LWers compete in frog jumping

Each year on the third weekend of May, Calaveras County celebrates Mark Twain’s first nationally published work of fiction during its annual fair. And this year, at least two Leisure World residents joined the fun.

Sue Ellis of Mutual 15 and Midge Bash of Mutual 14 attended the Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee with their contenders, Traveling Troy and Flying Frank, respectively. Troy reportedly jumped 8.5 feet, while Frank leaped 6 feet. The winning croaker, Firefly, soared more than 20 feet, netting 7-yearold owner Bria Heintz a cash prize, a belt buckle and a trophy that’s as tall as she is.

The contest honors Twain’s “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” wherein he retells a story he overheard in a bar in Angels Camp about the famous Calaveras frog owned by gambler Jim Smiley. Winners’ names are engraved on brass plaques that are then embedded in the Frog Hop of Fame in Angels Camp’s historic downtown area. Though they were not celebrated in the Frog Hop, Team Seal Beach Angels, a.k.a. Ellis and Bash, were awarded participation certificates and bright green ribbons.

Located in Northern California, Angels Camp is a great tourist spot, with activities year-round. It’s about 10 miles from the former Gold Rush community of Murphys and within an hour’s drive of Yosemite National Park.