ANOTHER DISTINCTION: Saratoga resident Rosalie Sogolow was installed as president of the board of directors of Jewish Family Service of Silicon Valley at the annual installation meeting held recently. Sogolow has been a volunteer teacher of the JFS senior English as a second language classes for more than 17 years.
She also served as the program's principal. Last year Sogolow was board vice president. Other newly installed board members from Saratoga and Los Gatos are Joe Gabriel, Billie Schneider, Andrea Katz and Saratoga jeweler Vardy Shtein.
Sogolow's books, Memories from a Russian Kitchen and Empty the Ocean with a Spoon, have served the center in at least two ways. They tell the compelling life stories of her students, who are primarily elderly Russian émigrés, and the book sales have benefited the JFS programs.
Because of Sogolow's books, the women's stories have been preserved as a legacy for their children and grandchildren. Memories from a Russian Kitchen has the added enhancement of being illustrated by pen-and-ink drawings of Saratoga artist Bonnie Stone.
'LOST BOYS' FOUND: Samuel Akau, one of the so-called "Lost Boys of the Sudan," has just graduated from De Anza College and has won a full scholarship to Stanford. At Stanford he will study pre-law in the hope that he will help rebuild his country in the future.
Two of the other Lost Boys graduated from De Anza, as well. The group was helped in innumerable ways by Sacred Heart and Saint Andrews churches, which heard about their plight--poverty and language difficulties--and, in a sense, adopted them.
Church members raised money, provided clothing and helped the young men with housing. Roberta Witte, our Sacred Heart informant, passed on this news about Akau's scholarship. Meanwhile, she herself has just earned a master's degree from Santa Clara University.
As a result she will be teaching third grade at Sacred Heart come fall. The incoming principal is Arlene Bertellotti, who taught first grade when Witte's children were in school. "We're looking forward to being at Sacred Heart together," says Witte.
INNER WHEEL: New officers for Inner Wheel, the club for Rotarian spouses and friends, are: Joanne Petersen and Jan Kyne, co-presidents; Bette Sample, recording secretary; Pat Kelker, communications secretary; and Jan LeFevre and Marge Lincoln, treasurers.
Others are Jane Kellman and Gladys Armstrong, delegates; MaryLee Hoiness, Entertainment Books; Fran Miller, creative media; Jane Grabau, membership chairman; Louise Webb, International Service Organization; and Carol Hutchinson and Jackie Glass, past presidents.
Inner Wheel raises funds for the Myoelectric Limb Bank, fosters international understanding, and helps families in need. The Myoelectric Limb Bank recycles and refits prosthetic devices for children who wouldn't be able to otherwise afford them.
Inner Wheel members raise the funds for these projects by throwing exceptional parties, according to informant Jan Kyne.
PATRIOTIC SCHOLARSHIP: A fundraiser for scholarships for leadership and patriotism to be given to a De Anza student will be held July 10 in Fran and Don Miller's Saratoga backyard. The evening will include dinner, capped off with a show: West Valley Light Opera's Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
Jack Mallory is fundraiser chairman. Sponsors are the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution. De Anza's financial aid and scholarship office determines the recipient of the $500 scholarship.
The application calls for an essay on patriotism, as well as examples of leadership, civic involvement and a thoroughgoing knowledge of the country's history and heritage.
YOUNGEST BOOKWORMS: Some 597 Saratoga school-agers have signed up for the Track It Down at Your Library Summer Reading Club, and that was only in the first week of signups. Youngsters pledge to read a minimum of 10 books during the summer, at least one with a nature theme.
Each Wednesday afternoon a different program is offered, such as crafts, puppet shows, musical performances. Last week's mystery agenda turned out to be campfire-type activities. Preschoolers have their own section--the Camp Read-a-Lot Listening Club--and 125 youngsters have signed up in the first week.
HOEDOWN: The Saratoga Senior Center's annual Western Hoedown is July 9, 610 p.m. in the center's big room. Barbecue will be provided by the De Anza Kiwanis Club. Tickets are $20 if purchased by July 7; $25 at the door. Music will be by Bee's Knees and Les Landin's Skillet Licker Family.
New officers for the Senior Center are John Feemster, president; Dane Christensen, vice president; Ron Duffin, CFO; Pat Wolff, secretary; and Duffy Elgart, past president. Dave Meeker is chairman of adult care; Fran Wasserman, chairman of the senior center committee; and Lane Tronson, chairman of fundraising.
A new interest group, Gourmet Explorers, will meet July 22 at 11:30 a.m. at Viva Restaurant on Los Gatos Boulevard.
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By Mary Ann Cook