One day in the late spring of 1961, my dad came home from work and told me, “This weekend, you and I are going fishing with Uncle Ross.”

Marty Relles

Sure enough, Friday evening about 5:30 p.m., Uncle Ross drove up in his station wagon with my Cousin Jim. Dad loaded two fishing poles, some tackle, two sleeping bags, a grocery bag full of food , and coats and clothing for us into the car. Then off we went on our fishing trip.

We drove out Folsom Boulevard toward Placerville. Back then, no freeways had been built so we drove out Folsom Boulevard to Folsom. Eventually that road ran into State Highway 50.

When we reached Placerville, we turned north on Highway 49 in the direction of Georgetown, an old gold rush village.

Just before we reached Georgetown, we turned east on a dirt road and drove about five miles to a place where we stopped and made camp.

The thing I remember most about that ride was the dust. It billowed up and covered Uncle Ross’ car.

What a mess.

But who cared, we were going to camp out under the stars. Wow!

After we unloaded the gear, we began to erect the tents. This dates back before the days of REI, so the tents we had came from Army Surplus. We set up one tent for Dad and Uncle Ross and one for Jim and me. Then we unrolled our sleeping bags inside the tents.

While we did this, Uncle Ross built a fire and cooked dinner: hot dogs and canned beans. I tell you this, hot dogs and beans never tasted so good. For dessert, we had Hostess Cup Cakes. As we watched the sun set, we drank coffee with lots of milk and sugar in it.

When the sun came down and dark settled in, we beheld the magic of the entire Milky Way spreading across the night sky. I remember the majesty of that to this day. However, soon we tired, closed our tent flap and fell into a deep sleep.

When morning came, Jim and I awoke to the sound of Uncle Ross cooking breakfast. He started the fire, then made coffee, then cooked bacon and eggs. The smell of the cooking bacon proved intoxicating, and soon we all dressed and joined Uncle Ross around the fire.

After breakfast, we gathered our gear and headed down to the Rubicon River in search of trout.

Since this was my first fishing trip, I took in all the sights. We trekked over huge granite outcroppings, went around large fir trees, and crossed gurgling streams filled with water so clean, you could scoop up a hand full and drink right from the stream.

Eventually we arrived at the river where Dad and Ross went upstream and Jim and I went downstream.

Try as we might, Jim and I caught no fish. We saw some big ones, but they ignored our bait. In the end, we headed back upstream to find Dad and Uncle Ross.

When we found them, they proudly held up two trout each: nice looking fish, all about twelve inches long. Jim and I were happy somebody caught something. After admiring the catch, we all headed back up toward the camp site.

As always, the walk back out always seems a lot harder the walk in. But we made it back without an injury, or a whimper. Soon we had the car loaded and headed home with our bounty.

We stopped in Placerville on the way home to eat lunch. We had burgers and fries. Keep in mind, this was long before people worried much about cholesterol and the food tasted great. After filling our bellies, off we went to Sacramento.

I remember this trip as if it were yesterday. The clean air, the pure water, the simple food cooked outdoors all added up to a wonderful time with my father, my uncle and my cousin. Even today, Jim and I often think back and recall this special Janey Way memory.

One of midtown Sacramento’s oldest businesses, Relles Florist, is presently celebrating a special anniversary, as the longtime popular florist recently reached its 65th year in business.

ALL IN THE FAMILY. Jim Relles and his sister, JoAnn (Relles) Bradley, stand in front of midtown Sacramento’s Relles Florist. The business is celebrating its 65th year in business. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Lance Armstrong

Jim Relles, who has been a proprietor of the florist since 1972 and has maintained sole ownership of the business since 2008, said that such a celebration was made possible through a commitment to customer satisfaction that began with his father Ross Relles, Sr.’s founding of the business on Oct. 19, 1946.

“It’s a pretty distinct celebration – 65 years in business,” Jim said. “(Customer service) hasn’t changed since my father started the business. It’s just listening to the customers’ needs and working real hard to get what they want with quality product in a timely manner of their order, and not promising things that we can’t do and promising things that we can do. Customer satisfaction is following through on promises you made to the consumer. You need to follow through and do it and be honest with the consumer. If you can’t do something, then you need to tell them up front or offer alternatives.”

Jim added that like many businesses, Relles Florist, which has been voted “Best Florist” by Sacramento Magazine for the past 11 consecutive years, has survived through its willingness to adapt to changes.

One of the major changes, Jim explained, has been the growing importance of the Internet.

“Ten years ago, we didn’t have a Web site and we didn’t sell over the Internet and now probably 30 or 40 percent of our business is over the Internet, where 10 years ago it was zero (percent),” Jim said. “We now have a Web site, a Facebook page and a Twitter account. Most of the younger generation is doing all their business from their smartphones, so we’re in the process of getting a floral app (application). If you want to stay in business, you just have to keep adapting.”

Roots of the Relles family’s florist

During his meeting with the East Sacramento News last week, Jim, who is a cousin of Marty Relles, who authors the series, “Janey Way Memories,” in this publication, shared information about his father’s beginnings as a florist.

RELLES FLORIST was originally located in this building at 2220 J St. The business first served customers at this site on Oct. 19, 1946. / Photo courtesy, Relles Florist

“My dad, growing up, worked for (G. Rossi and Co. florist at 1026 8th St.),” Jim said. “He also worked for Hires (Bottling Co.). They were down on 21st and R (streets). It was the prelude to Norcal (Distributing Co. at 424 17th St.). He (later) went to Arizona State (Teachers College, as Arizona State University was then known) and got his teaching degree, but he came back to Sacramento and he just looked at the business side (of teaching) and decided he didn’t want to become a teacher. Then World War II broke out. After he got out of the war, he worked for Senator Florists (at 1014 11th St.) and I guess about a year later – I think he wanted a raise (from Senator Florists) and they said, ‘No,’ – he decided to go out on his own and open up his own flower shop.”

Five locations of Relles Florist

Although Relles Florist operates at two locations – 2400 J St. and 801 Howe Ave., north of Fair Oaks Boulevard – these current business sites are not the only places where a Relles Florist shop has been located.

Ross Relles, Sr., who gathered additional early experience in his field when he worked as a delivery person for McElhaney’s Florist in Phoenix during his time at Arizona State, established his first florist shop at 2220 J St., within the Meril Studio shops, about 15 blocks from the main downtown business district.

The site suited the business well, since it was located on what was then one of the two main streets connecting East Sacramento, Carmichael and Fair Oaks with downtown Sacramento.

THIS 1947 AD was one of Relles Florist’s earliest advertisements. / Photo courtesy, The Lance Armstrong Collection

Jim said that the site was also ideal due to the fact that it was located within a short distance from several funeral homes, including the N.G. Culjis Funeral Home at 2231 J St., Citizens Mortuary at 2301 J St., Miller and Skelton at 1015 20th St., W.F. Gormley and Sons at 2015 Capitol Ave., James R. Garlick Mortuary at 2001 P St., Cippa and Nicoletti at 1501 28th St. and Harry A. Nauman and Son at 2021 28th St.

On July 11, 1953, Ross Relles, Sr. opened his second shop at 2210 J St. in a two-story house, with a raised basement, that he had purchased and remodeled to accommodate as both his business and his home.

Although this relocation proved to be a worthwhile endeavor for the business, Relles Florist eventually outgrew its original space at this site, as it expanded to the structure’s top two floors and basement.

As was the case with its second location, Relles Florist did not have to concern itself with costly moving expenses, as it relocated a very short distance away to its third site at 2320 J St. It was at this site where the first Relles Florist shop to be built from the ground up was constructed.

This shop, which opened on July 26, 1971, proved to be the last Relles Florist site operated by Ross Relles, Sr., as he passed away on Jan. 15, 1972.

Relles Florist, which opened its Howe Avenue shop in February 1978 and its present midtown site on Sept. 26, 1981, has built a reputation as a strong, family-owned business.

Jim said that altogether about 25 Relles family members, including his brothers, Ross, Jr., Tom and Ronald, and his mother, Margaret, have worked at Relles Florist at various times.

In addition to Jim, his sister, JoAnn (Relles) Bradley, works at the midtown shop, where she has continuously assisted with its success since June 1975.

Also quite notable in the business’s history is former Relles Florist employee Al Balshor, who opened Balshor Florist at its original location at 730 O St. in 1950.

Twenty-one years later, another former Relles Florist employee, George L. Procida, opened Procida Florist at its now former location of 1315 J St.

Relles family history

The Relles family’s history in America began with Jim’s grandfather, an Italian immigrant, named Saverio Relles, who arrived at Ellis Island in New York Harbor on Feb. 4, 1907.

WELL ESTABLISHED. Relles Florist has been located in midtown Sacramento for 65 years. The business currently operates a shop at 801 Howe Ave. and another shop at the site shown above at 2400 J St. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Lance Armstrong

Jim said that like many immigrants arriving in the United States during this era, Saverio had his surname changed at Ellis Island, since the person who wrote down his last name at this famous inspection station wrote “Relles,” instead of the correct spelling of “Reres.”

Saverio married Helen Sclafani – born Elena Sclafani – in Chicago Heights, Ill. on June 12, 1910.

Although Saverio died on April 16, 1918, he had three sons – George, Ross, Sr. and Martin – with Helen prior to his passing.

Eighteen months later, while residing in Santa Clara, Calif., Helen was remarried, as she was joined in matrimony with Rosario “Ross” Petta, who was a laborer in the construction industry.

Helen and Rosario, who together had four children, Vito, Alice, Katie and Margaret, were living in the capital city at 523 ½ 14th St. by at least 1922.

And as a result of Helen and Rosario’s move to Sacramento during this time, when Relles Florist celebrates its 75th anniversary in a decade, the Relles family will possibly also be celebrating another anniversary – their 100th year in Sacramento.

EARLIER DAYS. Relles Florist, shown in this 1971 photograph, relocated to this pictured site at 2210 J St. in 1953. / Photo courtesy, Relles Florist

For additional information regarding Relles Florist, call (916) 441-1478 (J Street shop) or (916) 920-4911 (Howe Avenue shop) or visit www.rellesflorist.com.

My father, Martin Relles, Sr., arrived at Sacramento High in 1931 with great fanfare.

Marty Relles

His brothers, George and Ross, who preceded him at the old school had outstanding athletic careers, so doubtless much was expected of Marty.

He did not disappoint them. In fact on his first day of school he had the following slogan sewn on his sweater: “Another great Relles comes to Sacramento High.”

I arrived at Sacramento High in 1962 to begin my junior year with considerably lower expectations. I had just completed two unhappy and unsuccessful years at Christian Brothers School (CBS) and had no idea what to expect at Sac.

I fact, my experience at the old school proved to be a very good one.

For starters, my best friends Mike Gilson and Al Wilson transferred from CBS to Sac with me. This eased my transition.

We all tried out for varsity football that summer and all ended up on the Junior Varsity team.

At first, I felt disappointed by what seemed another failure, but in the end, the demotion worked out well for me. I played every down of an eight-game season at left end. During that time, I caught several passes and scored a touchdown in our final game against the Woodland Wolves.

I had found the success I had longed for at CBS. By the end of the semester, I earned my first athletic letter: bravo.

My academics improved at Sacramento High too, from barely a C average to a B. That is not surprising.

By comparison to CBS, Sacramento High had much to offer.

CBS at that time, was a small all-boys prep-school wedged onto the corner of 21st Street and Broadway.

Sacramento High (one of the oldest high schools west of the Mississippi) sprawled out on a nearly one square-mile campus, which included a football field and a track, a baseball field, a men’s gym capable of seating 1,800 people, a women’s gym, an auditorium large enough to seat the entire student body, shops for technically-oriented students, and science and language labs.

In addition to these physical resources, Sacramento High had an outstanding faculty headed up by its diminutive principal Albert J. Sessarego who held a PhD from Stanford. Under Dr. Sessarego, Sacramento High flourished.

During my two years at Sacramento High, I went on to earn two more sports letters in Varsity track and to attain all the required course work for college.

In the end, although I did not prove to be “another great Relles,” at least I was a “good“ Relles. To this day, I thank Dr. Sessarago and his outstanding staff for my success.

Now my days at venerable old Sacramento High School are another happy Janey Way memory.