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Saratoga Sampler

It's a tree house, a me house, a high as you can be house

By Mary Ann Cook

A LOFTY THANKSGIVING VENUE: A group of some 80 horsemen, neighbors and friends helped Los Gatan Suzanne Cristallo celebrate the completion of her longtime dream of building a tree house on her spread above Lexington Dam. At least four of her hillside neighbors also have sprouted tree houses on their own property.

And haven't we all dreamed of such a project? Tree houses seem like something out of a fairy tale: They inspire fantasy. One of Cristallo's inspirations for her own came from a Dr. Seuss book, this one for adults, called You're Only Old Once, that extols the virtues of a house named Fotta Fa Zee.

So Cristallo christened her small house in Seuss homage. A wood-burned placard with that moniker hangs on a tree branch near the entrance of the platform that leads to the tree structure. Gnarled branches serve as banisters along the entryway and heavy netting hangs down the sides. There's even a minuscule front porch with a chair just big enough for a small person. The chair is made of rows of miniature, metal horseshoes welded together. Cristallo is an avid horsewoman as well as tree house aficionado. The tree house is one room--a dining room, with a loft up one side.

Said loft is big enough for two or three young'uns for overnights. There are three stained glass panels bedecking the dining room, plus plenty of windows. And there's room enough for a dozen or more to dine comfortably. Since there are four grown offspring and their families to accommodate, that's a necessity.

A large circular chandelier rescued from a movie theater that was closing in El Paseo de Saratoga years ago was brought out of storage and now hangs from the cupola in the middle of the room. The designer/builder of this lofty endeavor was Richard Brode.

He gave full rein to his creative side, coming up with innovative solutions to the challenges of the project. Lots of tree house research went into its production. Much of the wood came from Sal Carilli, who runs a mobile mill operation in the mountains.

Roger Bennett did the electricity; Ted Cahoon and Kevin Siewert lent a hand with supports and infrastructure. In all, 15 volunteers helped with the building. David Bradley, 11, insisted on contributing his entire allowance to the venture.

Construction started in June with the hope that it would host the Thanksgiving feast--which hope has now been realized.

TO HELP YOUNG AND OLD: Assistance League is looking for women who like to read to children, cook, work on crafts with seniors and kids, help make a quilt or inspire fourth graders with a new, invigorating exercise program. An added bonus to joining the league is making new friends.

A potential new member meeting will be held Nov. 29, 9:30 a.m., at Faith Lutheran Church, Los Gatos. Contact is Linda Krain at 408.867.3374 or lindakrain@comcast.net. The league sponsors philanthropic projects every day of the week.

TURKEY TREK: For those who don't have to worry about getting the bird into the oven there's a Turkey Trek, a strenuous 5-mile hike up Black Mountain on Nov. 23, 9 a.m.-noon, sponsored by Mid-Pen Open Space district. That's one way to earn your way to second helpings. The number is 650.691.2150.

KIWANIAN OF YEAR: Kristin Gragnola of Saratoga was named the Kiwanian of the Year by the Cupertino Kiwanis Club for her contributions to the club and the community. For several years, she has chaired the Cupertino Senior Lunch Program, where senior volunteers are honored.

The Cupertino Kiwanians and high school Key Club members prepare and serve a barbecue lunch to 150 seniors who volunteer at the Cupertino Senior Center. Gragnola also served as president of the Kiwanis Club from 2003-2004; and her husband, David, was president the next year.

David, who grew up in Saratoga (SHS '77), was also honored as Kiwanian of the Year--his title was bestowed in 2003. So the Gragnolas make an impressive leadership pair. They have four children--John, 18; Jackie, 16; Nicole, 14; and Robby, 9. Kristin was a scout leader and is now active in the National Charity League.

David is an insurance salesman for Allstate and has been a Cupertino Kiwanis member for 20 years. As a four-year Kiwanian, Kirstin is a relative newcomer.

50TH ANNIVERSARY DVD: A free showing of the DVD film of Saratoga's 50th anniversary month-long celebration will be held Dec. 1, 7-9 p.m., in the multipurpose room of the community center. The film is one hour and covers highlights of the 50th anniversary events.

Those who have previewed the film call it a quality production, reports Tom Stoiber, KSAR board president. Light refreshments will be served, but BYOP (bring your own popcorn.) The DVD showing is sponsored by KSAR 15, Saratoga's public access TV station. DVD copies will be available for purchase at $25.

RSVP to Ann Waltonsmith, 408.867.9723. The anniversary DVD: holiday gift alert.

The headline was derived from Shel Silverstein's poem, 'Tree House,' in 'Where the Sidewalk Ends.'

Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to mac@impruve.com.

Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to mac@impruve.com.