Monday evening, the three newly elected Gilroy School Board
members were sworn in before the regular board meeting. It was
especially heartening to see Rhoda Bress and Pat Midtgaard take
their places alongside the male trustees.
Monday evening, the three newly elected Gilroy School Board members were sworn in before the regular board meeting. It was especially heartening to see Rhoda Bress and Pat Midtgaard take their places alongside the male trustees.
A mother’s voice has been lacking for too long on the GUSD Board. It is comforting to know that for the next four years, these women will be guiding the direction and making decisions which affect all the children who attend our public schools.
Before the new members took their seats, outgoing Board Trustee Bob Kraemer was honored for his years of service. I may not have agreed with Kraemer every time, but his dedication to all things Gilroy is laudable. I hope he is able to work his magic as the President of the Bonfante Gardens Board of Directors so that the park becomes sustainable and profitable.
A highlight of the school board meeting was a presentation by Dale Connell. The Connell family bestowed upon GUSD another $50,000 donation for the Summer Music Program for elementary students. Music is so vital to young students. We are blessed to have people like the Connell Family in our community who see a need and make things happen.
Music is an important part of the holiday season. During this time of year, there are many opportunities to hear great music in Gilroy. The middle school bands and choirs are gearing up for their annual holiday concerts. The Gilroy High Band Concert is tonight at 7pm. The Gilroy High Choirs will hold their Winter Concerts on Dec. 15 and 16 at 7:30pm. The South Valley Symphony holds their Christmas Concert on Dec. 15 at Gavilan College. And elementary schools all over town are rehearsing their “Nutcracker” presentations. Many local churches put on pageants as Christmas draws near.
When I was young, my siblings and friends would go Christmas caroling all around our neighborhood. This activity has been waning in recent years. Of course, the backdrop of a snowy might just lends itself to caroling back East.
If this cold spell holds up, my kids might want to don their hats, scarves and mittens and go caroling this year. If not, they will be cajoled into serenading me as I write out my Christmas cards.
There are a myriad of reasons why the holiday season is called “the most wonderful time of the year.” Retailers love consumers more than usual in December. Recipes you don’t make the rest of the year are holiday staples. This is the month to get your eggnog or gingerbread fix.
My family bakes more during the month between Thanksgiving and New Years than we do during any two months the rest of the year.
We light the fireplace and drink hot cocoa and watch our favorite holiday movies. My children are now past the age of believing in Santa, although I am insisting that they continue to write their letters to Santa. There will be no surreptitious
“early opening of the gifts.” Truth be told, this is mostly due to the fact that allowing it would force me to wrap early.
For the most part, people you meet as you go about your daily errands are a little kinder and more generous around the holidays. My kids now help pick out gifts for children their own ages that may not otherwise have a gift under their tree. We spend more time shopping locally around the holidays and try to avoid the malls.
On Sundays, my children are now singing the songs of Advent and engaging in the Mass as Christmas Eve draws near.
All around town, children have a glow in their eyes at the sight of trees and toys and candy. Even Scrooge would get a thrill if he were to drive around Gilroy and see all the holiday lights which adorn homes all over town.
It’s the holiday season in Gilroy, and life is good.
