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Making A Difference through Service To Mankind

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Dec 13 2022

Leona Valley Sertoma Serves Up A FREE ~ Traditional Holiday Dinner

Leona Valley Sertoma Serves Up A FREE ~ Traditional Holiday Dinner

Leona Valley Sertoma hosted about 75 senior guests, 55 and over, (plus delivered more than 20 dinners) for the nonprofit service organization’s FREE Senior Dinner on Sunday, December 4, 2022. As always, our annual event provisions covered Green Valley, Lake Hughes, Elizabeth Lake, Three Points and, of course, Leona Valley. Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, we had to cancel a couple of senior dinners. Needless to say, this year, the house was “rocking” and the fellowship was fabulous.

Our menu included turkey, ham, meatloaf (Juanita Kirkpatrick’s famous recipe), green beans, mashed potatoes & gravy, sweet potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, assorted desserts, coffee and punch.

Believe it or not, it took approximately 54 people that consisted of Sertoma members, community residents, 4-H Racketeers and the Leona Valley Queens who helped create a most successful holiday dinner. In other words, it didn’t take a village to get the job done, IT ACTUALLY TOOK A GRAND PORTION OF OUR COMMUNITY to get the job done!

In the past, Leona Valley Sertoma usually paid for the entire meal out of our members pockets ~ however, NOT THIS TIME. This year, from newly acquired grants and sponsorships from Cal Water, Smart & Final and Ashley Furniture, the entire expense of our meal was paid for.

Always remember that Sertoma’s main purpose is to focus on the hearing impaired, and we are committed to just that, and more. For the last eight years our group has provided a thousand dollar scholarship to one Antelope Valley College student who is majoring in deaf studies to pursue a career in helping the hearing impaired.

Three members, including two founding member, of Leona Valley Sertoma, pose for a photo at the Leona Valley Sertoma Holiday Dinner.
(L to R), Bev Brownfield, Shirley Kraft, Juanita Kirkpatrick.

This year it seemed most appropriate to honor two very important members who were the originators of Leona Valley Sertoma which, according to Bev Brownfield, was chartered in 1997. Both Juanita Kirkpatrick and Bev Brownfield engaged in a recent AV Press interview that provided so much of our original club’s foundation. Juanita stated that our club originally consisted of only men (the originator being Bob Mallicoat who acquired 25 men) and the women were later included.

Leona Valley Sertoma invites you to please visit our web site at: LeonaValleySertoma.org to better understand and visually enjoy the many events that we have provided to our community and public.

We encourage folks to join us on either a first or third Saturday of any month for an 8am complimentary breakfast at Jack’s Place ~ 40352 90 St. W., Leona Valley. WE WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU!

ALL of our members are most grateful for EVERYONE’S continued support and generosity. WE wish you a wonderful Holiday Season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Jan Clark

Written by Jan Clark · Categorized: Leona Valley Sertoma, Sertoma News · Tagged: Antelope Valley College, community, deaf studies, Holiday Dinner, Leona Valley Sertoma, Volunteers

Mar 25 2022

April Rock of Leona Valley

Community Matters

April and Luna
April and Luna Rock giving back

Hi, I’m April Rock and this is my daughter Luna. We are honored to be part of the Sertoma mission! You are invited to contact me so I may tell you why Sertoma Rocks!

I always considered myself a city girl until my amazing 9-year-old daughter and I moved to Leona Valley.  What an incredible town!  Even when living a fast-paced corporate city life, Luna and I always made certain to stay involved. Connecting in every community we are part of provides us with a deeper understanding for that community. For this reason, it was only natural to get plugged into Leona Valley and Sertoma, just made sense.

Creativity & Entrepreneurship

Previously, I have volunteered as a Girl Scout troop leader for two years. I have even filled a lead role for the nonprofit NextUp, planning community events for a network of executive women in San Francisco.  I have played in a kickball league and, a roller derby league. In fact, before relocating I was elected the PTA Vice President of Luna’s school.

My number one focus is to be a mom.  And since moving to Leona Valley, I have dug deeper into my creativity and am currently building a steel fabrication and stained-glass design business. Additionally, I just started my own YouTube Channel called “Sunday Sips & Salads” where I pair wine and create a nice, delicious salad. Tune in to check it out, I’d love to hear what you think!

Even though most everything in my life has changed within the last year, I continue to follow my passion and support the community. As an active member of the Leona Valley Sertoma chapter, I have met the kindest men and women working together to achieve a common goal. I am absolutely thrilled to have been trusted by them to manage a variety of responsibilities. Among a favorite is being empowered to communicate the heart-felt need to be part of something bigger than myself.  I am here, where I am supposed to be, helping out this amazing community.

April Rock & Luna’s Swap

Trading in my heels and business suits for Carhart and Cowboy boots, public transit for dirt roads and city lights for stars has been the best decision we have ever made. Sometimes when life hands you lemons you make the sweetest and best tasting lemonade you’ve ever had.  It’s nice to be home. 😊

Written by Editor · Categorized: Sertoma News · Tagged: community, Leona Valley, Leona Valley Sertoma, volunteering

Aug 04 2021

A Cookbook, A Train, and That’s Entertainment!

All Aboard! The Chili Express Cookbook

Working On The Railroad

Are you ready for an adventure? “All Aboard! The Chili Express”, where once upon a time, I was the co-owner of the Fillmore & Western Railway, which served as a movie, excursion and dinner train. My jobs included arranging the concessions and bar area, hiring entertainment and catering, and setting up the gift shop for each afternoon excursion… AND so much more. Visit the Fillmore & Western Railway to learn more about their available excursions and events. (Note: the F&W is currently non-operational. – Jan)

I decided to publish my own unique cookbook, which I titled, “Main Line Recipes”, to include “old timers” railroad terminology, along with recipes, of course. This led to my traveling to many states selling my book to other excursion railroads and to the fun and excitement of book signings. Not to brag, but my cookbook was not only sold to excursion train gift shops, but found its way into train hobby shops and railroad museums.

Leona Valley and Sertoma

people eating dinner at the murder mystery dinner theater
Dinner and Murder Mystery at the Leona Valley Community Building. A recipe for success.

After selling the Fillmore & Western Railway to another railroad enthusiast, I moved to Leona Valley. There I was introduced to the Leona Valley Sertoma and the beginning of a whole new adventure. In this next chapter of my life, I found a new calling and quickly moved up the leadership ladder. I have had the opportunity to meet some great people and have been involved with coordinating fundraising events with the group since 2006.

As I mentioned earlier, part of my job with the Fillmore & Western Railway  included booking entertainment and this experience comes in handy as a member of Leona Valley Sertoma.  What better way to raise funds than through entertaining an audience? This has resulted in booking the same murder mystery troupe who performed on those train excursions, to perform in Leona Valley. The concept was a huge “sell out” success, resulting in five different performances. Thus, our Lakes and Valleys community residents have enjoyed five different Murder Mystery dinner performances with the funds raised going to support things like our Scholarship Program. Hopefully, in the post-pandemic times ahead we can bring more entertainment to our Lakes and Valleys residents.

Let me close by encouraging all you readers to get involved in your communities and be a part of “making a difference”. For those living in the Leona Valley area, I  invite you to come see what Leona Valley Sertoma is all about. We hold breakfast meetings  at 8am,on the first and third Saturday of each month, at Jack’s Place, in Leona Valley.  For details email Jan at – 1grannyjanny@att.net

I suppose I could have shared so much more of my past railroading and more recipes from my cookbook, but, maybe I save that for another time. I’ll close with one of the recipes from my cookbook. I hope you like it.

— Jan Clark – Sertoma Member


From My Cookbook: Main Line Recipe to Include Railroad “Lingo” Language
By: Jan Clark

Educational and Tasteful ~~ “Doubleheader” Chili Meaning: A train hauled by two locomotives, especially in mountain areas, snow and where heavy trains are involved.

Ingredients:

1Lb. sweet Italian sausage / casing removed 1Lb. lean ground beef 2 C. finely chopped onion 1C. ea. chopped red and yellow bell pepper 3 cloves fresh garlic minced ¼ C. flour 2 Tbs. chili powder 2 Tsp. ea. cumin seed, basil and oregano leaves 1 Tsp salt and pepper 3 cans (28 oz. ea.) Italian tomatoes chopped & undrained 1 sm. can tomato paste 1 can ea. butter beans & dark red kidney beans undrained 1 can black beans drained 3 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce 1 ¼ Tsp. hot pepper sauce (optional or to taste) add a little water if necessary.

Directions:

In a large pot, cook both meats with onions , peppers and garlic until veggies are tender and drain off fat. Add flour, salt, pepper and dry seasonings. Stir in all beans and sauces… Simmer for 1 hour.

Optional: You can spoon chili over cooked rice or small – cooked macaroni pasta

Garnish Optional: chopping all black olives, long green onions, bell peppers, seedless tomatoes and shredded cheese of choice.
Serves: 6

– Bon Appetit, Jan Clark


 

Written by Jan Clark · Categorized: Leona Valley, Leona Valley Sertoma · Tagged: community, cookbook, fundraiser, Leona Valley, Leona Valley Sertoma, making a difference

Mar 04 2019

JR’s Comedy Club & Dinner Show

Leona Valley Sertoma Presents

Saturday Night with JR’s COMEDY CLUB & Dinner Show

Featuring Comedian Randy Lubas

Pre Show Music by: John (Pokey) Spear

Saturday, May 18, 2019

Mexican Dinner 6pm ~ Showtime 7:30pm
Coffee and Dessert Included with Dinner
*** Cocktails, Soda & Bottled Water @ an additional cost ***

Leona Valley Community Building
8367 Elizabeth Lake Road
Leona Valley, CA 93551

Adults Only (ID Required)
$30 Donation per person (cash or check)
*** Reservations needed as seating is limited ***
For tickets email Jan at: 1grannyjanny@att.net

Co-Sponsored by: Rally Auto Group and Round Table Pizza

Proceeds Committed To Local and Antelope Valley College Scholarships



Click image to download Adobe .pdf of poster.

leona valley sertoma comedy night 2019

Written by Tom · Categorized: Fundraiser, Leona Valley, Scholarship Program, Sertoma News · Tagged: community, Leona Valley, Leona Valley Sertoma, scholarships, Sertoma

Aug 12 2018

2018 – Gala Under the Stars

The 2018 – Gala Under the Stars

On June 9th, our Leona Valley Sertoma organization hosted the 2018 – Gala Under the Stars, which proved to be a very special and successful wine, beer, bourbon and food tasting event. It was a “sell out”! We are proud to say that with all of the many events that we have hosted in our community, this was a first time raising funds for Canine Companions for Independence” and I believe that, by now, you 2018 - Gala Under the Stars - Bravery Brewing rep. Kristine Bobrosky understand that our main mission and goals are to contribute to nonprofit organizations pertaining to the hearing impaired.

The realization came to us that we have never provided help to a person with a hearing disability who was in need of a special assistance dog. Due to many requests to host another Gala Under the Stars, Leona Valley Sertoma knew we needed to begin the process and secure the plan very soon – HOWEVER, who would be receiving the funds raised! We were directed to contact “Canine Companions for Independence” (CCI), in the Oceanside area, and to speak to Melissa Billingsley in Tehachapi, who operated a CCI satellite office for assistance dogs… she not only spoke at one of our meetings but 2018 - Gala Under the Stars - Clifford Meridth owner of Stray Leaf Vineyard and Melissa Billingsley rep. for Canine Companions for Independencebrought three very well trained dogs to demonstrate the many commands that were required to be the eyes, ears and hands of their human partners. At our meeting, it was a unanimous decision that the 2018 – Gala Under the Stars would definitely take place and ALL PROCEEDS would go to sponsor one goodwill ambassador service dog.

There are four types of assistance dogs: Service Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Facility Dogs and Skilled Companion Dogs —– why not visit the Canine Companions for Independence website to better understand the actual meaning of these four categories and also learn so much more about “Canine Companions for Independence”. I guarantee that you will be amazed and will learn that they are “miracle dogs”.

With the generosity and faith of our sponsors, vendors, entertainers (and especially our guests) Sertoma was proudly able to recently provide a $10,000 check to CCI which gives us the honor of naming a puppy on behalf of Leona Valley Sertoma, but also help provide the essentials to raise the puppy during its training session. 2018 - Gala Under the Stars - Gala vendor Heart 'N Soul Coffee House

As ALWAYS, we in Leona Valley Sertoma are forever grateful for the support you have given to each and every event we have hosted, but your generosity toward CCI was “over the top”.

Sertoma in general, has always stood for “Service to Mankind” and we truly believe that we have done a great job proudly representing the needs and requests of Leona Valley and beyond, as there is nothing stronger than the heart and spirit of a volunteer.

Thank you, again, from ALL of our Sertoma members and you are invited to check: LeonaValleySertoma.org for more information.

Written by Jan Clark · Categorized: Fundraiser, Leona Valley, Leona Valley Sertoma, Sertoma News · Tagged: community, donation, fundraiser, Leona Valley, Leona Valley Sertoma, Sertoma

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