Page 11 - Sanger Herald 5-3-18 E-edition

Sanger
SANGER HERALD
Lifestyles
• 3B • THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2018
Those who assisted the athletes had almost as much fun as the participants.
Special Olympics
Comes to
Sanger via
tournament
By Mike Nemeth
Sanger Herald
The young man in the wheelchair held his arms close to his torso and kept his head tilted down toward the floor as he entered the Coach Dean Nicholson Gym at Sanger High.
The noise and crowds piqued his interest and he stole an occasional sideways glance at the gauntlet of cheerleaders that greeted every newcomer. He wasn’t the only one taken aback by the attention. The boy was part of a couple hundred athletes who took part in the inaugural Special Olympics Volleyball Tournament on April 24.
His shyness soon disappeared.
And when the time came for that young man’s turn to hit the ball, his face lit up. He raised shaky arms that barely responded to his commands. His eyes shined. He revealed a big toothy smile.
Sanger’s student volunteers didn’t care about his physical limitations. They helped him experience the rush of a dink, dig or double hit like any varsity volleyball player. They brought him patiently, ever so patiently, into the thrill of the game.
He loved it. His happiness could not be repressed.
Emotional Emergency Management Kit
Are you prepared to handle your family’s everyday emotional crises?
Ilovetofly,andasa pilot I love flying stories. Well, here is one such story from an F-16 fighter pilot, who shared how a “routine” flight over the Arabian Desert turned into something far different.
After he took off on a routine patrol, his jet’s warning lights began flashing to signal a serious problem with the hydraulic system. As one of the best of the best, this pilot pushed aside his fear and made his
mind go through a rigid checklist in preparation for
The effect continued throughout the gym as others got their chance at the ball. Special Olympians understood that the day was theirs, and they reveled in the experience.
“Very cool,” said Robin Maldonado, Homecoming king and the first ever Mr. Sanger. “It’s very awesome to be part of Special Olympics.”
Maldonado, who also gained fame during halftime at home basketball games this season making half court shots, played a somewhat understated leadership role in the event. He made others feel comfortable and acted the perfect host, a spirit commissioner of sorts.
To launch the event, he said (over the microphone and through the loudspeakers), “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages, proud to represent Special Olympics!”
Those in the gym responded. Music played.
Zoie Buchanan, who works as a mentor for those with special needs and is part of the Best Buddies program, said she plans to be a special needs teacher and enjoyed being part of the event.
“They looked forward to it,” she said. “They just love doing it.”
Schools participating, besides Sanger, included Sunnyside, Hoover, McLane, Clovis East, Central and Fresno high schools. When they arrived, they brought hand painted banners and student athletes in uniforms or
an aborted mission and an emergency landing.
But as he struggled to land his fighter, the one thought he couldn’t hold captive was the one he treasured most of all: that of his loving wife and two precious daughters. “Just let me get home, Lord,” he prayed. “Just let me get home.”
The pilot did land his plane safely that morning. But this story illustrates a need I see constantly in the lives of fathers. While few of us put our life on the line as consistently as an F-16 pilot, we all face times of crisis. That’s true even for our children. While we know that our child being rejected by her “best friend” isn’t the end of the world, it seems that way to
matching shirts lined up behind. All marveled at the response and the buzz of activity.
Bryce Frantzich, who served as an event organizer, predicted the Special Olympics event would return next year. “Win or lose, they’re just having a good time,” he said. Even winding up in last place doesn’t matter, he said.
Senior Jorge “JJ” Meraz said the participants are just like any student, that they want to be part of something, to belong. “(Here) they’re not alone,” he said. “Everyone’s still the same. It’s a good thing. So everyone can feel part of a team. You have everybody who will be with you.
“They’re having fun. Part of a crew. Part of a team.”
Sanger High assistant principal Alfredo Ponce looked to be enjoying himself as he interacted with students and teachers. “Best days of our lives right here,” he said. “It’s a great day. Smiling. Having fun. Priceless.”
Frantzich said eight years ago he attended a similar event and he was so moved that he decided to become a special education teacher. “We did a pretty good job,” he said of the event. “So I think we’ll keep doing it from here on out.”
The reporter can be contacted by email at nemethfeatures@gmail.com or by phone at the Herald at (559) 875-2511.
Mike Nemeth / Sanger Herald
Miike Nemeth / Sanger Herald
To get an item into the calendar, email details to nemethfeatures@gmail. com or call Mike or Sharon at 559-875-2511.
The first inductees into the new Sanger Athletic Hall of Fame will be honored at 6 p.m. May 5 at the Sanger Community Center, 730 Recreation Ave. The first group was limited to a maximum of 10 posthumous and 10 living athletes. Details, Sanger High Student Center 559- 524-7210.
AMVETS brought back its chili dogs from 5 to 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of the month. So that will be May 16. Everybody who’s anybody will be there. Come early. It’s popular. There will also be kraut dogs, mustard dogs and Frito boats. Details, George 559-286- 5667.
A Battle of the Badges Blood Drive is planned from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 12 at the Sanger Fire Department, 601 West Ave. The department also encourages residents to take a home safety survey at http://virtualcrr.com/ survey/sanger-ca-fire- department/. Details, 559- 875-6568.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Community Breakfast is from 9 to 11:30 a.m. May 5 at the American Legion Hall, 1502 O St. Cost is $6. Cub Scout Pack 322 and Boy Scout Pack 322 will
assist. The VFW breakfast is usually the first Saturday of the month.
The Sanger United Methodist Church Spring Boutique will be from 10 a.m.to2p.m.May5at the church, 1612 Ninth St. Vendors include Gold Canyon, Trades of Hope, Color Street Nail Polish Strips, Usborne Books, Jewelry by Cookie Lee, Pararazzi and Premier, Avon, Mary Kay, LipSense, Pink Zebra, Tupperware and memory lockets, handmade crafts and jewelry, custom-made T-shirts and bling wear and handmade pillows and blankets. Details, 559-875- 3015.
The Fruit Trail Bus returns from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 16. This will be the Sanger Chamber of Commerce’s second year offering the ride through the region’s lush orchards and productive fields. Cost is $65 and includes breakfast, coffee, fruit mimosas, gourmet lunch, tastings and the guided tour. The bus will stop at berry farms, fruit stations and even a packing house. There will be a beer tasting stop. Details, Tammy or Karen 559-875-4575.
The Sanger Family Resource Center plans a Kinder Camp, which provides support for incoming kindergarten students. The dates are June 25 to July 27. Details, 559-524-6310.
The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is May 12. Those interested in donating non perishable food items to HOPE Sanger are asked to place them in a bag at their mailboxes.
Adult Open Gym Basketball is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Sanger Community Center, 730 Recreation Ave. Cost is $2 per visit or $25 for the season. Season ends June 7. Details, recinfo@ci.sanger. ca.us or 559-876-6300, ext. 1430.
The Sanger Community Task Force meets at 8:30 a.m. May 15 at American Legion Post 23, 1502 O St. Details, 559-250-6433.
SAM Academy, a Sanger nonprofit that provides low-cost music lessons and programs in science, art, engineering and technology, is celebrating its fifth year anniversary this month. It’s preparing its summer camp schedule, and applications will soon be available. Details, 559-399-3090.
Sanger Community Church plans its parking lot sale starting at 7 a.m. Saturday at the church, 1610 Jensen Ave. Details, 559-875-2553.
Cinco de Mayo celebration is from 11 a.m.to2p.m.May4at the Sanger Community Center, 730 Recreation Ave. Food, folklorico dancing, mariachi music and more. Details, Linda Zavala 559- 875-7606.
PASTOR’S CORNER
her.
Just like us,
remedies to help your family face trials great and small. Hope: That’s our ability to give our children and spouse the assurance that even if we can’t see the whole picture or understand why something’s happened, a hopeful future awaits our
family.
“May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
Healing: When a family member’s been hurt by unkind words or events, a parent needs to be ready to come alongside with
healing words and hugs, not inference or lectures. “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your Word with great boldness.” (Acts 4:29)
Help: One name for the Holy Spirit is our “helper.” (John 15:26). Whether it’s helping a child with a huge project, our spouse with a difficult situation with her friend, or the whole family with the loss of an aging parent, we need to repair, restore and renew a hurting family member.
Health: Our children need to see the healthy decisions we make. Maybe its time to quit smoking or dust off the treadmill or actually modify our diet so it’s the kind our children should eat to be healthy. “Don’t you know that you yourselves
are God’s temple and God’s Spirit lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)
Why not decide right now to talk about your EEMK. Ask how we’re doing in providing hope, healing, help, and health — and take note of what your answers are. Then, using those protective skills God’s given you, make sure you’re ready for those almost daily emotional emergencies that come up in your home.
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.
when days are
tough, our kids
long for a place
to retreat. That’s
why you need
an “Emotional Emergency PastorSamEstes Management Kit,”
or EEMK, at home. I’m not talking about the kind you find at sites such as www. ready.gov, the website built by the Federal Emergency Management Association that shows families how to put together a kit of nonperishable food, water, a battery-powered radio and medical supplies for times of national crisis, although that might be helpful.
You need to put together an EEMK for everyday crises filled with four home
Sanger News & Community Calendar
As a show of unity on the National Day of Prayer, about a dozen pastors from Sanger churches plan to speak at 7 p.m. May 3 at Sanger Park, Fifth Street and Academy Avenue. The National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. "We're expecting 12 to 13 churches being represented, and we're inviting everybody," said Mark Grice, a member of Sanger United, a group of pastors. "We'll also have prayer booths for pastors and leaders to pray for people individually." The group pictured here is Gilbert Carrisalez, Paul Canaday, Maria Ponce DeLeon, Gilbert Montelongo, Neal Harris and Grice.