Woodlake Lions Club Building Hosts Rainbow Girls Circa 1957

Here are a couple of pictures shared with me after the book Images of America Woodlake went to the publisher.

Back in the day, these girls ruled the roost, so I'm told. The Woodlake Rainbow Girls met in what used to be the old skating rink.

Stan Livingston remembered skating there under the bright blue sky, he told me when I returned his wife's original pictures.

"I thought it was an inside skating rink," I said.

"No, the Woodlake Lions Club bought the property and built the building."

"Well, what did you do when it rained?"

"We didn't skate on those days."

As the Lions built the building, the Rainbow girls dressed in their formals and met in their hall. In the first picture the Lions had not finished the walls or ceiling, but by the second picture the building was complete.

Though I understand the building is scheduled for demolition, it still hosts many meetings. I belong to Kiwanis Club which meets there every Tuesday morning at 6:30. Kiwanians serve delicious, home-cooked, nutritious and sometimes sinful breakfasts, and host great speakers. If you believe in helping kids, and having fun with some of the most active people since the Rainbow Girls, you should join Kiwanis.

Speaking of Rainbow Girls, can you find anyone wearing a dress who you didn't know ever owned one? Does anyone besides me know who that tiny little under-aged Rainbowette is in the first picture?

Does anyone remember the Merchants? If you do, please let Sally Pace know.  If you know of other groups that meet or have met at the Lions Club Building or more about the Rainbow Girls, tell us about it in the comment section.

As always, you know the stories, I'm just the mouth.

Kind regards,

Taken at the Memorial Building in Woodlake

Marsha Ingrao

Economics: Kiwanis Fundraiser: July 3rd Fireworks at Twilight Park

Wednesday, July 3, 2013 is the first economics day post on this blog.  It just so happened that the community of Woodlake is preparing for a gigantic Independence Day celebration that takes place every year on July 3rd.

The main tent

Service and fraternal organizations have been active for centuries.  Closed organizations, such as the Masons date back to 1390.   In California, the Elk Grove Citizen published an article listing both secret and open service clubs dating back to 1849 when Sacramento was first infected by Gold Fever.
Many service organizations started as a way for business people to network. Non-profit service organization soon saw a need to raise money for their communities for various projects depending on the mission of the organization.  Rotary was the first service organization, established in 1905.  Kiwanis International, founded in 1915,  raises money primarily for local school scholarships, under their new motto adopted in 2005, "Serving the Children of the World."

Football boosters set up their booth.

In Woodlake the Kiwanis July 3rd Fireworks show ordinarily attracts crowds of 6,000 spectators, all having the opportunity to purchase items from various booths.  It takes a lot of volunteer hands for 18 Woodlake Kiwanis members to accomplish this feat.  Set up started at 7:00 a.m. at Twilight Park where temperatures are expected to soar to 106 by mid-afternoon.  The actual event begins at 6:00 p.m. with a meal served to VIP donors who gave $500.00 or more.  Other spectators will purchase food and drinks from various booths around the park.

Twilight Park is a huge place, set in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas.

Booths are going up rapidly.  This will be the Beer Gardens.

The workers. 

One of the knowledgable ones.  

The park's been mowed! :) 

I think we should move it over there!  

Hop in.  I'm going across the field to set up the VIP booth.

If you pound, I'll watch!  :)

No, it's done like this!  :)

You girls obviously need some assistance.

Watch me.  This is how it's done!  :)

What happened?  Now, I'm the only one pounding???

I don't know.

Your nails are cute!  :)

Ok, let's think about how these are going to go up.

This should be easy!  :)

Somebody must have an errand for me!  :)

We've been doing this for years, girls.  

I keep untwisting, and it keeps getting twistier!  :)

I don't know if this will ever come untwisted!  :)

Volunteer, come early, and get a t-shirt.

I match!  

Clearly setting up the park for the gala event was both entertaining and serviceable increasing both charitable and emotional capital.  Come by at 6:00 and enjoy a great event celebrating our nation's hard earned freedom.  :)