8/4/2019 "A five-decade anniversary? Hot diggity dog" layout

1/2

Networks, Emmysreach 8-year deal/E4 ESUNDAY, MAY 8, 2011

hot

dog

afve-

anniversary?decade

diggity

SERVING UPWARDS OF 750 HOT DOGS A DAY, the grill atWienerschnitzel, 1775 S. 4th Ave., is loaded with wieners in anticipation ofthe lunch-hour rush.

PHOTOS BY RANDY HOEFT/YUMA SUN

WORKING IN TIGHT QUARTERS DOESNT SLOW DOWN THE CREW AT WIENERSCHNITZEL, 1775 4th Ave., which includes (from left) Martha Mesa, Gloria Putzu and owner Joe Putzu.

Wienerschnitzel celebrates 50 years; local franchise marks 45BY MARA KNAUB

SUN STAFF WRITER

How do six people work togeth-er in a 200-square-foot kitchen? In

he case of these Wienerschnit-zel employees, itsike performers in a

well-choreographeddance. But what canyou expect after 30years of working to-gether?

The six, sometimesup to eight, Yumansmove around each oth-er with smooth steps,lling drink orders,grilling hamburgersand making their fa-mous chili dogs.

They do all this ina tiny kitchen undera lively yellow andred A-frame building, one of only

hree original structures left inArizona, located at 1775 4th Ave.The A-frame is split into two sec-ions by the drive-through, withhe kitchen on one side and the

storage area in the other.The two restaurants in Yuma

are celebrating the chains 50thanniversary this year, and Yu-mas original Wienerschnitzel ismarking 45 years, one of the rst

franchises outsideof California.

The chains found-er, John Galardi,worked with GlenBell in the late 1950swhen Bell owned afew Taco Tio restau-rants, later renamedTaco Bell. Bell men-tored Galardi andencouraged him toopen his own restau-rant.

Galardi decided toopen a hot dog standand wanted a memo-rable name. His wife

found the name Der Wiener-schnitzel in a cookbook. Theyadopted the name and eventuallydropped the Der.

The chain began with a single

hot dog stand in 1961 on PacicCoast Highway in Wilmington,Calif. Yumas franchise opened in1966 and still operates at its origi-nal 4th Avenue location. Yumassecond location, owned by AliSaiyed, opened in 1991.

Current owner Joe Putzubought the 4th Avenue franchisein 1991, but he grew up at the res-taurant. His family worked at thegas station across the street andhe regularly hopped over for food.

Putzu, 45, started working af-ter school at the restaurant whenhe was 17 years old. He got alongwell with fellow employees andenjoyed meeting customers.

He climbed the ladder, rst toshift manager, night managerand then-store manager. He nal-ly bought the franchise when DonHulse retired in 1991.

I always had a lot of respect

for the company and the store,Putzu said.

In his nearly 30 years of as-sociation with the chain, hes

Whats Going OnMOTHERS DAYDINNER, DANCEWHEN: Dance 2 to6 p.m.; dinner 3 to5 p.m.WHERE: FraternalOrder of Eagles, 225S. 1st Ave.GOING ON: Mothers

Day dinner and dance with music by FredTesso Band; proceeds will benet DiabetesResearch CenterCOST: $7

CHAMPAGNE BRUNCHWHEN: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.WHERE: Pivot Point Conference CenterGOING ON: Mothers Day champagnebrunch includes peel and eat shrimp,

fruit and berries, salads, internationalcheese and crackers, eggs Benedict,omelet station, Tuscan rigatoni pasta,turkey and prime rib carving stations,mufns, danishes and breads, sweettooth dessert, grand chocolate fountainand more; Yuma Jazz Company trio willperform 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

INFO: Call Samantha Gedeon at 783-1500,Ext. 103COST: $28 adults; $20 seniors; $10children under 12

BENEFIT CONCERTWHEN: 5 p.m.WHERE: St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 1550S. 14th Ave.GOING ON: Young Musicians of Yumaperform

INFO: Call Sally Houston at 782-0166 or782-5155COST: A freewill offering

TRAIN RIDESWHEN: Noon to 4 p.m.WHERE: Joe Henry ParkGOING ON: Train rides on miniature scaletrain provided by the Yuma Territory LiveSteamersINFO: Call 782-1988COST: $1 fare

YUMA CAMERACLUBWHEN: 6 p.m.WHERE: CommunityChristian Church,6480 E. Highway 95

GOING ON: Meetings the second Mondayof each month

TEEN MOVIESWHEN: 5 p.m.WHERE: Main Library, 2951 S. 21st DriveGOING ON: Clash of the Titans

ENGLISH CLASSESWHEN: 10 a.m. to noonWHERE: Main Library, 2951 S. 21st DriveGOING ON: Ingles basico para adultos, tohelp master the basics of English

TEEN CHESS CLUBWHEN: 2 to 4 p.m. every MondayWHERE: Main Library, 2951 S. 21st DriveGOING ON: Ages 12-19 only; bring ownchessboard or use librarys

CRAFT CLASSESWHEN: 6 to 8 p.m.WHERE: Main Library, 2951 S. 21st DriveGOING ON: Held in the second-oorclassroom every Monday; participantscreate repujados, etchings on aluminum;supplies provided

INFO: Call 373-6487HOMEWORK HELPWHEN: 3 to 4 p.m.WHERE: Main Library teen room, 2951 S.21st DriveGOING ON: Volunteer honor studentsprovide assistance with basic math up topre-algebra

May

8

May

9

SEE HOT DOGS/E3

SEE GOING ON/E3

Video online @

.com

8/4/2019 "A five-decade anniversary? Hot diggity dog" layout

2/2

YUMA SUN, SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2011 E3

For information call 928.314.4762or visit our website www.balletyuma.org

Jon Cristofori & Kathleen Sinclair, Directors

Ballet CampTake a journey with the characters from

Swan Lake and on the way learn allabout the wonderful world of ballet.

SwanLake

Early Bird Special: Register before May 13th! ~ $90

A Fairy-tale ballet class where each lessonfeatures a different classical ballet theme.

Each day includes a ballet class alongwith a fairy-tale ballet story, crafts & activities.

Early Bird Special: Register before May 13th ~ $75

Tutus & Tiaras

Have aGarden CafeAdventure

HOURS: Tues- Friday 9-3, Saturday 8-3

Closed Mondays

250 S. MADISON AVE. 783-1491

Reservations Suggested

We serve only locally grown produce

Enjoy Mothers Day BrunchSunday, May 8th

8:00 am to 2:00 pmReservations Required.

RochelleMohamed

Board CertifedNurse Practitioner

ACCEPTING NEWADULT PATIENTS

Practicing in Yuma or 17 years

Accepting Most Major Insurances

Same Day Appointments Available7am appointments available

Rochelle L. Mohamed NP, PLC

MS, APRN, BC, Nurse Practitioner

2244 S. Avenue A, Suite A928-783-9391 or 928-329-7800

2245 S. Ave A

W. 24th St.

W. 22nd St.

AveA

S.ElkLane

W. 19th St.

Friday (5/06) - Sunday (5/08)

(2:10, 4:30) 9:40pm (11:40) 7:10pm

(11:15, 12:00, 2:00, 2:45, 4:45, 5:30) 7:30, 8:15, 10:15pm

(11:20, 1:50, 4:20) 7:00, 9:30pm(11:45, 2:15, 4:50) 7:20, 9:45pm

(12:15, 2:30, 4:40) 6:50, 9:10pm

(1:40, 4:15) 9:00pm(11:30) 6:40pm

(11:00, 1:45, 4:30) 7:15, 10:00pm

Sunshine Herbs-N-More11274 Fortuna Rd. Ste. K

FRYs Pioneer Center

Mon-Fri 10-5 Sat 10-4

342-1123

Want To Lose20 Lbs in 30 Days?

Attacks the

Fat Zones

Completely

Homeopathic

Kills the

hunger drive

HCG

Detox

witnessed a lot of menuchanges, but he says theconstants have been thegreat customers and qual-ity workers.

Hes also seen a lot ofchanges along 4th Avenue,with some businesses clos-ing and new ones opening.And with the citys expan-sion into other areas, he

notes that the roadway isnot as busy as it once was.Two of his longtime

workers, Gloria Putzu andMartha Mesa, agree. Joepoints out that its rare forworkers to stick around forso long, especially in thefast-food industry. However,Putzu and Mesa have beenworking alongside him forabout three decades.

Gloria, assistant man-ager, started working atWienerschnitzel in 1980as a Yuma High School ju-nior for on-the-job trainingcredit.

It was an excellent rstjob.

She and Joe eventuallystarted dating, got mar-ried, had three kids anddivorced. But were stillbest friends, Gloria, 47,quipped.

The restaurant becamea family business, and sheenjoys supporting Joe andthe team.

We have such nice cus-tomers and its a nice atmo-sphere, she said.

Mesa, 51, also grew upwith the restaurant. Hersister lived down the streetand she remembers eatingthere as a child.

I would look inside andthink I could never workthere, its so little.

But now shes one of thedancers who jump fromstation to station within thesmall connes.

Mesa joined the teamin 1983. She took time offwhen she had her two chil-dren and she usually takesthe summers off to spendtime with her kids, butshes always returns.

Everyone treats me realwell. Its not only a team,but a family, Mesa said.

She praises Joe, not-ing that hes there for us.He never says no when weneed time off.

Gloria and Mesa haveboth witnessed some excit-ing times at work, includ-ing a few trucks that didntquite clear the roof or madesharp turns around the cor-ner, taking part of the wall.

Weve lost a few bricks,Martha said, laughing.

Both women are also fansof the food, in particularthe chili cheese fries andchili cheese hot dogs.

People ask us if we gettired of the food. I never,never get tired of the chili.We make our own creationswith the chili, Gloria said.

The chili also happens tobe the most popular item on

the menu, they said.Gloria also points out

that she eats there everyday and still manages toremain trim. We call it theChili Dog Diet, she joked.

FROM PAGE E1

HOT DOGS

Another common ques-tion: Can they spell the res-taurants name?

Sure! Martha tellsthem. But her kids havetheir doubts. My kids ask,Mom, do you know how to

spell it? They think I cantspell such a big word, but Ican.

Another longtime em-ployee is 62-year-old Wil-liam Rivera. He rst startedgoing around the restau-rant 13 years ago as a home-less man asking to work forfood.

Joe would have him workaround the grounds and hedid such good work that hewas hired as the mainte-nance man. Now he has hisown apartment and is do-ing well, Joe said.

Rivera said he sticksaround because of the peo-ple he works with and thecustomers. He is one of the17 members of the team.

Its not always easy, butthe main thing is having a

good work environment.They make that with thelittle things they do to makethe store run well, and theygive our customers the bestservice, Joe said.

This year theyre takina walk down memory laneas they mark 50 years asa chain and 45 years as afranchise.

To check out the yearlonpromotions, go to www.wie-nerschnitzel.com.

Mara Knaub can be reached at mknaub@yumasun.com or 539-6856.

PHOTO BY RANDY HOEFT/YUMA SUN

MARTHA MESA PREPARES AN ORDER of the ever-popularchili dogs in the kitchen at Wienerschnitzel, 1775 S. 4th Ave.

GOING ON

QUILTINGCLUBWHEN: 10a.m. to 2p.m.WHERE:FoothillsLibrary,

13226 E. South Frontage RoadGOING ON: Learn about quiltingthrough fun, easy projects; bringscraps, materials, questions,ideas; all ages, levels of sewingexperience welcome

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESSWHEN: 10 a.m.WHERE: Wellton Library, 28790San Jose Ave.GOING ON: Learn how to create anemergency plan if disaster strikes

TEEN MOVIESWHEN: 4 p.m.WHERE: Main Library, 2951 S.21st DriveGOING ON: The Illusionist

MEAT DRAWSWHEN: 2 p.m. every TuesdayWHERE: DAV, 954 S. 13th Ave.

GOING ON: DAV Auxiliary meatdraw; proceeds help veterans,Crossroads Mission, AmberlysPlace, Yuma Community Food Bank

BARBERSHOP HARMONYCHORUSWHEN: 7 to 9 p.m.WHERE: GraceWay FellowshipChurch, 7875 E. 24th St., acrossfrom AWCGOING ON: Yuma TerritorialPrisonaires looking for men wholove to singINFO: Call Arthur Sullivan, 581-6551

FRIENDSHIP SINGLES MEETINGWHEN: 5 p.m. every TuesdayWHERE: Food Bank Conference

Room, 2404 E. 24th St.GOING ON: Plan get-togethers,activities, trips, etc.

PORTUGUESE CONNECTIONWHEN: 10 a.m. second Tuesday,January through AprilGOING ON: Koffee klatch; bring acouple doughnutsINFO: Call Millie, 305-6860

RTISTS MEETINGWHEN: Brown bag lunch at 12:30p.m., meeting at 1 p.m.WHERE: Desert Grace CommunityChurch, 12134 North FrontageRoadGOING ON: Mountain Shadows ArtAssociation members and guestsencouraged to attend

INFO: Call 345-9503

MIDDAYMASTERSTOASTMAS-TERSWHEN: 11:30a.m.WHERE:Bureau of

Reclamation, Yuma Area Ofce,7301 S. Calle Agua SaladaGOING ON: Practice leadership andpublic speaking skills; memberspay annual duesINFO: Call 343-8100

DESERT ARTISTSWHEN: 9 to 10 a.m. everyWednesday

WHERE: Putter Inn, 1245 W. DesertHills DriveGOING ON: All artists welcome fora coffee get-together

CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH

FROM PAGE E1

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to noonWHERE: Heritage Library, 350 3rdAve.GOING ON: ConversationalSpanish for beginners; learn basicvocabulary and phrases, practiceyour accent

SPAGHETTI DINNERWHEN: 6 to 8 p.m.WHERE: Our Lady of GuadalupeHall, 417 S. 15th Ave.GOING ON: Knights of Columbuswill serve a free spaghetti dinnerINFO: To donate or volunteer, callMatt Young at 783-9099 or email

unitmatt@aol.comLIBRARY LAPTOP USEWHEN: 4 to 7 p.m.WHERE: Main Library, 2951 S.21st DriveGOING ON: Public access to thelaptops for homework, career,small business developmentINFO: Call 782-1871

PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRAVELMEMBERSWHEN: 11:30 a.m.WHERE: Mi Fajita Restaurant,Foothills BoulevardGOING ON: Formerly Fleetwood RVtravelers of the Pacic Northwest;meet for lunch every secondWednesday

INFO: Call Roland or Marilyn,1-503-472-7151

EMBROIDERY GUILDWHEN: 2nd Wednesday of everymonth; times varyWHERE: Location variesGOING ON: Embroidery Guild ofAmerica, Yuma chapter meetingINFO: Call 342-7212

NURSESCELEBRA-TIONWHEN: 6:30to 9 p.m.WHERE:Holiday Inn,1901 E. 18thSt.

GOING ON: Third annual YumaCounty nursing recognitionbanquet and awards ceremony;award for 2011 Yuma County nurseof the year; recognize all thosenominated in Yuma County; allnominees invited; Dr. Carl Myers,keynote speakerINFO: Call Kim Maryniak at336-2917 or email kmaryniak@yumaregional.org

REPUBLICAN WOMENWHEN: Social 6 p.m.; meeting 6:30p.m.WHERE: IHOP Restaurant, 575 E.16th St.GOING ON: Mayor Al Kriegerguest speaker for the Rio ColoradoRepublican Womens regular

monthly meetingINFO: Call June Choate, 783-8600

SPECIAL EDUCATION, TRAININGWHEN: 6:30 to 8 p.m.WHERE: Cibola High SchoolGOING ON: This months classcommunication, speak your mind;strategies will be demonstratedto engage students in theircommunication devices; child careavailable; Spanish translators;refreshments servedINFO: Call Lisa Domby, 502-5710

PARENT AWARENESSWHEN: 11 a.m. to noonWHERE: Foothills Library, 13226 E.South Frontage RoadGOING ON: This weeks class child

nutrition and physical activity;parents will learn how to preparetheir children for schoolINFO: Call 317-4540, Ext. 1853

DAYBREAKERS TOASTMASTERS

WHEN: 6:30 a.m.WHERE: Yuma Community FoodBank, 2404 E. 24th St.GOING ON: Practice publicspeaking, leadership skills, timemanagement, team building andorganizational skills

COMPUTER TUTORINGWHEN: 10 a.m. to noonWHERE: Main Library, 2951 S.21st DriveGOING ON: Hands-on assistancewith email, the Internet andMicrosoft Ofce programs with avolunteer tutor

MOUNTAIN SHADOWS ARTASSOCIATIONWHEN: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. everyThursdayWHERE: Goldsboro Bakery, 11805S. Fortuna RoadGOING ON: All artists and futureartists welcome to informal coffeegatheringINFO: Call 345-9503

HOMEWORK HELPWHEN: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.WHERE: Main Library teen room,2951 S. 21st DriveGOING ON: Volunteer honorstudents provide assistance withbasic math up to pre-algebra

NORTH ENDART WALKWHEN: 5 to 9p.m.WHERE:YumasHistoricNorth EndGOING ON:

Over 30 galleries and businesses,including Yuma Art Center,Conculcado de Mexico, SanguinettiHouse Museum, TompkinsPottery, Yuma Fine Arts, YumaCommunity Theater, local authorSharon Jessup, music by Tommyand the Drifters, performances byKim, Colby and Lorenzo, artistswill showcase ceramics, jewelry,prints and canvas, calligraphy,

photography, glass and mixedmedia, light hors doeuvres,beverages served, presented bycity of Yuma Arts and CultureCommissionINFO: Call Yuma Art Center at 373-5202 or email Arts@YumaAZ.Gov

GUITAR FOR BEGINNERSWHEN: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. FridaysWHERE: San Luis Library, 1075 N.6th Ave.GOING ON: Class for teens andadults; students encouragedto bring own acoustic guitars;instruction in English and Spanish

FISH DINNERSWHEN: 4 to 7 p.m.WHERE: Disabled American

Veterans, 954 S. 13th Ave.GOING ON: Includes two piecesof sh, hushpuppies, beans; allproceeds go to Crossroads MissionCOST: $6.50

FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERSWHEN: 5 to 7 p.m.WHERE: Fraternal Order of Eagles,225 S. 1st Ave.GOING ON: Includes entree, salador vegetable, a starch and roll;desserts 75 cents extra; moneyraised for Hospice of Yuma, SeniorNutrition, scholarshipsCOST: $5

MEAT DRAWSWHEN: 1 to 3 p.m.WHERE: 10812 Avenue 14E.

Fortuna Palms Community CenterGOING ON: Fundraiser forAmberlys Place; BYOB and snacks,pop; water, ice availableINFO: Call 305-8971

May

10

May

11

May

12

May

13