Word has just been received that the next meeting of the Valley Home 4H will be January 8 at 7:00 p.m. at the Valley Home School gym.
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In reminiscing the events of the past year, residents offered a warm welcome to Rolanda DesRosiers-Lewis as the new Superintendent/Principal of Valley Home School.
February 1st was the quarterly meeting of the Valley Home MAC at which Sheriff Adam Christianson spoke on the Rural Crime Alert Program and how it was helping to keep persons alert to what was happening in the community. County Supervisor Bill O’Brien welcomed new Valley Home Municipal Activity Council members Winnie Mullins, Kate Hart and Chris Hempleman, and returning member Nancy Osmundson was re- elected as chairman for the Council.
Our community bid a sad farewell to longtime resident, Olivia Smith who passed away on February 19th. Olivia was a long time resident of our community and involved in many Valley Home activities throughout the years and will be missed by all her friends.
We were thankful for our alert Valley Home residents who were quick to report the presence of a suspicious man seen roaming in our community on March 12th, it was reported he had a very large hunting knife and was also seen at Valley Home School. Sheriff Adam Christianson was alerted and took the man into custody. We offered thanks to all the alert residents who contacted their neighbors and friends to warn them on what was happening in our community!
We were delighted to find things really "hopping" in our community and we all enjoyed a visit from the long lost Valley Home Easter Bunny, "Hoppi B," who with his Valley Home 4-H helpers provided a fun filled Easter Egg Hunt for our children down at the school play yard on April 23rd.
In May volunteers gathered at our Valley Home Community Park to watch the planting of the Colorado Blue Spruce, a gift from Morris Nursery, which would then become the official Valley Home Community Christmas Tree. On hand to help plant the tree were Bud Ferreila with his tractor and auger, Don Taro, Tony Taro, Glenn Burghardt, Kate Hart, Vicki Dickens and Laura Burghardt.
Valley Home 4-Her's Nico Sarale, Geno Sarale, Jed Gardner, Cody and Cooper Bartholomew, Deno Garner and Jenna Heaton presented a moving tribute at the Valley Home Cemetery to those who gave their life for our country.
Old and young alike enjoyed an afternoon of Silent Screen showing sponsored by St. John's Lutheran Church and the LWML, starring Buster Keaton, on June 3rd. It was a silent film but the building rocked with laughter at Keaton's actions and echoed with applause for the organ music provided by Dave Moreno and songs of the era provided by Matias Bombal. The crowd enjoyed homemade pie and ice cream at the end of the program.
In June, we announced the newly elected officers of Valley Home 4-H. President Jordan McCain, VP Garret Bryhni, Treasurer Luke Pouncy, Secretary Ashley Barreto, Correspondence by Marissa Campbell, Bug editor Kinsey Ollis, Jessica Hatfield and Lacy Blount Activities Awareness, Nathan Soares Community Awareness, Cody Bartholomew Supply Chairman, and Recreation Activities handled by Halley Smith, Colin McKenzie, Connor McKenzie and Nikki Truett, Sgt at Arms duties by Matt Gonzales and Chad Truhett.
We attended “A very special Wild West Hoedown” for one of our favorite people, Tony Taro, who celebrated his 90th birthday, in July. Preferred attire for the festivities was Country Western, and guests were delighted to oblige. It also saddened us to report another burglary had occurred in the vicinity of Pleasant Valley Road. Metal siding and lumber were taken.
Halley Smith had a great 13th birthday surprise when she walked to school on August 13th. The Thompson girls decorated the road to the school with birthday signs and balloons as well as delivering brownies and a bag of goodies! The Smiths also reported that they enjoyed an afternoon of bass fishing Saturday and they all caught their limit!
September 22nd found our Valley Home Community Park filled with residents who gathered to enjoy a delicious fundraiser dinner to raise funds for upkeep of the park and repairs when needed for our beautiful park. Guests enjoyed Tri-tip sandwich or boneless chicken sandwich.
October found members of our Municipal Advisory Council hosting the MAC Bi-Annual Meeting on October 23 at the Valley Home Fire House. Speakers at the meeting included Supervisor Bill O’Brien, Nancy Osmundson, Valley Home MAC, Guest Speakers Monica Nina, Stanislaus County CEO and Rolanda Desrosiers-Lewis VHJSD Superintendent and Kathy Shepherd Valley Home Community Member.
Lots of excitement as Valley Home PTC members begin gathering items for sale at the students Christmas Gift Store that they sponsor each year where students are given an opportunity to purchase modestly priced gifts for their parents or siblings.
November also found former students gathering at the School Gymnasium to share their fond memories with former Principal Harold Pope.
Residents braved the December chill to attend the Valley Home 4-H Lighted Christmas Parade which honored former Valley Home 4-H Community Leaders, Grand Marshal Marcel Dickens and his wife Kathy. More brightly lit floats were seen this year. Following the parade, the crowd walked to the Valley Home Park to watch the lighting of our special tree by the Dickens and then walked across to the School Gymnasium to enjoy a delicious dinner hosted by our Valley Home 4-Hers.
What a wonderful way to end the year! I wish you a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013!
