Page 11 - Sanger Herald 8-30-18 E-edition

Lifestyles
SANGER HERALD • 3B • THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2018
Art Dyson designed EECU opens in Sanger
Sanger
By Mike Nemeth
Sanger Herald
Fresno architect Arthur Dyson and his team wanted to create a structure that blended with its surroundings, let in lots of light and was pleasant to work in.
In short, a “dynamic environment.”
“We’ve got a lot of lot of glass, but it’s up high,” he said, explaining that any operation in the business of managing and loaning money is security conscious. “And the light entering in from above is reflected with that curved ceiling. So it’s easier to see.”
Dyson talked about the new Educational Employees Credit Union financial center in Sanger near the corner of Jensen and Bethel avenues. The building bears his penchant for sweeping curves and unmistakable style. EECU executives staged a grand opening last week that drew many of Sanger’s dignitaries, many of whom used the opportunity to see its many details for the first time.
The EECU building is Dyson’s second along that stretch of Bethel. St. Mary’s Catholic Church a few blocks away on North and Bethel avenues is another of Dyson’s award-winning creations, bookending the thoroughfare. Dyson began his career working with legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. He is the designer of more than 700 buildings.
“This is fantastic,” said Marcy Masumoto, a member of the Sanger Unified School Board. “It’s right here. We’ve had a line outside the EECU ATM outside the school district offices (nearby on Seventh Street) every time I’ve been there.
“This is a good thing for Sanger and the entire community.”
Previously, the only EECU outlet in Sanger was that popular automated teller machine just at the front door of the district. Often, people entering the building had to dodge the line of customers waiting to use the ATM.
Jim Yovino, Fresno County superintendent of schools, likewise was impressed. He said the design definitely caught his eye. “When you just pull
Finding Joy Part 1
Jesus was talking to his disciples about joy and he declared, “I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11
In the Winnie-the Pooh books there were characters named Eeyore and Tigger. Eeyore had a doom and gloom focus, no matter what amazing circumstance came his way. Tigger, on the other hand, bounced through life without a care in the world and never perceived anything could go wrong.
These represent two quite extreme viewpoints of life. The Biblical brand of joy is not simply
Mike Nemeth / Sanger Herald
The new EECU building has been designed with employees in mind with a wall of plants to clean the air, lots of windows and a ceiling that reflects light. Interior elements include stainless brackets on interior glass walls.
up,” he said. “It’s exciting.” The branch is EECU’s 19th and very likely the most unusual. Tom Gray, EECU’s senior vice president of human resources and facilities, said while the other EECU buildings all “have their own personality,” Sanger’s
stands out.
“It’s definitely our most
unique branch,” he said. Gray said EECU officials wanted to do something different with the piece of property, which is bordered by a CVS pharmacy and an established residence. And he said they got it with Dyson’s designs. “We’ve had a lot of positive
feedback,” he said.
Dyson said the building’s
roof slopes to the south to make it better fit the space between neighboring structures of varying heights. “We kind of tempered the scale,” he said.
And the building features photovoltaic panels on the roof to create some of its own energy. Dyson said it’s not a net zero building as it still expends more energy
overcoming our inner Eeyore, nor is it strolling through life in ignorant bliss. Rather, it is to be found in facing each day’s ups and downs through the contentment Christ offers.
What gives us true happiness and contentment in life? We need to identify the difference between joy and happiness.
For many of us, being happy is fully dependent on whether life is “all good.” If someone said, “Rate your life right now onascaleof1to10with1 being total disaster and 10 being no problems at all,” your rating would be based on the number of problems present.
Happiness slides up and down the scale based on the perception of negative
than it produces. But he said it does have other features, including a plant wall that actually cleans the air inside.
“We went for a modern design and cool interior and exterior elements,” said Elizabeth Dooley, president and chief executive, at the opening. “It creates a different member experience.”
Dooley said her credit union had wanted to establish a branch in Sanger for some time.
EECU joins Bank of the Sierra, which opened a branch in downtown Sanger
more than two years ago, and others like Bank of the West, Chase and Bank of America.
Tammy Wolfe, Sanger Unified board member and chamber president and chief executive, coupled the grand opening with the chamber’s Tuesday business mixer, which resulted in a huge crowd showing up to see what the new credit union was all about.
“We are ecstatic to have such a community service (credit union) as EECU,” she said. And Wolfe said the sweeping design reminds
her of the flow of the nearby Kings River.
Dyson said the credit union is the fourth building he’s designed in Sanger. He also has two residences built to his specifications, a house on Trimmer Springs Road and another by Avocado Lake. He said the design of the EECU building is meant to ease the stress of the work environment. “People will be more focused,” he said.
”The fins (on the front) are to shield the harsh western sun,” he said.
And there’s an element of silver and black, which
found in Jesus: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11- 13
James drives home the definition of joy in the kingdom of God as having nothing to do with eliminating negative outward circumstances, but rather with embracing them as opportunities to strengthen faith and gain resolve.
was incorporated because of Sanger’s connection to Tom Flores, a Sanger High graduate, and his Oakland Raiders. “We try to make something that appeals to people,” he said.
Rick Browning, EECU board treasurer, saw the building for the first time during the grand opening. “Beautiful,” he said. “We’re very happy to have this. This is awesome.”
The reporter can be contacted by email at nemethfeatures@gmail.com or by phone at the Herald at (559) 875-2511.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything,” James 1:2-4
Notice the end result of choosing eternal joy is being mature and complete in Christ.
Pastor Sam Estes is city advance director and facilitates the Sanger Community Task Force that meets the first and third Tuesdays every month. He can be reached at pastorsam51@gmail.com.
PASTOR’S CORNER
issues going on at the time. Problems rise, while happiness goes south. Troubles begin to go away, and the happy scale starts to climb.
Pastor Sam Estes
of Jesus than with avoiding problems and struggles in our lives. Looking back at John 15, we know that joy is always available to us when we remain in Christ, through whatever
Joy, however,
is not dependent on circumstances and can become strongest when trouble comes.
The psalmist reminds us of the reality of joy that comes when we rest in God’s presence:
“You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11.
Joy has more to do with remaining in the presence
life brings.
Here are some
statements that can guide you to see how true joy differs from mere happiness. *Happiness is a state of mind, while joy is a mind-set.* “Happiness comes and goes, while joy can be constant.* “Happiness is dependent, while joy is independent.* “Happiness is conditional, while joy is unconditional.”
The apostle Paul had learned the secret to the joy