My favorite find so far in the difficult task of sorting out my
mom’s house since she passed away is a first edition volume of
”
Horton Hears a Who.
”
My mother used her favorite Dr. Seuss book in her classroom as a
third grade teacher in 1959. My heart skipped a beat when I opened
it to the first page and saw that it was signed by my mom before
she married:
”
Miss Powell.
”
Beneath her neat handwriting, I had signed my name,
”
Kathy Weydell,
”
in my 6-year-old scrawl. It’s a keeper.
My favorite find so far in the difficult task of sorting out my mom’s house since she passed away is a first edition volume of “Horton Hears a Who.” My mother used her favorite Dr. Seuss book in her classroom as a third grade teacher in 1959. My heart skipped a beat when I opened it to the first page and saw that it was signed by my mom before she married: “Miss Powell.” Beneath her neat handwriting, I had signed my name, “Kathy Weydell,” in my 6-year-old scrawl. It’s a keeper.
But many other things must be let go. Which is why I will be donating many of my mother’s children’s books and other belongings to a large sale being held Saturday at the United Methodist Church. It’s a charitable effort put together by many different people in the community, with donations from as far away as Watsonville. It will go in support of those who are less fortunate in our community, including those helped through the work of St. Joseph’s Family Center.
I had the chance for a quick preview, and so far I have spotted everything from gardening tools to an antique croquet set, televisions, and a basketball back board, with goodies spilling over into a side room that has been filled with children’s toys. Lunch will be whipped up by one Mr. Doug Franklin, distinguished member of the local chapter of The Order of E Clampus Vitus, a Gold Rush-era preservation society. He will be cooking on one of his rather unique handmade BBQ pits, dousing the tri-tip with his famous (and award-winning) homemade BBQ sauce.
St. Joseph’s, the most comprehensive charitable organization for helping at-risk families in South County, has experienced a 30 percent increase in need for services this year, but donations are down by the same percentage.
Which is why it’s such good news that the local collective effort by the South County Garden Railroaders on Aug. 15 was such a success. They held a tour of backyard garden train layouts which benefited St. Joseph’s and Hollister’s Community Pantry. Pat DeLeon, owner of the All Aboard Junction Train Store, called to convey his heartfelt thanks to everyone for their generosity. Over 800 people showed up at the train store.
“We estimate that over 800 people (up from 400 last year) toured the different layouts throughout Santa Clara and San Benito counties,” he said. “This is becoming a big annual event. We had more people attend our event than the national model railroad convention.
“We collected eight big barrels of food, $2605 in cash and checks – more than twice what we collected last year. It really was a great family day. Just a special thanks to BookSmart in Morgan Hill for being a collection drop off point, and Cottage Floors and The Water Warehouse in Gilroy for allowing us to use their parking lots. Thanks to everyone who participated!”
There’s another group of Gilroy residents who wants to express its heartfelt thanks, and this one goes out to the firefighters who battled a fast-moving brush fire in the Via de Cielo area above Roop Road last Monday. The wall of flames came within yards of taking out a number of homes, including the beautiful home of local women’s memoir writing coach, Matilda Butler, where I attend classes. Thank God for the Gilroy firefighters and the California Department of Forestry who responded with their bomber planes so swiftly, saving every home.
My next door neighbor’s daughter, Denise Gluhan, is going through the same nightmare I am of sorting out her mother’s estate and all her belongings. It also turns out that she is a firefighter. I have always wanted to thank the firefighters who helped me when my mom was so ill. She fell while I was caring for her at home and firefighters answered the call.
According to Gluhan, what firefighters most want is ice cream. So if you feel an inclination to thank a local firefighter, why not bring some frozen goodies to the guys (and gals) at your local fire station? I was amused to learn that when a firefighter inadvertently gets his photo in the newspaper, that firefighter has to buy ice cream for the whole team. I plan to find out who came to my rescue, and once I know, I’ll be showing up with ice cream cake for the entire station house.
Community Sale
-8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
-7600 Church St.,
-Barbecue tri-tip sandwiches available between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. for $5.
-Details: 842-4021.
