Jim and Susie

Some people make friends for life. Once you’re in, you’re in. Jim and Marilyn Chapman are like that and our friendship began in a most unlikely way. 

More than a couple of decades ago Rick received a 3 page letter from a customer outlining a shopping trip to our store. On this trip a couple of things had gone wrong, one of the wrongs had to do with orange juice. It was so long ago I don't think any of us remember all the details but we do have what is lovingly/laughingly known as the ‘orange juice letter’ somewhere :) . The letter was from Jim Chapman. When Rick called him to work it all out, they just hit it off. Rick and I would bike ride with Jim and a bunch of locals, some would ask how Marilyn was or tell Jim to say Hi to her, then he would talk about Susie... I could not figure out which one was his wife and who the heck the other one was! Then I met Marilyn SUE and it all made sense.  We’ve all been friends ever since. You never know when great things will come from those little challenges. 

So let me tell you a about the wonderful friend I found. Marilyn Sue (Susie) is a retired 3rd grade teacher, she has also taught other grades including college but 3rd grade was her favorite and fits her perfectly. There are an awful lot of adults with children of their own that still think of her as Mrs Chapman. She is also an AVID quilter, sooo many beautiful quilts, last year Susie gave me one from her private stock and I will treasure it forever. When I found myself in need of masks for our entire crew I called her wondering if she knew anyone currently making them. She asked a few questions and a little bit later let me know she and Jim would be making them. The next several days they worked night and day to crank these out just as fast as possible. These masks are beyond anything I could have expected. 3 layers of cotton, the middle is muslin to aid in filtration, wonderful prints, each sealed in a baggie with a personal note including a thank up to all of US. This gift was made with love not just for us but for the community the Chapmans have spent their lives in service of. 

HUGE thanks to Jim and Susie, we are blessed to have such wonderful friends that are also Hometown Heroes. 

Apart together

Can you imagine what the isolation must have been like quarantined in 1918 during the Spanish Flu pandemic? Mistrust and fear permeated communities, when people did emerge it wasn't the same. Many felt the friendliness and sense of community was gone. No one talked about it, the fear was so great. Tough to resolve things you're afraid to mention. 


So here we are today. Driven apart by circumstances yet it certainly has brought our community and families together. Text, FaceTime, phone calls keep us in touch with family and friends. What truly matters is in the foreground again. Everywhere I look I see a helping hand, new ideas and a commitment to our overall health. You all make me so Hometown Proud. As I write this my friend Marilyn "Susie" Chapman and her minion/hubby are busy making masks for my WHOLE team which they are donating. This humbles me. David Teeter of Margie's Book Nook has set up a table in our store filled with activities for young and old alike, he is also going through his store and putting together donations for various agencies. Social media is humming with shared ideas and humor regarding our current situation. Barriers are being built to keep the germs away and the people together. Senior Center, Salvation Army, Churches, Schools and individuals all pitching in to help one another with an eye especially toward those that would be gravely affected by this virus. Everyone thinking outside the box to keep our local small businesses operating. Curbside delivery available for salons, restaurants and stores. Mountain Yoga is renting out their spin bikes and taking all classes online, which I signed up for right away. Weight Watchers, churches, support groups all online too. The best part is it's our locals, online or at the curb or in the store. People we know and trust. People we want to protect. The same smiling faces that get us through the tougher days greet us on the easy ones. 

Maybe this general concern for one another isn't always evident, today it is everything.

Meredith Emmot

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, it feels strange to say that since it is so well controlled on a disease modifying drug. I realize I'm one of the lucky ones. RA is an autoimmune disorder and when it attacked me I knew something was systemically wrong. It wasn't just my joints but anything and everything was going wrong with my body. At the time Rick and I were doing a lot of bike riding and racing, we moved all of our riding to our tandem bike because sometimes the pain in my hands, wrist, shoulder was too severe to steer and brake for myself. After a few years we were invited to be on a tandem team on the Race Across America, by then my body had become so unpredictable I didn't think it was possible. Dr Meadows told me "time is our friend", he was right, a series of events led me to (rheumatologist) Dr Naguwa at UC Davis Medical Center and in January of 2011 after a few visits I asked Naguwa if he thought I would be able to do RAAM in June, he said "that shouldn't be a problem"! Sure enough, I did get to race with Team JDRF. 

Both my autoimmune and the medication I take require monitoring through lab test every 6 months. Enter Meredith Emmot at Banner Lassen Draw Station, What a resource. The location is convenient, open at 6:30 am, park right out front, friendly, clean, fast and it's like having your own personal Phlebotomist. Meredith has to draw like a gallon (perhaps a slight exaggeration) of blood from me for all the tests and I never feel a thing as she moves from one vial to another. The best. Meredith has been at Banner for 19 years of a career she began in 1992. Last year the Draw Station was closed for 6 weeks while she had shoulder surgery, I can't be the only one that felt some panic wondering why it was closed. I love that I don't have to walk through the hospital (where sick people have to go) to get labs PLUS if you have to fast you can get it over with at 6:30 am, for some folks mobility is an issue there are 2 spots right by the door and if someone needs, Meredith gets all of her things and (in her cute little Chuck Taylor's) goes out to the lot to do the lab right from their car. She's like that. So much experience, so much caring, as Meredith says "it's the little things". Truly it matters. There are locals that won't have their labs done unless Meredith can do them!

Lab results are posted to My Banner usually within 24 hours, I can sign in and click on any number to compare it to my past results. Dr Naguwa has a sign in his office, something about getting well won't happen without your participation. Banner Lassen and Meredith Emmot make it easy!

Meredith thanks for all you do to keep us Hometown Healthy!

Dania Tynan

"Some people get an adrenaline rush from surfing or sky diving, I get it from public speaking" ~ Dania Tynan, Future Business Leader of America, Checker Susanville Supermarket. IDK about you but I find public speaking frightening!


Store Director Todd Eid is constantly looking for new team members and he knows Lassen High Future Business Leaders of America is an excellent resource. In 2018 Todd made a call to FBLA advisor Dawn Egan and she highly recommended Dania. What a find. She has worked here for a year and a half now and I've always found her to be professional and super friendly with co-workers and customers BUT little did I know what a dynamo she really is. Basketball, Varsity Golf, yearbook editor, FFA, FBLA and interned at the City of Susanville for a bit learning how to write grants. Dania's dad always stressed the importance of communication and she listened, taking her first public speaking class in middle school. After an injury playing basketball Dania needed to go to a physical therapist and was helped so much by it she decided that is what she would like to become. Helping people is the goal for her. Dania's enthusiasm for FBLA, public speaking and the future are infectious.                                                      

Last week Dania came in to ask if we could take a picture together for the conclusion of a FBLA project. She finished in first place in the 2020 FBLA Northern Section Leadership Conference in the Interview category! This competition included everything pertaining to applying for a specific job the student would currently be qualified for; dress code, application, resume', interview and giving a public presentation. What a terrific thing to teach our kids, certainly something everyone could benefit from. We could not be prouder of the way she excelled and the way she carries herself every day in the workplace!


Thank you to FBLA for all you teach our LoCaL youth! Congratulations to our own Dania Tynan! You all make us so Hometown Proud!

LAW Caesar Dressing

Years ago some restaurants would make a table side Caesar salad, it was an art. Crushed garlic, olive oil, eggs, lemon, anchovies (Yes anchovies) all combine to make the perfect compliment to crispy romaine, shredded parm and croutons. I had all but given up finding the REAL thing in today's world. Then I tried Lassen Ale Works. Oh. My. I call ahead an order for this delectable salad from the LAW Boardroom, dressing on the side and swing by on the way home. 

I cannot believe owners Margaret and Erik were so generous to share the recipe. I know they're super generous when it comes to community involvement. So much goodness is hosted at both locations; Symphony, art, upcoming trail work, Rotary, Rick and I even had a 90th birthday party for a friend at the Boardroom. Delicious food, great ambiance, LAW   at the Pioneer and the Boardroom have it all. But recipes? This is a whole other territory. When I shared Grandma Stewart's Persimmon Cookie recipe one woman said her family would disown you for such a thing! A lot of well kept secrets out there. 

Erik is currently serving Lassen Land Trails Trust as President. Wouldn't it be awesome to put this Caesar Salad in a wrap and head out on one of our trails? Thanks to the work of LLTT and so many others you have tons of options! I stopped by the Depot and picked up a couple of maps AND nuggets of info about proposed extensions through Fredonyer, Westwood and even Lake Almanor. Be sure to check out what they have to offer plus LLTT always needs your support. 

Here is the Best Darn Caesar Dressing on the Planet courtesy of Lassen Ale Works~
2 tbs kosher salt
8 cloves garlic, smashed
24 anchovy filets, rinsed
1 cup egg yolks (14)
1/4 cup water, or as needed
Fresh ground pepper to taste
Combine yolks, salt, garlic, anchovies in a food processor, pulse until eggs are airy. Continue adding ingredients and processing as you go. Add vinegar and lemon juice. Slowly drizzle oil. Add water as needed when mixture gets too thick. 

You're gonna need to cut it down just a bit since it's restaurant size or better yet, let them make it for you!

LAW, thanks for all you do to make Lassen County fun, festive and DEEEElicious!

Clean Sweep

A healthy body requires more than one serving of fruits and veggies. More than one day of fresh air and exercise. More than one night of rest. Good health takes commitment, this is true regarding the health of our community too. The really great news is there is a lot of us doing the work. On February 6th we saw about 200 locals meet for the Susan river clean up. Businesses, students, teams, retirees, Sheriff, and the City of Susanville showed up with darn near the entire staff, including Police and Fire Department, C&S Waste brought dumpsters, Kirack Construction had heavy equipment to load debris. It was a beautiful thing. Tables with donated food and water for the volunteers were set up at Axia Home Loans. All the equipment needed, gloves, pickers, bags etc was supplied by the City. 

The Susan River flows from Silver and Caribou Lakes in the pristine Caribou Wilderness right through Hog and McCoy Flat then meanders along in Susanville before heading out to Honey Lake. This is our river. Leave it to our hometown to make cleaning it up a fun community event. I got to visit with quite a few folks I hadn't seen for a while. We were put in small groups, assigned to an area, helping one another move things up the banks, the pleasant company made the work go quickly. One person was sharing how back in the 90s they would fish right in the area we were cleaning. Nice. 

If you missed this event fear not, clean ups are scheduled throughout the year! Of course everyone can't show up every time but unlike diet and exercise we can tag team this. Maybe commit to a few dates and talk to friends and family about the doing the same. At first the task seemed insurmountable but now... totally doable. 

I want to name everyone that helped clean the river that day or in the past but I know I'll miss so many. Let me just say it was my Hometown Proud friends and family, doing what they do to keep our community healthy.  

Thank you all so much. See ya out there~

Frank and Martha

My first job in the grocery business was at Frank and Martha's Warner Street Grocery in Chico. Just a tiny 'Mom and Pop' with wood floors, creaky swinging door and a buzzer under the counter that rang through to Frank and Martha's home behind the store. Warner street leads right down to Chico State so the joint would be jumping during lunch, popular for store's offering of fresh made to order sandwiches, the line would be out the door. Neighborhood folks would come in and visit while they shopped too, no one seemed to mind waiting in line while I made sandwiches and checked people out. Now some 35ish years later, that's kinda what I do today! Susanville Market is a Mom and Pop store, serving it's community, visiting with locals, welcoming visitors to our town and feeding the people. We love what we do. 

Part of being in the grocery industry is learning what our customer's ever changing needs are and how other grocers are serving their communities. The times they are a-changin. Always. This means we go on store tours, LOTS of store tours. We get to see how stores are being reshaped, larger fresh food offerings, pre-cut produce, grab and go healthy choices, order online all things we have found successful and necessary to keep up with your needs. Since this is the ONLY store I shop I am oh-so-grateful to have this in my favorite store :)

On a recent road trip to Central Cal we discovered something as simple as turning the label on those big fat breakfast burritos we make fresh every single day (they are delish) showed how rotund those babies really are. Plus we came home with a tried and true sour dough starter for the Bakery shared with us by our friends at Valley Fresh in Solvang, they make an amazing assortment of bread we will be replicating! Even kept on ice that starter began growing and had to be divided before we got it home. It. Is. Alive! Plus ideas like, removing the shelf in our Deli case so it has more light, turn the rotisserie so you can see those chickens roasting, bakery cookie sandwiches, pie by the slice, signage and display ideas for produce, craft sodas... all ideas found in other independent supermarkets. I'm really excited about a few other ideas in the works that I'll be sharing with you as we get started, stay tuned! 

While we are out there on store tours we make sure to take in some of the beauty California has to offer. Tip to tail this State is magnificent. Honestly I had no idea this would be the career for me but I can't imagine anything I'd rather do. Being at the center of our fine community makes me Hometown Proud every day. 

TODD!!

I probably should be writing about Valentine's Day or President's Day but a VERY important day for Susanville Market just passed and must be recognized! This day does have to do with leadership and relationships so it speaks a bit to both holidays. 

On January 8th 2001 Todd Eid, wife Joyce and their two adorable young daughters moved to Susanville. He came to join our team at Susanville Market as our new Store Director. We could not have been luckier. Todd had lived in Clearlake since 1975, his first job was sorting bottles in a mom and pop grocery store at the age of 14. In 1979 he went to work for Foods Etc where he stayed for 22 years. When he left Foods he was their Grocery Manager. That's a full career of experience right there. 

Such an outgoing and friendly guy, Todd knew darn near everyone in Clearlake so it was tough for him to be new in town. I just love to tell this part of the story: after the move Todd would stand in his front yard and wave enthusiastically at neighbors as they came home from work, he did this every day until they (perhaps just wore down) waved back :). When he wanted to meet the people next door Todd kicked soccer ball over the fence and said "come on kids, let's go meet the neighbor!". That's how he is. He brings friendship, loyalty, caring, hard work and extensive business knowledge to our Ville. Deeply involved with the community through Rotary, College Foundation, LAFCO, County Fair Board, School Site Council.... I know there are others. 

Todd has a whole bunch of outdoor experience too, barefoot water skiing, skydiving, golfing, hiking, mountain climbing, bungee jumping, bike riding, scuba diving (Dive Master) and he's a pilot. Todd says he knew Lassen County was THE place to live for outdoor activities. His latest activity is being a grandpa and THIS makes his whole world brighter!

It wasn't long at all until Todd became a fixture in our store and our community. So many young people have learned their work ethic through him. We couldn't be prouder to have him as our Store Director and as our friend. 

Thank you Todd Eid for making us the Hometown Proud Supermarket we are! You're the BEST in the business!

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

Hometown Healthy Jim

When I come to work in the morning I like to walk the store and get all those warm fuzzy "good morning" greetings. The crew never fails to get me smiling and motivated. Wonderful way to start each work day. Stopping by the Meat Department to swap recipes with Manager Jim Griswold is enlightening. That guy eats and cooks so healthy! Lean protein and veggies, just what I aspire to. Today I had to tell him how incredible the wild cod from his meat case was. I cut it in small strips, pressed it into cornmeal and slowly browned the filets in olive oil. AMAZING! He said he has raised his family on that wild cod and they all love it. 

An avid hunter and fisherman, Jim really appreciates 'wild' food sources and the outdoors. Staying in good shape matters. Jim hunts with his sons and grandson, they frequently ride in the quad while he prefers to walk. He beats them back to the truck too. How does he do it? The old fashioned way of course, healthy diet and exercise. AND cutting across where the quad can't go :) 

Hiking is Jim's exercise of choice. Ranch Park's Heart Attack Hill all the way to The View on weekdays then further to Rocky Top on the weekends. He also really likes the trails on Bald Mountain which can be accessed off Byer's Pass rd. BLM has MILES of trail up there and is constantly adding more, plus on a clear day in January you're in the full sun the whole time. Nice. During his walks he clears his head. Jim says he's a much nicer guy because of it :) Isn't that the truth? If we take a little time for ourselves, get a good workout (especially outdoors), drop all that stuff we carry around in our heads, it makes all the difference. This way of living has spread through his family too. Everyone is eating healthier because Jim loves to cook. Sometimes his wife Tammie or daughter Kalee will join him on a hike, what a great way to spend time with family. 

Great job Jim! Thanks for reminding me to stay Hometown Healthy!

Broccoli CHEEEEESE Soup

This is soup season! Soup is the perfect cold weather food. I can freeze some, eat some now, heat some for a snack and fill a thermos to take out in the woods! That last part is the best. Outside, chilled, hiking, adventuring and then opening that thermos to the warm steamy aroma. Mmmmm. Since our Produce Butchers- John, Marie and Matt are making assorted meal starters I find myself shopping this section first. Lots of options for making stir fry, soup or casseroles. The chopping is done for me and I get just the right amount of each item, no waste. 

The other day Marie had cut broccoli and green onions, seemed like just the right combo for Broccoli Cheese soup! I get intimidated by recipes that have too many ingredients.  Too much time and mess. So I kept it simple. BIG fan of simple. Cheese soup can be tricky and I've made every mistake in the book...just so you don't have to. If the cheese gets too hot the soup will look curdled (still tastes fine), you can use processed cheese which holds up better but I like the bite of cheddar. Cook the broccoli until it is soft before running through the blender or it will be gritty. Take the center out of the blender lid and hold a towel over the hole, the hot soup expands and will blow broccoli guts all over the place if you don't. Yeah. I did that. I found that it's much easier to use an immersion blender if you have one. No extra dishes or possible volcanic soup eruptions. 

This recipe is just 5 ingredients not counting (lots) of salt and pepper. It makes a BIG pot of soup.
Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup
64 oz Low Sodium Chicken Broth
16 oz Tillamook Triple Cheddar
1 Pint Half and Half
1 tbs Chopped Garlic
1 most excellent Broccoli chop (with onion or asparagus or whatever would all be excellent)
Lotsa salt and pepper

In a large soup pot combine veggies, garlic and broth, simmer for around 10 minutes or until largest pieces of broccoli are tender. On the lowest possible heat begin adding cream, stirring in until hot through. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and add cheese, stir until melted. Here you can either run half at a time in a blender, with a towel on top to avoid the explosion thingy or use and immersion blender right in the pot. Either way it's gonna be so delicious!

I like to add a little something on top for color and texture; croutons, bacon, cheese, nuts or this little McCormick assortment, all make a great topping. 

Load up and head out to the woods with a thermos full of this and I promise you'll be glad you did!

A&W

We are fortunate to have an opportunity to be a lot of teenager's first job. It's an honor. Young people learn how to interview, dress for work, interact with the public and co-workers. As I've said before, many of those kids shop in our store with their children now.  That sense of continuity and community is really something to be present for. 

Local merchants have been doing this for, like, EVER. I was just talking to our retired Frito Lay driver, Kim Erb, and had no idea he had owned the Susanville A&W. The restaurant was built in 1961, purchased by Kim's parents in '65, Kim bought it from his dad in '72 and owned it until '88. My friend, Jim Chapman says when he was a kid if you could scrape together enough change to get an A&W root beer in a frosted mug that was the "holy grail of kid-dom". Kids would cruise Main, which only went from the Elks to A&W at that time, and A&W was the spot to meet. It was iconic.  The carhops even worked on roller skates originally! Too cool.

I can't imagine how many kids had their first job with the Erbs. When Kim sold the restaurant he went to work for Frito Lay and had a 25 year career as a driver. Hard worker. He shared that work ethic with an awful lot of young people, like Dana Hirsche, retired owner of Leslie's Jewelry~

"I was there after the roller skate era but I was a carhop. I worked there for 5 years! (1976-1981) Starting in high school and while I attended Lassen College. The Erb’s were the best bosses ever to put up with all us teenagers! We gave them a run for their money. I attribute my parents and the Erb’s for my strong work ethic. My lifelong girlfriends that I have now are because I worked there. Several years ago we talked about an A&W reunion and we made a list of people who worked there. The list was so long. They employed so many people over the years. It was a great first job." 

Both Dana and Kim continue to work hard to serve their community even in retirement. That kind of dedication never goes away.

Pretty nice to know you instilled a lifelong work ethic in someone. Thank you to the Erb family for teaching a whole lotta kids to be Hometown Proud.