“La Cañadan of the Year Award”-- "A Community of Givers" theme.

Opening: Shirley DeGrey entertained us with some delightful piano playing and got a big hand. President Jim Ackland brought the meeting to order. Ed Moulton led us in a rousing patriotic song--"God Bless America"--Daryal Gant led the flag salute and Al Restivo gave the invocation.

Program: Jim Ackland explained that we spared no expense in finding a master of ceremonies: Jerry Healey.

Jerry Healey pointed out that if we had spared no expense, we must not have had much of a budget! Jerry reciprocated by introducing Jim Ackland, Shirley DeGrey ("the best saloon piano player"), Dick DeGrey, Carl Christensen, Daryal Gant, President-Elect, and Al Restivo.

Jerry went on to acknowledge Sherrill Carbonetti, husband Jim Carbonetti and family. Also: Ginny Dalbeck from the School Board, City Manager Mark Alexander and the City Council.

Jerry Healey pointed out that the recipients of the La Cañadan of the Year are all givers in a place that is a giving and special community. We honor someone who has given in every way: Sherrill Carbonetti.

Jerry introduced 1991-92 past president of Kiwanis and one of the all-time great givers: Dick DeGrey; and the Community Service Chairman Carl Christensen.

Dick DeGrey opined as how we miss Jerry Healey at the Club. Dick went on to estimate that he would take "about three minutes" to give us a feel for how they picked out the La Cañadan of the Year. They sent out about 55 letters to every organization in LCF asking for nominees for this prestigious award. Five outstanding people were among those nominated. Seven ex-presidents of the Kiwanis Club held a meeting and discussed at length the nominees, coming to the conclusion that Sherrill Carbonetti was to be the La Cañadan of the Year.

Carl Christensen and Dick DeGrey explained how they covered the technical aspects of Sherrill Carbonetti's activities so that subsequent speakers can address personal aspects.

Sherrill Carbonetti has served as Secretary of the AM club for three years and as vice-president and is now President Elect of the AM Kiwanis club. (Rousing applause from the AM Club!) She has worked regularly on the freeway gardening project. She has been chairman of the Total K Day project, working on community beautification. She has received the distinguished Kiwanian award. She has been in the Newcomers, LCHS PTSA, she was Secretary of the 2002 bond oversight, and is active in fundraising for the Spastic Children's fund as well as the Lanterman Historical Foundation, She is presently Chairman of La Cañada Valley Beautiful. She belongs to the La Cañada Presbyterian church where she is a deacon and an usher. Sherrill and Jim are Ambassadors of Legacy One, an organ donation group. She organized the summer school for the Assistance League in its 2d year, She helped the Boosters to build food booths, she was a member of the committee to preserve Berkshire Bridge and a worker on the cityhood campaign. Sherrill Carbonetti was secretary to the principal of LCHS for 18 years, serving 7 different principals. [Who knows the 7 principals? Mike Leininger, Jim Stratton, Jim Davis, Drew Meyer, Dave Brown, Don Higgin, Bill Porter and Dick Wilkinson.] Sherrill was founding and charter member of the LCF Tournament of Roses Association where she is presently in charge of getting volunteers for the Under the Bridge group. At Oakmont Country Club, she is in the “9 Is Enough” group and secretary of the Tuesday Golf Tournament. She has won awards from PTA and LCUSD and the Coordinating Council.

Dick DeGrey presented Sherrill her photo that appeared on the cover of the Valley Sun and some extra copies of the paper to send to friends and relatives.

Another All-Star Giver was next to speak: 1997 La Cañadan of the Year Claire Slaughter. Claire spoke about how proud she and the organizations (Tournament of Roses, the Clipper Club, the AM Kiwanis) were to have her as a member. She shared many memories of the years of friendship. Sherrill and Claire were in the Tournament of Roses Association and the AM Kiwanis club. Jim and Sherrill joined the Clipper Club at the LC Presbyterian church where they have been Skippers.

The next speaker was St Bede's and Tournament of Roses member, father of a Paradise Canyon teacher and husband of teacher Nancy: the Principal of LCHS: Mike Leininger. Mike clarified that Sherrill had 7 LCHS principals who worked for her! Mike shared many warm personal stories from over the years. Mike presented Sherrill with a Certificate of Appreciation from the LCUSD.

The next speaker was Jim Carbonetti who told us the rest of the story: Sherrill has energy that doesn't stop when she gets home—she only stops for Dr. Phil! She is very focused. Sherrill taught Jim to drive--and it has never stopped! They used to play ping pong when courting at Sherrill’s parents’ house and found it a challenge to keep the ball bouncing on the table so the folks did not get wise to what was really going on. Dinner was always seriously punctual at 5:30 PM. During the delivery of their child Sharon it was difficult to get Sherrill to drop the chores and get to the hospital. They moved to LCF in 1969 and have enjoyed their years in "paradise". They have been blessed with four children and 9 grandchildren.

Past La Cañadan of the Year Honorees were then acknowledged and honored.

2003 La Cañadan of the Year Sherrill Carbonetti was then brought forward and given many recognitions including: US Senator Diane Feinstein; Captain Tim Peters for Lee Baca of the Sheriff's Department; Cathy Hoy from the Crescenta-Canada YMCA; Jaquelynne Corby for State Senator Jack Scott, Peter Hong for Carol Liu, Assemblyperson for the 44th District, Richard Rea for Congressman David Drier, Rita Hadjimanoukian for Michael Antonovich, Laura Olhasso, Mayor of LCF, on behalf of the city council and all the residents of La Cañada Flintridge.

Then to make it really official, President Jim Ackland of the La Cañada Kiwanis Club spoke of Sherrill's devotion and dedicated service presented Sherrill Carbonetti with the La Cañadan of the Year Award--and a lovely bunch of roses!

Pat Anderson and Terry Walker of the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce spoke of their friendship over the years. Sherrill has given generously of her time and talent over the yeas. Pat Anderson then presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Sherrill from the Chamber of Commerce.

Sherrill Carbonetti then took the opportunity to thank everyone for attending the lunch, including her husband Jim who gave up his golf game in order to attend. Two of Sherrill's children live out-of-state and were unable to attend. Sherrill introduced her son Jim Jr. and his wife Tamera--and her youngest daughter Sharon and her husband Mike and their daughter. Sherrill and Jim have known each other since first grade. Sherrill told a few stories out-of-school. She and Jim will have been married 51 years come June. Sherrill thanked everyone in the community for their support during husband Jim's heart transplant. She thanked all of us for honoring her as La Cañadan of the Year.

Announcements of New Officers: On behalf of the Nominating Committee Bill Scherkey wants to make the second announcement of candidates for officers and directors for fiscal year 2004-2005:

President Daryal Gant

President Elect Paul Westmoreland

Vice President Open

Secretary/Treasurer Howard Backer

Directors: 2 year terms:

George Lutes

Bob Martin

Barry Riedel

Melinda Thompson

Lloyd Welch

Director: 1 year term:

Frank Ragazzi

The election will be held next week, May 12, at our annual meeting.

Guests. There were too many to list right here but among the many who were welcomed were:

Sherrill Carbonetti: Guest of Honor and husband Jim

John Bailey, Outlook

Katrina Ten, Valley Sun

Ron Dietel, School Board

Capt. Tim Peters, Sheriff's Department

Cathy Hoy, CCYMCA

Jack Scott State Senator 21st District, represented by Jaquelynne Corby.

Carol Liu, Assembly 44th District, represented by Peter Hong.

David Dreier, US Representative 28th District, represented by Richard Rea.

Michael Antonovich, Supervisor 5th District, represented by Rita Hadjimanoukian.

La Cañada Flintridge City Council: Greg Brown, Steve Del Guercio, Laura Olhasso, Mayor Pro Tem Anthony Portantino, Dave Spence.

Upcoming Programs:

May 12: LCHS Key Club

May 19: Speaker on "Bulgarian Orphans" from Kiwanis International Project

May 26: Belgian lady who was a member of the underground during WWII

June 2: Clergyman of the Year

Remember:

Saturday May 8: Builder's Club car wash from 9-2 at the Ski Shop, NE corner of Angeles Crest and Foothill