Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 9-12-19 E-edition

The View From Here AsIsat here working on the Mid Val- ley Times Life- styles section, I realized I've never had to bring together several sur- rounding com- munities like this before, meaning I've nev- er had to split up the content between all the equally de- serving communities on this side of Fresno County. Those communities being, Dinuba, Sanger, Reedley, and even Or- ange Cove and Parlier. For those who don't know, my history here at Mid Val- ley Publishing, I started with the Sanger Herald back in 2010 and stayed working for the Herald for two years before moving to television news. When I returned here to print media in 2018, I was hired as the lifestyles editor at the Reedley Exponent, a small adjustment from the See COLUMN on page A10 Times Staff Report Seven young women plan to compete in this year's "Run for the Roses" Miss Dinuba Pageant on Sept. 14. Contestants will include: Sally Bledsoe, Susie Medina, Briana Ruiz, Vanessa Hernan- dez, Hayley Kennedy, Kaitlyn Oyervidez, and Kyra Cortez. A first part series ran in the Sept. 5 issue of the Mid Valley Times. Featured were Sally Bledsoe, Susie Medina, Bianca Ruiz and Vanessa Hernandez. This week profile stories continue with highlights on: Haley Kennedy, Katelyn Oyer- videz, and Kyra Cortez. Haley Kennedy Haley Kennedy, 17, is the daughter of Rob and Michelle Kennedy and a senior at Di- nuba High School. She is involved in several clubs both inside and out- side of school. She has been a member of her school's band from sixth grade through high school. Haley also participates in the "Reach Club" where she served as vice president for two years, as well as being elected to part of the "Leader- board" at her church’s youth group. Juanita Adame Part 2: Miss Dinuba contestants seek 2019 crown Haley Kennedy "This experience has al- lowed me travel and view other groups to help make im- provements," she said. Haley's future educational plans include attending either Reedley College or the College of the Sequoias. After complet- ing junior college she plans to transfer to either California State University, Fresno or Hilo University. There she'd like to study either nursing or firefighting. Haley’s platform is titled “Clean Start.” She chose this platform because she believes it involves more than just a step in life. "It’s unanswered questions, rocky roads, and un- Katelyn Oyervidez sure futures," she said. "There are times in people’s lives when they don’t know what is going on and how to handle it, but they can have someone to turn to." Haley believes that young adults who outgrew the sys- tem often have no one to go to except themselves, which, she said, isn’t always the best. Her platform involves helping these young adults find what they feel they are missing in life because, she said everyone deserves that in their life, no matter the situa- tion. Haley said would like to be Miss Dinuba because it would Kyra Cortez be an honor to have the oppor- tunity to work with the com- munity as one. "I would also like to get to know where ev- eryone stands and what their responsibilities are," she said. Katelyn Oyervidez Katelyn Oyervidez, 17, is the daughter of Luis Oyervi- dez and Valerie Garcia and a senior at Dinuba High School. Her academic honors in- clude a 4.0 and above grade point average She is an aca- demic letter, four white chev- rons, CSF membership, and Outstanding Leadership in Choir. Katelyn is also involved See MISSonpageA8 Sanger mayor joins 'Toys for Tots" Contributed Sanger Mayor Frank Gon- zalez has taken on the job of repre- sentative for Toys for Tots in Sanger and Reedley to help provide presents for children in need for Christ- mas. His work supports Jes- sica Montano, Toys for Tots coordinator. He is looking for any schools, churches or nonprofits that could have children ages 0 to 12 years old . “I will contact them and take it from there,” he wrote in a release. For informa- tion contact Richard Reyes richardreyes297@gmail.com or 951-216-8961. Pet of the WEEK A sweet terrier named "Adrian" is up for adoption at the Sanger Animal Shelter, for information contact (559) 618-9071. Carnival kicks off 2019 Farmers' Market season in Sanger By Dick Sheppard Mid Valley Times Sanger mayor Frank Gon- zalez was not sure whether he would keep his several days growth of beard. "It's start- ing to itch." But he was sure that Saturday's kickoff of the downtown Farmers' Market season was a success. "That was just a sampling of the spectacular events that are yet to come," said the chamber's Karen Pearson when the last carnival ride had been dismantled and the final vendor's easy-up was folded and put away. "Carnival" was the theme of the first of the six event season, five Saturday 5-9 p.m. Farmers' Markets and a spe- cial Monday evening, Sept. 16 Mexican Independence Day Celebration. There's no admis- sion charge to any of the down- town events. Military personnel, veter- ans and first responders will be honored this Saturday, Sept. 14, at the "Night of Champi- ons." The mayor was a great am- bassador for Sanger, making his way through every Farm- ers' Market venue shaking hands, posing for photos and talking up his city. Gonzalez headlined the dig- nitaries who spoke at the open- ing ceremony: chamber board president elect Lee Delap; councilmember Esmeralda Hurtado; and representatives for congressman T.J. Cox and state senator Melissa Hurtado. The Apache marching band and cheer squad set an upbeat tone for the evening with the Apache fight song, AMVETS Post 98 Color Guard members Dewayne Bolin and Max Her- nandez posted colors and Ash- ley Schletewitz took a break SeeMARKETonpage A8 Dick Sheppard / Mid Valley Times ABOVE: Ashley Schletewitz who sang the National Anthem during the opening ceremony spent the rest of the evening selling farm fresh produce at the Schletewitz Family Farms stand. Choice Books to host author Payleitner for upcoming event Jay Payleitner Contributed By Juanita Adame Mid Valley Times The Choice Books fund- raiser and dinner banquet is fast approaching and this year’s keynote speaker will be Jay Payleitner, a motivational speaker and author from Chi- cago. “Each year we have a fun- draiser because this is totally non profit,” said Maryann Wall. “Choice books mission is to share the good news of Jesus Christ in the general "Choice Books has a mission to share good news around the world," - Maryann Wall-Buhler market place through inspira- tion and wholesome reading material.” Wall said Choice Books have been around for nearly 20 years and each year the dinner fundraiser is an oppor- tunity to bring awareness to the thousands of motivational books they display throughout a variety of stores in the area. “They’re put on spinners in Walmart and a couple of other larger stores,” she said. They also display books on table, especially at Christmas time and especially at Easter time. Also, Winco, hospital gift shops, that’s where you’re go- ing to find these books.” See AUTHOR on page A10