BARBECUE ENTHUSIASTS WILL SHARE FOOD, FOND MEMORIES.

Byline: Bettie Rencoret Senior Columnist

What kind of tales do the old folks tell when they share stories?

They talk about things that happened when they and the Antelope Valley Oldtimers Barbecue club were both young.

They'll talk about encroaching big-city crime, how the younger generation is going to the dogs, the Clinton scandal, HMOs and old friends who didn't make it. They'll also circulate the latest family pictures.

``This event always gives everyone who has been here for 25 years or more a chance to dredge up memories from as far back as the 1930s maybe even farther back than that,'' said Mickey Primmer, an Antelope Valley resident since 1923.

Some 700 to 800 people are expected to show up for the barbecue, which starts at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 11 at Challenger Memorial Hall on the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 155 E. Ave. I.

Oldtimers President Henry Hooyerink and his wife, Susan, assisted by Secretary Marge Cox, are once again in charge of the festivities, according to Walt Primmer, publicity chairman, Mickey's husband and an Antelope Valley native.

``Henry and his new crew of chefs are preparing approximately 1,000 pounds of beef, huge vats of beans and potato salad,'' he said. ``There will also be buns, salsa and drinks, with ice cream for dessert.''

Serving will begin at noon and end at 2 p.m. Meal donations this year are $8 for adults, and $3 for children 12 and younger. For the first time, organizers are asking a donation of $1 for each person who comes but doesn't eat.

``That will help defray the cost of the tables and chairs,'' Walt Primmer said. ``We'll make drinks available to them at cost. We're sure everyone will understand.''

Through Carl Bergman's efforts there will once again be antique cars on display. Bergman may be inspired to talk about the secret bootleg operation that went on down on Sierra Highway during the early days or how he raised barns on both sides of the Valley for several years or his collection of old tools, cars and other antiquities. He might even recount his treks into the tunnels under the streets of Los Angeles when he was a kid.

Local author Milt Stark and Walt Primmer have put together a showing of old photographs.

There will be a lot of nostalgia and laughter.

There will be a serious side, too. Attracted to the event each year are local politicians. Oldtimers are never reticent to ask them questions about many issues.

Mickey and Walt Primmer can usually find other people there with whom to revive 1941 memories of the War Eagle Squadron at Polaris Flight Academy.

``That was a U.S. Army facility established as a training center for British pilots,'' Walt said. The site later became Mira Loma Jail.

Primmer was born here in 1920 and Mickey arrived here with her parents from Gordon, Neb., when she was 2.

``We've watched the area grow and we want to preserve all the old as well as enjoy the perks of the new,'' she said. ``We don't want anything to get lost along the trail of progress.''

LANCASTER - A flu shot clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 21 in the Lancaster Homes recreation room at 711 W. Jackman St.

All senior citizens, considered at risk for contracting the bug during this time of the year, are urged to get immunized.

For more information, call the Antelope Valley Senior Center, [phone].

LANCASTER - Menus for the week at the senior life nutrition sites in Lancaster, Palmdale and Pearblossom have been announced. All meals include bread, margarine and coffee, tea or milk for the suggested donation of $2.

Monday: Hot turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes, parsleyed carrots, marinated beets, apple.

Tuesday: Tuna surprise, stewed tomatoes, garden salad, pineapple chunks.

Wednesday: Hamburger patty, macaroni salad, cauliflower with carrots, tomato and lettuce salad, fruit.

Thursday: Pinto beans with ham, cornbread, broccoli, tomato and lettuce salad, lemon pudding.

Friday: Baked chicken, au gratin potatoes, peas and carrots, fiesta coleslaw, apple brown Betty.

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PHOTO Mickey Primmer, left, Walt Primmer and Marge Cox will host a big barbecue.

Bettie Rencoret/Special to the Daily News