Saratoga News

Saratoga Sampler

Mary Ann Cook

Friends gather to wish retiring Olga MacFarlane well

HAIL AND FAREWELL: She did the work of 10 people, say those who describe Olga MacFarlane's 16-year tenure at the Saratoga Senior Center. She was the founding executive director of the center and its first paid employee, and colleagues and friends showed their appreciation with a farewell retirement bash.

People active in the early days of the center who have since moved away from Saratoga returned in full force. They included Dick Drake, first chairman of the board; Martha and Andy Beverett--he was chief fundraiser in the early years; Kay and Bert Toevs; Mildred and Keith Gordon; and Elsworth and Jackie Welch.

"It was a great tribute to her," said Peggy Corr, current president of the Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council, who was also SASCC's president 10 years ago. Janet Cazel organized the do.

It was also MacFarlane's birthday, so not only was it a retirement bash, but a birthday soiree. The center was brimming with flowers and food, and an official presentation and the keys to the city were offered to the veteran director. MacFarlane, of course, won't really retire, but will be found at the center on a volunteer basis. Her husband, Emery, has been retired for several years, and now they can indulge in more travel.

ALASKA CRUISE: 'Twas quite a trip the Sister City group took to Alaska. OK, OK, we know no city in Alaska is really a Sister City, but the group has sponsored many trips to the Orient, and this adventure seemed too tempting to pass up.

Ed Porter, president of Sister City, and wife Chickie led it, and it was arranged by Travel Advisors of Los Gatos, whose owners, Ed and Betty Stahl, found it so appealing they signed on, too.

Others who answered the siren call of the Holland American were Saratogans Don and Jan Morgan, Dorothy and Roger Erskine, Marjorie and George Bunyard, Louise and Ian Webb; Lyn and Bruce Defiebre, Lavawn Whiting and former Saratogan Marion Card. Others who joined in were Barclay Slade of Monte Sereno, Betty Colwell, Marcia and Donald Newhall of Los Gatos.

Trip highlights included the beautiful wildflowers and breathtaking mountain glaciers, learning the history of the totem pole, panning for gold, watching championship race dogs, eyeing a moose up close and personal, and a killer whale who was close but fortunately not personal.

The word "dazzling" was heard a lot aboard ship. In Fairbanks Louise Webb caught up with former Saratogan Debbie DeBrock, now Amber Gaul, who lives in and loves Fairbanks. Her parents are Lois and Steve DeBrock.

"Our group had the best seats in the dining room, next to the windows," says Ed Porter. They could watch the glories of the Alaskan world drift by fully lit, no matter what the clock read. Sunset wasn't until 12:20 p.m. and the sun rose at 3:30 a.m., so it was never totally dark, what with sunset afterglow and predawn glimmers.

MEDIC ALERT: This time it was an employee at the Westside Sheriff's Substation who was the center of an emergency. Cathy Frecceri, who is a clerk at the station, had to have an emergency c-section when her baby, Megan, made known her imminent arrival.

Seems Cathy had a threatening kidney condition she was unaware of until a routine exam uncovered it, thus hastening her departure to the hospital. Plus, the baby was in breech position so a cesarean was called for. Now mother and baby, who weighed in at under 6 pounds, are doing well. Megan's father is Tim Frecceri, and this is their first child. Tim is an officer with the Stanford Department of Public Safety.

Megan's colleagues at the station really miss her, they report. She's the official greeter, the first person you see when you come through the door. And she's the first person you'd like to see--very friendly and bubbly. She loves her job and will be back at the station as soon as she's able.

OFF TO BOISE: Pat and Vince Minkiewicz have moved to Boise after many years raising their family on Camino Rico in Saratoga. They will now be living near their daughter, Sarah, 29, a Boise sculptor who specializes in horses, and whose work was exhibited in many Rotary art shows. Their son, Alex, is the only one in the family who will remain in the Bay Area. Vince is retired from IBM, and Pat taught at Sacred Heart.

PURE PIGMENT: A reception for the artists exhibiting at the Los Gatos Museum of Art and Natural History will be held Aug. 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. On display are works in pastel from Mary Ann Henderson of Saratoga; Pat Suggs; and Claire Verbiest; plus bronze sculptures by Nancy Bowman.

Henderson studied in Vienna, Austria, as well as her native Ohio. The gallery is at the corner of Tait and Main, and hours are Wednesday through Sunday, noon-4 p.m. The show runs through Sept. 27.

REUNION: Don't forget the Saratoga Grammar School reunion/picnic Aug. 1 at Wildwood Park. Tours of the school begin at 10 a.m. and the picnic starts at noon. Drinks are provided, but bring a picnic lunch. Call Patti Reschar 356-8660 or Dorothy Stamper 867-3752 for reservations.

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