Photograph by Louise Webb
Frank Blaisdell (left), coordinator of Operation Reindeer, and volunteers Ed Porter and Gretchen Tossy ready gifts for delivery to needy families.
Saratogans continue to do good deeds. Operation Reindeer, a joint community project of Penwest, an association of Los Gatos and Saratoga real estate agents, and the West Valley Advisory committee of the American Red Cross, wrapped boxes of food and gifts for local needy families this holiday season. The project has been going on for 20 years.
"People don't realize that families in the West Valley area are in need of food and clothing," volunteer Ed Porter noted. He has volunteered for eight years and recalled the woman who is so appreciative of receiving gifts that she always has homemade cookies waiting when the box of presents is delivered.
This year there were 93 families receiving help, including several senior citizens. Saratoga offices participating were: Cornish and Carey, Alain Pinel, Coldwell Banker, Finet, Contempo Reality, Stewart Title, Acubank, Re/Max Silicon Valley, Old Republic Title, Fidelity Title, First American Title, North American Title and many independent brokers. The Saratoga Rotary Club made a monetary contribution. Former Saratogan Gretchen Tossy said the work started intensively a month ago.
It is said the average person gains from seven to nine pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's. Are you wanting to get rid of those extra pounds? Exercise instructor Gayle Rohner suggests her new all-level aerobic classes at Studio Kicks on Big Basin Way Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:45 to 9:45 on a drop-in basis. Studio Kicks owner Larry Lam is teaching Boxercise Friday afternoons at 1 p.m. , and Monday and Wednesday nights at 7:30.
The Book Collectors Club of San Jose recently held its last meeting, citing lack of interest. Several Saratoga members attended the last meeting, where Santa Clara historian Clyde Arbuckle signed his book. Members attending the meeting included George Lundquist, Ron Naymark, Oscar Falconi, Alan Rosenus and Audry Lynch.
On Jan. 8, Carolyn Leal, editor of the Saratoga News; Dale Bryant, editor of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times; and Janet Rae-Dupree, staff writer for the Mercury News, will discuss what makes a good story at the AAUW general meeting at 7 p.m. at the Saratoga Adult Day Care Center. Guests are welcome.
Perhaps you have time to read since the holiday rush is over. Rachel Cart, co-owner with Ian Oeschger of the Saratoga Book Market, recommends City of Darkness, City of Light by Marge Piercy, The Third Twin by Ken Follett, The Hand I Fan With by Tiny McElroy and In Celebration of Women by Helen Exley.
Retired Superior Court Judge John McInerney says he can't adequately describe the joy he felt swearing in his own son, Timothy McInerney, who is working in the DA's office. John says jokingly that Tim got the job in spite of him. Judge Eugene Premo's son, Patrick, passed the bar exam recently.
The Malanczuk family was staying at the St. Francis in San Francisco for the weekend to do their Christmas shopping. They were surprised to see fellow Saratogan Nancy Bosenberg in one of the prerecorded TV scenes on the hotel's visitors information channel. Bosenberg was eating at the One Market restaurant.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, January 8, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.