Los Gatos Weekly-Times Book brings back memories of the valley in orchards Mary Ann Cook LOCAL HISTORY: History buffs, a new book called Voices from the Orchards has just been published, a compilation of personal stories of those in the fruit industry in this valley from picker to processor. Some 21 voices tell their stories, including Saratogan Vince Garrod. Also heard from are Frank Pregliasco and Carol Beddo, who grew up on farms in Los Gatos. The book's author is Carolyn Downey, who collected oral histories of these remembrances. She sought out representatives from every ethnic group then living in the valley. "Many just spouted out poetry," she says. "I hardly had to do any editing. Even those for whom it wasn't a pleasant experience spoke glowingly about how there was nothing more beautiful than apricots ripening in the sun." Downey taught in the Alum Rock school district for 20 years and recently earned a masters at San Jose State University in education and children's literature. The book is designed to be read as a text by fourth-graders, and will interest adults as well. Two test marketers were 10-year-old Los Gatos twins Allysa and Kelly Craig-Arnold. Margaret O'Keefe is the book's illustrator and chief impetus for its creation. O'Keefe, a friend of Downey's, filled dozens of sketchbooks with her work 60 years ago at an Evergreen ranch. She was hoping to do a mural in San Jose of the fruit packing industry. O'Keefe, now deceased, was a founding member of the San Jose Art League. Thirty percent of first-day sales will go to the Margaret O'Keefe Endowment Fund at the League. Downey will sign books at the Fairmont Hotel lobby Jan. 21 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The books are $14.95, available at the San Jose Art League, 482 S. 2nd St., or ordered through Anacaro Publications, P.O. Box 720816, San Jose, 95172-0816. A sequel is in the works, titled Growing Up in Santa Clara Valley. THE BIG TIME: In other publishing news, children's author Joan Cottle has sold a picture book she wrote and illustrated to Harcourt-Brace titled Miles Away from Home. The publishing company bought worldwide and merchandising rights and an option on the next book about the family. All of which signals the Big Time. The book, however, won't appear until spring, 2001. Takes patience, this profession. In the meantime, Cottle is illustrating a reading series book for Macmillan called You Can't Judge a Book By Its Cover. And her books are listed on the Web site developed by Jeff Johnson, who coaches Little League along with Joan's husband Michael Cottle. Of books ordered through the Los Gatos Little League Amazon site, 5 percent of the sale goes to the Little League. It was Johnson's idea. STROKE VICTIM: Wilma Thompson suffered a stroke 10 days ago and is in Los Gatos Community Hospital, Room 214, at this writing, but check before heading there; she may have been moved in the meantime. Part of her left side was paralyzed, but gradually most of the feeling has come back. After two days she was even walking a few steps. Though she's gaining fast, it's a long haul recouping from a stroke. So says her crony and fellow local historian Bill Wulf who should know; he's a health-care worker. Still, at the rate she's progressing, she'll be doing cartwheels soon, he quips. Right now she's sticking to telling dirty jokes to visitors. Cards and visitors are much appreciated, but no flowers, please; she's allergic. AT THE Y: This is Active Older Adult week at the Southwest YMCA at 13500 Quito Road, and next week is Healthy Lifestyles week. A free luncheon lecture will be held Jan. 26 from 1 to 2 p.m., and the subject will be "Stocks for the Long Run." On Jan. 28 the luncheon/lecture will also be at 1 p.m., and the subject will be Preventative Health. A title that seems to go against the grain. Surely the Y doesn't mean to prevent its patrons from being healthy. Guess Preventive Measures to Ensure Health just didn't fit on the marquee. Classes offered regularly at the Southwest Y include tai chi, aerobics, aqua fitness, Jin Shin Jyutsu and stretching. Call 370-1877 to reserve a luncheon spot. PAINT AWAY WINTER DOLDRUMS: At Petroglyph budding artisans can create hand-painted plates. Classes offered are Italian brushstroke grapes and roses on Jan. 25; Easy Painting for Terrified Adults on Feb. 1; Valentine Fun, Feb. 8; Italian Brushstroke Vegetable Madness, Feb. 15 and Italian Brushstroke Hummingbird and Fuchsia, Feb. 22. Classes are 7-9 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Avenue store. For children ages 8-12, classes are offered on Monday and for 6-8-year-olds, it's Wednesday, both 4-6 p.m. To enroll call 354-8700. Prices from $30 to $45 include instruction, ceramics, glazing, firing. AT YOSEMITE: John Caputo, executive chef of the California Cafe in Los Gatos was part of the Chefs' Holiday Series at Yosemite this week. Caputo conducted cooking seminars and demos and prepared two dishes for the grand banquet. His contributions: a lobster and lemongrass consommé with Dungeness crab won tons; and a squab and wild mushroom salad with vegetable root chips. Anyone else suddenly ravenously hungry? [ Back to Contents Page | Los Gatos Weekly-Times Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, January 20, 1999. ©1999 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.