Main Street
Calvary Church members build good will
By Mary Ann Cook
WORKING FOR ORPHANS: In Romania the number of orphans has reached epidemic proportions and presents a horrendous problem. Since one of the Los Gatos Calvary Church members is Romanian, he alerted the congregation to this nation's plight and put them in touch with a Romanian agency called Camino Felix.
That is why 44 locals, the majority of whom were Calvary Church members, helped build a 4,500-square-foot home in Romania for a family that was set to adopt 12 foster children. The work was done in 13 days by people, aged 17 to 70, reports Dan Yoder, one of the organizers.
"I think the people who went would say it was the best experience of their lives," he comments, "even though it was incredibly exhausting work. Seeing the (conditions in the) orphanage made us realize why we were there. It was a powerful and rewarding experience."
Not only was the house completed in that time, but it also was outfitted down to the nitty-gritty practicalities of daily living, with furniture and pots and pans. Meanwhile, back home, church members are being encouraged to "adopt" kids long distance by sending them regular monthly donations.
About one third of the traveling contingent were professional builders; others had some do-it-yourself experience, but all had a huge heart, Yoder assures. In order to finish their commitment and because containers of equipment were late, some people worked around the clock during the last two days.
Others leading the forces were Terry Welfring, a contractor; and Fred Martwick, who works for NASA. Martwick and Yoder assisted in the multitude of logistics.
RECOGNITION: Cited as outstanding by their peers and presented with certificates recently were these museum volunteers: Alice McCammon and Jane Holland, in natural science; Louise Collins, Joann Milburn and Leon Milburn, in history.
Others were Pat Dunning and Lucille Hogan, historic home tour; Ted Glauser, art; Bobbie Slutman, Joe Cusick, Kathy Keenan, and Earl and Anita Ball, behind the scenes; and Catherine Politopoulos, Janet Kerr and John Illingworth in the absolutely irreplaceable category.
All volunteers who had given 50 or more hours of service for the year were given a bottle of bubbly for adding sparkle to the association. The event may have set an attendance record, what with 150 people attending after the town tree lighting ceremony.
Adults sipped wine upstairs, while the children decorated cookies in the storage area.
MORE BOOKS ON TAPE: Library director Peggy Conaway accepted a bequest of $1,000 from the Kamille M. Mason trust to be used to purchase more tapes for the blind. Kamille Mason is part of the locally famous Mason family, Bill Mason Sr.'s wife.
She was legally blind in her last few years and used books on tape extensively, and wanted to show her appreciation. Bill Mason was the man who had the Billy Jones Railroad installed in Oak Meadow/Vasona Park, and then the carousel. He was the granddaddy of those additions, you might say.
WINNERS ALL: Local groups collecting first place trophies in the Children's Parade were the Sizzling Seniors in the comedy/novelty category, the Los Gatos Christmas Foundation in the dignitary section and Los Gatos Girl Scouts in miscellaneous.
First place winners for floats were Handy Van, Church of Scientology and South Bay Triplets. Firsts for car decorations were won by Los Gatos Brewing Company, Los Gatos Elks #1857 and Art Docents of Los Gatos.
Others who strutted into top place were the Valley Baton Club, the Prince Charles Pipe & Drum Band, the MacIntosh Pipe & Drums and the Sacred Heart School chorale group. Redwood Middle School won the band award sweepstakes.
SEASON'S FINEST FINERY: And speaking of winners, here are the sights not to be missed during this holiday season--the tops in outdoor decorations, as declared by the Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee. The unanimous choice went to the home at 60 Ellenwood Ave.
THE GRINCH WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS is its theme. This is a must see, says committee spokesman Greg Stowers. Second place bows go to the home at 75 Alpine Road. Others especially commended were the giant snowman on Bachman and the giant reindeer on Tait. On the other side of town, Englewood off Kennedy and Stonybrook and Cardinal Lane collected raves. Winning commercial sites were the Cornerstone Shopping Center at Blossom Hill, awarded the Best of the Boulevard and the Bachman Building for the downtown area. Honorable mention went to the entire N. Santa Cruz Avenue, and the park, all lit up. Besides Stowers, other members of the committee are Shirley Henderson, Azita Aghiuli, Calle Brophy, Gary Schloh, Beth Smith, Marie Tallman, Malaina Taylor, Graham Burrows and Rob and Nancy Walker.
MOTORIST ALERT: Alice Royall was horrified at the rudeness of drivers this year during her ritual carriage ride after the town tree lighting. Motorists were speeding, honking, passing the carriage, endangering children. She cautions motorists to take it easy in deference to both horses and humans.
|
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
