Saratoga News

Louise Webb

Around the town in Saratoga

Saratoga's Grace United Methodist Church welcomed a new minister, Judith Stone, July 7. Stone received her degrees in theology and the arts from the Pacific School of Religion and the University of California at Berkeley. For the past five years, she has been the minister at the San Rafael Methodist Church and has been in the ministry for 18 years. She has had many interesting experiences, including being referred to as the "ski chaplin." She would preach in Truckee and King's Beach with a robe over her ski clothes and then go and conduct services on the ski slopes at NorthStar.

Stone says it hasn't always been easy for a woman in the ministry, but she believes it is getting easier. What's the difference between a woman and a man in the ministry? Stone says men are more easily granted authority and emphasize what the church has accomplished while women are apt to have more people skills and emphasize positive relations in the church. Church member Art Okuno says Stone has a deep understanding of people and he is happy to have her aboard.

Karen and Einar Anderson have quite an answer when asked what they did for their summer vacation. One of the highlights was attending the 50th birthday party of the Sultan Brunei who lives on the north coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. He's the richest man in the world. There was a 21-cannon salute, fireworks, and a half dozen helicopters buzzing overhead. Prince Charles was in attendance. The Sultan paid to have a Michael Jackson concert the following day. Einar says Bill Clinton raised $10 million at his 50th and the Sultan spent over $10 million on his.

Happy Birthday to Willys Peck. A select group of women he calls his cupcakes have been taking him out to a birthday dinner for the last four years. (Peck's definition of his women "cupcakes" is admiration and respect.) The cupcakes have been taking him out because his wife Betty, a vegetarian, doesn't cook him meat. Therefore, they take him for an annual meat fix. They also adore him. Those involved in the venture are Joan Bose, Liz Ansnes, Mert Parsons and Betsy Cory.

What's this? Sheila Arthur, Saratoga Chamber of Commerce director, has moved out of Saratoga to San Jose. At least she's not far away and will remain at her job. If you notice that Fred Wigglesworth's nails look extra nice, it's because he won a certificate to have his nails done at the Saratoga-Los Gatos joint Chamber mixer at the Toll House.