Page 11 - Mid Valley Times 3-5-20 E-edition

Thursday, March 5, 2020 | A11 | Mid Valley TiMes
'Take Flight in Reedley' for Chamber gala
Photos by Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times
ABOVE: Citizen of the Year Ken Baker, left, was greeted by Reedley Mayor Frank Pinon after he spoke. Pinon was a key supporteroftheFaithHouseemergencyshelterthat Baker spearheaded.
RIGHT: The River City Singers performed a medley of flight- related songs at the end of the program. A video slide image of a biplane is displayed in the background.
GALA
Continued from page A1
about small towns is their big values and deep roots. And Reedley is no exception to that," Karen Musson said. "When you think about Reedley's first, Reedley had a hos- pital and college long before any big city even thought about it. A lot of other great things have been done here. Whether it's Immanuel Schools or St. La Salle, private edu- cation has always been a premier point in our community."
Greg Musson, a Bay Area native who Karen credited with bringing the couple back to Reed- ley, expressed his love for his Valley home.
"This was never, ever a mistake. This is the place that — first of all, don't tell anybody about it, okay? We don't need more people here," he said to laughter. "It is very special. I've been here now 35 years in the Valley transplanted from the Bay Area. It's the best move I ever made in my entire life, and it's because of all of you."
Karen Musson sec- onded the love for Reed- ley. "This is the place where we wanted to raise our family to grow and thrive," she said.
Baker, pastor at Heri- tage Church in Reedley and director for Hope
Now Ministries, was the driving force to help bring Faith House to southwest Reedley in 2018. The shelter has helped many families with children to get back on their feet after being temporarily displaced.
"They asked what do you know about [Faith House]? Not a thing, but I just know how to love people," he said. "So we just love people where they're at, reform their lives and give them an opportunity to step up. We're thankful for all those people." Baker said Faith House has had a 75 percent success rate of getting people placed into their own homes.
"I really don't like the spotlight and attention. I'm just one of those guys that like to work in the trenches and work hard," he said. "Man, I don't even know who to begin to thank. There are so many people in this room that have been a part of my life.
Joe Garza, Reedley's chief of police, was this year's Public Safety Pro- fessional of the Year.
"I am truly humbled and honored to receive this award," he said. "The fact that members of this community nomi- nated me for this award makes it personally spe- cial.
"To the other nomi- nees, thank you for your
service. I've been a po- lice officer for the city of Reedley for over 30 years. Each of those years have been very special to me. Although I was not born and raised in Reedley, I consider it my home."
Luke Thomas from Immanuel Schools was honored as Educator of the Year. He has taught 12 years at the school and twice been selected as the teacher to speak at graduation.
"I want to thank the Chamber for setting up this award. It really feels like a thank you from them all," he said. "I thank the [Immanuel] administration for the nomination. I love what I do, I absolutely love it."
Reedley High senior Matthew Casarez re- ceived Junior Citizen of the Year for his work
with numerous school programs and the Reed- ley Fiesta Committee, where he helped orga- nize a youth talent con- test.
"Everyone here is growing Reedley eco- nomically and guiding it socially," he said. "It's bringing us all together and making us a better place to live. We're en- riching our community every day."
Juan Fonseca, Pro- Script Pharmacy owner and Entrepreneur of the Year, thanked his staff of pharmacy techni- cians who helped give the business its family feel. He shared about a longtime customer who moved to Reno, Nev., yet still comes to get her pre- scriptions filled locally.
The chamber also honored Les Schwab Tires and the Mennonite
Quilt Center as Large and Small businesses of the year, respec- tively. Representatives from both organizations thanked the chamber for the honor and praised their employees and vol- unteers.
Adrian Encinia, co- owner of Gnardog Cross- fit in downtown Reed- ley, received the Health Professional of the Year award. "It's my passion. I'm truly blessed to be able to do something that I love every day," he said. "We will continue to help everyone reach their full potential and become better versions of themselves."
The new Reedley Executive Center on G Street in downtown Reedley received the Reedley Beautification Award for 2020. Tony Cabrera, former ABC30
Photos by Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times
news personality now working in Los Angeles who served as Master of Ceremonies, called the center "truly a shin- ing example of the best of what Reedley has to offer."
Nicole Zieba, Reed- ley city manager, gave a brief message praising the community's support in helping the city lower its unemployment rate. Erik Valencia, the cham- ber's executive director, also spoke and played a portion of a Valley PBS slide show on Reedley that the city won after entering a contest.
Once again, a popular feature of the Gala was the performance of the River City Singers. The six members played a number of aerial-themed songs, closing out the evening with "Up, Up and Away."
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FAR LEFT: Luke Thomas from Imman- uel Schools addressed the audience after receiving his Educator of the Year award. Pictured at right are California Assembly members Joaquin Arambula and Jim Patterson.
LEFT: Reedley Police Chief Joe Garza, honored as the Public Safety Profes- sional of the Year smiles as he listens to remarks from master of ceremonies Tony Cabrera.
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