Los Gatos Weekly-Times Main Street Mary Ann Cook The Meadows helps longest resident celebrate CENTENNIAL: A longtime resident of the Meadows, Harold Leon Buechner, turned 100 on Oct. 20 and was feted appropriately on the date with cake and song. Buechner is a charter resident of the Meadows, having moved there in 1971 with his wife, Emily, now deceased. Many of the benches placed about the Meadows' grounds are his handiwork, and he also built birdhouses for many of the residents. He is regarded as one of the most endearing residents of the retirement community. Now in a wheelchair, he is often seen seeking out a sunny spot in which to park. YACHT CLUB: Newly named Los Gatos Yacht Club officers are Leo Feltz, commodore; Ted Miller, vice commodore; Frank Schwarb, rear commodore; Marilyn Kinney, secretary; Bob Bauer, treasurer; and Lew Krumm, director. The recent meeting featuring Muffett Brown filled the Los Gatos Lodge meeting room. POST TITANIC: Muffett Brown's reminiscences about her unsinkable ancestor Molly Brown's courage and leadership piloting the lifeboat when the Titanic sank may be familiar. But Muffett's great-grandmother was equally involved after the lifeboats landed. For example, Molly helped other survivors gets their bearings. Since most of their husbands had died, wives and children often had no idea about their next move. Many didn't speak English, and Molly, who knew four languages, was able to translate and transcribe messages for them. She made sure they connected with those awaiting them when they reached the United States and she helped raise funds for the neediest widows and orphans. Undaunted by sea disasters, Molly was off on another sea trip by the fall of that same year. On subsequent voyages she survived a typhoon and a ship's fire. She was a leading suffragette and was keenly disappointed when she wasn't allowed to lead a fighting battalion in Mexico. Molly was the second woman in the country to run for Congress. And she assisted striking miners and their families, even though her husband was the mineowner. With all this material at hand it's no wonder Brown is taking her g'grandmother's show on the road for a year, giving presentations throughout the country. WILD WEST: The 1998 Cattle Baron's Ball raised more than $850,000 to benefit the American Cancer Society. The Wild West Gold Rush drew 1,250 guests and 500 volunteers to Moffett Field's Hangar #3 for the benefit gala. Auction items alone raised nearly $250,000, including a Versace designer table, a designer home office, a Seabourn Cruise, a custom-made train jungle gym and an Aston Martin Virage. Co-chairwomen were Zoe Alameda and Lynda Evjen. CRICKET CONTEST: Jasmine Ricks, 9, was awarded an honorable mention for her rug design in Cricket magazine's August art competition. Her name was in the November issue of the magazine. An art or writing competition is held monthly and 700 to 800 entries are received, so Jasmine's is no small feat. BOOK SIGNING: Children's book author Linda Baxter will sign copies of her latest book, The Fire Carrier, on Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. at Borders Book Store. This historical fiction about a Lakota Indian boy is geared to readers in grades 3 through middle school. TRADITIONS: The Association of American University Women will present a program on the "Rewards of Rituals," presented by Donne Davis of Foothill College Outreach at 7 p.m. on Nov. 11 at the Adult Day Care Center in Saratoga. Those attending are invited to share their own family traditions. In addition, Paula McNally of Redwood Middle School will share her Tech-Trek Science Camp experiences. Paula was awarded an AAUW scholarship to the Stanford camp because of her motivation and scholarship in science, math and technology. The AAUW Los Gatos-Saratoga branch will sponsor two girls next summer. FASHION SHOW: The 44th annual fashion show to benefit the Scholarship Endowment Fund at Bellarmine will be held Nov. 13 at the San Jose Fairmont. Local volunteers include Joan Bertolotti, Kristin Dickens, Cissy Fitzsimmons, Barbara Gentzkow, Janice Morimoto, Dolly Barnes, Jo Ariko and Lorraine Siadat. The luncheon show starts at 11 a.m., tickets are $68 and the contact is 997-8203. The dinner show is at 6:30 p.m., tickets are $115 and the number is 266-6628. Evening entertainment includes the Zasu Pitts Memorial Orchestra. DIVERGENT ARTISTS: An art reception for two very divergent artists will be held Nov. 8, 1-4 p.m., at the Los Gatos Museum. "Selfimpression through Colors" is the show by Russian-born Valerial Mravyan, and "Books and Artifacts from a Fouled Nest" is the title of M.J. Orcutt's work. Mravyan works in various media, and local resident Orcutt creates sculptures from abandoned refuse. Both women have received international recognition. The show runs through Dec. 6. JEWISH HISTORY: A study group focusing on Jewish history to be led by professional historian Alexis Rubin will meet Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Room 3 at Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga. Call Sheryl Rattner, 253-2165. [ Back to Contents Page | Los Gatos Weekly-Times Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, November 4, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.