Marlene Wiley

Do you know someone who should be recognized for an achievement? Email Marlene Wiley at News@mnn.net.

From our August issue

Locals in the News
Marlene Wiley

Deneka and Marlana Shile are graduates from Lakeside Elementary and LGHS. Deneka graduated magna cum laude in biology with a minor in chemistry from U.C., Santa Cruz. She will attend U.C., San Francisco Pharmacy School this fall. Marlana graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in human biology. Roger and Judith Shile are the proud parents.

Five middle-school girls, including Elle Rogers of CTE, attended a summer camp at Stanford that stresses science, technology, engineering, and math education. The program was sponsored by the Los Gatos-Saratoga branch of the American Association of University Women.

Three of the eight juniors chosen for this year’s LGHS Emerson Shaw “Close Up” scholarship are mountain students Braden Anderson, Cody Hansen, and Sierra Vance. Accompanied by LGHS U.S. history teacher Marcy Cooper, the students met with Congressman Mike Honda and were given behind-the-scenes tours.

We missed Kelsey Shyba in our last issue.Kelsey graduated from Los Gato High School with honors as a California Scholarship Federation life member. She was academic All-American. and first team All-League in water polo. She will be attending Occidental College in Los Angeles with a double major in economics and music.

Chloe Anne Anaya was born June 8 to Tammie and Carlos Anaya. She weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces, and was 21 inches long. She joins her siblings Madison, Hailey, and Jakey.

Redwood Estates Residents Perform Shakespeare
Sarah Devlin

Sarah, Catherine, Anne, Paul, and John Devlin are members of San Jose Youth Shakespeare, a theater group dedicated to putting on high-quality full-length Shakespeare plays. Often the plays have a cast of more than thirty, ranging in age from eight to twenty. The young thespians take great pleasure in mastering the Bard’s works and getting acquainted with the ropes of the theater.

In the new production Much Ado About Nothing, the Devlin siblings will each have fun and challenging roles. Catherine plays Leonato, a father desperate to save his daughter’s happiness. Anne will flex her comedic skills as Dogberry, an idiot who fancies himself intelligent. Paul and John will be night watchmen, the poor souls forced to make sense of Dogberry’s nonsensical instructions. Sarah will work backstage as the house manager.

One of the many things the Devlins love about being a part of the theater group is learning from the director Bob Rumsby, who studied drama extensively in England and in the United States. Working with him has taught the entire cast something they loved learning—there is no better way to explore literature than to be a part of it.

Much Ado About Nothing will be performed August 19 to 22, at the Historic Hoover Theater, 1635 Park Ave, San Jose. There is a $10 donation requested for adult tickets purchased at the door. Advance tickets are discounted.

For more information and to reserve tickets, visit www.youthshakes.org.

Obituary
Christopher Steven Schlosser
Benjamin Ketcham

With great sadness, family and friends mourned the tragic and unexpected death of Christopher Steven Schlosser. Chris died in a car crash, along with a close companion. It was too early for Chris. He was 27, with a good life ahead of him. Many people loved him dearly,, and are now holding his spirit close to their hearts.
 
This is a time for remembering all the cherished moments. Chris was an old soul who connected with many. He engaged with people of all ages and walks of life. He found what was interesting in others, willingly learning from them, while embodying compassion, reflection, curiosity, and good taste.  

Chris was part mountain and part city. He grew up and spent most of his years in the Summit area of the Santa Cruz Mountains, while recently working and studying in San Jose. Had he realized his ambitions, he might have worked as a business consultant or program manager for a non-profit devoted to social causes, perhaps with a little art thrown in for good measure.

Though young in years, there was little that was simply youthful about Chris. He wrote inspired and spiritually sophisticated poetry when he was just eight years old, read almost anything put in front of him, was comfortable around old or homeless people, put others before himself most of the time, and felt deeply for the suffering of others. He was a great soul in search of what it means to be a good man.

Chris is survived by his mother Rhonda, his father Steven, his sister Amber, his grandmother Peggy, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. A memorial celebration was held at Radonich Ranch.

From our June issue

LGHS senior Sophia Rumasuglia, daughter of John and Pauline Rumasuglia, has been accepted as a Joffrey Ballet trainee and will be moving to New York City in the fall. She started taking ballet lessons when she was three and trained with Pam East Dance (now East West Music and Dance. She currently dances with Los Gatos Ballet and has trained with American Ballet Theater and Boston Ballet for the past three summers.

We have a poet in Villa del Monte. She is Angie Boissevain. Titled Notes from Here, the poems were published by Poetry Santa Cruz as the 2010 Celebration of the Muse Chapbook Award. Two poems I especially liked are “October” and “Lakeside.” Most of the poems reflect life in our mountains. The book is available at Bookshop Santa Cruz and at the Skyland Gallery on Skyland Road.

Among the stalwart members of a rowing team who trains on Lexington Reservoir is Allison Langhoff. She loves rowing.

Among the members of the LGHS baseball team are mountain students Nick Barnby, co-captain Corey Lannagan, Jack Larsen, and Jason Shepardson.

Among the members of the winning LGHS lacrosse team are mountain students Kris Kelley goal tender, Ryan Donovan and Tanner Wingo defense, and Zac Karr middle defense. The middle-team members are Andrew Tjon, Gabe Sheehan, and Tyler Litle. In a game against Saratoga, Ryan scored a goal and Zac had two assists to win the game 15 to 5.

Shannon Jimenez, a seventh-grader at Rolling Hills Middle School, has been accepted into the People to People world leadership forum. Shannon will join a select group of students in Washington, D.C., June 21 to 26, to study leadership and explore some of the United States’ most prominent monuments and institutions. Participants are selected on the basis of outstanding scholastic merit, civic involvement, and leadership potential. Shannon was selected from among 300 seventh-grade students at Rolling Hills Middle School in Los Gatos. This school serves middle-school students from the Lakeside Joint School District. Shannon has a fourth-grade sister, Iris, and lives in Las Cumbres with her parents.

Kayleigh Khandelwal, a second-grader at Loma Prieta Elementary, has been cutting up the ice this year. She recently won two first-place ribbons and one second-place trophy at the NorCal Championships in San Mateo. Her parents are Charlotte Boisvert-Khandelwal and Sanjay Khandelwal.

Is your son or daughter graduating from college? We will be happy to recognize them in our next issue.

Los Gatos Mountain History
Fred Walter, a Living Legend
Travis Bertelsen

I recently spent the afternoon with one of our mountain area’s most seasoned residents. At 104 years old, Fred Walter is still active and engaging. He sang lively songs, played the harmonica, and provided me with a first-hand account of our local mountain history.

Fred Walter was born in 1906 in the rugged mountains just outside Pueblo, Colorado, where his family operated a thriving cattle ranch. The grueling daily labor and the freezing Colorado climate quickly forged the young boy into a sturdy young man. At age 15, while out fishing, Fred was caught in a freak snowstorm and was forced to endure a frigid two-mile trek home in bare feet. He recalls his soles were so thickly calloused he never even noticed the cold.

In 1928 when Fred was 22, the Walters family said goodbye to harsh Colorado winters and moved to sunny San Jose. It wasn’t long before the allure of the forest and hiring at Granaman’s sawmill led Fred out of the bustling city and into the picturesque mountains above Los Gatos.

The 1930s Depression left Fred without employment, but Highway 17 was being built. Strong, hard-working men were needed. Fred was chosen out of the hundreds of desperate applicants to carve out the treacherous section of Highway 17 from Summit to Scotts Valley, where massive landslides from underground springs were a constant danger. At the time, the nine-year project was the largest construction contract in California, costing a staggering three million dollars.

When the highway was completed, Fred secured a job caring for fruit trees on the Kennedy Ranch. Later he became foreman of Schmidt Ranch on Summit Road., where he tended 342 acres of prune and pear trees until 1956, when the ranch was sold to create a housing development. Fred recalls how everyone thought the builders were delusional when they listed the first house at $50,000. At the time a typical mountain home cost from $10,000 to $15,000. The homes quickly sold as buyers seeking refuge from the valley flocked to the mountains.

The new homes had modern conveniences urbanites were accustomed to in a peaceful mountain setting with spectacular coastal views. These same homes, in what is now known as Villa Del Monte, can sell for more than a million dollars.

Today Fred enjoys weekly drives to the coast to watch windsurfers carving the waves at Waddell, followed by a trip to the lighthouse to feed the pigeons. He always ends his outing with a visit to Marianne’s ice cream parlor for a large scoop of his favorite mint and chip before heading home along the stretch of Highway 17 he built.

Fred lives in Redwood Estates with his son, daughter, and grandson. His years of nurturing crops are evident in the 140 tomato plants in his garden. Some of his plants are over 12 feet high with tomatoes weighing 3.5 pounds. Fred is affectionately known by his friends and neighbors as the “Tomato Man of the Santa Cruz Mountains.” At 104 years young, he is truly one of our living legends.

From our May issue

Harold Hoyt, a volunteer at the local Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s service center, was honored as an “outstanding county volunteer” by the Santa Cruz County board of supervisors on April 13. He has donated more than 1500 hours to the office at the Loma Prieta Community Center where they provide information and take reports. The volunteers can also be found assisting with traffic at the school and for public events. They help create child-ID kits at various venues during the year. In 2008, Harold and three other local volunteers, Kay Fanucci, Gene Geist, and Boni Wendling received this award.

Students at Loma Prieta Elementary School celebrated women in history during March by honoring longtime mountain resident Doris Nelson. When Doris and her family moved to the mountains in late 1965, Loma Prieta School was on the north side of Summit Road and had been serving students for about sixteen years. When Doris asked about a school library, she discovered the school used a roving library system. That was not good enough for the children or Doris. She volunteered to build a Loma Prieta library that took her dedication and the dedication of many mothers. When computers began to be used in the school, Doris learned how to use computers. One woman, with dedication, created the libraries that our children use today.

Bill Erlendson, Jr., a lifelong mountain resident, competed in the thirteenth annual Lavaman Triathalon in Hawaii, March 28. Bill graduated from Loma Prieta in 1997, Lincoln High School in 2004, and Chico State University in 2008. Bill completed the 1.5K swim in 30:20, the 40K bike leg in 1:16:18, and the 10K run in 48.35 for an overall time of 2:40:25. This placed Bill 209 out of a field of 868 participants. Bill teaches at Lincoln High School.

Brianne Medved, a junior at LGHS, was honored by the CCS Division II soccer semifinals for excellent performance in the position of middle field. Her mother Shawn Medved was a former major-league soccer player.

Kim Boortz and her husband Ben Chickering announce the birth of their first child Brendan Benjamin Chickering on March 22, in Merced. Brendon weighed eight pounds, eleven ounces and was 21-inches long. Mountain residents Pat and Chuck McCrery are Brendan’s maternal grandparents. Kim grew up in the mountains, attended Loma Prieta, CTE, and LGHS. She is an attorney with the public defender’s office in Merced County.

Kajsa Nelson, daughter of Phil and Kerstin Nelson, performed with the LGHS Jazz Purr at Carnegie Hall in New York City April 9. She also was selected to sing a solo during the Phil Mattson Vocal Jazz Festival at Carnegie Hall. She is a senior at Los Gatos High School and a graduate of C.T. English and Lakeside schools. She will attend U.C. Santa Barbara in the fall, where she will pursue a career in opera.

Lars Nelson, son of Phil and Kerstin Nelson, graduates from the University of California, Davis in June with a bachelor of science degree in viticulture and enology. He is a graduate of LGHS and Lakeside schools.

Judy Bingman, former LGHS teacher, coach, and musician, exhibited photographs in the Hayward spring show. She entered several photographs in two categories. She won an Award of Excellence ribbon for her view of Horsetail Falls in Yosemite.

Obituary
Janet Ruth (Wickland) Radonich
1929 to 2010

Janet Radonich, a longtime resident of the Summit area, died March 20, in Los Gatos, after a long illness. She was born April 24, 1929, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Rudolph and Elsie Wickland, the youngest of seven children. She was the only girl. The Wickland family moved to Los Gatos where Janet attended Los Gatos High School.

Janet was married to Peter Radonich, a businessman and radio newscaster, for 62 years. They lived happily on the Radonich Ranch on Highland Road. Pete preceded her in death in 2008.
Janet was gentle, private, and elegant, but always sensitive to the needs of others. She was a member of the Loma Prieta Club. She loved music and played piano and banjo. She was an avid reader who remained current on world and political events. She was also an excellent cook.

After raising her children, Janet became a licensed vocational nurse. She enjoyed living on the ranch. She loved watching the many birds that she fed in her garden when she and Pete were not traveling.

Family, especially her children and grandchildren, was the center of her life. She is survived by her son Bradford and wife Heidi, son Randolph and wife Sandra, daughter Janet (Gerodias) and husband John.

Janet is survived by eight grandchildren: Kimberly Stottlemire, Jennifer Murphy, Nickolas Radonich, Courtney Radonich (Esposto), Alexander Gerodias, Amanda Gerodias, Lauren Radonich, and Bradford Radonich. Janet is survived by four great-grandsons: Jacob Stottlemire, Jared Stottlemire, Brody Baugh, and Mateo Radonich.

Internment will be in Arlington, Virginia, where Janet will join her husband Peter in the Arlington Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Janet’s memory may be sent to the American Heart Association.

Obituary
Eric Hans Pedersen
December 1, 1963 to March 27, 2010

Eric died March 27, at his home in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Eric moved into the redwoods above Los Gatos when he was five years old. Growing up in the rugged terrain with nature at its best left an everlasting mark. He didn’t want to leave. And he didn’t. He lived in his cherished woods until his life ended suddenly in the home in which he, his wife Victoria and daughter Sierra lived for 13 years.

He was born in Los Gatos, the second son of Bonnie and Larry H. Pedersen, operators of the growing family business that was to become his lifelong career. He was vice president and fleet manager of A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals of Campbell. He worked side by side with his father Larry and two brothers, Robert and Lars. He was in charge of maintaining the company’s substantial fleet of vehicles and other equipment.

As a young boy he became particularly interested in horses, specifically Appaloosas. Small local wins turned to regional triumphs, “Appy” shows in the Western states, and finally to state championships in open competition. He rode his horse Mo in hunter and jumper classes. He instructed other younger riders at Appy Horse Hill summer horse camp, operated by his mother and her business partner, Arlene Kruse.

During his Los Gatos High School years (class of ’82), he could be seen cruising around town in a bright red Chevy pickup that was spit-shined to a mirror-like luster.
He enjoyed skiing, golfing, and hunting. His artistic side was revealed in his drawings and photography. He loved traveling and was an avid sports fan of the NASCAR circuit and the San Francisco Giants. He also was proud of his service with the Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire Department.

The absolute center of Eric’s life was his family. He was a devoted husband, proud father, dutiful son, faithful brother, and generous uncle. He also had an exceptional love for animals, especially dogs Sammy Joe, Angel, and Coco, and Ted the cat.

He is survived by his beloved wife Victoria, daughter Sierra, mother Bonnie, brothers Robert (Barbara), Lars (Ellen), and nieces and nephews: Robert, Meghann, Erika, Thomas, Christopher, Kane, Samuel, Riley, Christine, and Steven. He will also be greatly missed by Lou (Lynne), Diane (Glen), Julie (Harry), Lara (Steve), Naveen, and Arlene.

A celebration of his life was held April 3 at the Redwood Estates Pavilion. Memorial contributions may be made to the Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire and Rescue, 25050 Highland Way, Los Gatos, CA 95033. Tax ID Number 94-3117725.

From Our April issue

Joseph Ols, mountain resident, won a gold, a silver, and two bronze medals at the World Masters Games for athletes over-30-years of age. This past year the events were held in Sydney, Australia, in volleyball and track-and-field. Ols also competed in 2009 All-American in the decathlon, high hurdles and pentathlon, coached track at Los Gatos High, captained a team of other local Santa Clara Valley Athletic League coaches to third- place team finish at the 2009 U.S. Corporate Athletic Association national championship. He set a national record in the high jump and long jump for USCAA.
 
Alison McBain and husband Eben Leonard had their first child, Mackenzie Midoro, on December 18, 2009. Mackenzie weighed in at 7 pounds, 12 ounces. Alison attended Loma Prieta Elementary, C.T. English Middle, and Los Gatos High schools, and was graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz. The family lives in New York where Eben works as a chef in Manhattan.

Matt and Terri Cavender welcomed their first child Kylaya May Cavender on January 20, 2010. She weighed seven pounds, two ounces.

Lexington School fifth-grade student Abigail Heumann received the first-ever outstanding- student scholarship award from the California Association of World Schools. This statewide award was given to Abigail for exemplifying all elements of the International Baccalaureate program. Abigail will receive a $500 savings bond as part of the recognition.

Lexington fourth-grader Gwendolyn Erdosh is the first student from a mountain school to win the annual Los Gatos Saratoga Recreation’s clubhouse-sponsored art contest. Her artwork is featured on the cover of the LGS Rec Summer Fun for Kids 2010 brochure.

Philip Smith, son of Michael and Bridget Smith, was recently selected to attend the California Highway Patrol Academy in Sacramento. Phil attended Loma Prieta Elementary, C.T. English Middle School, and graduated from Los Gatos High School in 2000.

George Greene, a retiree who lives on Summit Road, is one of the most fit of all of our bicycle riders (more than 1,000 strong), particularly for his age. He once did a cross-USA ride. He and wife Carol also are among the 200+ volunteers it takes to put on an event such as the Tierra Bella.
The Los Gatos High School Mock Trial Team led their defense team to the finals against Lynnbrook High. It took place in the historic Superior Court in San Jose. In an intense battle Los Gatos lost by only five points, the closest scoring in recent history. Isaac Larkin, Ariel Lacey, Patrick Meehan, Clay Evans, and Cutter Coryell were among the team of eight who competed in the finals.

Among the members of the LGHS girls basketball team is sophomore Courtney Mains. Recently the team lost a close game by two points to Aragon.
Mountain members of the LGHS boys soccer team not listed last month are Gavin Honda, Brendan Perrelli, and Isaac Larkin.

Colette (Froehlich) Phelps is back onstage again. She will perform in “Shout! A Mod Musical” at the Retrodome (formerly Century 25 Theater in Westgate Shopping Center) from April 1 to 11. This is a non-stop journey through the infectious and soulful pop anthems and ballads that made household names of stars like Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield, and Lulu with such chart-topping hits as To Sir With Love, Downtown, You don’t have to Say You Love Me, Son of a Preacher Man, and Goldfinger. Ticket information can be found at retrodome.guggyent.com or 408-404-7711.

LGHS girls soccer team completed an unbeaten 15-0-5 season and captured the tough De Anza division championship in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League finishing with the number 1 ranking in the Central Coast Section. Coaches in the SCVAL met in February to pick the All-League Teams and select the top players in the league at their positions. LGHS junior Heather Rouhier (captain) was named the Goalkeeper of the Year after allowing just nine goals and posting a 0.532 goals-against average.  Junior Brianne Medved was named the Offensive Player of the Year after scoring 17 goals and dishing off 18 assists. Both Rouhier and Medved are longtime mountain residents and graduates of both Fisher Middle School and Lexington Elementary School.

Among the members of the LGHS cast of A Chorus Line were Nina Lacey, Julian Lacey, Lisa Meehan, and Michaella Montana. Longtime mountain resident Denise Lesea was the cast photographer.

Dear parents: Please tell me when I have missed a mountain student. My information comes from many sources. If you email a list of mountain students on the teams, I will be happy to let our readers know about your local achiever.

Kathy McKinney
Receives Hoffman Award
Bob Chrisman
Kathy McKinney has been awarded a 2010 Glenn W. Hoffman exemplary- program award for her physical-education and student-wellness program at Lakeside School. Initiated in 1983 by the Santa Clara County School Board’s Association (SCCSBA), the Hoffmann award program showcases outstanding district programs that are innovative, creative, have a student focus, and positively impact student performance. The award will be presented in April during the annual SCCSBA spring banquet.

Lakeside’s P.E. program, funded entirely by parent and community donations, includes twice-weekly P.E. classes, a noon-jogging program and supervised recess games three days per week. Kathy, a resident of the Summit area, has taught P.E. at Lakeside since 2004.

From our March issue

Ed and Doris Sermon, longtime mountain residents, recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on February 9. They were married in 1945 when Ed was on leave from the Navy because his ship had been sunk in the Philippines. Ed and Doris lived in Los Altos until 1964 when they moved with their two sons to the Santa Cruz Mountains. They have been active volunteers for various community organizations including Summit Riders, Theatre in the Mountains, home and school clubs, sheriff’s substation, and Loma Prieta Club. Ed spent over forty years with the Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire and Rescue.

Redwood Estates resident Shelley Bates, who writes as Shelley Adina, celebrates the release of The Chic Shall Inherit the Earth, the final novel in her six-book young-adult series from Hachette Book Group. Also available is Tidings of Great Boy.

Marc Guèdenet has been accepted to the University of San Francisco Law School. He attended Lexington Elementary, Fisher Middle School, and Los Gatos High School where he graduated with high honors. He is completing his undergraduate studies in political science at UCLA.

For his eighth-grade community service project at C.T. English Middle School, Cayce Hopkins, son of Dale and Linda Hopkins, collected over 150 gently worn coats for “One Warm Coat.”  These coats were donated to InnVision of Santa Clara County.

Dylan Scott Bartlett, the first child of Genevieve Villemaire and Brian Bartlett and the grandson of Jerry and Jan Villemaire, was born December 20 in South Lake Tahoe. Dylan was six pounds, twelve ounces, and was 20.5 inches long.

Riana Brennan, daughter of Richard Brennan and Jana Parker-Rinaldi, longtime mountain residents, was named by the San Jose Mercury News as freshman of the year in volleyball as a member of the varsity squad. She also received honorable mention as an opposite hitter and freshman of the DeAnza League.

Andy Heimer, Andrew Tjon, and Brad Radonich are members of the LGHS boys soccer team.
The LGHS girls basketball team has had a successful season. Among the team members are Deanna Devlin, Olivia Maddox, Ellie Moller, and Madeline Smedt.

Obituary
Sally Shaffer Mitchell

Sally died January 25 in San Jose. She was born in 1928 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, to Dr. John and Mrs. John Shaffer. She attended Altoona schools, and graduated from Skidmore College where she was a member of the school choir. Music was very important in Sally’s life. She sang with the Santa Clara Chorale for over 25 years. Sally’s family was her priority, and she was an active volunteer. Her great love was traveling.
Sally was preceded in death by her husband G. Edward Mitchell, builder and real estate broker, also of Altoona and Los Gatos. She is survived by son, Doc and wife Sandy (Los Gatos), son Tim (Los Gatos), and son Mark, and grandsons Blake, Austin, and Chase (Medford, OR), brothers John (Frederick, MD) and Richard (Palm Springs, CA), and sister Jean Cline (Campbell, CA).
Internment was at Soquel Cemetery. A memorial service was held at Skyland Church on February 28. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sally’s memory may be sent to Parkinson’s Foundation, 675 Almanor Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94055.

From our February issue

Chris Cismondi and Amanda Springer Cismondi happily announce the birth of their daughter Kayla Marie Cismondi December 3 at 7:58 a.m. She weighed six pounds, fourteen ounces. Her parents grew up in the mountains and are raising their children here. Kayla was welcomed by her big sister Mia Rose Cismondi who is three years old.

Shea Robinson, an LGHS student and a graduate of CTE, was named by San Jose Mercury News to their girls golf first team for the year 2009. Shea is the daughter of Lindsey Anderson.

Brian Gieses-Gardner, who now lives in Los Angeles, attended Lakeside School, Fisher Middle School, and Los Gatos High School. He is currently working as a teacher at the progressive Evergreen School in Santa Monica. Bryan was married on October 24 to Shane Davis-Kapp in a small ceremony with family and friends at Hakone Gardens in Saratoga. Shane is a native of Bellingham, Washington, where Bryan attended Western Washington University. Shane is actively pursuing her SAG card in Los Angeles.

Tara Collishaw and Allie Langholff were members of the Girls from the National Championship boat from Los Gatos that finished a close second as the crew of the year in the USA and Abroad. They practice on Lexington Reservoir.

Loma Prieta parents Karen Bercaw, Christiane and Mirko Caballero, Katherine Dorsch, Helen O’Dea, and Russel Willner ran the Big Sur Half Marathon on November 15.

Members of the LGHS wrestling team are Steven Bourque and Jeremy Rea.

Loma Prieta resident Tiana Freiri, a sophomore at St. Lawrence Academy in Santa Clara, recently made the high honor roll with a 3.65 grade point average. In addition to this honor, Tiana also received the coaches’ award for girls varsity tennis. She is a first-year varsity player. She is the daughter of Bridget and Robert Freiri.

At the Los Gatos Children’s and Holiday Parade, members of the Loma Prieta Fire and Rescue team placed first in the Active Fire Engine category and second in the Antique Fire Engine category.

Deanna Devlin was named team co-captain of the LGHS girls basketball team. Other mountain girls on the team were Ellie Moller and Madeline Smedt.

Carson Nestler, a senior, was named to the All-Mercury News water polo team. Among the members of the Los Gatos High School color guard were Whitney Alter, Danielle Ashford, Danielle Beahm, and Marilah Hemminger.

Preston Rind, a tackle for the LGHS varsity football team, was named to the all-league second team, and junior defensive back Andy Heimer was named to the all-league first team defense.

From our January issue

Three Rolling Hills/Lakeside mountain boys (Adrian Lemke, Tony Moller, and Mitchell Schwager) qualified for the National Junior Olympics Cross Country meet in Reno on November 29. The boys “Midget” team (eleven- and twelve-year olds) also won first place as a team. They participated in the national meet December 12 in Reno.
Loma Prieta parents Karen Bercaw, Katherine Dorsch, Helen O’Dea, Russel Willner, Christiane and Killko Caballero ran the Big Sur Half Marathon November 15.

Los Gatos rowers train at Lexington reservoir. Their teams are some of the best in the country. They qualified for The Charles Regatta that draws teams from across the country. Mountain team members include Tara Collishaw, Tara Foley, and Allison Langhoff.
The 4-plus women’s team members, Brittany Johnson, Emily Sullenberger, Tara Foley, Kaity McCullough, and coxswain Shawna Rodgers placed 10th overall. The youth men’s 4-plus team of Adam Rose, Atli Thorketson, David DeSantis, Max Katz, and coxswain Colby Rapson finished 12th. Competing in the youth women’s 8-plus team were Tara Collishaw, Clare Southern, Madeline Raff, Kristin Eline, Amanda Fox, Maraika Robinson, Allison Langhoff, Nicole Wargon, and coxswain Allyn Nielson. The men’s youth 8-plus team consisted of Derek Kita, Kevin Sturm, Vance Callinan, Tom Porter, Alex Leeburg, Conor Moyles, Ross Hastings, Philip Verbus, and coxswain Lucas Orlita. Their performances at the Charles River competition were so good that some of the teams will receive automatic invitations for next year’s regatta.

From our December issue

Grandparents Jerry and Jan Villemaire and parents Paul and Laura Villemaire Sanders and big brother August are happy to announce the birth of Olivia Janae Sanders on October 21, in Roseville. Olivia weighed seven pounds, seven ounces and was twenty inches long.
Among the members of the LGHS frosh-soph football team are mountain students Jake Bevans, Jimmy Eisner, Jackson Fondriest, Max Friday, Mitch Homeier, Sean Niemann, Alex Pelkey, and Kevin Tjon.
The LGHS varsity football team members are Wes Bolliger, Andy Heimer, Luke Hollander, Jon Impey, Preston Rind, Evan Stagg, James Thomas, and Gabe Wilds. Earlier in the season Andy Heimer had seven carries for 55 yards, scored four touchdowns, and kicked seven extra-point attempts.
Becca Dobyns is a member of the girls track team. Bryn Taylor is a member of the girls tennis team.
Caroll Knipe recently published a story about her corgis Dutch and Duchess titled Corgi Confessions. Her grandchildren urged her to write the book because she created stories when they were growing up. Her husband, Fritz, took the photos. In addition to writing, Caroll was the first woman president of the Association of California School Administrators. Fritz was a popular principal/superintendent of Lakeside School.
Mountain resident and owner of a fitness studio in the mountains, Kathy Adams, has created Cool Chemo Top clothing for women battling cancer. Her experience with chemotherapy led her to create comfortable clothes for womenwhile dealing with insereted drains. For more information, visit www.confidentclothingcompany.com.
Nicholas Moyer (Nick) wore his homemade Halloween costume that he built with his dad, Vince. Nick loves Harley Davidson motorcycles and wanted to dress as a Harley for Halloween. Nick went trick-or-treating in Summit Woods, where he received many compliments on his creative costume.   

From our November issue

David and Mary Billingsley announce the marriage of their daughter Shannon to Cody Mckenzie, son of David and Connie Mckenzie of Salt Lick, Kentucky. Shannon is a graduate of Loma Prieta, CTE, and LGHS. She is currently stationed at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, as a staff sergeant in the USAF while pursuing her nursing degree for commissioning. Cody is in aviation in the USCG stationed at Barber’s Point Air Station, Hawaii. The wedding took place in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, September 15, and the reception will be held in October 2010 in Santa Cruz.

Early in October, San Jose State’s women’s basketball team members held a basketball clinic for Loma Prieta and CTE students interested in improving their basketball skills. Local participants were Tatum Korb, Sam Wilner, Lauren Sanders, Aiden Willner, Jade Notzon-Kidwell, Colton Landaiche, and Lauren Lacey.  In the middle row were Daniel Weissman, Dani Matlock, Emily Jarnigan, McKenna Morrison, Kelly Matlock and Brooke Landaiche.

Joey DeSalvo has attained the Boy Scout rank of Eagle Scout. His Eagle project was a Smokey Bear sign that watches over Highway 17 at the Alma Fire Station. Joey joined Scouting as a Tiger Cub in the local Cub Scout Pack 501. He has been a member of Troop 353, Troop 501, and most recently Crew 501. Joey is currently attending Cabrillo College. He is also continuing his water-polo career as the starting goalie. He enjoys working at Skyblue Pools in Los Gatos. He plans to continue playing water polo at the varsity level while working on his biology degree.

A full-time student at Texas Christian University, Tom Sutherland uses a video-game simulator instead of driving a car in preparation for the four-hour Monterey sports car championships. Tom developed the multi-screen simulator and driver seat complete with pedals and steering wheel that helps him mentally and physically prepare for the American LeMans series season finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Sutherland will co-drive LG Motorsports’ Chevrolet Riley Corvette C6 with Tomy Drissi and Matt Bell in the grand-touring class. Tom qualified last month at Petite LeMans.

Colette (Froehlich) Phelps, seen last summer as Martha in Theatre in the Mountains’ production of The Secret Garden, has been selected to perform in CMTSJ’s production of Oliver. Cast in the role of Nancy, she will appear with her husband, James Phelps, who has been cast as Bill Sykes. The show runs the first two weekends in December at the Montgomery Theater. For ticket information, go to www.cmtsj.org.

LGHS senior Sophia Rumasuglia will dance the roles of Snow Queen and Arabian princess with Ballet San Jose’s principal dancer Maximo Calano in San Jose Dance Theater’s production of The Nutcracker. Loma Prieta second-grader Mia Fong will perform the roles of lead soldier and cookie. The performances will he held December 4 to 6, at the Center for Performing Arts in downtown San Jose. For more information, go to www.sigt.org.

The Mountain Mermaids team participated in the Mermaid triathlon and dualthon in late September at State Beach in Aptos. Participants swam .25 mile in the ocean, bicycled 11 miles, and ran 2.5 miles. Team members were Chandler Lougée, Maya Sweedler, Karen Rajczi, Laurie Boswell, Katie and Kyra Jeffrey, Marissa Rajczi, Kisa and Siena McKenzie, and Carmen Harris.

A Young Ambassador
From Redwood Estates
Nolan Cordle

“It looks like new,” I said, admiring the cleaning job that Nick Brodine performed on my nine-year- old Audi. Nick informed me that he could also do clean-up jobs to earn extra money in the next nine months. He is one of forty seventh- and eighth-grade students from San Jose to Monterey, and the only one in the Santa Cruz Mountains, selected as a student ambassador by the People-to-People organization.

Next summer, forty students, accompanied by carefully selected educators, will embark on a 19-day learning visit to England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. They will meet people, perform community service, and exchange ideas.

This important journey and great honor for Nick Brodine will cost about $7,000. Nick is seeking sponsorships and is happy to provide an educational presentation of the cultural experiences gained from his trip.  He is also willing to wash cars and do odd jobs. If you need work done, or ihave any ideas that can help Nick earn funds, call him at 408-353-2226, or email nbrodine@comcast.net.

New Mountain Chiropractor
Brenda Taylor

My family and I live in the Los Gatos mountain community. As an avid hiker and Lakeside school mom of two, I have witnessed the need in our area for health and wellness care that is closer to home, as well as for commuters along Highway 17. I am a graduate of the distinguished Palmer College of Chiropractic West, hold a degree in health education, and have fifteen years of experience teaching movement and yoga, and working with the body.

I have opened Balanced Chiropractic as a place of wellness for the entire family. My wisest patient was ninety-eight, and my most youthful a newborn. You will find my office to be unique, even when compared with other chiropractors. I offer state-of-the-art, evidence-based spinal rehabilitation in a serene atmosphere of mountain peace and relaxation.

Balanced Chiropractic is located on Highway 17 at the mountain’s summit on the second floor of the Summit Properties building, 23111 Highway 17.

To learn more, visit www.BalancedChiropractic.org, email BrendaTaylorDC@email.com, or call
408-859-2225.

Los Gatos Water Polo
Mountain Kids Rule the Pool

Twenty-eight mountain students are on the Los Gatos High School water polo teams. They outnumber the town students.

So far this year the Wildcat teams are off to a great start. The girls varsity team has five mountain girls in the starting lineup: co-captains Carson Nestler and Kelly Davis, Kelsey Shyba, Stephanie Soucy, and Halle Nestler. Their record is 7-3 overall and 5-1 in league. Other varsity players include Megan Donovan and Madison Young.

JV Girls are 12-4 overall and 6-0 in league with standout mountain players Sarah O’Donnell, Meri Meighan, Kaley Korfike, and Chelsea Charbonneau. They have freshmen and sophomore support from Shelby Glenn, Julia Shuman, Christina Chiocchi, Morgan Gassmann, Mara Miljevich, Danielle Devonport, Julia Bjorge, and Danielle Magnin.
 
The varsity boys, led by co-captain Wes Heeter, rock-solid goalie (and ASB president) Joshua O’Donnell, and Adam Gouldsberry, won first place in the Saint Francis Invitational Tournament and are 10-3 overall.  Other varsity players from the mountains include Michael Homer, Justin Rozon, and Doug McLeod. JV boys are second in league, led by Evin Wieser. Connor Sinclair and David Lowe are also key contributors to the team.

Last summer many of the players played in high-level tournaments with their club teams. Two participated in the Junior Olympics, and several boys traveled to Hungary with the West Valley club team.

From our October issue

Major Douglas W. Zimmerman, son of Sally Zimmerman Reed and Bob Reed, has been accepted to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. Doug attended Lexington Elementary and Fisher Middle schools. He graduated from the University of Iowa. He worked four years for CNN in Atlanta. He enlisted in the army and was commissioned as an officer. Currently, he is in military intelligence. He has served in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afganistan. Doug is married and has two children.

Gabriel Kleiner graduated in May from U.C. Berkeley with a major in psychology. He is the son of Tim and Diane Kleiner of Highland Way and the brother of Joshua Kleiner. Gabe and Josh attended Mountain Bible Christian School, Baymonte Middle School, and Valley Christian High School.se. Joshua graduated from U.C. Santa Barbara in 2007 and works in the Santa Barbara area as a computer engineer.

On October 6, National Geographic Children’s Books is releasing Martha (Marty) Kendall’s Alive in the Killing Fields: Surviving the Khmer Rouge Genocide. Marty is a longtime mountain resident and author of more than twenty books that range from college texts to children’s picture books. She teaches a world literature course at San Jose City College where Nawuth Keat was one of her students. On the last day of class, he asked her if he could share the story of his life. Nawuth tells of his childhood, his family’s tragedies, constant hunger, and his escape from Cambodia. As painful as the telling of his life was, when Marty asked if he would like to discontinue the interviews, he answered that “...he wanted people to know what happened.  “Here is Nawuth’s truth.” For information, see Marty’s website, www.MarthaKendall.com.

From our September issue

Beginning Monday, September 7 through Monday, October 5, mountain photographer Judy Bingman’s wildlife photographs will be featured at Gallery Saratoga, 14435-A Big Basin Way in Saratoga. She loves watching and photographing polar bears, but she said that on her most recent trips, she enjoyed focusing on grizzlies. A reception for Judy at the gallery will he held Sunday, September 13 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Jennie Ann Marie Thomas, daughter of Nannette and Ronald Thomas, was selected as a state finalist in the National American Miss Pageant over the summer. She has participated in several competitions over the last few years.

Two CTE students, Sara Sterry and Joan Yun, participated in a summer program at Stanford University. The program sponsored by the American Association of University Women focuses on studying math, science, and technology. This important program encourages young women to consider careers in math, science, and technology.

Lisa Smith, daughter of TeriAnn and Kerry Smith, graduated magna cum laude June 13, from Santa Clara University. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa with a double major in political science and history. This fall, she will attend law school at Santa Clara University. She attended Loma Prieta, graduated from CTE in 2001, and graduated from Los Gatos High School in 2005. Her brothers are Clinton and Brady Smith.

Two mountain girls, Lisa Colombo and Kaelyn Rohm, were members of a softball team that earned their participation in a national game sponsored by ASA Western Nationals held in Kaysville, Utah.

Loretta Boyer McClellan, Realtor®, Seres®, and Green, with Coldwell Banker, Saratoga office, has achieved her senior Real Estate Specialist designation. This special education offers the tools and resources to better serve the unique need of 50+ real estate buyers and sellers.

Joshua O’Donnell, son of Earle and Joanne O’Donnell, successfully ran for president of ASB at LGHS 2009. His goal was to add value to the ASB card that each student uses. He met with LGHS administrators and also talked with Los Gatos mayor Mike Wassermann. Joshua proposed a new program called Friends of Los Gatos High School. The students will be given discounts at member stores in Los Gatos. The LGHS website lists 22 businesses participating in the Friends of Los Gatos High School program.

Summit Veterinary Hospital
Welcome Our New Veterinarian

Dr. Sullenberger will be with us four days a week, seeing patients, treating sick pets, and performing surgeries. She is an enthusiastic young doctor who brings many hours of experience and enthusiasm to our staff.

Dr. Sullenberger attended UC Santa Cruz, where she majored in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. After graduation, she attended Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, where heavy emphasis was placed on hands-on participation in the learning process. She spent two years in clinical rotation in the major branches of veterinary medicine.

The majority of her time was spent working with small animals, so with her expertise we hope to add birds and pocket pets to our list of clients. Some of her volunteer activities included work at Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital, the Marine Mammal Center, and Long Marine Lab.

Dr. Sullenberger lives with her husband in Santa Cruz. She surfs, plays volleyball and softball, and knits.

From our August issue

Local Girl Scout Troop 11004 members helped save a mare and foal in cooperation with Aptos Pregnant Mare Rescue. The Scouts are Alison Hill, Emily McCord, Alex Scott, Marion Wellington, and Jordi Wiseman. They hosted a ponyfest at Hummer Ranch attended by a hundred children and their families. The Scouts raised $900 that was used to adopt a mare and her ten-month foal.

LGHS varsity volleyball team completed a successful season. Team members who earned spots on the All-Mercury News Spring Sports were Trevor Rowell, first team, and Jeff Barnett, second team. Individual honors went to Jeff Barnett as sophomore of the year. Honorable-mention awards went to Beau Barren, setter, and Storm Slivkoff, opposites.

Leah Toeniskoetter, daughter of Charles and Linda Toeniskoetter, is a long-distance bicyclist. She organized a group of 24 cyclists to participate in the 27th Annual Death Ride of 129 miles through the Sierras. They rode with about 3,000 other cyclists. This is Leah’s fourth ride. She and her team members hope to raise $18,000 for the Valley Medical Center Foundation and Turning Wheels for Kids. The latter donates about 2000 bicycles to children every December.

C.T. English School students participated in the Silicon Valley championships for sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students in track and field events. Among the eighth- grade boys Grant Maruya placed fourth in the long jump. The eighth-grade 400 relay team placed fifth. Summer Vance placed fifth in the 60-meter hurdles. The seventh- grade girls individual results featured Alexandria Gallizzoli, fourth in the shot put. Among the sixth-grade boys Drake Smedt was first in the long jump. Among the sixth-grade girls Caice Lanovaz won the long jump (13.5.25) and was fourth in the 100-meter dash. Kathryn Farley placed fourth in the shot put and first in the discus.  Serena Dudas placed first in the 60-meter hurdles.

Kristina Irvin, chiropractor and long-distance runner, completed her tenth Western States 100-mile run from Squaw Valley to Auburn. She is the tenth woman in 35 years to accomplish this feat. Kristina finished in a time of 29:50 on a very hot day.

Jared McClellan, son of Steven and Loretta McClellan, was inducted into the LGHS Japanese Honor Society.

Barbara Harriman of Coldwell Banker has earned the California Association of Realtors’® Graduate, Realtor® Institute GRI real estate designation. The GRI is recognized by real -estate professionals as the most advanced and comprehensive training program for real-estate agents.
The Los Gatos Rowing Club trains on Lexington Reservoir. Among the rowers are Tara Collishaw and Allie Langhoff. The lightweight girls team has won the national title for the third straight year.

Grant and Barbara Bishop are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Elizabeth to Kevin Cunningham, son of Bruce and Debby Cunningham of Los Gatos. Elizabeth and Kevin are graduates of C.T. English and Los Gatos High School. Elizabeth works in finance in Los Gatos; Kevin works for CalFire. Their wedding will be this fall. They plan to live in the Santa Cruz Mountains.