MUSIC
Provided
by: Tom Burrows
OPENING
Welcome message: Delivered by Carl Christensen, President
Patriotic Song: Led by Ed
Moulton, Past Lieutenant Governor 1989-1990
Pledge of Allegiance: Led By
Nick Berkuta, President-Elect
Invocation: Delivered by Rabbi
Marvin Gross
ANNOUNCEMENTS
No announcements were made
due to the long program slated for the meeting
GUESTS
President Carl Christensen
introduced Mayor Laura Olhasso
President Carl Christensen
asked all Former La Canadan of the Year Recipients that were
in attendance, to stand up to be recognized.
THE PROGRAM
Master of Ceremonies: Michael
Gross
Michael Gross
President Carl Christensen
introduced Michael Gross as the Master of Ceremonies.
Michael stated that he accepted the offer to be the Master
of Ceremonies as “no one can say no” to Carl. Michael
applauded Tom and Meredith Reynolds’ excellent commitment to
the community of La Canada Fintridge; “Tom and Meredith made
quite a difference in the community, they have time and
energy to go out and do wonderful things for the community
of La Canada” Michael introduced Gigi Schleuter; Gigi did
the Honoree Introduction and also, was the Event Chairperson
Honoree
Background:
Tom Reynolds was a 1972
graduate of La Canada High School. He married Meredith in
1977 and they moved to La Canada in 1982. The Reynolds
immediately took an active role in the community.
Meredith
Reynolds is an Attorney and
independent college counselor.
Meredith instigated the
following programs:
1)
While with the Parks and
Recreation Commission in 1983 she led the council to start
Music in the Park
2)
She instigated the Weekly Teen
Program at the FIS/Renaissance Academy Gymnasium where she
personally brought in music and entertainment on Friday
nights
3)
She Implemented free
after-school programs that were funded by the City
4)
She participated in the
establishment of the free shuttle service along Foothill
Blvd.
Meredith was appointed to the
Parks and Recreation Commission in 1983 where she served for
eight years
She was appointed to the LCF
Educational Foundation in 1986, serving as a director for
six years and President for two years.
In 1991 Meredith was elected
to the first of three 4-year terms on the LCUSD Governing
Board
Meredith chaired the Executive
Committee during multiple capital campaigns for school bonds
for a total of $21 million in voter approved bonds.
She served for 17 years on the
Joint Powers Commission (Joint Powers Agreement between the
City of La Canada Flintridge and the La Canada Unified
School District).
While on the School Board,
LCHS added a multiple story classroom building for 7th
and 8th graders, a new library and a second
gymnasium at LCHS.
Board Member of the Community
Center of LCF
PTA Member, La Canada
Elementary School
Member of the Crescenta-Canada
YMCA Capital Campaign Executive Council from 1987-1989
Member of the Assistance
League of Flintridge: active member for 8 years and
sustainer for 4 years.
Honors
received by Meredith:
2001 Les Tupper Community
Service Award
2004 PTA Honorary Award
PTA Continuing Service Award
from the California Congress of Parents, Teachers and
Students
2004 Golden Apple Award: from
the Northeast San Gabriel Valley Administrators Association.
Tom
Reynolds
Tom is
an Internet Marketing Consultant, is CEO and founder of
Reynolds Group.
Tom was
deeply involved in his children’s teams in youth baseball,
soccer and softball in 1986-1995
Actively involved with the
YMCA Indian Guides and Princesses program, served as Chief
for 13 years
Co-Chair of the annual
Pinewood Derby for four years
Board Member of the Crescenta
Canada UMCA from 1989-1991
Board Member of the Community
Center of LCF
PTA Member, La Canada
Elementary School
Boy Scout Leader for St. Bedes
Troup 507, 1995-2000. During this period, 40 young men
became Eagle Scouts
LCHS Boosters Club member from
1998-2005, Received the organization’s award of excellence
in 2005
Member of the LCF Community
Scholarship Foundation; spearheaded the establishment of two
scholarships, Bruce Heppe Scholarship and the Zelta Reynolds
Scholarship.
Founder, “Misplaced
Priorities, a local band that has helped raise more than
$250,000 for local charities, schools, churches and other
non-profit organizations.
Honors Received:
Eagle Scouts Award from JPL
Troop 509 in 1970
PTA Founders Day Award
Tom is currently Chairman of
the La Canada High School’s class of 1972 40th
reunion.
Meredith and Tom have three
children: Jim a 27-year old graduate of Oberlin College,
Brittany, a 25-year old graduate of Bucknell University and
Alex, a 22-year old who will graduate in June from Denver
University.
Tributes to the Honorees were
provided by:
Woody
Walker: Woody and Terri Walker have
known the Reynolds since 1981; Woody shared all their
treasured moments with the Reynolds.
Richard
Myers: Talked about his long-term
friendship with Tom Reynolds, his deep involvement in the
Boy Scouts, his excellent teaching skills, his enthusiasm
and “Can Do Attitude” that provided numerous benefits to the
community of La Canada, particularly raising $250,000 for
charities. Richard also added that Tom was instrumental in
the formation of the Band called “Misplace Priorities”
Laura
Olhasso, Mayor of the City of La
Canada Flintridge: Laura talked about her family’s long term
friendship with the Reynolds. Meredith was instrumental in
getting Restrooms built in the Memorial Park,” Meredith’s
gift to all young mothers with little girls”
Jinny
Dalbeck, Superintendent of LCE,
highlighted Meredith’s excellent contribution while serving
as Chairman of the Board
Jim &
Brittany Reynolds: Brittany read a
letter from her Sister, Alex, who was not able to attend as
she is finishing her studies at Denver University. Brittany
and Jim recounted their growing up experiences, the perks of
being well known because of their parent’s popularity; and
the down side because everyone knows them and nothing was
kept secret from their parents. Both praised Tom and
Meredith as great parents who taught their children to be
part of the community and to give back, encouraged their
children to be part of the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, the
YMCA; encouraged (their children) “to be ourselves”. Tom and
Meredith are great parents, while having numerous community
and philanthropic activities geared at raising money for
charity, Tom and Meredith made family the most important
thing. They encouraged their children to travel, to see the
world, to learn how to be independent and strong. “Who they
are and who they continue to be, they owe it to their great
parents, Tom and Meredith Reynolds”.
Presentation and Commendation Awards:
Kiwanis Plaque: In
appreciation of the Reynolds good work, presented by
President Carl Christensen
City of La Canada Flintridge:
Award Presented by Mayor Laura Olhasso
State Assemblyman Portantino:
Award Presented by Bill Hackett and Tahrah Goraya
Supervisor Michael Antonovich:
Award Presented by Rita Hagamanoukian
Congressman David Drier: Award
Presented by Richard Rea
La Canada Unified School
District: Award Presented by Mike Leininger and Jeanne
Broberg
La Canada Flintridge Chamber
of Commerce: Award Presented by Board Chairman Barbara
Marshall
LCF Community Center: Award
Presented by Community Center Director Megan Nordvedt
Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s
Department: Award Presented by Captain Dave Silverspur
Crescenta Valley Town Council:
Award Presented by Steve Pearce
Award from LCF Trails Council
Award from Senator Diane
Feinstein
Recipient’s
Response:
Meredith thanked Tom for
bringing her over to La Canada (27 years ago) and letting
her “go out there and do it”. Tom and Meredith thanked
their children, Jim, Brittany and Alex for being themselves,
for being there, for being kind and talented.
Tom and Meredith said thank
you to all who paid the tributes; for the awards; for the
great Honors and the feeling of accomplishment for
fulfilling more goals for La Canada Flintridge and the
community and the satisfaction and enjoyment that they did
it with Friends.
FOOD & CLOTHING PROJECT PICTURES
Here are pictures from our last Food and Clothling
Pictures!!!
Other information
Secret
Greeter: None
This Weeks
Reporter: Emelita Bituin
These Weeks
Photographer: Diane Della Valle
Webmaster,
Newsletter Reporter/Coordinator: Jeb Long
