 – Bring your completed application and wear college gear for our yearbook picture.
Interested in competing in Track & Field? There is a mandatory lunch meeting today, January 28th, in Mr. Geoia’s room 769.
Boys Golf: Please plan on attending a short mandatory meeting (5 minutes) in Mr. Ernaga’s room 755 at the beginning of lunch tomorrow, January 29th
Baseball & Softball Open Gyms: Open gyms are being held every Saturday through February 8th in the small gym. Varsity Softball from 10:00a.m. until noon, JV Softball from 12:00 to 2:00p.m. (through February 1st) and Baseball from 2:00 to 4:00p.m.
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BLM Closing a Portion of High Rock
Canyon Road for the Season
The Bureau of Land Management’s Black Rock Field Office will be closing a portion of the High Rock Canyon Road in the Black Rock Desert and High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area to vehicle use February 3rd.
High Rock Canyon will be closed between the canyon’s southern entrance and about 5 miles below Stevens Camp. The closure period starts at the end of Chukar hunting season through Friday, May 9th.
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“This closure is meant to prevent damage to the emigrant trail and reduce disturbance of wildlife including for lambing bighorn sheep and nesting raptors,” said Black Rock Field Manager Jonah Blustain.
For more information, please contact Wildlife Biologist Ellen Brecke at 775-623-1500 or ebrecke@blm.gov.
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Eagle Lake Exploited by L.A. Promoters
January 28, 1925
Lassen County receives widespread publicity in handsomely bound and beautifully illustrated book. In a handsomely bound, beautifully illustrated and well written book, in brochure form, size eight and one-fourth by eleven inches, the scenic beauty and wonders of Eagle Lake and Lassen National Park are illustrated and elaborated.
The book is published by the Eagle Lake Cabin Site Company, an organization of Los Angeles businessmen. The object of the book is to exploit in particular Spalding’s Eagle Lake tract which has been subdivided into lots for cabin sites.
Lassen Park views Shown. While this book deals specifically with Eagle Lake, the part it plays in the advertising of Lassen County in general and Lassen Park in particular is very considerable. In it are several beautiful illustrations of big timber views together with winter scenes.
On one page and over the caption, “Scenes In Lassen Park,” Bumpass Hell, Devil’s Kitchen, King Falls, Mt. Lassen from Lake Almanor and the boiling mud pots. Several views of Eagle Lake are shown.
Sportsmen’s Paradise. With picture and text the book illustrates and tells of the veritable paradise Eagle Lake is for the sportsman. The lover of the out-of-doors who likes to hunt and fish has some alluring facts presented to him.
On one page of the book is a road map and beside it directions how to reach Eagle Lake. Susanville looms up large on the map and it is mentioned several times in the directions given.
Good general publicity. This book will give to Eagle Lake, Lassen National Park, Susanville, Westwood and a large part of Lassen County, good general publicity, even if it answers no other purpose. And this publicity will be accomplished by men in that king of booster towns, Los Angeles. They are using their money and bending their efforts to develop a place which, when it does begin to develop, will mean much to Susanville and the surrounding country.
True, the object of this advertising literature is to sell lots at Eagle Lake, but the advertising of Eagle Lake is the advertising of Susanville and Lassen National Park. And the development of Eagle Laker and the bringing of visitors into Lassen National Park will contribute to the growth and development of the county seat.
An advertising opportunity. It appears to The Mail that the opportunity presented in the exploitation of Eagle Lake by Los Angeles people is one that should be made use of by the Lassen County Chamber of Commerce.
Why not some plan be formed by which together two organizations can work together in putting this cabin site project ever. What initiative and knowledge that may be lacking here may be supplied by men from the southern city, and qualities which they may not possess may be supplied here. There is a splendid chance for good teamwork here.
The cooperation of hustlers and conservatives, as it were, and it should be productive of good results to all concerned.
A good pie with a good crust. The people down Los Angeles way are “there” when it comes to advertising and boosting. They are not only advertising what they want to sell but they are charging one dollar for this book which tells about and illustrates what they want to sell. And they are getting it because their advertising literature is a work of art and costs more than a dollar per copy to produce. They are going about marketing what they have to sell in the right way – they are advertising.
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If you are a fan of our daily history stories you should join the Lassen Historical Society! It's a fun way to be a part of our county's rich history. When you sign up you'll receive regular Historical Society newsletters with interesting stories and information. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in area history.
Through your membership you help preserve local history. You can download a membership application by clicking here.
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