Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 12-10-20 E-edition

Thursday, December 10, 2020
The View From Here
It was the news we didn’t want to
hear again. Another “shelter- in-place” order has
been issued throughout the state of California and other parts of the country as well.
As many families decide howtheywillspend Christ- mas all we can do, is try our best to follow these regu- lations so we can slow the spread and bring COVID-19 numbers back down.
As I looked around Reed- ley’s downtown, I felt the question come up, “how are we going to make it through this?”
There was a restaurant here in town called Daniels. It was located in the River Walk shopping center, it was a grilled Mexican food type place. My boyfriend loved the place. He’d order these combo plates and occasion- ally we’d go in for a beer.
A few months back as I drove into the same shop- ping center, I noticed the "Daniels" sign was gone. Underneath was an empty building with a big “For Lease” sign in the window.
We’ve all heard about the victims of COVID-19. The many lives lost to this aw- ful virus. And this is in no way to take away from the devastation of losing a loved one. Those lives cannot be replaced.
The other victims how- ever to the pandemic are also these local businesses. Let's do our part by not just wearing our masks, but sup- porting our local businesses as well.
Mid Valley Times
The weather was perfect for gardening on the after- noon of Dec. 4 as Reedley College students gathered in their designated garden area on campus, behind Reedley Middle College High School
“A garden is the best place in the world to be,” said Lynn Berry. “You get good food just from a little bit of effort.”
Berry teaches the garden- ing class and said they had a bit of a set back during the initial onset of the pandemic.
“In the spring, when CO- VID-19 hit, we had one day to come out and collect anything that we might need that was here because they were going to lock the college down,” she said.
Following the lock down and with no one around to tend to it, the garden suf-
SEE GARDEN on page A8
Juanita Adame
Reedley College garden prepares for spring By Juanita Adame
PhotobyJuanitaAdame /MidValleyTimes
From left, Chevy Gonzalez and Zachariah Peter, 5, tilled some soil at the Reedley College garden on the afternoon of Dec. 4. The gardening class is now accepting new students for the spring semester.
Honoring board member representing Orange Cove
Photo Contributed
From left, KCUSD board president Craig Cooper, Manuel Ferreira, and John Campbell, superintendent are pictured on Nov. 24.
Contributed
The Kings Canyon Unified School District recognized Manuel Ferreira on the eve- ning of Nov. 24 for his many years of service to the board.
"Manuel served on the KCUSD board for 20 years,” said John Campbell, district superintendent. “He was qui- et, had no agenda or self-in- terest. He was always about Orange Cove and the kids. He emulated servant leadership and always asked, 'What can we do for the kids?'"
Ferreira represented the Orange Cove area and during the meeting each of the board members took some time to thank him for his contribu-
tions to the city and its stu- dents.
Nancy Hernandez, an Or- ange Cove High School gradu- ate, was elected to the board during the 2020 election. She will replace Ferreira as the board member representing the Orange Cove area.
"He was always about Orange Cove and the kids."
-John Campbell KCUSD Superintendent
Former 'Miss Reedley' publishes book
Contributed
Her name is Elisa M. Ol- vera, and back in 1985 she was crowned Miss Reedley.
Although she has since moved from the area, she never forgot the city she came from and how it shaped her into the person she is to- day.
"I have recently pub- lished a Latin cultural faith based story for teens strug- gling with the loss of a fam- ily member," she said. "As an educator working with spe- cial education students and as a trauma informed teacher for the past 20 years, I have seen much struggle with our youth." The book is called "Chicatita and the Magic Stone." It is currently avail- able on halopublishing.com, and on Amazon.
A book signing is tenta- tively scheduled for some- time next year when COV- ID-19 restrictions are lifted.
Photo of the week
Contributed
Elisa Olvera during her crowning in 1985. The Reedley native re- cently published a teen book called "Chicatita and the Magic Stone."
Puppy in training. Emotional support dog "Kaidah" is still a puppy and has a lot to learn, but her owner is looking forward to the help she will offer. "She's really supportive and caring and loves to play. She's my rock, my hero, the reason I'm still here today," said Emily Gonzalez. Have a photo you'd like featured? Email juanita@midval- leypublishing.com.
Contributed