Half-sisters make their lives whole after 50-plus years

Sel Richard Staff writer

“Iknew I had a sibling out there,” said El Dorado Hills resident Sherie Tobin. “Alora didn’t. She thought the man who raised her was her father.” Alora Rothafel Steele is Tobin’s half-sister and now, more than 50 years later, they have just discovered each other.

As a child of hippie parents, Tobin grew up knowing her father had had another child. “My father and I talked over the years about this sibling that we thought was a boy,” she said.

Tobin spent her childhood on a New Mexico commune with her brother and parents, but when Tobin was 5, her mom and dad separated. “My father left and went to California with my brother and my father asked my mother to drop some money off with Alora’s mother,” said Tobin. “My mom and I went and brought $29 to this woman. I have a memory of this baby sitting in a high chair. She would have been about 8 months old.”

Little did she know that the baby was her half-sister and it would be a lifetime later before they would meet again.

Steele’s mother went by her hippie name Quanu, her father by the name of Zol. Quanu and Zol had agreed to raise the girl. “So my father kind of went about his business,” said Tobin.

Tobin’s father, Daniel Baginski Allen, subsequently had two more marriages, each with two more children. Tobin has kept in touch with her four other half-siblings along with her full brother over the years, but the mystery of the seventh child remained obscured.

Initially, Tobin was merely interested in her Lithuanian grandparents who had immigrated to the United States around 1910. She uploaded her DNA information to Ancestry.com in n See sisters, page A7

Obituaries on this page are written and paid for by the families or funeral homes. They are edited minimally by the Mountain Democrat. To submit an obituary, call (530) 622-1255, e-mail obits@mtdemocrat.net, fax (530) 344-5092, or visit mtdemocrat.com under “Submission Forms” at the bottom of the website. Include contact information with all submissions.

Earl (Trey) Washburn

M.D.

June 18, 1947 - Dec. 20, 2023

Please join the Washburn family as we honor the life of Earl (“Trey”) Washburn M.D. on Sunday, April 23rd, at 3:00 p.m. at Placerville’s Federated Church, Thompson Way. Reception to follow.

Florence Andre (Andy) Ishmael

Aug. 23, 1933 - March 15, 2023

Florence Andre (Andy) Ishmael, of Placerville, passed away at her home on March 15, 2023. Andy was the daughter of Brunhilde Kohler Woods Petosa and Bryan Morrill Woods. She was born in San Francisco and lived in Sausalito where she went to Tamalpias High School and met the love of her life, Don Delano Ishmael at a Valentines Day school dance.

She and Don married June 23, 1951, one week after she graduated from High School. They moved to Arizona where Don served in the Air Force during the Korean War. They were married 4 months shy of their 50th anniversary; he preceded her death in 2001. After Don’s discharge from the Air Force, they moved home with their 3-year-old son, Don Ishmael to Tiburon, Ca where they settled with their new family. A few years later they moved their family to Lucas Valley, Ca where they had deLysa (Ishmael) Touey and Scott Ishmael. In 1975 they built a house in Diamond Springs and moved their family to the foothills where they enjoyed the country living.

Both Andy and Don went to work for Pacific Telephone & Telegraph, where they both had long careers and retired from. Andy continued her career at Blue Shield of California in the Placerville o ce when it opened in 1982 and retired from there as well in 1992.

She and Don loved to travel, spend time in their boat, swimming in the backyard and camping with their family up the Pacific Coast across the western United States and down to Baja Mexico. Most of all they both loved to just spend time with their kids and grandkids any chance they could.

Andy loved people, she could work a room like no other and leave a person smiling. She volunteered at Marshall Hospital, at her kids and grandkids school. She was an amazing seamstress, she could make any kind of clothing, Halloween costumes, quilting, crocheting and famous for her knitted Christmas stockings for the family.

Andy is preceded in death by her mother Brunhilde, father Bryan, her beloved husband Don, grandson Brian David Ishmael, daughter in law Kimberlee Ishmael, brother Leslie Bender and sister Henrietta Francard.

Andy is survived by and will be deeply missed by her children Don Ishmael, deLysa Touey (Rick) and Scott Ishmael (Becky). Her Niece, Janine Bender and many nephews. Grandchildren Brenda Brown (CJ), Katie Ishmael, Brett Touey (Hilary), Michelle Haley (Colby) and Amanda Satterfield (David). Her 12 Greatgrandchildren Bella, Austin, Maddy, Mack, Prudence, Zoey, Cash, Cooper, Pierce, Jameson, Juniper and Brett Brian. Private services will be held with the family.

Willis E. Nelson

July 24, 1932 - April 8, 2023

Will E. Nelson was born in the small town of Winner South Dakota on July 24, 1932. He was the middle son of Walter and Elsie Nelson who raised turkeys and grew wheat on the homestead. After his service in the Korean War, he moved to Nebraska where he married Jane (Irene) Wilcynski in 1956. While attending the University of Nebraska, they welcomed their first child Nancy and 1 1/2 years later, another daughter Joanie into the family. Will graduated with a degree in Business Administration and the family moved to California.

After Will’s job with the Internal Revenue Service in the Bay Area, the family moved to the Sacramento area where he began his mortgage and real estate business. Will enjoyed flying his airplane and later the helicopter, riding snowmobiles, fishing and camping with the campers group. Will and Jane built a new home and moved up the hill to Shingle Springs and later another home in Cameron Park. They became founding members of the Light of the Hills church where they were very active and enjoyed fellowship with their church family.

The Lord called Will to his eternal home on April 8, 2023. He is survived by his daughters Nancy Nelson and Joanie McCreary (Tom); grandchildren, Jessica Wallace (Chad), Ali Smith (Andrew), Jake Ward and Tommy McCreary; and great-grandsons, Hunter Wallace and Jackson Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and wife Jane, of 63 years.

Memorial donations can be made to the Light of the Hills Fellowship Fund.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Light of the Hills, 3100 Rodeo Road, Cameron Park, CA at 11:00 am.

Barbara Ann Mahach

Aug. 5, 1934 - March 29, 2023

Barbara Ann Mahach was born in Mt. Vernon, New York on Aug. 5, 1934 to Robert and Eleanor Whiffen. Barbara spent most of her early and teenage years living in White Plains, New York. Following her education in Business Administration she worked in New York City until she heard the call of the west. In her early twenties she and a girlfriend took a bus to San Francisco where she found work at the Union Oil Company.

It was in San Francisco where she met her first husband, Robert Hall. Together they raised three children and lived in various Northern California cities until they settled in San Bernardino, California. With her children now in their teenage years, Barbara began work as an Administrative Assistant with the San Bernardino School District. It was also in San Bernardino where she met and married her second husband, Colonel Tom Mahach in 1982.

Shortly after their marriage Tom was assigned to a three year tour at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. While in the Philippines Barbara was able to visit Japan, Korea, Okinawa, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Hong Kong. Barbara loved travel, documenting the various trips in numerous scrapbooks, gardening, and reading a book under an umbrella on a warm beach. Following Tom’s retirement in 1986 they settled in the Sly Park area of Pollock Pines, California. Barbara then began a second career working for the El Dorado County School District and eventually the County Health Department retiring in 1997. Her co-workers will remember her smile and her pleasant and positive demeanor. Following her retirement, she and Tom continued their travels to various parts of the world. Barbara was also a long-time member of the Dogwood Garden Club of Pollock Pines.

In 2019 Barbara suffered a partially paralyzing stroke and moved into a board and care facility. In early 2022 she experienced a second stroke and relocated to the Western Slope Health Center in Placerville, California. It was there while receiving excellent care, she passed on March 29, 2023.

Barbara is survived by Colonel Tom Mahach, her loving children, Michael Hall, Suzanne Hall Fassio, Mark Hall, her granddaughter Crystal Hall, her great-grandson Jervon Duncan and her stepchildren Melinda Pfeifer, Thomas Mahach and Marla Mahach. The family will morn in private with no planned services.

Instead of honoring Barbara with flowers or contributions, give something to or do something for someone that will make them smile.

The following was taken from El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office logs:

March 31

4:36 p.m. Battery was reported at a store on Bass Lake Road in El Dorado Hills.

7:57 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Cosumnes Mine Road in Somerset.

8:20 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 41-year-old man suspected of possession marijuana for sale on Crystal Boulevard in El Dorado. He was later released.

10:16 p.m. Battery was reported on Cambridge Road in Cameron Park.

April 1

3:23 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 52-year-old man suspected of a felony parole violation on Mother Lode Drive in Placerville. He was later released.

5:24 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 29-year-old woman suspected of possession of narcotics for sale and illegal drug paraphernalia, transporting/selling narcotics and conspiracy to commit a crime on Bancroft Drive in El Dorado Hills. She was listed in custody in lieu of $225,000 bail.

10:29 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Fairway Drive in Cameron Park.

11:53 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Mt. Murphy Road in Placerville.

2:30 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 40-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct on La Crescenta Drive in Cameron Park. He was later released.

4:52 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Mortara Circle in Placerville.

7:42 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 66-year-old man suspected of destroying/concealing evidence, possession of illegal drug paraphernalia and a controlled substance and driving without a license on Highway 50 at Bass Lake Road in El Dorado Hills. He was listed in custody in lieu of $5,000 bail.

10:47 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 24-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 at Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs. He was later released.

April 2

12:04 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 48-year-old woman suspected of obstruction and possession of illegal drug paraphernalia on Rock Barn Road in Shingle Springs. She was released on $3,000 bail.

12:39 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 41-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia and destroying evidence on China Garden Road in Diamond Springs. He was released on $5,000 bail.

1 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 37-year-old woman suspected of being under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of illegal drug paraphernalia on Rock Barn Road in Shingle Springs. She was later released.

1:47 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 44-year-old woman suspected of child abuse and being under the influence of a controlled substance on Racquet Way in Diamond Springs. She was listed in custody in lieu of $10,000 bail.

8:10 a.m. Burglary was reported at the post office on Highway 49 in Pilot Hill.

10:44 a.m. Burglary was reported on Audubon Drive in Camino.

2:18 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 42-year-old man suspected of possession of stolen property, driving with a suspended license and a probation violation on Pollock Avenue. He was listed in custody in lieu of $306,000 bail.

5:48 p.m. Illegal entry was reported on Wagon Master Road in Placerville.

9:06 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 49-year-old woman suspected of disorderly conduct on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. She was later released.

11:04 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 31-year-old woman suspected of grand theft, conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of illegal drug paraphernalia on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills. She was later released.

11:09 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 42-year-old man suspected of tampering with a vehicle, grand theft, conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of a controlled substance, illegal drug paraphernalia and burglary tools on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills. He was released on $6,500 bail.

11:42 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Outrigger Drive in El Dorado Hills.

April 3

1:08 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old woman suspected of possession of illegal drug paraphernalia, battery on a peace officer and resisting arrest on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. She was listed in custody in lieu of $32,500 bail.

Learn about fire-resilient landscaping strategies

Mountain Democrat staff

The El Dorado County Fire Safe Council will lead a workshop April 17 on how to create defensible space around a home that is fire resilient and water wise.

The workshop begins at 7 p.m. at the Gold Trail Grange, 319 Highway 49 in Coloma and may also be attended virtually on Zoom at bit.ly/ Firesafeworkshop.

Workshop topics include an explanation of defensible space zones and how they apply to different properties, as well as how to create defensible space that is aesthetically pleasing.

Presenters will also cover plant characteristics that make them more resistant to burning and how defensible space can be wildlife friendly and water wise.

For more information about the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council visit edcfiresafe.org.

A map of the proposed development submitted to the county in 2022 shows around 60% of the 104acre plot would be left undeveloped and designated as a public access easement, according to The True Life Companies Executive Vice President Aidan Barry.

Meadows, would see construction of 161 single-family homes in a currently undeveloped area. The site of the proposed development is cause for considerable consternation for many locals, however, as the 104-acre parcel where TTLC plans to place its project is home to a popular pond and nearby nature trails.

In an effort to protect the undeveloped space that borders Pine Hill Preserve and El Dorado Countyowned land — both parcels established as preserves for rare plants that grow in the gabbro soil — a grassroots opposition to the development named the Rescue Rasmussen Pond Alliance has come together. The group began to coalesce in 2021 when “for sale” signs in the area began to appear, a potential portent of development on the horizon. RRPA website registrations show more than 700 people aligned with the cause, according to Rob Harris, a representative for the alliance.

“Our main concern is to stop any development at this beautiful, unique place that people have been using for a long time,” said Harris. “People have looked after this place, cleaning and maintaining the socially-developed trails for 20 years. If you go to other natural parks in Cameron Park, they’re basically just utility easements and you’re just staring at other people’s backyards.”

The current owner of the land has allowed the public to freely access the pond and trails for decades. Trails on the land connect to other trails in the area, creating a network of paths that total 6 miles in length. TTLC has an agreement in place to purchase the property and is currently in escrow, according to David Leibowitz, a communications specialist associated with the development.

Aidan Barry, an executive vice president at TTLC, has spent three years working on Cameron Meadows so far and considers it his passion project. Barry’s plan for the development is a bit of a balancing act, he said, with the goal of making more housing available in an area that needs it while keeping more than half of the land open and available for nature-loving neighbors.

“I don’t want to see or refer to these other people as the opposition,” Barry said of RRPA. “These people are our neighbors and they are passionate about the land next to them. They have concerns and it’s my job to attempt to answer those.”

Tentative plans for the development show around 60% of the 104 acres will remain undeveloped and openly accessible for the public. Barry said his ideal is to “allow for coexistence” between the natural area, new houses and the Cameron Park community as a whole.

“It’s a really cool piece of dirt, with a nice pond and all these trees around,” Barry explained. “People have embraced it as their own. So I spoke with our design team and asked, ‘How do we protect those trees and trails and the pond?’ And the development can become an economic engine to be able to maintain those things.”

Language in the project description notes 62.64 acres of the 104-acre property would be classified as a public access easement. In order to make room for the easement, the planned residential lots measure in at 8,400 square feet on average, smaller than the 10,000 square feet for similar developments in the area. According to the RRPA, the land is not currently zoned for that level of density, meaning TTLC will have to request the zoning be altered for the plan to move ahead.

The current phase of the project involves working with consultants to make certain the project will meet California Environmental Quality Act requirements and awaiting the county to schedule a scoping meeting. Barry said TTLC has already done duediligence groundwork studies, planning around elements such as the potential for the pond to flood as it did during this winter’s heavy rainstorms.

Barry anticipates it will be a nine- to 12-month process to get to an approved tenant map and certified environmental report. That process may be lengthened depending on community input and pushback; though, he said, TTLC will be utilizing a newer piece of legislation to expedite the road to construction as much as possible.

“There is a drastic need for marketrate housing within all segments of the state of California and El Dorado County is not immune to that,” Barry explained. “It needs housing, it needs market rate housing. The state has been creating some tools that developers or the state itself can use to encourage local jurisdictions to build housing, so we are using one of those tools, called SB 330.”

Senate Bill 330, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in late 2019, sets limitations on how counties can process applications that meet legal requirements, including allowing only a maximum of five public hearings. The bill additionally “requires a court to impose a fine on a local agency under certain circumstances and requires that the fine be at least $10,000 per housing unit in the housing development project on the date the application was deemed complete” if a development application that met applicable zoning and general plan requirements were to be denied.

Barry said the Cameron Meadows development is the first application in the county to utilize SB 330 as a tool.

Harris thinks the fight for the pond is one locals can win and points to prior TTLC applications as proof.

“We’ve got a lot of people behind us and have raised a considerable amount of money to hire experts to help in this fight,” Harris emphasized. “This or any development in that area would destroy the entire ambiance and we’ve already spotted a number of shortcomings in their initial surveys and studies. This company has had two other proposed developments, St. Stino and Dixon Ranch, fall through because of community opposition and we’re looking to make the record 3-0.”

The RRPA has collected visitor data for Rasmussen Pond and claims the area sees as many as 600 visits a week, with some locals walking the trails daily. Their access would potentially be impeded for multiple months if/when construction on the project begins, though Barry said efforts would be made to minimize such impacts.

If the application process goes smoothly for TTLC, Barry anticipates construction of the Cameron Meadows project to begin in April 2025.

NEUROPATHY IS A PROGRESSIVE CONDITION!

Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and may also lead to serious balance problems. This damage is commonly caused by a lack of blood ow to the nerves in the hands and feet. If not properly treated this lack of blood ow may cause the nerves to degenerate.

Healthy Nerve

Healthy Blood Vessels

Diseased Blood Vessels

Nerves Shrivel when Blood Vessels Weak and Disappear

As you can see in Figure 1, as the blood vessels surrounding the nerves become diseased they shrink and shrivel. This process hastens the ow of vital nutrients to the nerves required to remain healthy. When these nerves begin to “die” it could lead to balance problems, pain, numbness, tingling and burning symptoms in the hands and feet.

Figure 1

In order to effectively treat your neuropathy 3 factors must be determined.

What is the underlying cause? 1

How much nerve damage has been sustained? 2

How much treatment will your condition require? 3

Our advanced treatment method has 3 main goals

Increase Blow ow 1

Stimulate small ber nerves 2

Decrease brain based pain 3

The treatment to increase blood ow utilizes a specialized low-level light therapy (not to be confused with laser therapy) using light emitting diode technology. This technology was originally developed by NASA to assist in increasing blow ow.

The low level light therapy is like watering a tree. The light therapy will allow the blood vessels to grow back around the peripheral nerves and provide them with the proper nutrients to heal and repair. It’s like adding water to a tree and seeing the roots grow deeper and deeper.

The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to fully recover varies from person to person and can only be determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation.

“My feet hurt so bad after sitting I could barely take the rst few steps. I have had 11 treatments and no longer feel sharp or shooting pains and most of the tingling is gone. I now have full balance and can walk without pain. As Dr. Mooney explained the treatment is not painful, nothing uncomfortable, and is actually very relaxing.” –

Pain Patient