Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 3-24-22 E-Edition

Thursday, March 24, 2022
The View From Here
The af- ternoon of March 18 was com- fortable
and warm. I walked into the California
Room at
the Reedley
Community Center and quickly took a seat.
I was there along with many of my current and former Mid Valley Pub- lishing coworkers to cel- ebrate the life of our boss Fred Hall.
It was just one year prior that we were gath- ered to celebrate the life of Dick Sheppard. Shep- pard was the longtime Sanger Herald editor who died in February 2021. Fred left us just one year later in Feb. 2022.
During the service a few of our coworkers went up to say a few words about Fred. Most notable to me was the memories George Villagrana shared. George and I have worked together off and on for several years.
We worked together here at the Mid Valley Times and also back at the Sanger Herald before the papers were all merged.
I can truly say that my coworkers are like my family. George talked about how Fred motivat- ed him to finish college and when he graduated he made the comment, “You’re one of the good things that has come out of Orange Cove in a long time!”
The crowd burst into laughter. Both Fred Hall and Dick Sheppard had suspicion of corruption within the Orange Cove city government.
Since Fred’s passing, things around here have been quiet. I walk by his office expecting to see him sitting at his desk. The back of his head peeking out from his large leather chair as he worked on his column.
But sadly, he’s not there anymore. Instead I am greeted by a large empty chair, in a large empty office. I also have moments when I hear the back door open and expect to see him walk in and say “Hello Juanita.” But sadly that’s not there either.
Judging by how many people showed up to his memorial service, I can say Fred was a well liked individual. He was a kind person who will be greatly missed by all of us.
The Mid Valley Times family has truly lost a great mentor, boss, co- worker and, most of all, a great friend.
By Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
The Sierra Kings Health Care District held their Grant Awards ceremony on the afternoon of March 22.
Several schools from the area as well as Sierra View Homes, and the Community Youth Ministries or "CYM" were awarded with grants to help continue their fitness and wellness programs.
“One thing I wanted to point out to you all is my board member had this vi- sion and we’ve been working on this trying to find traction on where the right place or partner would be and VROP was a natural fit,” said China- yera Black Hardaman, Chief Executive Officer of the Si- erra Kings Health Care Dis- trict.
“I just want to let you all know that we have since pitched these scholarships to Kaiser Permanente, to their foundation and they are pre- pared to match our commit- ments to these scholarship awards so we can do twice as many next year.”
Among the recipients were the California Health Collaborative, the Parlier Unified School District and Reedley College.
Mini grants were also
Juanita Adame
Parlier students receive grant scholarships
Nominations being accepted for Sanger Awards Banquet
Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
Parlier Unified School District's medical students were each awarded with $1,000 scholarships from the Sierra Kings Health Care District on the afternoon of March 22.
awarded to the city of Reed- ley for continuance of their swim program and Reedley College for their Health Fair, as well as their VROP Pro- gram.
“Regional occupational programs have been in Cali- fornia for about 50 years, they were meant to create an approach to career technical pathways to rural communi- ties,” said Fabrizio Lofaro, VROP Superintendent.
“We reach out to seven school districts, from Sanger Unified, to Selma, Parli- er, Kings Canyon Unified, Kingsburg.”
Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
At right, Chinayera Black Hardaman spoke to the audience about upcoming scholarship opportunities during the Grant Awards cer- emony held at the Kings Canyon Unified School District office.
Sanger student wins first place at County Spell Off
Contributed
The Sanger Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 97th An- nual Sanger Awards Banquet.
Categories include; Citi- zen of the Year, Hall of Fame, Mr. & Mrs. Farmer, Gold Seal Awards, and Mother of the Year.
“We are encouraging all service organizations, clubs, and churches to submit nomi- nees from within their orga- nizations for these commu- nity awards,” said Chamber president, Karen Pearson.
Requirements vary for each category. “Citizen of the Year should be someone who has given service to the com- munity during the past year,” Pearson said. “Hall of Fame recipient should be someone who has given service to the community over a period of years and could be someone who is still active or someone who has given service over a period of years in the past.”
The Farmer couple re- quirements include a Sanger residency of at least five
From left, Sergio Arguello,
a police officer with the city of Sanger was presented with Police Personnel of the Year award by Sanger Police Chief, Greg Garner during the 96th Annual Sanger Awards Banquet in July 2021.
File Photo / Mid Valley Times
years, and continuous civic involvement. Gold Seal re- cipient is someone who has gone above and beyond for the the city.
Nominations may be sub- mitted to the Banquet Com- mittee at 1789 Jensen Avenue Suite B, in Sanger.
The Banquet also honors the Police and Fire Personnel of the Year, which are nomi- nated within their depart- ments. Educator of the Year is nominated through Sanger Unified School District.
This year we will also be honoring the City Employee of the Year which is selected through the City of Sanger. The Rotary Youth Award is nominated through the Sanger Rotary Club. The Recycler of the Year is nom- inated through Mid Valley Disposal.
Nominations are due Friday April 15, and can be dropped off at the chamber office by midnight. For more information please call the Chamber of Commerce at (559) 875-4575.
Staff Report
A student from the Sanger Unified School District took home first place at the 27th annual Fresno County Spell Off on March 15.
Aarya Sodha, took home first place for the elementary school category.
The spell off was held at the Clovis Veterans Memorial
District Auditorium and fea- tured the elementary, junior high and the Sripps Qualify- ing Competition category.
Other winners came from Fresno Christian Mid- dle School, Central Unified School District, Yosemite Valley Charter School and the Clovis Unified School District.
Photo of the Week
This aerialdronephotooverlookingManningAvenueinReedley wassentinbyJordyaPhotography. Haveaphotoyou'dlikefea- tured? Email juanita@midvalleypublishing.com
Contributed