NEWCOMERS SETTLE IN TOWN.

Byline: BETTIE RENCORET Senior columnist

LANCASTER - Vic and Dottie Pamkowski have only been here about a year but have already put down roots and are excited about plans to get active in the community.

Lovers of dancing, golfing and all sorts of good things, they moved to Lancaster in June 2001 to be near daughter Vicki Connor, general manager of High Desert Broadcasting, and their two grandchildren.

Vic, a banker for 43 years before his retirement in 1992, and the former Dottie Tastle were born and raised in New York state. She was born in Little Falls and he in Palatine Bridge. As children they both moved with their families to Canojaharie and met in high school there.

They both graduated in 1946 and straight from high school he went to work for the Central National Bank.

``I did everything on that first job but finally wound up as assistant manager,'' he said

On June 14, 1947, he and Dottie were married and Dottie went to work for the Beechnut Corp. as a purchasing agent and expediter.

Then came the Korean War and in 1951 he joined the Air Force and was sent to Sampson Air Force Base, in Geneva, N.Y.

``I left Beechnut and after the first year I was able to join him. We'd already been married six years and I didn't mind,'' Dottie said.

After basic training Vic was assigned as paymaster or finance officer, a job he stayed in for the entire hitch. By the time his four years were up, he had become a staff sergeant.

Paymaster may sound like a cushy job but it was not without its dangerous side, he said. He carried a .45 pistol on his hip and once was almost killed by an sleepy Air Police guard who accidentally fired off a submachine gun.

``As I rounded the corner where the vault was located, there were two APs on duty guarding it because there was a million dollars in cash in it. One of those APs let one go right over my head. I caught him asleep and startled him,'' he said.

When Vic got out of the service in 1955, he enrolled in Cornell University and earned his bachelor's degree in agriculture.

Not long after his graduation, they attended a banquet hosted by the American Institute of Banking and he decided he'd like to get back into banking.

He placed a newspaper ad stating his qualifications and received 22 replies. When he wearied of corporate banking, he moved to an independent where he was happy until he retired.

The couple are looking forward to doing some traveling and plan to take advantage of the many Antelope Valley spots to go dancing.

Vic also loves golf, bicycling and gardening. Dottie keeps busy with sewing and decorating, and exercising at a gym three times a week.

``It's fun now even to stay home,'' said Dottie, ``or spend time with Vicki and our two beautiful grandchildren.''

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

Monday: Pork chops, au gratin potatoes, spinach, tossed salad, apple juice, chocolate cake.

Tuesday: Tangy topped tuna loaf, baked potato, peas and carrots, marinated beets, citrus cup.

Wednesday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, beets, garden salad, pineapple juice, gelatin with fruit.

Thursday: Orange glazed chicken, sweet potatoes, green beans, creamy coleslaw, grape juice, apple.

Friday: Swedish meatballs, parsleyed noodles, Normandy vegetables, lettuce and tomato salad, tapioca pudding.

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Dottie and Vic Pamkowski moved to Lancaster last summer to live near their daughter, Vicki Connor. Originally from New York state, the couple are eager to be part of the community.

Bettie Rencoret/Special to the Daily News