LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Lower Lake High School baseball wasn't the only winner in an oyster feed fundraiser held in its benefit Sunday at Maynard's Bar in Lower Lake.
One surprised patron got more than he could swallow in one lucky bite.
The odds of finding a pearl in an oyster are said to be 1 in 12,000. Johnny McCarthy beat those odds on Sunday.
“I ate it. I had it in my mouth. I spit it out and was like 'Wow, that's a pearl!'” the former pitcher for the Lower Lake High School Trojans (2001-2005) said.
Maynard's Bar was teeming with former Trojan athletes with alumni spanning half a century in attendance.
Graduates hailing from classes as early as the 1960s, like Steve Ellis (1964) and Russ Cremer (1966), were joined behind the grill by the Diener brothers, Bill and Charlie, classes of 1980 and 1985, respectively. Holly (Hardin) Ingalls, class of '96, also got in on the grilling.
Charmaine (Goldberg) Weldon, class of 1990, attended to sales at the grill while Ruth (Fortino) Chrisp, class of '99, was slinging drinks behind the bar.
The father and son team of Epidendio Construction covered two generations as alumni from 1971 and 2005, respectively.
The class of 1991 was well-represented as well with former Trojan football, softball and tennis players on hand along with party host George Davis, of Maynard's Bar.
“I saw four people from my class alone and a bunch from my children's alumni classes,” Bridgette McLeran, class of '83, said. “It's great to see school pride and support staying alive through the generations. And, the oysters are screaming!”
Lower Lake High School Principal Jessica (Hagy) Taliaferro, class of '94, and Carol Ellis, retired after 22 years administration in the school district, also said they were enjoying the fundraiser's delectable offerings.
The oysters are always fabulous. Always,” Ellis said. “(Lower Lake High School Football Fundraising Association) does the best job.”
Taliaferro, who was an all-around athlete and member of the 1990 championship softball team, said she appreciates everything the fundraising association does for all of the high school's student athletes.
“We are Lower Lake and that was evident today with more than 800 oysters sold here at Maynard's,” she said.
The smell of garlic and oysters filled the venue and surrounding area in Lower Lake, casting a familiar aroma for many who frequent local fundraising events. The recipe comes from the kitchen of Fire Capt. Dave Deakins (class of 1985) who also serves as his stations' cook captain.
Among Deakins' many contributions to the community, he is also involved with Lower Lake Youth Football League.
The oysters complimented the Lower Lake High School Booster Club's annual cow chip bingo event for many years, gaining popularity along the way.
According to Deakins, Cremer, the Diener brothers, Steve Ellis and he recognized the fundraising potential in the buttery, hot sea shells and decided to form an association dedicated specifically to raising money for high school athletes.
He said success has been so great since its founding six years ago that fundraising efforts have been extended from just football to include all student athletic programs at Lower Lake High.
“One hundred percent of the proceeds raised by the association go to student sports. Today, here at Maynard's, we are raising money for the baseball program,” Deakins said.
The association offers an alumni membership. For more information, email
Email Denise Rockenstein at
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