RIPON — Ripon’s “Old Fashioned July 4th” Community Appreciation Week is prompting Chamber of Commerce merchants and other professionals to extend specials and gifts to kids and seniors and tours of their facilities.

Schemper’s Ace Hardware was giving out American Flags to senior citizens for Senior Day on Thursday. Other businesses like Shaffer’s Tae Kwon Do offered free 45-minute classes two days this week.

For Senior Day two Ripon women took advantage of the Shaffers’ rolling out the red carpet.  Yvonne Pendleton and Kaz Chiyama practiced forms, stances, kicks and weapons under the direction of Master Tracy Shaffer.  On Friday morning, the youngest charter school is set to come into the small gym.

Ward Schemper said his hardware store gave out about 100 flags to senior citizens who visited his store on Thursday.  The small spike flags that can be pushed easily into the grass or a flower bed seemed most appropriate, he said.

Retired Ripon farmer Don Schaapman said he felt community members are privileged to have the July 4th holiday to celebrate as well as Memorial Day. He said more people need to recognize those dates.  Grinning he admitted that he had been given two flags – one for each visit Thursday.

Schaapman has lived in Ripon all of his 81 years except for four years as a U.S. Navy aviator in World War II when he flew B-24 bombers over the Pacific from the Equator to Korea.

Jake Parks of Jakes Coffee, Tea and Sandwiches, located in the same shopping center on Main Street, is offering “snicker doodle” cookies to celebrate the Fourth when a customer orders a cup of his specialty coffee.

Many other merchants and professionals throughout the business community offered bonuses and discounts to their customers.  The Tank House Flower & Gift Shop eliminated charging customers’ sales tax over the fun-filled holiday event.

Thursday Seniors’ Day was honored by Denny’s, Re/Max Executive Realty, PMZ Real Estate, ENGEO Incorporated, Heida Computers, Almond Valley Chiropractic, Divine Décor, State Farm Insurance, Friend’s Salon and the Ripon Senior Center.

Today, Friday, is Citizens’ Day highlighted by California Rock Crushers hosting tours of its facility on Doak Boulevard on the south side of the community.