MIDDLETOWN— Appointing a Grand Marshal is a long standing tradition for the Middletown Days and this year the honor was bestowed upon the Crofoot Family who has resided in Middletown since the 1950s.
J’net and her husband Charlie Crofoot lived and worked in Middletown, raising two daughters (Penny and Donna), four grand sons and two great grand daughters, three of which have also graduated from Middletown High School. Together the Crofoots ran a successful business operating the Chevron gas station and dually owning the auto repair shop and tow service where they employed many young men who gained valuable work ethic and community pride, retiring after 22 years. J’net Crofoot also worked for Hidden Valley Lake for 37 years, retiring from that rather recently.
J’net Crofoot modestly shared “I was surprised when they called and asked us to participate.” Though Chuck and J’net Crofoot were both known around town for their immense support of the South Lake Fire Department, local law enforcement and Middletown Lion’s Club, and it was well known that the Crofoots were always helping out anyone that needed a job either at their ranch or at their business.
According to their daughter Penny McIntosh, “It all started in the 50s when Roy and Eleanor Vines moved to Middletown. They lived off the land to support their family. Roy and Eleanor Vines had an essential part in organizing the first Middletown Days event and was granted the chance to be the Grand Marshal in 1989.” Their daughter J’net married Chuck Crofoot after graduating from Middletown High and the rest is history.
McIntosh stated “Chuck helped the building of Forest Lake/Hobergs’ Golf Course. He had many years of employment at Forest Lake Resort, Kelseyville Lumber, Foremost Dairy, Kenny McNamara Chevron, Donley’s Arrow Heating, and Boise Cascade Realty developing HVL.” She further reminisced on the families’ prior involvements noting “Many recall the family being active in helping with Middletown High School Booster fundraising, coaching Little League, Volunteer Fire Department and improvements to the Central Park.” J’net Crowfoot’s daughter Donna retired from the California Highway Patrol and also resides locally.
In recent years Chuck has passed and currently J’Net Crofoot enjoys the love of family, hunting, fishing and gardening. “I spend as much time with my grandchildren as I can,” she said. The Middletown Days has been a long-standing tradition in Middletown and begins Friday June 16 with a rodeo, continuing on Saturday and Sunday with the parade, contests, tournaments, vendors and dances. More information is available at middletowndays.org.
