Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, November 11, 2023

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Mountain View News November 11, 2023 

AND THE WINNERS ARE......

WALKING SIERRA MADRE - The Social Side

by Deanne Davis


“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. 

We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, 

protected and handed on for them to do the same.” 

Ronald Reagan

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation 

is not to utter words, but to live by them.” John F. Kennedy

“For the Veteran: Thank you for bravely doing what you’re called to do so we can 

safely do what we’re FREE to do.”

This past weekend, featuring beautiful weather, was filled with celebrations of our veterans 
throughout the land. Children sang, veterans came out in full dress uniforms, 
and our Nation thanked them once again for their service and their sacrifice. As I 
watched, I was reminded that my Dad was in the Navy during World War II. He never 
talked much about what he did, what his job was, what happened to him. As we commemorated 
Veteran’s Day this week, I thought I’d put up a picture of some of our 
Sierra Madre veterans and add the following poem. We are fortunate here in Sierra 
Madre, to have quite a few veterans who come out smartly and impeccably dressed in 
their uniforms to carry the flag, march in our July 4th parade, be on hand to kick off 
the Mt. Wilson Trail Race and be part of the Memorial Day observances. They stand 
tall and straight and we admire them. If you haven’t been down to Memorial Park to 
look at the Veteran’s Memorial Wall, take a few minutes, look at the pictures and see 
who you know. 

“Just A Common Soldier”

A. Lawrence Vaincourt

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,

And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past

Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,

In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one

And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,

All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke

But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,

And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today

He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,

For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life

Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,

And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,

While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,

But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land

A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,

Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives

Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.

While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,

Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small

It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago

That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know

It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,

Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.

Next time you see the flag go by, held in the hands of one of our veterans, stand and 
salute, for our flag and our veterans both deserve that honor.

My book page: Amazon.com: Deanne Davis

Blog: www.authordeanne.com

Kindle readers, give yourself the gift of the Emma Gainsworth Adventures:

“Just Dessert: A Fall Fantasy” – “The Intergalactic Pumpkin Battle” – “The Lost 
Amulets”

 They’re on Amazon.com on my book page!

Follow me on Twitter, too! https://twitter.com/@playwrightdd

 
The First Place Winners of the 
GROUP CATEGORY in the 2023 Sierra 
Madre Halloween Contest were 
actually the Haunted Mansion Crew 
pictured above. 

 Due to a clerical error in the transmission 
of the results of the contest last 
week, the Winston family and friends 
were inadvertently omitted. The actual 
results for the category should have 
listed First Place, as #143. 

 This family also won first place in 
the Group Category in 2021. (pictured 
on the right).

 Congratulations to this hard working 
and creative team!

SIERRA MADRE SPOTLIGHT By Meghan Malooly

MOCKTAILS, FLOWER CROWNS AND A BABY, OH MY!

 One of the things I absolutely love about giving 
back to the community is doing it in unexpected 
ways. People need assistance in so many different 
ways nowadays, that it's not something that one organization 
or even government funded program 
can handle on its own. I run the philanthropic community 
organization Sierra Madre Gives Back and I 
have experienced how difficult it can be to get the 
specific help needed for a family. You go to the food 
bank for food (but only if the family is willing to disclose 
their current situation including home address 
and legal standing in the country) you call 211 if the 
family needs help with housing but most of the time 
they are so inundated with requests that we’re told its 
first come first serve. Which wouldn't be too bad except 
that it's a daily occurrence, meaning you have to 
beat everyone else every single day to get and maintain 
safe and affordable shelter. It doesn't leave much 
time for that person to then not only go out and find 
a job but to go to it everyday. They end up having to 
choose if they would rather make money for the day 
at a job or have a safe place to sleep. 

Since I'm not able to personally supply these families 
with housing, I have a way to give back to the community 
in my own way and that has been by combining 
my two most passionate passions, wedding/event 
planning and helping others. I’ve devoted my life to 
helping others and it makes me feel complete. One of 
the hardest things anyone will have to do in their life 
is ask for help when they need it. Recently quite a few 
of our neighbors have been struggling and one of the first things that we cut out of our lives and 
budgets, when we need to, are celebrations (weddings, birthday parties,etc.). 

Well as an event planner I can tell you that the purpose of any event is not only to just have fun. 
The act of gathering your friends and family together so that you can celebrate something good 
that happened is rooted in us. It's not just about having a good time, it's about seeing that you 
have a support system and people who love and care for you. During the pandemic we couldn't 
have those celebrations because of infection risk and now because of financial hardship so many 
people can't afford to celebrate/congratulate their loved one on accomplishments. 

That's why I am always more than happy to donate my event planning and coordinating services 
to a family in need. Honestly, I wish I could do that all the time and never have to charge anyone, 
but unfortunately I have 2 bougie cats that have gotten used to eating so I have to provide 
for them. Over the past few months I have donated my services to 3 amazing and well deserving 
families who were either celebrating milestone birthdays or the birth of a baby boy. I would like 
to take the time now to thank the amazing people that donated their services/products to these 
events at no charge.

 Ann Verbiscar Mckenzie has an amazing flower shop called Divine Fleurs and she has donated 
corsages and boutineers over the past 2 years to students for prom. This year she also made a girl's 
dreams come true by donating all of the flowers and materials needed so the birthday girl and her 
guests could make flower crowns. Then we have Brenda Nanomantube who is an incredible, and 
very skilled bartender, was able to donate her time and produce the most incredible mocktails, 
some even involving edible glitter! If you're going to eat glitter you must pair it with the perfect 
snack, and Madre Made, a home bakery here in town, provided just that. They created the most 
perfect scones I have ever seen. They were not only delicious but they looked incredible! 

As I mentioned before, I like to do unique things when it comes to events and one of my favorite 
things is tarot reading. I thought that would be a fun and unexpected surprise to provide to this 
incredible birthday girl and her guests and it was perfect! A close friend of mine, Mama Troy, is 
sponsored by The Indidigo Collective and she graciously donated her talents to the party making 
it absolutely incredible. I am always so happy and in awe when I see how our community members, 
even if they themselves are not rolling in the dough, will donate their time and skills to bring 
joy to others. Everyone I mentioned in this article are incredible business women who deserve to 
be put up on a pedestal while we clap and cheer. Thank you my amazing and strong friends for 
always wanting to be better and that starts with how you treat those around you. Sierra Madre, 
once again you have made multiple families see a flicker of light when things get dark. There's 
only one thing left to say, never change Sierra Madre, never change. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com