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Program honors triumph over adversity
By Mary Ann Cook
FIGHTING ALS: It's not till May 17, but it's never too early to applaud Charlie Wedemeyer and the outreach program in his name, that is dedicated to fighting Lou Gehrig's disease and honoring others who have overcome fierce obstacles.
The Charlie Wedemeyer Scholarship Awards dinner will be held at the San Jose Fairmont. Six county high school athletes who have triumphed over adversity will receive scholarships that night.
Several athlete/celebs will be on hand: Ronnie Lott, Brent Jones, Peggy Fleming and Tony Granato. Media celebs Vernon Glenn and Jan Hutchins will emcee. The Charlie Wedemeyer Family Outreach is a nonprofit organization that assists those with ALS and their families.
Roger Reedy is the event chair for this second annual dinner. Wedemeyer, LGHS football coach, has suffered the disease for 23 years, which may be a record for the longest-lived survivor. For reservations at $150 per ticket call 408.358.4784.
COOK ISLAND ADVENTURES: Dr. Kyle Frandle and nine members of his Los Gatos Dog and Cat Hospital went where few or no veterinarians have gone before--to the Cook Islands to volunteer their services to the animal population there for several months.
A volunteer clinic foundation had been set up by a Salem, Oregon, woman, Cathy Sue Anunsen, and the LG Hospital has contributed equipment to that organization for the past five years. Last year they sent themselves, serving on a rotating basis.
A clinic is established on the island of Raratonga which served as their base. They also flew to a few of the outer islands, where people had never seen anesthesia at work before and were amazed that the animals awakened. On these remote islands the vet team left medicine and equipment for humans to use, as well.
The team treated pigs, chickens, draft horses and goats and performed as many as 30-50 surgeries, such as d & c, a day. Frandle was seldom without a scalpel or a camera. He took such rare and valuable footage of a humpbacked whale that whale researchers at work there named one of the whales Dr. Kyle B.
The B was for son Brandt, 12, who was along on the deep-sea fishing jaunt. Other family members who journeyed for part of the stay were sons Jared, 20; Adrian, 17; and wife Katy. Katy is principal of Brook Knoll school in Scotts Valley.
They were paid in papayas, beans and coconuts, but "gained more than we got," said the doctor. The weather and the water were unbeatable. One sight they won't soon forget was a fisherman father bringing home his catch on a motorcycle.
The fish was so big as it lay draped over his lap that both the head and the tail touched the dusty road. When he pulled into his yard, his children ran out excitedly to see the wonder that would be dinner.
The Frandles plan to return to the islands, though not this year. The LG hospital continues to send supplies, but transportation is so costly that Frandle is trying to find an economical carrier.
ANTARCTIC WILDLIFE: Doug Cheeseman will present a slide program on Antarctic wildlife on April 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Library. Cheeseman, a Saratogan, is a retired professor of environmental studies at De Anza college and active in the Audubon Society .
Since retirement he has led excursions to foreign lands to observe wildlife, particularly birds, not found in the U.S. To visit Antarctica, Cheeseman chartered a Russian ship, and with his clients toured the Falklands, South Georgia Island and the Antarctic Peninsula.
The program's sponsor is the Guadalupe Group, the local chapter of the Sierra Club.
CONCERT: Coloratura soprano Erie Mills will perform on April 16, at 2:30 p.m. at Los Gatos High School in the final season concert for the Los Gatos-Saratoga Community Concert Association. Mills, professor of vocal music at San Jose State University, is described as a dramatic and dynamic performer.
Selections will range from 17th century Handel to 20th century Leonard Bernstein. Accompanist Sharon Brook is also a member of the SJSU faculty. Mills won a Grammy Award for "Candide," and has performed at the N.Y. Met, San Francisco Opera and La Scala.
HONORING VOLUNTEERS: The Meadows celebrates National Volunteer Week with a reception on April 15, at 3 p.m. in the multipurpose room. The Meadows has the largest number of volunteers in the county, says Paul Hager, activities director.
There are 50 young people and 20 adults each week who befriend residents, help write letters, read and visit. The involved young people attend local high schools and community colleges. Patti Hughes, former LGHS assistant principal, will help celebrate.
OPEN HOUSE: Community Health Library of Los Gatos will hold an open house on April 12, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library is in the Los Gatos Community Hospital, 815 Pollard, but is a separate entity. Tours will be offered, as well as refreshments and prizes.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
