Page 18 - MNLGA Free State Summer 2024_WEB

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE (Continued)

lead through a crisis. If one takes the bull
by the horn, surrounds themselves with
competent, hard-working people who don’t
make excuses for performance failures,
then you will lead and avoid crisis. If you
don’t take leadership seriously, then you
will be attempting to lead through crisis.
I believe I’ve over-simplified his message;
however, I hope I’ve made the basic point.

Mr. Panetta has served as Congressman
from California, Director of the CIA, Director
of the Office of Management and Budget,
and Secretary of Defense. What a treat to
hear his stories (including the years leading
to and ultimate finding of Osama bin Rose bushes are used as early-detection system for such diseases as powdery mildew, in a vineyard.
Laden).

Aside from the formal, educational parts
of the program, I did have a bit of time
to do some exploring. As someone who
can’t sit still, I maximized my “down-time”
and visited every historical and cultural
spot my feet and time would allow. I found
myself with two hours to spare on the last
afternoon of the program and rented
a bike and rode along the coast from
Monterey to Pebble Beach. Besides a puppy
running wild on the 18th green, the course
felt rather hushed and serious. I was able
The valley has some success with vineyards planting on plateaus, however most are planted in the graded
to watch a few foursomes on the hole and
foothills.
I can say for sure, hackers are welcome at
Pebble Beach.

Our hotel was also a quick walk along a
coastal path to Cannery Row. Cannery
Row, made famous by author John
Steinbeck, was known for its vast sardine
production from the early 1900s to about
1930, when overfishing caused the demise
of the industry. Today, Cannery Row
remains as a tourist destination of shops
and restaurants, converted from former
processing factories. Several historical
buildings noted in Steinbeck’s Cannery Row
also remain, as Steinbeck’s characters were
based on real people he knew in Monterey.
At the literal end of Cannery Row is the
These vines are more than 25 years old

18 SUMMER 2024 • Free State News