This large, colorful art glass window, which is located above a set of stairs, is one of the mausoleum’s most notable art pieces. Photo by Lance Armstrong

Editor’s Note: This is part five in a series about the rich history of and associated with East Sacramento’s award-winning East Lawn Memorial Park.

Since its earliest years in the 1920s, the mausoleum at East Lawn Memorial Park has attracted attention for its size, beauty and functionality. And part of the attraction to the building is its artwork.
The most popular portion of this structure’s artwork is its 56 stained glass windows.
Forty-eight of these windows are located in the older corridors of the main building and most of the windows have garden or flower themes.
The largest of these windows are the three 6 ½-foot by 10-foot windows that are located in the south corridor.

At the lower part of the Clunie window, which was made by the Pearson Art Glass Co. in Portland, Ore., are the words: “The spring of hope flows eternal.” Photo by Lance Armstrong

Craig Peterson, manager of East Lawn Memorial Park, recently discussed various details about these artistic glass pieces.
In regard to the rich colors of these windows, Peterson said, “The process of creating the windows included paint mixed with ground glass that was painted onto glass and fired at 1,200 degrees. That process was repeated several times to get the right color, the right intensity that the artist wished to have.”
And after being asked who created these notable art pieces, Peterson explained that although East Lawn has various information pertaining to that topic, the cemetery’s management continues to seek specific historical details about the windows in order to answer that question in its entirety.
“We had a local appraiser (Sylvia M. Fitzgerald) come in to appraise the glass for our insurance company and this was about 10 years ago,” Peterson said. “At that time, she didn’t find any type of identification on the windows. She thought they looked kind of Tiffany style and she said she would try to do some research and find out more about the windows. A few years back, she was appraising one of the homes here in East Sac in the Fabulous Forties and she found this window. She said, ‘It looks like an East Lawn window.’ So, she asked the man (Karl DeMund Pape), who was selling the house, if he knew anything about the windows in the house. He said, ‘Oh, my grandfather (Clarence DeMund Todd) made them.’ And he said that his grandfather also made the windows here at East Lawn. Additionally, he sent us a biography about his grandfather.”
Part of the biography, which appears in the 1923 book, “History of Sacramento County, California,” reads: “(Todd) engaged in lampshade work following his high art trade in Philadelphia and also in New York, where he had a good fortune to be associated with Mssrs. Tiffany & Co.”
The biography also mentions that Todd moved to Sacramento in 1912.
About a year later, Todd established his business, Sacramento Art Glass Works, which for the latter half of its years was located at 1610 J St. The business closed in 1936 and Todd passed away six years later at the age of 55.
In regard to some of the notable projects of the company, the 1923 biography refers to the business as having supplied glass and glasswork for St. Elizabeth Portuguese Catholic Church, the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the local Presbyterian and Wesleyan churches, and art glass and metal lights in many Sacramento area homes.
The biography also noted that Todd handled the W.P. Fuller Co. glasswork in Northern California and Nevada, and “contracted for all the art glass required for certain storefronts in town.”
In his own writings about his grandfather, Pape noted that Todd created the art glass windows in the old Alhambra Theatre.

This stained glass piece, which is located at the east end of the mausoleum’s East Corridor, is one of the building’s largest art pieces. Photo by Lance Armstrong

“I remember my grandmother taking me to the Alhambra Theatre and getting in free,” Pape wrote. “She had a lifetime pass from my grandfather’s work.”
Pape, whose grandfather and parents are entombed at East Lawn Memorial Park, also noted that his grandfather created the glasswork for the light towers that were located on the 16th Street Bridge prior to its widening in the 1960s.
Peterson explained that he eventually made an interesting discovery related to the mausoleum’s stained glass windows.
“I was digging through an old file cabinet in the (mausoleum’s) tower and I found all of these letters from the Pearson Art Glass Co. in Portland, Ore., and they talk about the windows,” Peterson said. “Here’s one that deals with the Clunie window. In that letter and in some of the other letters, he references Mr. Todd here locally. But from what I can tell, Clarence Todd did the measurements and installed the windows in the family rooms on the north side of the east and west corridors. These windows were made in Portland, Ore. and were shipped down here.”
Unfortunately, for history’s sake, East Lawn has not discovered any paperwork in its own archives pertaining to the manufacturers of its other stained glass windows, including any Todd-made windows.
The aforementioned letters, which were a correspondence between Pearson and East Lawn manager Frank Seymour Baillie, also note that Pearson and Todd were working together on a stained glass process that they referred to as “etchwood.”
In pondering Todd and Pearson’s careers, Peterson said, “One question I have is did Clarence Todd and Mr. Pearson work together with Tiffany in New York and come out here, one going to Portland and one coming to Sacramento? The windows were painted and made in Portland, but as several glass people have stated when they came in here to give us bids on repairing the glass, these look like Tiffany windows. The colorful reds, the styles of how they’re painted, everything looks Tiffany-esque. So, if (the windows) were actually made in Portland, did Pearson also work with Tiffany? We don’t know, but that’s a guess.”

Artist Bob Thrall won East Lawn’s logo contest for this pen and ink drawing in about 1929. Photo by Lance Armstrong

Peterson also speculated that Todd and Pearson may have been introduced to each other by Portland, Ore. resident Ernest M. Welch, president of the Welch Holding Co., which purchased East Lawn Cemetery in the mid-1920s.
Also located in the mausoleum are 15 pen and ink drawings, two charcoal drawings and three watercolor artworks that all have East Lawn themes.
The pen and ink drawings were created for a contest in about 1929.
The winner of the contest, which was designed to establish a replacement logo for East Lawn’s original unlit candle logo, was Bob Thrall.
However, for some reason, a non-contest art piece was used as East Lawn’s then-new logo.
Thrall, who submitted two drawings in the contest, was awarded $25 for his winning entry. He later attended the University of California, Berkeley.
Receiving the $15 second place award was Richard Dodge, who submitted four drawings.
Dodge, who became a printmaker and painter and exhibited his artworks in Sacramento and Oakland, attended Los Angeles’ Art Center School (today’s Art Center College of Design) and the Art Academy of Cincinnati.
The contest’s third place winner was Charles Bell, who was awarded $10.
Bell, who submitted three drawings, studied art at Sacramento Junior College (today’s Sacramento City College) in the 1930s before becoming a noted residential and commercial builder.
Another art student at the college was George Labadie, who submitted three drawings in the contest.
Labadie attended Los Angeles’ Chouinard Art Institute – a school that merged into the California Institute of Arts in 1969 – and later became an art director of an advertising agency.
The remaining artists who submitted drawings in the contest were Irene Ough, Earl Lightfoot and Norman Neilsen.
Peterson said that, unfortunately, East Lawn has no knowledge of the history of the cemetery’s three watercolor and two charcoal drawings.
And he added that although East Lawn is unaware of the history of the mausoleum’s two oil paintings, it is known that the paintings were created by William F. Jackson (1850-1936), who resided at 1622 G St. and served as the first curator of the E.B. Crocker Art Gallery – today’s Crocker Art Museum.
The paintings, which measure 31 ¾ inches x 26 ½ inches and 15 ½ inches by 21 inches, depict meadow lake and mountain scenes in the Sierra Nevada.
In reflecting upon the cemetery’s art collection, Peterson said, “(East Lawn, Inc. President) Alan Fisher and the senior management of East Lawn consider it a privilege to be the current custodians of this treasured collection of artwork.”

Jade and Edmund Abay in the Pocket Bistro. Photo courtesy Pocket Bistro.

In December, Pocket residents Edmund and Jade Abay will celebrate the second anniversary of the opening of their restaurant, the Pocket Bistro.

Edmund says over the past two years, the restaurant has become a community fixture, making it a “meeting place for the community” where guests constantly run into people they know. “We give the community a place to call their own – if you live here in the Pocket, you know where Pocket Bistro is,” he adds.

This is one of the things long-time Pocket residents Marina and Jeff Armbruster love about the Pocket Bistro. The couple says they see people they know all the time at the restaurant. “It’s a neighborhood place,” Marina adds. The Armbrusters also enjoy the “friendly bar atmosphere” and “wonderful” food, especially the clam chowder.

The Opportunity

The Abays had always dreamed of owning their own restaurant as both have experience in the restaurant industry.

Originally from the Bay Area, Edmund had received a degree from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco in 1995, and then worked for a variety of restaurants in Washington, the Bay Area and Sacramento, from private-owned bistros to chains like Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

Jade grew up in the Greenhaven Pocket area, having attended Genevieve Didion K-8 School and Sam Brannan Middle School. She says she worked at various restaurants all through high school and college, focusing on the front of the house duties such as bartending, serving, hostessing, and training serving staff.

Now raising their children in the Pocket since 2003, the Abays found themselves with an opportunity to make that dream a realty in their own community. “We felt there was a need in the neighborhood for (somewhere) the community (could) go to have a good meal, have a cocktail or a nice glass of wine, and not have to go all the way downtown,” Edmund says.

The Food

For the menu at the Pocket Bistro, Edmund says his motto is to keep it simple, straightforward, and good. That starts with the ingredients – Edmund says he looks for the best quality at the best price so he can give his customers the best value.

Additionally, he strives to satisfy the tastes of the various ethnicities in the Pocket through the menu. “We have a large Asian community, we have a large Portuguese community, there’s a lot of meat and potatoes out there,” Edmund explains. He says he tries to satisfy all the diverse tastes through a smaller menu with specials that help add variety.

Asian marinated skirt steak from the Pocket Bistro. Photo courtesy Pocket Bistro.

Edmund says some of the popular items on the menu include the braised short ribs and the skirt steak that he says is marinated in an Asian “sweet soy” marinade. Scallops, halibut, rib-eye and prime rib are popular items occasionally on the specials menu.

In addition to its lunch and dinner menus, the Pocket Bistro now offers a brunch on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering items such as salmon eggs benedict, biscuits and gravy, and omelets. “We wanted a place on Sunday where you can enjoy brunch and not have to go all the way to downtown or to Elk Grove,” Edmund says.

And for the sweet tooth, Pocket Bistro offers a dessert menu with all items made in house and from scratch by a pastry chef. “We wanted to stay away from purchasing outside of the restaurant for our desserts and keep everything in house – that was very important to me to make sure that we try to make everything in house,” Edmund says. And he says again items on the dessert menu – such as the coconut bread pudding – reflect the various tastes of the Pocket community.

The Community

When developing the menus for the Pocket Bistro, the Abays also decided to include a kids’ menu. “In the Pocket, there are so many young families with children, (and) ourselves, we have three young kids,” Edmund says. “We wanted to also give the value there for the kids.”

Kids can choose from a kid-friendly item like chicken tenders or grilled cheese, plus they receive a potato, vegetable, drink and dessert. All of this is served on a ceramic “TV dinner tray,” which Edmund says gives it a unique twist.

For first-time Pocket Bistro diner Michelle Miranda, the kids’ menu offered her a “good value to enjoy dinner together” with her husband, two children and dining companion Anna San Juan, who was the one who had suggested they dine at the Pocket Bistro that evening.

San Juan describes the Pocket Bistro as a convenient, family place that offers “nice dinner cuisine” in the middle of the neighborhood. Both Miranda and San Juan plan to come back to the Pocket Bistro.

Additionally, Jade says they feel they give the Pocket community “somewhere they can take their friends and family to eat when they’re in town – they don’t have to go all the way to downtown.”

Pocket resident Loretta Manfre agrees. A frequent diner at the Pocket Bistro, on this particular evening she was happy to have a place to take her friend visiting from Saratoga. Manfre says the Pocket Bistro “brings upscale dining” to the neighborhood, which is “something we have needed for a long time.” Yet, she says it’s still “casual enough you can just call and walk in.”

The Future

So what does the future hold for the Pocket Bistro?

In the near future, the Abays plan to expand offering brunch to Saturday as well as Sunday. Edmund plans to expand the menu a bit more by adding some specials that have proved to be very popular. “That’s what we’ve been doing over the last couple of years, you find out what the community is responding to – is it more seafood, is it more meat,” he explains.

And Jade says they plan on keeping things fresh, fun and exciting to “keep everybody on their toes.” “We don’t want anybody to get bored, so we definitely have ideas for the future,” she adds.

A Mackerel Festival was held on Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Sacramento Portuguese Holy Spirit Society, located at 6676 Pocket Rd. Kids activities included grape stomping and games. For more information, call 997-5074.

Volunteers worked hard to clean up Pocket Canal on Sept. 8 at Portuguese Park, located at 7350 Durfee Way. Some raked leaves, and trimmed bushes and trees, while others picked up trash along the waterway.

Editor’s Note: This is part two of a two-part series regarding the history of the Pocket’s Antone Silva and Joao Luiz Silva families.
In continuing the story of Antone L. Silva and his wife, Maria (Mary), who had seven children, the couple’s son, Anthony “Tony” L. Silva was raised to work on his father’s farm along with his brother, Joseph.
As is typical for farm workers, Tony began his daily routine very early, as he would regularly milk the cows by lantern light at 5:30 a.m.
Upon returning from school each day, Tony fed the farm animals and once again milked the cows.
With his busy schedule, Tony, who was born in the Pocket on Nov. 25, 1906, often remained active for 16 hours per day.
Despite his hard work on the farm, Tony’s thoughts were more on music than his work at hand. This mindset eventually led to friction with his father.
Music and friction
At that time, one of the sons of a farmer would be destined to take over the family farm after the father’s retirement or demise. This tradition was far from Tony’s desired intentions.
In 1925, Tony moved to San Francisco, where he lived for several years and held various jobs, while Joseph and his father worked on the ranch.
As a young man, one of Tony’s interests was the cowboy life and he would often dress in cowboy attire.
His love for dressing in this manner led to his acquisition of the nickname, “Tom Mix.” Tom Mix was a popular Western movie star of the day. He appeared in nearly 300 films from 1909 to 1935.
To this day, people who remember Tony refer to him as “Tom Mix,” since there has been multiple Tony Silvas in the history of the Pocket.

Sacramento and music
After returning to the farm from San Francisco, Tony began to have music take command of his life.
His venture into music began through his singing lessons with well-known Sacramento vocalist Evangeline Baker.
Through his lessons with Baker, he gained the confidence to perform in recitals and various special occasions.
Tony’s confidence as a singer grew much greater when, in 1937, he won two amateur singing contests that were conducted by Sacramento radio station KROY 1240 AM.
After winning these contests, Tony began singing on a weekly KROY program called “Ecos of Portugal.”
It was through this radio program that he eventually met his future wife, Marie Furtado, who emigrated from the Azorean island of Flores when she was very young.

Singing sweethearts
Both Marie and Tony performed as vocalists on the KROY program, which was conducted by Maria Cabral.
As Tony and Marie became sweethearts, they would sing popular songs in dedication to one another, with Marie singing, “Amor,” and Tony singing, “You Belong to My Heart.”
They personally recorded these songs, which were (much) later transferred to compact disc.
In addition to her solo performances on KROY, Marie also performed on the station with her Portuguese friends, Lillian Rose and Muriel Quintel.
This popular trio, which was known as “The Three Musketeers,” also sang on a weekly Portuguese musical program on the Stockton, CBS-affiliated radio station, KGDM.
Eventually, Tony and Marie were married in Sacramento on Sept. 13, 1941.

Married with children
After their marriage, the couple moved into a home at 2648 17th Street.
While at this address, Tony and Marie’s first child, Antoinette, was born.
After the death of his father, Tony and his family moved back to the old Pocket ranch, where he resided with his family in his parent’s two-story home, which was built by Manuel Valine, a local contractor who was known as “Calisto.”
It was there that Tony and Marie’s second child, Timothy, was born.
In 1949, the family moved into the smaller house on the property.
Five years later, a new house was built for Tony and Marie at 7330 Pocket Road on the corner of the property between his father’s ranch and his uncle John’s ranch.
The Tony Silva family continued to reside in this house until 1970, at which time the house was sold, along with part of the farm. The family then purchased a house at 6745 Harmon Drive.

Return to the ranch
Following the death of Tony’s mother on Feb. 4, 1971, Tony and Marie returned to the big farmhouse on the old Antone Silva ranch.
A year following the Dec. 10, 1984 death of Marie, Tony sold the old farmhouse and the accompanying property.
Selling historic farmlands in the Pocket was a common thing in those days, as farms were being sold for the redevelopment of the area.
This redevelopment marked the end of the era for pioneer Portuguese farming families.
After selling his home, Tony moved into an assisted living facility on Riverside Boulevard, near Florin Road.
A second marriage
Tony, who was elected to the board of directors of the Portuguese Historical and Cultural Society in 1990, was eventually involved in a brief second marriage.
Following his second marriage, Tony moved to Citrus Heights, where he began attending dances at the Moose Lodge.
At these dances, he met Martha Prater, whom he began dating.
Tony and Martha also enjoyed dancing to a combo at The Big Yellow House, a restaurant which was located at 1788 Tribute Road, near Cal Expo.
At this restaurant, Tony and Martha, who was also a soloist, would sing to the music until the late hours of the night.
A sad moment in Tony’s life occurred in 2003, when Martha made the decision to move to Missouri to reside with her family.
Following Martha’s departure, Tony moved into an assisted living facility in Walnut Creek to be close to his daughter, Antoinette.
Musical tradition continues
Tony’s relationship with Antoinette was especially strong, since she had also developed talents as a musician.
For instance, during her youth, Antoinette sang with the Music Circus ensemble.
In 2006, Tony became a centenarian and Antoinette and Timothy and their families celebrated the occasion with a party that was held at the Lafayette Park Hotel in Walnut Creek.
Tony maintained his involvement in music as a vocalist for The Snappy Cats, a group that dressed in decorative costumes and featured piano, kazoos, tambourine and vocals. The group added to their performances with puppets.
Tony later became a resident of Atria Senior Living.
A full life
For Tony’s 101st birthday, a celebration was held at Atria, and a San Jose-based Hispanic television station arrived at the party and filmed an interview with Tony and a performance by The Snappy Cats. The station later aired the recording.
As a sign of Tony and his group’s popularity, more than 100 people attended the gathering.
After a full life, Tony passed away from an age-related illness at the age of 102 on Aug. 19, 2009.
And at his services, the recording of Tony singing, “You Belong to My Heart,” was played.

Editor’s Note: This is part one of a two-part series regarding the history of the Antone “Tony” Luiz Silva and Joao “John” Luiz Silva families and their descendents.

Among the many early Portuguese families of the Pocket area were the Antone “Tony” Luiz Silva and Joao “John” Luiz Silva families.

Both Tony and John, who were brothers, immigrated to the United States from Topo, Sao Jorge Island in the Azores Islands of Portugal. The brothers’ original surname was Avila, but they acquired the surname, Silva, after arriving in the U.S.

Tony was the first to arrive
The first of these immigrants was Tony, who arrived in America at the age of 17, and joined his brother, Joseph, who was herding sheep in Inyo County, around Lone Pine and Bishop.

In that county, Tony worked for two separate wages. One of these wages was $1 per day and for another employer, he was paid with food. However, Tony was not content working for food and after three days, using his broken English, he asked to be paid $3. The employer responded by giving Tony three kicks in his rear and ordering him off his property.

After leaving Inyo County, Tony, who was known to sign his name, “A.L. Silva,” because of his illiteracy in English, went to Sacramento County and became employed at the Elk Grove Winery in Elk Grove.

He then went to the Grant area in today’s Carmichael area and worked on a hay bailing press and farmed hay and grain.

Tony and Mary meet
While in the Grant area, Tony met his future wife, Maria “Mary” Nevis, who was born in the Azorean island of Terceira on Aug. 5, 1881. Mary had then-recently immigrated to the Pocket with her cousin, Vera Bettencourt, and lived with one of the two Costa families of that area.

Tony and Mary were married – most likely at the St. Joseph Church in Freeport/today’s Clarksburg – in April 1899.

In about 1902, Tony and Mary moved to the Freeport area, where Tony farmed and had a small dairy, adjacent to where John also farmed and operated a dairy.

Together Tony and Mary had seven children, Mary, Joseph L., Olive, Rose, Hazel, Anthony and the first-born Rose, who died in infancy. As a father, Tony acquired the nickname, “Lavafraldas,” which indicated the “washing of diapers.”

One day, one of Tony’s friends was driving by his home and observed Tony hanging up his children’s diapers on the outside line next to his house. The friend rolled down the window of his vehicle and shouted, ‘Oh, Antone Lavafraldas.’ This name became Tony’s nickname and remained with him for the rest of his life.

Tony and Mary settle down in Pocket
Sometime after the 1904 Edwards Break, which flooded the Sacramento side of the Sacramento River, mostly south of Sutterville Road, Tony purchased 102 acres of swamp land in the Pocket.

Before Tony could even begin to farm this land, the property had to be drained of its river water seepage and cleared of tules and brush.

It was also on this property that, in 1909, Tony had a 10-room Victorian constructed for him by Manuel Valine, a contractor who was known as “Calisto.” As a protection against flooding, Calisto built the home on a knoll.

In order to continue his work as a dairyman, Tony established a dairy on his Pocket property. The property also included a large orchard and a family vegetable plot.

In about the early 1920s, Japanese families began residing in the Pocket area and, in many cases, leased land from Portuguese farmers. It was during this early period that Tony leased his Pocket property to Saichi Hironaka, who was an American citizen. Hironaka then subleased the property in three parts to the Tanaka, Ishimoto and Shirai families.

In 1934, Tony acquired an additional 100 acres from Joe Rico.

Tony passed away on Jan. 30, 1945 and his entire property remained with his family in the ownership of his widow.

What became of the property
From the early 1960s through the mid-1980s, Tony’s former property was sold at different times in individual sections for the residential redevelopment of the Pocket.

Twelve acres of Tony’s former Pocket property was donated in 1960 to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento for the construction of a new church and parochial school. These 12 acres were exchanged for a 5-acre site on Florin Road, where the church was built and named St. Anthony Church in memory of Tony.

John immigrates to America
Tony’s previously mentioned brother, John, who was born on Jan. 10, 1879, immigrated to America in 1896. He arrived in New Bedford, Mass., where two of his sisters resided and then lived with them there for some time before joining Tony in California.

John was later hired to work at the Sacramento Brick Co. on Riverside Road (now Riverside Boulevard). He maintained this employment for several years.

On Dec. 17, 1904, John married a 20-year-old, Faial, Azores Islands-born woman named Inacia “Nancy” Silva at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. For their honeymoon, the couple traveled on a riverboat to San Francisco.

After returning to the Sacramento area, John and Nancy settled on rented property that was owned by the Glide family on Babel Slough in Yolo County. On this property, John operated a dairy with his brother, Tony.

The brothers grew alfalfa for feeding their cows and potato and beans to feed their families, which included John and Inacia’s eight children who were born on this property. Altogether, John and Inacia’s family included nine children: Mary, John L., Jr., Madeline, Tony, Anna, Joaquim (“King”), Manuel, Dolores and Emily.

In 1916, John purchased about 100 acres in the Pocket area from Frank Rico. Included with this purchase were two houses, three barns and a large orchard, which was located between the houses. Orange trees were among the trees of this orchard.

Also within John’s Pocket property were various crops, including alfalfa, beans, potatoes, tomatoes, sugar beets, spinach and milo.

John farmed his property into the 1950s, at which time he retired and his sons continued the operation of the farm.

Just prior to John’s death on July 7, 1970, part of his acreage was sold to developers.
Nancy died on Dec. 3, 1976, and the remaining part of the property was sold by her family in 1979.

It has been nearly seven decades since former Land Park resident John Kanelos served as the lead radio operator aboard a Consolidated B-24J Liberator warplane. But he will soon be at the radio controls of one of these classic American heavy bombers once again.

JOHN KANELOS, former Land Park resident of 15 years, shows off a photograph of himself from his war days in 1943. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Lance Armstrong

During World War II, John, 88, was a member of the 15th Air Force, 450th Bombardment Group, which flew out of southern Italy. Altogether he flew with the group in 57 missions.

Because of his experience aboard this bomber, John, who presently lives in Elk Grove, was selected to participate in a living history event on Friday, June 1.

On that date, John will be traveling aboard an original B-24J that will leave Stockton at noon, fly above McClellan Airfield, then land at McClellan at 1 p.m.

This flight is part of the Wings of Freedom Tour, which will also feature a North American P-51 Mustang and a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.

And as a special, previously unannounced bonus, a German Messerschmitt will also be on display at McClellan.

John said that his cousin, Jack Stavros, a 90-year-old, former flight instructor, will be a passenger aboard the P-51.

Considering that John is the only member of his crew who resides in the greater Sacramento area, his presence at the event is one of both convenience and honor.

Vanishing breed

Certainly John’s firsthand stories of his wartime involvement aboard these bombers are of increasing value as the number of living World War II veterans continues to diminish.

Evidence of this fact was well presented last week during John’s meeting with this publication.

While holding a 1943 photograph of his bomber crew, John said, “The only two (people) alive out of the whole crew are (the pilot Fred “Pick”) Pickering and me.”

John Kanelos poses on the wing of an American Bell P-39 Airacobra in 1943. The photograph was taken in the Italian city of Manduria. / Photo courtesy, John Kanelos

Continuing, he ran his finger along the old, faded photograph, stopping at various faces to provide commentary.

“(Pickering) is a Sacramento boy,” John said. “This is my pilot right here, Fred Pickering.”

And moving his finger to other faces, he said, “This is the guy who got blown up in the plane. He’s gone. This guy is dead. This guy is (dead), too. And so is this guy.”

With his crew, John was stationed in southern Italy from 1943 to 1945 and participated in missions in Romania, Greece, Italy, Germany, Yugoslavia and North Africa.

John, who grew up in the old town of Florin and graduated from Elk Grove High School in 1943, acknowledged that he was one of the fortunate military men to return home alive.

Close calls

His most notable near-death experience occurred when he came within inches of being killed.

“I caught a 20-millimeter (cannon round),” John said. “We were flying at 28,000 feet and I saw the shell leave the plane – I was in the radio room, sitting right behind the co-pilot – and that 20 millimeter came up right through the bottom of the plane between my legs and left a (large) hole (in the top of the plane) when it went out. It was a dud. It didn’t explode. We were lucky. I think about it today and I shudder.”

Of the 20 planes that participated in that mission, John said that 15 planes returned.

During a separate mission, John survived another dramatic incident, in which his plane was hit by a 20-millimeter cannon round that knocked out its number three engine and caught on fire above the Adriatic Sea.

Both John and Pickering said that, of their 57 missions, there were only five missions in which they were never hit by enemy fire.

Deadly mission

An incident that has vividly remained in John’s mind since his war days was witnessing the death of a new squadron member during the bombing of the Ploesti (spelled Ploiești in Romanian) oil fields.

“We made some (bomb) runs over Ploiești, Romania and I was the only one who could break radio silence, because my pilot was a full bird colonel,” John said. “And when we were heading toward the target, we had 40 planes on the squadron and in Ploiești, we lost six planes over the target. And we lost a (squadron) member. He was 18 years old and on his first mission. And I saw him get a direct hit right over the target. The 24 is a good-sized plane. When they got hit, we had three 2,000 pounders on it and that plane went up just like you’d light a firecracker. That plane disappeared and he lost his life on his very first mission.”

Stateside adventure

In addition to his overseas wartime experiences, John shared details about his pre-European military days, including a crucial moment that could have prevented him from ever making it to Europe.

ONE HUNDRED MISSIONS. The 15th Air Force, 450th Bombardment Group pose in front of a Consolidated B-24J Liberator warplane. / Photo courtesy, John Kanelos

“We were out at (Edwards Air Force Base on the border of Los Angeles and Kern counties) and they said, ‘Okay, you guys are flying out tomorrow and you’re going overseas, but you cannot call your parents or anything,’” John recalled. “So, that night, we flew from Hamilton Field (near Novato) to Amarillo, Tex. When we got into Amarillo at about six in the evening, it was dark and it was raining, drizzling. We landed there and I and a buddy of mine, we got out and I called my folks (Andrew and Thomasina Kanelos) and I said, ‘I’m not supposed to tell you, but we’re going overseas.’ The next morning, we got up and headed for Stewart Field in New York to the military academy. It was about five or six in the evening when we ran out of fuel over Wilkes-Barre, Pa. We made an emergency landing. My pilot, who was a colonel, he said, ‘Look around and see if we have a small base here that you can contact.’ So, I picked up a base there and I told them, ‘This is Army, B-24 and we’re headed overseas and we’re out of fuel and we want to make an emergency landing.’ And the guy said, ‘Man, you’re crazy. The biggest thing we’ve had land here was a Piper Cub. You can’t land on this field.’ I said, ‘We’re coming in.’ I remember coming in over some cornfields and there were some people picking corn and it was drizzling. Well, when we hit the runway, our wheels were on the outer edge of the runway. The only thing that stayed on the runway was the nose wheel. We came in at about 200 miles an hour and we landed in a canal and the whole front end dug down, nose into the canal. So, we were lucky we got out of there all right. People from the town came out. I think there were about 200 or 300 people there.”

Portuguese connection

John added that shortly after leaving to the United States, his crew lost a generator and had to make another emergency landing in the island of Faial in the Azores Islands of Portugal.

The crew soon afterward made another emergency landing in South Africa.

During a telephone interview last week, Pickering, 90, who grew up in Fair Oaks, attended San Juan High School and now resides in the state of Washington, was asked to comment about John’s work as a radio operator.

“He was a damn good radio operator,” Pickering said. “He didn’t cause me a bit of trouble. He knew what to do all the time.”

Fear of flight

Pickering noted, however, that when it came to flying, John never felt comfortable in any of the missions.

“He told me that he was scared all the time,” Pickering said. “I said, ‘Okay, I’ll protect you.’”

In discussing his fear of flying, John, who was married four times in his life, but had no children, said, “I never did care to fly. I later flew to Hawaii with my wife at the time on four occasions and I never liked any of (the flying).”

Nonetheless, as he did during his military days, John will ignore his fear of flying and board a B-24J, and land at McClellan Airfield, where he is expected to be greeted by a crowd of friends, aviation enthusiasts and other spectators.

For additional information regarding the Wings of Freedom Tour, call (800) 568-8924 or visit the Web site www.cfdn.org.

The historical St. Elizabeth Portuguese National Church building at 1817 12th Street has been a part of the Sacramento community for nearly a century. And throughout the existence of the church, many residents of the Riverside-Pocket area have been members of this parish.

Prior to St. Elizabeth’s founding, many Portuguese in the Riverside-Pocket area attended Masses and other religious services at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament at 11th and K streets, St. Rose Parish at 7th and K streets and St. Stephen Parish at 3rd and O streets.

Parish established in 1909

COMMUNITY HUB. St. Elizabeth Portuguese National Church, shown on its dedication day on Feb. 2, 1913, has played an important roll in the lives of many Riverside-Pocket area residents. This church was named after the beloved queen of Portugal. / Photo courtesy, PHCS

The beginnings of the St. Elizabeth parish date back to early 1909, when Bishop Thomas Grace was petitioned by the Portuguese community to establish a church to meet their needs for the conducting of Portuguese services, as well as other traditions.

These traditions mainly included the annual Festa do Espirito Santo (Holy Ghost Festival).

Soon after the request was made for a new parish, property was acquired and plans were completed for the construction of what would become the St. Elizabeth church or “Igreja de Santa Isabel” to its early members. The name of the church was selected in honor of the beloved 13th century queen of Portugal.

Plans for the church were made at Manuel S. Williams’ grocery store at 1630 11th Street and the property for the church was donated by Manuel and his wife.

Early reinforced concrete structure

The church, which was one of the first reinforced concrete buildings constructed in the capital city, was designed by Frank Shea and John Lofquist of San Francisco.

Shea and Lofquist designed the building to resemble the 15th century Igreja de São João Baptista (Church of St. John the Baptist) in the island of Terceira in the Azores Islands of Portugal.

Selected to construct the building was the well-known Sacramento building contractor Charles A. Vanina, who resided at 2022 M Street (now Capitol Avenue).

Parish beginnings

During the time that the church was being built, the parish was already in existence.

The parish began at St. Stephen Parish with the October 24, 1909 baptism of a Portuguese child named Joseph Viega.

First priest

FIRST PRIEST. St. Elizabeth church’s first pastor was Monsignor Joao (John) Vieira Azevedo, who was born in the island of Pico in the Azores Islands of Portugal on Nov. 25, 1880. He remained active as the church’s pastor until June 1955. He died on April 2, 1957. / Photo courtesy, PHCS

St. Elizabeth’s first pastor was Father Joao (John) Vieira Azevedo, who was born in the Azorean island of Pico on Nov. 25, 1880.

When he was 21 years old, Azevedo came to California to finish his studies for the priesthood.

After being ordained two years later, he completed assignments in Yreka, Fort Jones and Sutter Creek.

Azevedo was later assigned to Sacramento to establish the St. Elizabeth parish.

On May 10, 1948, Azevedo was bestowed the title of monsignor by Bishop Robert J. Armstrong.

Although he appeared stern and was recognized as being strict in the discipline of the children who he tutored, Azevedo was very well liked and respected by all members of his congregation. He remained active as the church’s pastor until June 1955.

In addition to assisting in the planning process for the church, Azevedo was involved in the dedication of the church on Feb. 2, 1913. Azevedo presided over the dedication with Bishop Grace.

An active dedication day

On the day of the dedication services, the first wedding at the church was also held, as Joseph Valine and Rosa Neves were married inside the new structure.

Also occurring at the church on the same day was the church’s first baptism, that of Mary Alvernaz.

Basement features

Several years after the church was constructed, various features were added in the church’s basement.

Among these features were a community center – known as the “social hall,” where plays and other entertainment were presented – a kitchen and a unisex bathroom.

Also in the basement was a stage, which was initiated by Azevedo to accommodate his first communion and confirmation classes.

Second pastor

Two years following Azevedo’s service as the church’s pastor, Father Valdemiro Machado Fagundes, whose secondary education had been financed by Azevedo, became the church’s second pastor.

Fagundes’ experience leading up to his years as the church’s pastor included serving as St. Elizabeth’s associate pastor from 1951 to 1955 and the church’s administrator from 1955 to 1957.

A sad moment in the church’s history occurred on the morning of Tuesday, April 2, 1957, when Azevedo passed away.

Fagundes, who was born in the island of Terceira in the Azores Islands, had a much different appearance than Azevedo.

His youthful looks, which were enhanced by his crew cut haircut, high energy and young behavior caused parishioners to initially question his readiness to become the church’s pastor.

As Fagundes matured, he gained the respect of the parishioners, and his willingness to intervene in their welfare and financial problems endeared him to his congregation.

Fagundes, who was also appointed monsignor, retired as the church’s pastor on January 1, 1985.

A retirement party for Fagundes, who passed away on Sept. 26, 1996, was held at the Elk Grove S.E.S. (Sociedade do Espirito Santo or Holy Ghost Society) Hall on Jan. 13, 1985. The event was chaired by Al Balshor of Balshor Florist.

Subsequent pastors

St. Elizabeth’s next pastor was Jose F. Ribeiro – of the Society of Jesus – who served the church from 1985 to 1991.

Ribeiro, who was born in Penude Lamego, Beira Alta, Portugal on Sept. 15, 1935, had previously served in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Following Ribeiro as St. Elizabeth’s pastor was Eduino T. Silveira, who served the congregation from 1993 to 2005.

For two years prior to his pastorship at St. Elizabeth, Silveira, who was born in Fenais da Luz in the Azorean island of Sao Miguel on Aug. 10, 1955, served as the church’s administrator.

Januarius Rodrigues, a retired pastor who was born in India and speaks fluent Portuguese, became the church’s temporary pastor on Feb. 24, 2005.

On following July 1, Rodrigues was replaced by three fathers – Giancarlo Mittempergher, Antonio Luiz Madeiros and Edwin E. Limpiado – from the Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata.

Presently, Mittempergher, who is St. Elizabeth’s first non-Portuguese pastor, and Madeiros serve as the pastors for both the St. Elizabeth parish and the Holy Cross parish in West Sacramento.

Recognized landmark

A GRAND FESTA. Parishioners of various ages gather in front of the church on its dedication day in 1913. / Photo courtesy, PHCS

An important moment in St. Elizabeth’s history occurred on Feb. 18, 1983, when the church was designated as a “Point of Historical Interest” by the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

A bronze plaque recognizing this designation is located on the west tower of the church, near the edge of the stairway leading into the church.

Today, St. Elizabeth Portuguese National Church is recognized as the oldest Portuguese national church west of New England.

The designation of a Portuguese national church is rare, as altogether there are only three of these churches throughout the United States.

The Catholic Church infrequently grants this designation for churches in certain areas with large ethnic populations.

A centennial for the parish, which included a Mass with Bishop Jaime Soto and a candlelight procession, dinner and dancing at the Portuguese Hall in the Pocket area, was held on October 10 and 11, 2009.

Many people associated with the church are hopeful that a centennial celebration honoring the dedication of the church will be held next February.

lance@valcomnews.com

More than 100 years ago, Manuel Rosa, Jr. was born into a Riverside farming family. And from his relatively meager beginnings, he grew to become one of Sacramento’s most accomplished and successful businessmen.

MANUEL ROSA, JR. stands in front of his childhood home on the old Riverside Road in the Pocket area, about 1915. / Photo courtesy, PHCS

During his youth, Manuel, Jr. resided on Riverside Road, near today’s 35th Avenue, just south of the old DaRosa grocery store. The historic postal address for the ranch was Route 1, Box 143 and the address was renumbered prior to 1932 to Route 8, Box 727.

Son of Portuguese immigrants

Manuel, Jr. was the only son of Sao Roque, Pico, Azores Islands, Portugal natives Manuel Rosa, Sr. (1871-1952) and Mary (Alvernaz) Rosa (1866-1935).

Fortunately for the memory of the Rosa family, Manuel, Jr. penned a short summary of his family’s history at the age of 73 in 1983.

Sacramento family history

In regard to his father’s history, Manuel, Jr. said, “He came to the U.S., July 15, 1889 and stayed at the home of Antone F. Silva (Silveira), 12th and E (streets), which was known as Alkali Flat. Antone Silva was his uncle. He worked for Antone Silva in the 1890s on ranches in the Grant (in today’s Carmichael area). He also, during that time, worked on the steamers in the Sacramento River, between Sacramento and San Francisco. These were freight boats. He acquired his ranch on Riverside Road from his uncle Antone Silva (in) about the early 1900s.”

Although the ranch, which was purchased by Manuel, Sr. for $6,000, was 33.3 acres at the time of the purchase, the property was originally a part of a much larger ranch.

The larger ranch, which was later divided into three parcels, initially consisted of 100 acres and was owned by Carl Munger.

The Manuel Rosa, Sr. ranch included row crops of beans, potatoes, onions, and cabbage, as well as other types of vegetables.

Additionally, Manuel, Sr. had a dairy and caught fish in the Sacramento River for home consumption and to sell to the public.

Manuel, Sr. was known by the Portuguese nickname of Magano (pronounced Ma-gun), a word that resembles the Portuguese word for a rogue or rascal.

Pocket family life

NEWLYWEDS. Manuel Rosa, Jr. and Mary (Dutra) Rosa were married at St. Maria Church in the Pocket on Oct. 19, 1930. / Photo courtesy, PHCS

In recalling other memories of the ranch, Manuel, Jr., who was known as Maganino (pronounced Ma-gu-neen) – “little Magano” – wrote: “As a kid, I remember the winter months butchering hogs and making lenguica and morsella. Also making hams and bacon and salting pork (and putting them in) crocks to last for the winter months. (Manuel, Sr.) would also make a lot of wine. This was from three to six barrels each year. Every winter, the relatives and friends would gather at the house to butcher and they would work hard at this and drink a lot of wine and it always seemed to be one big party.”

Mary (Alvernaz) Rosa came to America in the 1890s, stayed at the home of Antone Silva and worked as a maid.

Manuel, Jr. had two sisters, who were both named Maria Janetta.

The first Maria Janetta was born in about 1900 and lived for only about nine months and the other Maria Janetta was born in about 1901 and died when she was a month old.

It was a Portuguese custom for families to name a child by the same name as a short-lived, deceased member of the family of the same gender.

Local education

Manuel, Jr. attended Sutter School (present day Cabrillo Clubhouse), which was located on the old Riverside Road, about a mile north of his home.

After graduating from Sutter School in June 1923, Manuel, Jr. attended the 9th grade at Harkness School at 10th and P streets.

His high school years were spent at Sacramento High School at 34th and Y (present day Broadway) streets. He graduated from the school in June 1927.

At the beginning of his time in high school and until 1928, Manuel, Jr. worked as an “office boy” for the Retailers Credit Association in the Native Sons of the Golden West Building at 924 11th St.

Bright business student

Additionally, in 1927 and 1928, Manuel, Jr. attended Heald’s Business College at 14th and K streets.

Manuel, Jr. noted in his aforementioned writings that most students would take two years to complete the courses that he completed at Heald’s in six months.

Manuel, Jr. said, “A lot of (the courses were) what I had (studied) in high school and I went to Heald’s (to get) a job, which (I) did at the Sacramento Box and Lumber Co. (at 65th and R streets).”

Manuel, Jr. also excelled at Heald’s due to his above average skill levels at typing and shorthand.

Sacramento Box and Lumber Co.

LOCAL INDUSTRY. Florin Box & Lumber Co. is shown in this 1960s aerial view photograph. The business played an important role in the packaging and shipping of farm produce in the area. / Photo courtesy, PHCS

Manuel, Jr.’s first jobs for the company were working as a clerk and a general officer worker.

In about 1932, the company began to expand by building a sawmill in Kyburz, where Manuel, Jr. was transferred to work as an office manager.

About three years later, while still working for the company, Manuel, Jr., who was a longtime stockholder of the Sacramento Box and Lumber Co., became a sales manager of box shook sales.

In 1939, Sacramento Box and Lumber Co. joined with Western Box Distributors of San Francisco as its selling agents and Manuel, Jr. became a district manager for Western Box.

Western Box liquidated in 1952 and Manuel, Jr. returned to work for the Sacramento Box and Lumber Co. as the sales manager of the box shook department.

In 1958, after Sacramento Box liquated, Manuel, Jr. returned to work for Western Box, which was then owned by J. Walter Rodgers.

Florin Box & Lumber Co.

It was also in 1958 that Manuel, Jr. became a partner in the establishment of the Florin Box & Lumber Co.

Manuel, Jr., who became president of Florin Box, was also active in Sierra Forest Products, which he owned with E. A. Moffett from 1946 to 1961.

Florin Box was a veneer plant originally operated in outbuildings on the central Pocket property of Frank J. Lewis.

The firm was later located in a shed on Southern Pacific Co. property near the old town of Florin.

Mary Dutra

In an amusing account about his first date with his then-future wife and 1928 graduate of Sacramento High, Mary Dutra, Manuel, Jr. said, “Well, I happened to kiss her goodnight and that started the fireworks. It seemed that all the bells in the world started to ring and from then on, I knew I was stuck.”

Manuel, Jr. and Mary, who were married in St. Maria Church in the Pocket on Oct. 19, 1930, had four children, Martyn, Michael, Mary Louise ad Manuel III.

Mary (Dutra) Rosa, who passed away in her Land Park home at the age of 99 on June 1, 2010, was a daughter of Antone and Louise Dutra of the now-historic Dutra House in the Pocket.

The couple belonged to Portuguese clubs and other local organizations and was known as excellent dancers who glided across the dance floor.

Family recollections

MEET THE PARENTS. Manuel Rosa, Sr. and Mary (Alvernaz) Rosa are shown in their 1898 wedding photograph. / Photo courtesy, PHCS

Following his father’s death on Jan. 4, 1998, Martyn Rosa, who is a prominent local dentist, noted that the Florin Box Co. was a then-$7 million per year business.

Martyn’s son, Jefferey J. Rosa, is also a notable local dentist.

Mary Louise, who maintains her late parent’s Tudor-style home near Sacramento City College, was recently asked if she had any special remembrances of her father.

“There were many,” she replied. “But one of these memories was of particularly special value as a lesson.”

Mary Louise recounted a moment when she had spent time with her father during her youth.

“He was in his office preparing for interviews with many applying for an important job with his firm,” Mary Louise said.

After observing her father throwing away resumes in a wastepaper basket, she asked him why he was not reading them.

His reply was: “I can determine a man’s character by the way he talks better than by the way he writes.”

Easter Sunday is April 8 this year, and many festive events will be held leading up to the big celebration.

SPRING INTO EASTER FUN at any of these community egg hunts. / Photo iStockphoto

So, grab an Easter basket, put on your Easter bonnet and take the kiddos to your neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. Dates and locations vary. There is even one egg hunt for the family pooch. Several neighborhood egg hunts are listed below, so you are sure to find something close to home or Grandma’s house:

3rd annual Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs

RAINED OUT – RESCHEDULED TO APRIL 7: Bring your furry friend to join Wag Hotel for their 3rd annual Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs. The dogs will be able to hunt and sniff out over 1000 eggs filled with delectable treats. Hidden among the eggs will be five special eggs containing the word “Winner” that can be redeemed for prizes including a five day pass of All Day Play at Wag Hotels. Enjoy finger foods and photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny. Exciting doggy prizes will be raffled. Easter attire is encouraged for pets! A portion of the proceeds to benefit Nor Cal Boxer Rescue. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $10 donation per family. McKinley Park, 601 Alhambra Boulevard, East Sacramento. To purchase tickets, visit http://tinyurl.com/egghunt4dogs. (916) 373-0300

District 7’s Spring Egg Hunt

March 31: Come enjoy games, face painting and photos with the Easter Bunny. 10 a.m. Egg Hunt at 10:30 a.m. Entirely free event – Remember to bring your Easter basket! Portuguese Park, 7350 Durfee Way in Sacramento. (916) 808-8545.

Easter Carnival

March 31: Greenhaven Lutheran Church and Angels Nest Early Childhood Education Center will host an Easter Carnival, rain or shine. Free to the community. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring carnival games, bounce house, Easter Egg hunt, craft activities, refreshments and the Easter Bunny. Greenhaven Lutheran Church, 475 Florin Road (at Gloria Drive) in Sacramento. (916) 428-8449.

The Great Land Park Spring Egg Hunt

March 31: Egg hunt includes arts & crafts and an appearance by the Easter Bunny. Bring your own basket. 9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Egg hunt promptly at 10:30 a.m. William Land Park, 3800 Land Park Drive, Sacramento, west of the playground. (916) 808-7004.

Orchard Park Spring Egg Hunt

March 31: Spring Egg Hunt at Orchard Park, 2936 West River Drive, Sacramento. 2 p.m. Sponsored by Councilmember Rob Fong. (916) 808-7004.

Pocket-Greenhaven Spring Egg Hunt

March 31: Spring Egg Hunt at Portugese Park, 7350 Durfee Way, Sacramento. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sponsored by Councilmember Darrell Fong. (916) 808-7007

2012 Arden Easter Egg-Stravaganza

April 7: Community Easter celebration in Arden Park. Pancake breakfast 8 a.m.–11 a.m. ($5 per person); Carnival Games 8 a.m.–10 a.m.; Egg Hunt $3/person, 10:30 a.m. There is a special egg in each age division. Find the special egg and win a prize. The plastic eggs filled with candy are yours to keep. 1000 La Sierra Dr., Sacramento. (916) 483-6069 www.aprpd.org

Boss Kidz Community Easter Egg Hunt

April 7: Bayside Church of South Sacramento is sponsoring this community Easter Egg Hunt. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Valley Hi Park, 8185 Center Parkway, South Sacramento. (916) 715-7716.

Easter Egg Hunt & Pancake Breakfast

April 7: Hop on over for a HUGE egg hunt, pancake breakfast, fun crafts and a surprise guest! Don’t miss this EGG-CELLENT event. Breakfast is from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Adults $5, children 12 and under $3. Egg hunt is at 10 a.m. (arrive 30 min. early). Bring your own basket, ages eight years old and under, free. Egg hunt starts at 10 a.m. for all age groups. Carmichael Park, 5750 Grant Ave., Carmichael. (916) 485-5322 www.carmichaelpark.com

Fairytale Town Spring Eggstravaganza

April 7, April 8: Hop on down the bunny trail with Peter Cottontail at Fairytale Town’s annual Spring Eggstravaganza. Egg hunts, puppet shows, art activities, photos with the Big Bun himself (photos cost extra). 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Egg Hunts will be held promptly at 12 noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. each day. Bring a basket for collecting eggs. The Egg Hunts are separated by age groups, 3 and under, 4-6, and 7-12. Admission: $4.50/person, ages 2 and up. Kids 1 and under free. Puppet Art Theater will perform Bunny Boot Camp in the Children’s Theater. Puppet show tickets are $2 ($1 for members). Show times are 12:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. 3901 Land Park Dr., Sac. (916) 808-7462 www.fairytaletown.org

Granite Regional Park Easter Egg Hunt

April 7: Egg hunt sponsored by the Stone Cold Riderz. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Granite Regional Park, 8200 Ramona Avenue, Sacramento. (916) 519-1091

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast & Easter Egg Hunt

April 7: Come enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast ($5 adults, $3 children) and then enjoy a free Easter Egg Hunt for the little ones. Breakfast starts at 6 a.m. and the event runs through 1 p.m. Carnival style games for children, tickets available for purchase. Egg hunt times: Ages 0–1 (9:30 a.m.); Ages 1–2 (9:45 a.m.); Ages 3–4 (10 a.m.); Ages 5–6 (10:15 a.m.); Ages 7–8 (10:30 a.m.); Ages 9–10 (10:45 a.m.) McKinley Park, Clunie Clubhouse, East Sacramento. Sponsored by the East Sacramento-Midtown Kiwanis Club

Southside Park Easter Egg Hunt

April 7: Egg hunt includes arts & crafts and an appearance by the Easter Bunny. Bring your own basket. Children’s entertainment, info booths, kid’s activities, more. 10 a.m. Southside Park, 2115 6th Street, Sacramento.

Spring Egg Hunt

April 7: Egg hunt sponsored by the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association. 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sierra 2 Green, 24th Street and 4th Avenue, Sacramento. (916) 716-3061.

Community Service and Egg Hunt

April 8: Easter service and egg hunt sponsored by Calvary Chapel. 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. William Land Park, 3800 Land Park Drive, Sacramento. (916) 204-0392.