Page 9 - Reedley Exponent 9-27-18 E-edition

The Reedley Exponent PB anorama
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Section | Thursday, September 27, 2018 www.reedleyexponent.com
Reedley Fire's impressive climb
Reedley (Fresno County) CA 93654
The View From Here
Immanuel students marvel at department's 101 ft. ladder
I love to interview c h i l d r e n . There is something really special about their openness and honesty that makes their statements genuinely in-
teresting. Sometimes
Juanita Adame
“I like this fire truck because wow, the ladder can go so high."
– Loren Johnson First Grade Immanuel Schools
First grader Loren Johnson was among the excited group of kids.
"I liked this fire truck because wow the ladder can go so high," Lo- ren said.
When asked if he wanted to be a firefighter in the future, he replied no. "I want to be a librarian," said Loren.
Reedley Fire Engineer Daniel Lopez said members of the volun- teer department enjoy visits like these; coming out to schools to give kids lessons on fire fighting.
Lopez began the visit with teaching students about a well known acronym taught by fire de- partments everywhere called "stop, drop and roll."
"If you see there is smoke in your room, what do you do?" Lopez asked the students.
"Go outside?" one student re- plied. "Nope," he said.
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kids are shy
and give me one word answers, and that's okay. Other times they are not so shy, and love to talk. Often times though I have to find the child to interview, in rare oc- casions, they find me.
This was the case when I cov- ered the Reedley Fire Depart- ment's visit to two first grade classrooms at Immanuel Schools on Sept. 20.
The fire department arrived that afternoon to educate kids on fire safety and showed off a num- ber of their tools, breathing appa- ratuses and of course the aerial ladder.
Engineer Daniel Lopez told us the ladder has a water hose that runs underneath it. This allows for easier access to tall buildings that catch fire.
During a short break [while firefighters answered questions and gave students a tour of the "bucket" the part attached to the ladder] I decided I'd take a break and go over my photos. I went and sat down near some students.
As I was sitting there going through the photos, a child's voice broke my concentration. "Hi," he said. "I play chess, and today I am meeting with my chess club."
I looked up to see a little boy, with bright blonde hair smiling confidently about his chess play- ing abilities.
"You play chess?" I replied. "Yep, and today I'm meeting with my chess club," he reiterated.
He left me a little surprised. I've interviewed first grade stu- dents in the past, I don't ever re- member one who played chess. Here though, was a child telling me he was really good the game.
I soon learned his name, Loren Johnson. Loren was among the first graders who were at the fire department visit.
We talked a little about the firefighters, but then I returned to the subject of chess. "Wait, Loren, you play chess?"
"Yes," he said, a little annoyed with my surprised tone. Almost like he couldn't understand why I was so impressed by the fact that he played chess.
I was embarrassed to admit this to him but I told him that I didn't know how to play chess. I mean, I've played checkers but chess just seems like such a dif- ficult game and I never took the time to learn. Once he heard that I didn't know how to play, he re- sponded with, "Its not that hard, you just have to practice at it," he said.
I proceeded to ask him ques- tions about the fire truck and he happily answered my questions. He saw me recording the conver- sation and continued talking show- ing absolutely no intimidation.
Loren, like all the kids seemed genuinely impressed with the fire truck. He ultimately told me though that he had no plans on be- coming a firefighter. He wanted to work in a library as a librarian. "But I still love to play chess," he said.
I had a great time spending the afternoon with the Immanuel students. Thank you to Julie Tor- res for the invite! I wish all the students in both those first grade classes lots of success.
This past week I also stopped by the River City Theatre in downtown Reedley.
I went over to visit Tidy Gill, Steven Jones, and Joseph Hill. They work and perform at the his- toric theatre. I had a chance to sit with them as they told me about
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Photo by Juanita Adame / The Exponent
ABOVE: Firefighter Jack Hara waved to students below while up on the aerial ladder on Sept. 20.
BELOW: Firefighters Juan Morales and Noah Montes watch as students tour the bucket part of the aerial ladder.
By Juanita Adame
Juanita@midvalleypublishing.com
It took Jack Hara, a volunteer firefighter with the Reedley Fire Department, less than 30 seconds to climb a 101 ft. aerial ladder during a demonstration for Immanuel stu- dents on the afternoon of Sept. 20.
Once at the top, Hara received loud cheers and applause from the 20 plus first grade students on the ground.
The fire department stopped by Immanuel Schools to show students their newest engine, give some safe- ty lessons and answer questions.
Immanuel's class of 1948 celebrates 70th
Contributed
Immanuel's class of 1948 cel- ebrated their 70th high school re- union on Sept. 8. There were a total of 11 graduates and 12 guests who gathered for the celebration at the Palm Village Community room in Reedley.
Since graduating, 22 members of the 1948 class have died. Those members were remembered during the afternoon dinner event. After- ward, attendees sat in a circle and passed around a cordless micro- phone to share memories of their time at Immanuel.
There were a total of 41 students who graduated with Immanuel's 1948 class. Each member pursued different routes of education and study. Sixteen of the members served full time with Christian min- istries and traveled to places like
Brazil, Germany and Japan. Some of these members also served as pas- tors and staff in various churches. Thirteen members pursued busi- ness degrees working in sales, cleri- cal, accounting, real estate and the agricultural business sector.
Several members pursued oc- cupations in education becoming teachers at high school, elementary and college levels. Twelve members were home makers, while five pur- sued music careers in conducting, performing and private instruction.
Three of these members pur- sued medical careers in nursing, administration and medical staff. Other members pursued careers as cooks, bus drivers, and postal ser- vice personnel.
Members of the class are now planning and looking forward to their 75th anniversary.
Photo Contributed
ABOVE: From left top row, Ivan Wohlgemuth, Richard Schellenberg, Nick Enns, Robert Heinrichs, Vernon Janzen. Bottom row- Thelma Pauls Friesen, Lorraine Brandt, Annie Issak Peters, Dorothy Boldt Nickel, Genevieve Reimer Janzen, Vonne Loewen Hubert.
A new season with an exciting lineup is here
Photo by Juanita Adame / The Exponent
ABOVE: The entrance to Reedley's River City Theatre Company. Members will be wrapping up their 2017-2018 season with Smokey Joe's Cafe in October. Their new season will debut with "It's a Wonderful Life," which will open on Nov. 30.
By Juanita Adame
Juanita@midvalleypublishing.com
Sitting at a round table inside the empty River City Theatre build- ing, Tidy Gill, Joseph Hill, and Steve Jones went over last minute details of their upcoming season on the evening of Sept. 17.
"Something that's kind of inter- esting," said Gill. "Is that this is our 16th season, and every new season brings a lot of excitement."
Members of the River City Theatre plan their performances almost one year in advance, they are constantly making changes and updating to make sure everything is perfect.
"So yea we have a lot of things to think about when we're picking our season," Gill said. "First of all we have to start with the holidays, so we have to make sure we have everyone have that good feeling."
Executive Director, Steve Jones said before every season they brain- storm repeatedly to select perfor- mances.
"I gather everyone who is a di- rector, who directs shows or look- ing to direct and we all pitch shows that we have an interest in," he
"We pick our shows very carefully, we want everyone to enjoy the time they spend here."
– Steve Jones Executive Director River City Theatre
said. "Or that we've seen or that we think would be good for the com- munity."
Gill added that they also make sure the shows to appeal to their demographic,
"Those are our season ticket holders," she said. "They would be our main demographic, that would be ages 40 and up."
She said they strive to make their shows fun, entertaining and educational, and enjoy working with high school students who audition- for parts.
"We have high school students
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