Mid Valley Times Lifestyle 12-19-19 E-edition

The View From Here
Recognizing Reedley's fire personnel
I had the pleasure of meeting some successful lo- cals in the last couple weeks.
I first met with Dan Cheney on the morning of Dec. 9.
Juanita Adame
By Juanita Adame
The Mid Valley Times
When describing Juan Mo- rales, the 2019 firefighter of the year for the Reedley Fire Department, Jerry Isaak, the fire chief, said Morales is a perfect example of hard work and determination equaling success.
“He’s worked picking cher- ries, he’s worked as a tree trimmer, he attended Reedley College working on his associ- ates degree,” said Isaak. “He became a volunteer here in 2016, he’s employed by the for- est service, he’s a fire explorer advisor and he’s our firefight- er of the year.”
Morales was among several of the department’s personnel who were recognized during the department's annual cer- emony, held on Dec. 16.
See AWARDSonpageA8
Dan and I were talking about his move into retire- ment. He said he’s not ex- actly retiring, rather slowing down. “I am turning it over to my son Greg,” he said.
Dan told me the story of how he became a top relator and he said it started with the believing in himself and fol- lowing his dreams no matter what it took.
Success has also depended on the market at the time. He said there were times when the market was bad and busi- ness was not so good. How- ever when things picked up again, the money began to flow.
I’ve seen Dan’s name throughout town, on Century 21 signs, and in our paper as well. I have, [with the excep- tion of a five year span] lived in Sanger for the majority of my life, yet last week was the first time I met him in per- son.
Dan is charming, and kind. He and I talked about his business ventures and how he’s enjoyed serving the community of Sanger. I wish you and your son all the best in your future endeavors and congratulations to both of you on your continued success.
On Dec. 16, exactly one week later, I had the pleasure of meeting Juan Morales.
Juan works as a volunteer firefighter for the Reedley Fire Department. Last night the department had their an- nual awards ceremony and Juan was named this year’s “Firefighter of the Year.”
“I ended up becoming a fire explorer, did that for two years, after that, I decided to apply for the Reedley Fire Department,” he said.
“If I’m not mistaken, I think I got the best time on my unit test, they were then picking me up for my inter- view.”
Juan told me he was a bit shocked when he found out he was recognized.
I asked Juan if he had any advice for future firefight- ers or those who are looking to pursue a career in fire. He said “Don’t give up.”
Both Juan and Dan have been great examples for the city’s of Reedley and Sanger.
They each work in vastly different fields however they have one thing in common, they believed in themselves and believed they could make a difference, and they did.
Photo by Juanita Adame / The Mid Valley Times
From left, Jerry Isaak, the Reedley Fire Department's chief shook hands with award recipient Eric Laem- mlenasJustinWatson,battalionchieflookedon.Laemmlenearnedthedepartment'sCommendable Service Award during the ceremony.
Cookie contest winners are announced
Mid Valley Times
ABOVE: William Figueroa won first place for his Chocolate Toffee Pe- can Cookies, Terry Guerra took home second place with her Swedish Oatmeal Cookies, and third place was winner was Adrienne Kaspian with her Carrot Cake Gooey Butter Cookies.
See Full list of RECIPES on page A9
Longtime Sanger realtor to make changes in upcoming year
Terry Guerra, second place win- ner.
Adrienne Kaspian was the third place winner.
Photo Courtesy Frank Gonzalez, Sanger Mayor
Frank Gonzalez, mayor of Sanger, in red, posed for a photograph with two US Marines during the city of Sanger's Toys for Tots drive, Greg Cheney (grey sweater) stands next to his father, Dan Cheney. Dan said he believes in giving back to the community in any way he can.
very useful tools,” he said.
It was after sometime that he decided to run the test on himself to see what interests he had. It was after that he re- alized that selling real estate
was the career for him.
“I was two years into the business and I was making money,”hesaid. “Ihadnever made money like that before, the feeling was amazing, oh
man, it was amazing.”
Dan went on to have de-
cades of success, and although some years were hard, he said it was mainly about reinvent- ing himself and always work- ing hard.
“For a guy doing business for five years, I had put some money away,” he said. “I had a chunk of change, and I was able to also build my first cus- tom home and what happened? The market went south.”
See CHENEYonpage A11
By Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
Sanger realtor Dan Cheney said he’s thankful for the long and successful career he’s en- joyed and he’s now decided to let his son, Greg Cheney take over the business.
“He’s watched how I run the firm, he’s got some new
ideas,” said Dan. “I’m going to support him all the way, I’m going to work for him now.”
Dan, who has been in the real estate business since the early 1980’s, said the way he ended up selling real estate was by chance.
“It was about 1976, I be- came a vocational counselor,
which I enjoyed, but it didn’t pay a whole lot,” he said.
Dan said the job required he meet with clients and have them take a “personality style” test to see what career areas interested them.
“That would help me assist them in directing them to the right career, the tools were