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FEATURE VOLUNTEER: Penny Meneni

Penny Meneni was born in She took some time off when they started a She is active with P.E.O. International which is
South Bend, IN which is family, but then returned to teaching as a a philanthropic organization celebrating the
the home of Norte Dame. clinician at Melvin Smith Learning Center, advancement of women. They help women get
At 7 she moved to tutoring children with special needs. After 4 an education by providing scholarships, grants,
Chicago. She attended her years, she became principal of the school awards, loans and stewardship. As you can
first year of high school in associated with the learning center for 2 years. imagine, there is a lot of fund raising involved.
Chicago, then they moved Then she went to work for Rocklin Unified in Every penny earned goes towards scholarships
back to South Bend. She attended her next two all K-6 grades. While teaching Kindergarten, for women in financial need.
years of high school in Indiana then she moved she also tutored first graders in reading one on
to Los Angeles where she completed her last one in the afternoons. Since she helped with the Helping Hands
year of high school. Fashion Show as a model, she has been
She retired in 2006, but missed the kids so recruited by J. Jill to be a “Call Girl”. This
She attended San Diego State, earning a B.A. much, that she returned as a tutor for 4th - 6th involves calling women who have given their
Wanting to be a pilot, yet experiencing the graders for 2 years, again focusing on reading birthdays and phone numbers to J. Jill to invite
“glass ceiling” for women, she worked for skills. them to enjoy a 20% discount anytime during
American Airlines as a flight attendant. While the month to celebrate their birthday.
in training in Dallas, she met her husband Bob. She and Bob moved to the Club 2 years ago,
After only a few months with American, she downsizing from a home they loved. It was just She is getting ready to start volunteering as a
returned to LA to acquire a teaching credential too big for the two of them. Again retired, she tutor at Woodbridge Elementary. She has
at Cal State LA. started volunteering. already been “vetted” for the position and is
waiting for the new school year to begin. With
She and Bob were married in 1970 and look Penny volunteers at Kaiser Pediatrics all of her teaching experience, she will be a real
forward to celebrating their 50 year anniversary consoling parents, holding children and getting asset to our local school.
next year. They have 2 grown children and one coffee. Helping however she can to comfort the
8 year old grandson. families.

FEATURE PET: Sharpie: Living His Best Life by Mary Gale
How many dogs do you know who share the same occupation as yourself? Meet Sharpie. Breed:

Brussels Griffon. Occupation: Retired.

Grand Champion Silver “Paragons Sharp Dressed Man at Greengates” (his registered title) prefers
to be called Sharpie, now that he is retired from the show ring. He is the beloved companion of

Mary Gale, a little guy with a big reputation. Mary calls him her dog of a lifetime, having shown
dogs since the 1970s, but never having that larger-than- life dog until 2010, the year Sharpie was born.

“He is more than a dog to me,” says Mary. “Not only is he beautiful and the epitome of his breed, but he has given me the greatest
companionship and love. The fact that he was America’s #1 Brussels Griffon in 2013, won the breed at the biggest dog show in the
world, Westminster, and many other Specialties, pales in the
realization that he has truly been my best friend through the many ups
and downs of my life.”

Far from the cheering crowds and adoring groupies (really!), Sharpie
is living his best life now. He enjoys his backyard here at The Club, is
a big fan of the Animal Channel, and always looks forward to a good
session with a chew bone. He loves being retired!

If you want to know more about him, just Google “Sharpie the
Brussels Griffon” or visit his Facebook Page, Sharpie the Brussels
Griffon.

August 2019 Page 35