"Pebbles from the Rock" was a column that appeared in the Los Ba&#241;os Enterprise in the 1970s. The column was written by the local postmaster Rocco Pernetti, who referred to himself in the column as The Rock. While the column was on the sports page, Mr. Pernetti had opinions on most subjects. I will try to intersperse them as I write starting with this:</p><p>"I have a hint to the men ... enter your wife in the Monday Night bowling league, that way you can have the set to yourself for football!" (Yes, we had a bowling alley.) Sept. 3, 1970</p><p>Thanks to the Los Ba&#241;os Enterprise finding the column was pretty easy; finding out about Mr. Pernetti was much more difficult.</p><p>"Well, the swimming pool controversy goes swimmingly along and words flow like fine wine!" (Controversies in Los Ba&#241;os?) Aug. 6, 1970</p><p>When I started to research Mr. Pernetti, this is the way it went for me. Have you ever been told your answer is just one phone call away? Well, what happens when all you receive from that phone call is an answering machine?</p><p>I guess now would be the exact time I would need Mr. Pernetti's assistance to have him deliver a message for me. As the first mail carrier in Los Ba&#241;os, Mr. Pernetti stands as a US Postal Service legend. He served as a mail carrier, a postal worker for the US Army, and finally as postmaster for 38 years here in Los Ba&#241;os. It seems, though, that with no children and little family left, his legacy may be in danger, but with the help of a few trusty Los Ba&#241;os citizens I am here to bring his memory back to the forefront.</p><p>"The Rock picks Baltimore to win (the World Series) in five games." (I think he was right about that matchup between Baltimore and Cincinnati.) Oct. 8, 1970.</p><p>My journey to find out about Rocco started with a push from my government teacher, Mr. McNally, who enthusiastically presented the idea to me, sort of the way my dad does when he tells me how much fun I'm going to have when I get to go dig ditches on the weekend. Of course, you don't believe him, and along the way you feel glimpses of pain, but the satisfaction at the end of the day is immense. </p><p>So I was off making phone calls, digging through archives, browsing at old photographs, and searching for those who knew Rocco. Like mine, Rocco's journey began out of high school, where he went to work at the New Sonoma Creamery here in Los Ba&#241;os.</p><p>After his experience at the creamery, the new post office was built, and in 1939 he and Charlie Smith became the first mail carriers in Los Ba&#241;os who serviced residential and business areas. Rocco then followed his brothers into the US Army during World War II, and was quoted as being, "a highly favored APO." He returned to Los Ba&#241;os and was named postmaster in 1954, where he served for 38 years. </p><p>"The $2.8 billion spent each year for clubs, balls, shoes, etc, in the US is almost equal to annual income of Israel." (He was referring to golf.) Sept. 10, 1970</p><p>Among the many people I called, the first thing mentioned about Rocco was that he knew exactly who he was, and that he had a clear opinion on most things. A previous employee of Mr. Pernetti said, "His bark was worse than his bite." He may have appeared abrasive to some, but his comments were certainly valued in the weekly column he wrote for the Enterprise.</p><p>"Both teams would rather win the Big Game than take home a league title." (Even then Los Ba&#241;os vs. Dos Palos was the "Big Game.") Oct. 15, 1970</p><p>Remember the one phone call I needed and the disappointment I found when all I received was an answering machine? Well, I should have known living in a town like Los Ba&#241;os I would receive a phone call back. Sure enough, Mr. Randy Williamson called me back the very next day and offered a helping hand that I appreciated greatly. Mr. Williamson told me that losing his mom at 10 years old was rough, but he always had his Aunt Doris and Uncle Rocco there to help him. </p><p>Mr. Williamson said, "I could ask my Uncle Rocco pretty much anything, and he would know the answer." Mr. Williamson can also remember going over to Uncle Rocco's house and being amazed at how he could watch a basketball game, listen to a baseball game, and read the paper at the same time. </p><p>When I asked Mr. Williamson what he remembered most about his uncle, I heard him swallow across the line and felt the gratitude he possessed for Mr. Pernetti. He told me about the deep respect he had for his uncle and how grateful he was to him for teaching him and being there for him.</p><p>In regards to Vince Lombardi after his death, he wrote: "A God-fearing, humble and talented man who will be remembered as long as the game of football is played. (Coach Lombardi is still remembered today.) Sept. 10. 1970</p><p>Wow, he really just wasn't a man named Rocco Pernetti. He was a husband, an uncle, a postman, a writer, a serviceman, a Yankee fan, a "walking dictionary," and a member of our community.</p><p>Many thanks to Mr. Sawyer, Kathy Caropresso, Roy Medrano, Donny Roe, Randy Williamson, the Los Ba&#241;os Enterprise, and the Milliken Museum for all your insight along my journey.</p><p>Quick note: I will be checking on the crop circles with Mr. Sawyer in April.</p><p>"Ask Us" is produced by Tim McNally's Advanced Placement American Government class. Do you have a question about the history of Los Ba&#241;os? Submit it to Mr. McNally's class by e-mail to</p><p>tmcnally@losbanosusd.k12.ca.us.