Leona Valley Sertoma

Making A Difference through Service To Mankind

making a difference

2022 Scholarships by Leona Valley Sertoma

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Leona Valley Sertoma Presents 2022 Scholarships

Once again it is an honor for Leona Valley Sertoma to offer its’ scholarship programs in 2022! Both graduating high school students and college students moving onto a four-year college may apply for scholarships to continue their education.  We encourage all of those who fit these criteria to apply and, we look forward to learning more about you, what you have done and what you plan to do. Please take advantage of this opportunity to advance your education and change for the better, our little corner of the world.

Quartz Hill graduating seniors receive their scholarship awards from Leona Valley Sertoma.Leona Valley Sertoma believes in higher education and encourages you to never stop learning. Their scholarship programs identify and reward local students who have shown personal and intellectual qualities through academic achievement and participation as well as leadership in extracurricular and community activities. Leona Valley Sertoma has awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships since 1999 and continues to support these efforts through volunteer community outreach programs.

For information about the Leona Valley Sertoma Scholarship Programs and to download an application, please go to 2022 Leona Valley Scholarship Program. You may if you wish, pick up a hard copy of the application at Rancher’s Market located at 9001 Elizabeth Lake Road, at the corner of Elizabeth Lake and 90th Street West.

The scholarship program created and maintained by Leona Valley Sertoma has and continues to be, made possible through the generosity of those who support our fundraising events. Their selflessness and kindness are beyond measure and words fall short in expressing how grateful we are to have met them. Thank you to all who have generously gave of their time and efforts to support Leona Valley Sertoma and making this years scholarship programs possible.

We challenge you to learn more about us by visiting our home page at LeonaValleySertoma.org or, join us for a no obligation meeting. We meet at 8:00 am on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month at Jack’s Place, located at the corner of Elizabeth Lake Road and 90th Street West. You are welcome to participate or quietly listen. Either way, you and your ideas are welcome.

Sertoma membership is open to those interested in making a difference and improving the quality of life for their community. As a member of Leona Valley Sertoma you would be joining with like-minded people in developing and carrying out a variety of programs and events that truly make a difference.  In fact, it is upon the efforts of individuals like you who made the scholarship programs idea into a reality. Come join and help us service mankind by moving the world forward one little corner at a time.

 

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

 

Cow Chip BBQ 2003 in Leona Valley

One thing every Leona Valley Sertoma event has in common is good times and the Cow Chip BBQ 2003 was no different. There was good food, games and music, along with plenty of laughter and smiles. A lot of work and planning went into putting on this event and it showed. Because it was a big success this became an annual event for many years to follow. The inaugural event was held at the Pitchfork Ranch, located west of the community of Leona Valley. The owner of the Pitchfork Ranch was Bob Mallicoat, a founding member of Leona Valley Sertoma, and a past president of Sertoma International.

Putting on a successful fundraising event doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because a lot of work and planning go in to it. The initial idea was the bar-be-que, presented to members by the fundraising committee. Members loved the idea and immediately began the process of planning. It was accomplished through the talents of the many members of the Leona Valley Sertoma and, just as important, the hard work and generosity of the many volunteers.

Wondering how the cow chip part of this event came to be? Country living tends to include an abundance of cow chips.

The Cow Chip BBQ Video

The video opens telling you exactly what to expect. Food, games, and music. There was a trap shoot station and a cow paddy toss. There was music on the cabaret stage. The food was a mouth-watering BBQ.

I hope you enjoy the video, in addition to the food, games, and music, there were llamas and, of course, you can’t have bull drop bingo without a bull! Don’t know what bull drop bingo is? Ask a member of Leona Valley Sertoma. If you need some help finding one, take a look at the current Officers & Directors page.

Author’s Note: As the video cameraman and a Sertoma member, I was working the event, so I did not get to shoot as much footage as I would have liked. Too bad as I’m sure it was all a blast.

Leona Valley Sertoma
2019 Winter Newsletter

The Leona Valley Sertoma 2019 Winter Newsletter is out! Bridget Razo deserves accolades for a job well done. Four pages of informative articles and beautiful photos that do a terrific job of sharing what the members of Leona Valley Sertoma are doing to “Make a Difference”. You can also find the Officer’s List and a Calendar of upcoming events and activities of import to all who live in the Lakes and Valley areas of our corner of Los Angeles County.

Below is an excerpt from the 2019 Winter Newsletter. Find the complete 2019 Winter Newsletter further down the page and click on it to download a PDF copy.

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Exceptional Dogs for Exceptional People

Leona V, service ambassador dog.
Leona V

Sertoma’s “Gala Under the Stars” raised more than $10,000 to help care for and train a Service Ambassador dog for a hearing-impaired person, allowing us to name the puppy on behalf of our organization. The chosen name was Leona V in honor of Leona Valley.

Leona V was born on September 13, 2018 and is now with her puppy raisers Chuck and Connie Braddy in San Diego. She will be there for 18 to 20 months to prepare for her advanced training of an additional six to nine months at the Canine Companions for Independence Training Center in Oceanside. If Leona graduates after learning 30 basic commands and socialization skills, her projected “turn-in” date will be May 20, 2020, where she will be presented to her new Partner for Life. Leona will then become the ears, hands and legs of her human partner and will be considered a goodwill ambassador.

“Some people wait a lifetime for a miracle, but Canine Companions for Independences raises these special dogs one at a time.” Thank you for helping us make this miracle happen.

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Please check our website at www.leonavalleysertoma.org and remember that we are always hoping for new members to help us be the good we want to see in the world and in our community. We meet the first and third Saturday for breakfast at 8 a.m. at Jack’s Place, 40352 90th Street West in Leona Valley.
We hope you will join us!

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Winter Newsletter 2019

Leona Valley Sertoma
2018 Scholarship Program

Leona Valley Sertoma Scholarship Program Applications for 2018 are here!

It’s that time of year again, when another group of young adults will transition from high school and go on to college, or in to the workplace. The members of Leona Valley Sertoma believe in the importance of higher education and want to encourage all our local students to continue their education after graduating from high school. The Leona Valley Sertoma Scholarship Program identifies and rewards local students who have shown personal and intellectual qualities through academic achievement, as well as participation and leadership in extracurricular and community activities. Leona Valley Sertoma has given out almost $50,000.00, in scholarships since 1999.

For information about the Leona Valley Sertoma Scholarship Program and to download an application, go to: 2018 Leona Valley Scholarship Program.

<<< SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY APRIL 2, 2018 >>>

I like to think every Sertoma member is a role model for what it means to be involved in your community. They exhibit leadership qualities when seeking out opportunities to better their communities through such things as identifying needs in the community and by their follow-thru in participating in the many events and programs developed and sponsored by the organization. Many of the events they sponsor are fundraisers that provide the money for their programs, like the Scholarship Program.

Sertoma membership is open to anyone interested in making a difference and improving the quality of life for their community. As a member of Leona Valley Sertoma you would be joining with like-minded people in developing and carrying out a variety of programs and events that truly can make a difference for the people in your community, the people you call friends and neighbors. Sertoma International also has a program called Serteens, which is intended to instill the same qualities in our young people and give them the kind of leadership qualities that can serve them well as they move on to become adults. There is not currently a Serteens group associated with Leona Valley Sertoma, but if there were, that would, I should think, make filling out one part of the Leona Valley Sertoma Scholarship Application a lot easier.