Lynne Champlin: from flight attendant to beloved Napa Valley storyteller
By Sasha Paulsen and Lynne Champlin
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — What makes a writer? It’s a question I have puzzled over and still do in my work as an editor. Some people aspire to write, and others just write.
Many years ago I was at my desk at the Napa Valley Register when I got a message that a woman at the front desk wanted to talk to me.
“I am not a writer,” the woman said when I went to meet her. “I am not even sure why I am doing this. But I have this story, and I decided to bring it to you — just to read.”
She gave me two typed pages, the story of a gold hat she had bought during a rainstorm that subsequently accompanied her on many travel adventures with her husband, Philip. It was lively and funny, and I asked her if I could publish it.
“Publish it? But I’m not a writer,” she said. “I am just a wife, a housewife, a mom.”
I will always take issue with women who say they are “just” this or “just” that. I have never met a woman who was not many, many things. And if Lynne Champlin insisted she was not a writer, I told her, she was something else that harkened back to our Stone Age days, firelight and running from mastodons: a storyteller.
“I am not that old!” she said.
But it turned out she had always had this idea of writing a column. A former flight attendant, she even had a name in mind for it: “Coffee, Tea and Me” — something people could read with their morning coffee.
So began a working relationship that became a friendship as Champlin brought in her columns. She wrote only when she had a good idea, usually inspired by her gold-hat travels with Philip, a retired Napa Superior Court judge. If they weren’t embarking on round-the-world cruises, they were taking off in their RV or on their motorcycle with Lynne in the sidecar.
Other times she focused on local stories, such as the time she speculated on what Napa would be like today if prunes, not grapes, had remained our dominant crop. Every time I published a new “Coffee, Tea and Me” story, emails would pour in from readers who had enjoyed it that morning. Once we made a mistake and put “Coffee, Tea or Me” as the title, and I got a prompt email from Judge Champlin, reminding me that the latter was the name of a racy book about flight attendants, and that was not his Lynne.
After the judge passed away in the winter of 2023, Lynne said she did not know if she had any more stories left. She was pretty sure her writing days were over. But then one day I got a letter from her. Maybe it was the influence of returning spring, but inside the envelope was a new story.
“May I give it to Tim Carl to publish?” I asked her.
“I don’t know if I will have any more stories to tell,” she cautioned me.
Right. Once a storyteller, always a storyteller. And here’s her story.
My secret fantasy
By Lynne Champlin
Do you have a secret fantasy? I want to tell you about mine: I have always wanted to be a hostess at Cole’s Chop House. My friends and family have been hearing about this for years. I love meeting people and hearing their stories. Or maybe I am just nosy. But when I mentioned this to Cole’s owner, Eric Keffer, his answer was: “Come in on Friday night.” That was all I had to hear!
Cole’s is one of the most popular restaurants in Napa. It was a favorite place for Philip and me — that and Jonesy’s Famous Steakhouse at the Napa Airport, which we went to when we moved here in 1966. We didn’t even think of going anywhere else.
When we bought our first house in Stonecrest, Hugh and Rowena Jones, owners of Jonesy’s, lived up the street from us on Hillside Avenue. When we had our first child, Christopher, they adopted our son as their own. Rowena used to come to our house and ask if she could take Chris home with her for the day. Chris had his own highchair and little bed at their house for his frequent visits. And Hugh would bring home leftover steak pieces for our dog, Bismark. They were welcome visitors in our home, and I miss them.
Cole’s opened in 2000. When we started going there, I remember telling Chef Greg Cole that he reminded me of Hugh Jones but without the chef jacket and toque. Today, since Greg sold the restaurant, Eric is always there, greeting his guests and walking among tables. Guests feel a part of a restaurant when they see and speak with the owners. It helps them to feel special, and then they come back often, as we did. And, of course, Cole’s great menu is a winner.
After Eric told me I could come and be a hostess, I had to decide what to wear. I wanted to look classic and in good taste. I finally decided to wear my Scottish tweed vest with a huge silver patterned pin. Attractive, but not overdone. No sequined tops for me, except on New Year’s Eve.
Before the restaurant is open at 5 p.m., people often sit on chairs outside the glass doors. After I arrived at 4:30, I noticed a couple and a man sitting there, and I went out to talk. These three people were Napans, the artist Gordon Huether and his lovely wife, Darcy, and another man, whom I did not know but who was very friendly. We spent some time chatting until the doors opened, and then in we went. Gordon and Darcy sat at the bar, and the other man found a little side table.
Getting ready to welcome guests, I decided to carry one of their huge menus so that it looked like I belonged there and to stand between the check-in booth and the bar, where guests usually wait to be seated.
I must tell you, I met so many interesting people that evening, from all over the United States. My flight attendant background took charge, and I started with, “Well, where are you from?” I was surprised that so many came from far away. Many had read about Cole’s online or friends had sent them. They were told to be sure to make reservations in advance, always a good idea at Cole’s.
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Talking to two couples, I learned they were from Florida. They were friendly and delightful, and one of the men had a regal charm — quiet and calm but friendly. Immediately I knew he was someone special. I just had to ask him his profession. He told me he was a dean of a college on the East Coast. I said I was not surprised; he reminded me so much of my husband, Judge Champlin. This man was smiling and friendly but in control. Philip was from the East Coast, too. The other man was more of a character, and yet he turned out to be a judge. He asked me about a Napa judge who sat on a special board, and I knew he was talking about Judge Scott Snowden. I told him about our connection with Scott. He and Philip had been partners at Coombs and Dunlap and then on the Napa Superior Court. Huether took our photo as we talked, and we all looked so happy.
Another family I met was from Chico. I said, “Isn’t that where the party college is located?” They sort of laughed, but the woman, in a controlled voice, said they were ranchers and not often in town. So I asked the only question I could think of, “Did you know Judge Ann Rutherford?”
Immediately they said yes, but they would never want to appear in front of her. She was known as a tough judge. I told them that the Rutherford family were long-time Napans, and when Gov. Jerry Brown called Philip to appoint him to the bench, Ann called and invited us to Chico. She wanted to show Philip how to put on his robe and invited him to sit on the bench with her. Philip did appreciate the invitation, and we had a great weekend with them.
Another interesting man, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, was watching the cooks behind the counter. I asked him if he was from Hawaii. He said no, he just liked the shirt. He told me he was learning how Cole’s cooks perfect steaks. He explained their whole process right there in the middle of the room. It was interesting, and I was sorry I couldn’t take notes. He told me he was a Realtor here in Napa, and I told him that I once worked for Peggy Meister at Landmark Realty. When I introduced myself, he said he used to read my column all the time in the Napa Register. I thanked him, and he went over to join his friends: Gordon and Darcy Huether.
The man I had met outside sitting by the Huethers turned out to be an Oakland fireman. He and his friend, also an Oakland fireman, both live in Napa. Each had married a woman from Napa, and both were Catholics, like me, who were members of St. John’s and St. Apollinaris churches. One was related to the Negrey family, who lived near Philip and me when we had a house on Montecito Boulevard.
The evening was a real Napa meeting, and while I was speaking to many of these people, Gordon was taking our photos, which made it even more fun. All of the people were so interesting, and it was enjoyable to talk to them and learn their stories. I hope I accomplished my purpose of making them feel welcome. My only regret is that I forgot to tell them the story from long ago about the last man who was executed in Napa County and whose body was put on top of the Cole’s building (long before it was a restaurant) to dry.
By 6 o’clock I was ready to go home. But thank you, Eric, for allowing me to enjoy my secret fantasy at your wonderful restaurant. I hope you and Cole’s are here in Napa forever and ever.
If today’s story captured your interest, explore these related articles:
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Three Napa Valley women champion arts and community projects
Lynne Champlin is a long-time Napa resident and newspaper columnist, a former flight attendant who loves traveling and a storyteller.
Sasha Paulsen is a Napa Valley-based novelist and journalist.
Let's have more of Lynne. She's a treasure.
Norm, St Helena
Sign her up!