Saratoga Sampler

Saratogans prepare for 'My Hike in Provence'

By Mary Ann Cook

INDOMITABLE HIKERS: Marie Low and her hiking compadres are at it again. They're gearing up to tackle another demanding woman's walk--this time in Provence, France, in May. Every year a group of hardy women takes on the challenges of a major hike somewhere in the world.

The first year eight intrepid souls did the Grand Canyon--24 miles in two days down and up. The next year they followed the Thames--200 miles from its source at Cirenchester down to London town. That was last year, and the group had grown to 16.

Now, they're taking on Provence. Other Saratogans lacing up their hiking boots for the adventure are Carole Hardy, Karlene Ferguson and Kim Hartley. Los Gatans equal to the trek are Cathy Gillum, Sara Langton and Ginger Turnbull.

The original goal was to take on the Seven Wonders of the World, but that goal has been somewhat revamped. Gillum and Low are the only hikers who have signed on for all three treks. Entrants come from all over the world.

"These trips are so memorable," enthuses Low. "You always look back and say, 'I can't believe I did that!' It builds your confidence for the rest of the year." Lord Winston's Hiking Tour is the arranger. Men are outlawed: it's strictly for women. The women participating are, generally, middle aged or beyond--in their 50s and 60s.

EARLY RISER: Pam Page is an early riser who teaches music at Saratoga schools before school starts, beginning at 7 a.m. She is also director of the Saratoga Youth Orchestra. She teaches violin, viola and cello for both elementary- and middle-school children and has developed her own video for beginning violinists.

In her nonteaching life, Page plays an acoustical violin for her church. The instrument looks like a standard violin that has been whittled away and somebody forgot to say when. The body is much narrower than the normal one.

Page was recently honored as a Woman of Achievement at a luncheon sponsored by the local chapter of the national Pen Women organization. Saratogan Felicia Pollock headed that event.

AVID ADVENTURERS: JoAn Lambert, just back from Florida where she swam with the dolphins, is getting ready for a very different trek. This one is high up in the mountains of Nepal. She and her husband will spend three months traveling the Himalayas.

Lambert was one of the organizers of the recent tea sponsored by the AAUW Committee on Homeless Women and Children. The tea was a benefit for three centers in San Jose that offer resources to homeless women and children.

FDR MEMORIAL: A talk and slide show about the FDR Memorial will be presented by Jeri Sulley, slide archivist for Lawrence Halprin, the landscape architect who designed the memorial. The talk will be March 28 at the Quinlan Center in Cupertino, presented by the Cupertino Historical Society.

Los Gatan Ethel Worn is director of the historical society. A potluck at 6:30 will precede the 7:15 p.m. program. Sulley will describe how the design was decided upon and how Halprin worked with the six artists whose works were incorporated into the memorial. Sculptors Robert Graham and George Segal were part of the process, as was master stone carver John Benson.

SPIRIT OF LOTUS: This woman wears two hats, one of which is lotus-bedecked. She's Tara Lang, secretary for Los Gatos' community services department who teaches a class through the LG-Saratoga recreation department, called Healing with Color. The focus of the class is to bring harmony into one's life through color.

Meditation and breathing techniques using color are taught. Lang is also co-founder and minister of the Spirit of the Lotus, a spiritual center on Saratoga Avenue near Quito, across from Pier 1. It's a small but loyal congregation, of about 12 people, who meet at 10 a.m. Sundays.

In addition, Lang gives aura readings, spiritual counseling and aromatherapy. Quite a plateful, lotus-wise. The color class is part of senior enrichment, and meets Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Neighborhood Center in Los Gatos. A new eight-week session starts April 27.

CRAB FEAST: The all-you-can-eat crab feed was held at St. Andrews Church recently. The event is a chief fundraiser for the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce. Since March marks the end of the crab season, it's tempting to stuff oneself, as in go for broke(n) legs at this event.

ANTICIPATE SPRING: Nature, art and meditation will all be combined for A Day in the Garden on March 26 at Hakone. The day-long workshop will feature Buddhist priest Kobun Chino Otogawa Roshi, who will guide the meditation.

Karen Nagano, artist in residence at Hakone, is a poet and painter who will lead others in their creations. Lunch and afternoon tea are included. Contact Shizue Tomlinson at 408.255.6345.

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