This week we salute a local hero. Gene Benedix was wounded in combat in 1951 during the Korean War and was awarded the Purple Heart commendation. He never received the actual Purple Heart medal. There will be a special presentation by Congressman Jeff Denham on April 7, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Gladys Lemmons Senior Center to present this medal. Please try to attend. Thank you to Judy Bossard for sharing this important news with the community.
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Please remember to support St. John/St. Lukes church enchilada fundraiser this Saturday. All proceeds got to the well effort and the needs of this beautiful community church. Enchiladas are $15 for one-half dozen and can be ordered by calling Tammie at 209-604-6942 or Judy at 209-847-6647.
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This past weekend Glenn and Laura Burghardt enjoyed a trip to the town of Niles with son, Mike and grandson, Jeff, for a delightful step back in time and a glimpse of movie and railway history. Both have spent time in the Niles canyon area in the past, visiting friends and having picnics along the Niles Creek. The highlight of the day was the lore of the early silent motion picture history in Niles with an enjoyable and interesting visit at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum where it all started in 1907 with Bronco Billy and other stars such as Charlie Chaplin and Rudolph Valentino. The museum featured artifacts, posters, photos, and books on silent movies and the old Essanay Film Studio with its studio and silent film theater. Some of Charlie Chaplin’s early movies were made at the studio and one could view the surrounding area which was used in the filming. As both Laura and Glenn, having grown up in nearby Oakland, it was especially interesting to see that some of the terrain of the Niles Hills and the old downtown views of Oakland were still in existence as they were when they grew up there. Laura and Glenn were even invited to join a group that was hearing a lecture on the early film production in Niles.
After a quick view of the museum, son Mike and grandson Jeff left to chase trains on the Niles Canyon Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad lines to take photographs for their website on auto racing, trains, and airplane scenes. You can visit their site at www.autoracing.com. Everyone had a wonderful time and look forward to returning again.
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A chance to support our Valley Home 4-H is coming up on Friday, March 6. 4-H President Sierra Haynes invites everyone to enjoy a delicious dinner of smoked tri-tip. The dinner will be a take-out dinner with pick up location at Valley Home School gymnasium from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Cost of a dinner for four will be $35.00. All ticket proceeds will go to help pay for the 4-Hers Monterey Bay Aquarium trip. The 4-Hers will be going to Monterey in May and will stay overnight at the aquarium. Please call Sierra at 209-596-6672 or Community leader Sean Haynes at 209-324-7286.
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Last week’s Valley Home School Basketball games against Roberts Ferry were cancelled so now the teams are really looking forward to this Friday when they will play Knights Ferry at Valley Home. The games will start at 11:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come support our Valley Home students!
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Tomorrow, Thursday, February 26, Lifetouch will be at the school to take spring portraits.
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Until next time, “...Happy Trails to all...”
