Opinion
- Details
- Written by: Jim Serventi
This year’s derby also permitted us to disseminate critical information on potential invasive species, and to issue quagga mussel boat sticker applications and Hidden Valley Lake Association (HVLA) boat registrations.
However, this major, annual HVLA event would never have occurred without the generosity, thoughtfulness and hard work of many. The HVL Lake Committee is most grateful to our donors and sponsors, the volunteers, our board, management and staff, our HVL residents, and, of course, our stalwart participants.
We were again fortunate to receive generous cash donations prior to the derby from our sponsors: Sandy Walker of SolarBee, the Levi/Ritter families, RGW Landscaping LLC, Cobb Mountain Woodworks, the EdB Company, Vicki Ritter, Dennis Morris, Rouben and Judy Mirbegian, Georgeann Tintorri, Kathy Joseph and Duncan Mac Innes.
Our equally generous prize donors included Clearlake Outdoors, Lakeport Outdoors, Outdoor Pro Shop of Rohnert Park, Tackle It of Lakeport, Bob Rider’s Lakeshore Bait and Tackle of Clearlake, Limit Out Bait and Tackle of Clearlake Oaks, Arctic Circle Enterprises (Polar Graphics Apparel), Ting’s Thai Restaurant of Hidden Valley Lake, Tom’s Auto Dynamics of Middletown, Star Gardens Nursery of Middletown, Highlands Nursery of Clearlake, A Beautiful You of Middletown, Chuck Michnevich, Mike Martin, the Lemoine family, Bob Chesnut, Vicki Ritter, Cathy Serventi and the Serventis.
We also received major donations of food and materials from HVL Community Service District; Joy Birum, Vicki Ritter, Jim Kammerer, Terry Bissonette, Lahna Fish, Bob Rowe and the Serventis.
And its the volunteers whose creativity and hard work, again this year, made this 2008 Derby so successful. All in HVL owe considerable appreciation to Joy Birum; the Michnevich family, Chuck and Nancy, Brian and Corena, and Brad and Allison; Jim and Marlene Kammerer; Georgeann and Diane Tintorri; Bob and Arlene Rowe; Betty and Van Vannoy; Gayle and Cathy Serventi; Marie Glassburn; Hilde de Feminis; Vicki Ritter; Duncan Mac Innes; Terry Bissonette; and Lahna Fish.
Our board of directors, management and staff create the positive environment for such a successful derby. Specifically, Safety and Security’s Boat Patrol Officer Ed Giovannetti was on duty for us; Al Myers’ crew brought over the chairs and tables, and had the restrooms ready; Brandon Coulter’s crew had Little Beach and the marina in top shape; and Connie Stuefloten and Kelly Moe assisted with administration, promotion and boat registration. Certainly, they all deserve our respect and gratitude.
Finally, it is imperative that we once again acknowledge the patience and understanding of Little Beach neighbors, Harriet and Dick Krieg. They are most tolerant of the noise and excitement from our festivities, which occur right under their windows; they are truly good neighbors.
Of course, without the anglers and the fish, we wouldn’t need to bother. We, therefore, appreciate their sacrifices and skills; they always make the derby a challenge and a pleasure for everyone.
Jim Serventi of Hidden Valley Lake also assisted with this year's derby. He is a past HVL Lake Committee chair and a recent member of the HVLA Board.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
- Details
- Written by: Janet Clark
I learned of the situation regarding the priest at St. Mary's who is accused of sexually abusing a child (now grown) through an article on the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) Web site.
There are many things I could say to you: I could tell you of my own struggles as the survivor of sexual assault by a priest, or I could refer you to the SNAP Web site, where you would find an article that could help you deal with your feelings when your priest is accused of sexual assault, or I could tell you how I felt when I read the glowing eulogy for the priest who raped me, a eulogy written by an archdiocese that knew the priest had sexually assaulted at least seven girls.
But instead I will just offer you this fact: One of every four girls and one of every six boys sitting in your church is the victim of sexual abuse. One in five children.
You have just taught those children a lesson they will never forget. They may not remember everything they hear in their stranger-danger classes, but this they will remember: When someone accuses a respected adult of sexually assaulting a child, St. Mary's Parish will stand behind the adult, not the child.
Let us say that one child in particular, maybe a 12-year-old girl, has somehow gathered the courage to tell that she is being forced to have sex with her stepfather or uncle or teacher or even a priest. She has been sitting in the class where her teacher instructs the students that if someone is touching them in a way they are not comfortable with, they need to tell someone, another grownup, someone in authority, and then they will be safe.
But that lesson is meaningless, as she now understands. The real lesson is the one you have just given her: If the person who is sexually assaulting her is a respected member of the community, NO ONE WILL BELIEVE HER. NO ONE. She understands this now: She has no one to help her, and she is alone.
For all the people sitting in your parish who are current or past victims of sexual assault, my heart goes out.
Janet Clark lives in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She has written a novel, “Blind Faith,” about the Roman Catholic clergy sex abuse scandal. Her Web site is www.janeteclark.com.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
- Details
- Written by: Gabrielle Azzaro
Do you know that there were people in the towns bordering concentration camps who daily smelled human flesh burning, but denied that the Holocaust was happening? That is what is happening here.
It almost never happens that someone comes forward with this type of abuse story just to make a quick buck, or get on the bandwagon. For shame, those of you who will not see the truth because you need to hold on to some mythical idea that a priest is somehow better than the rest of us and "your" priest could certainly never have done something like this.
The sister who sexually molested me almost nightly for two years was thought to be, in everyone's minds, a wonderful woman who did so much good. They would never have believed me, either.
Sure ...
Gabrielle Azzaro lives in Cardiff by the Sea, Calif.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
- Details
- Written by: Saint Mary
In discussions with the Pastoral Advisory Council, the Council decided it was appropriate to provide you with a strong indication of our support and commitment to you through this current time.
Some of the quotes from the members of the Council are:
“Let father know he can count on my support unconditionally.”
“We ... totally support you as our Pastor and as our friend. We are outraged by the alleged complaint. If we can help in any way, please let us know.
“We … are willing to testify to his high morals and integrity.”
“Father Ted has been a constant source of support and an untiring advocate of Youth Ministry and Faith Formation in our parish. He is loved and appreciated by our young people and their parents.”
“I am spending my quiet time with our Lord praying for you.”
“There is nothing I wouldn’t do to support him in this situation … he is a credit to the priesthood and as a man … he has served his country with honor … and he is my friend!”
“The charges are total crap.”
From the members of the Council the most common theme was that “Our prayers go out to you and your family.”
Rest assured that all the members of the Council support you and will do anything to help you through this. We look forward to your returning to saying Mass and continuing your guidance to make Saint Mary Immaculate a better Catholic Parish.
Sincerely,
Phil Myers for the Saint Mary’s Pastoral Advisory Council consisting of Irene Deaver. Linda Hedstrom, Pat and Lisa Lambert, Phil Myers, Pete Palma, Walt Patti, Catherine Quistgard, Maria and Martin Diaz, Dick and Bea Benjamin, Bob Knight, George and Ruth Fenech, Steve Estrada and Anthony Yzaguirre.
The council's letter is in response to a recent civil suit in which Oswald is accused by a former altar boy of sexual abuse. Oswald is currently on administrative leave, which the Diocese of Santa Rosa said is standard procedure when any such allegation is made. The Saint Mary’s Pastoral Advisory Council exists to serve the pastor and the faith community of the Parish of Saint Mary Immaculate as an advisory and consultative body enriching the life and mission of the parish.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
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