Lassen County Supervisor Jim Chapman presided over one of the fair’s longest running traditions on Friday, the old-timers day party which honored two of Susanville’s long time residents and this year’s parade Grand Marshal.
The old-timers and their guests were served apple pie and ice cream by Miss Lassen County Heather Fortin and her court, Jessica Rorie and Cheyenne Osborne. Osborne not only helped serve the pie, but she took both second and third places in the pie baking competition!
Fair Board President Todd Eid was on hand to introduce this year’s Parade Grand Marshal Lois Weston Marek. Marek is 91 years old and has been a Lassen County Resident since 1946. She taught at McKinley School for 25 years and was the Diamond View School Librarian for 10 years before becoming the librarian for all schools county-wide.
Named as the 2014 Old-timers of the Year were Rosemarie Bejcek and George Sargent.
Bejcek moved to Susanville with her husband, Ron, and their 5 children in 1970. In addition to working for the local hospital for 22 years she also found time to volunteer for church activities, 4-H, Chamber of Commerce, Native Daughters, American Legion, Monticola Club, Jolly Elders and the Senior Center.
George Sargent was born and raised in Susanville and grew up working in his family’s restaurant, The Grand Café. After graduating in 1957 he attended Heald’s Business College & Lassen Junior College and served 3 years in the Army as a private with the last name of Sargent. He and his wife Donna have been married 54 years and he has been a member of the Susanville Elks Lodge for over 50 years.
Assemblyman Brian Dahle was at the event and gave special recognition to Supervisor Jim Chapman who for 40 years has MC’ed and orchestrated the old-timers party at the fair.
Each year since 1974 Chapman has read the list of old-timers that have been honored on the perpetual plaque. George Sargent, while speaking to the assemblage said, “I didn’t think I was old enough to be the old-timer of the year. Then I realized I knew everyone on that list.”
