In addition to serving as Mayor of Morro Bay, Janice is a professional photographer, Coordinator of the Winter Bird Festival, and co-author of a new series of childrens books.
January 15 - 18, 2010
Special Guest Speakers: Rosalie Winard and Lars Tomanek - 866 464-5105
Photo by Janice Peters: Scarlett Sky
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The Gift of Giving
by Janice Peters
When we are children, the holidays are all about receiving gifts . . . the list, the visit to Santa, the fascination of the pretty packages, and the excitement of opening them. Somewhere along the line, not too long after we find out Santa's true identity, the focus changes from receiving to giving, and the gifts we give bring us equal or greater pleasure than those we receive.
Morro Bay is a city of givers, and I'd like to thank some of them with this December column. These givers' gifts are partly monetary, but more importantly, they give of their time and of their hearts. This is my personal and, due to space constraints, not complete, list of generous people I know and admire, both past and present. Some of my favorite givers are . . .
Ed and Bernice Smith, who spread good cheer everywhere they go. Bill and Betty Olson, both constantly supporting their church and city. Bertha and Dean Tyler, who give homes and care to injured marine life. Curt and Sandra Beebe for Mutt Mitts, and many other contributions. Nancy and Gary Johnson and Bill and Kay Woodson for their variety of civic involvement. Floretta and Chuck Meissner for being front and center at countless city activities. Keith and Cheryl Taylor, for creating and supporting the Friends of the Fire Department. Sherrye and Tom Haynie for their enthusiastic participation in events. Bonnie and Mark Tognazzini for their generous food donations. Roger Marlin and Tom and Mary Hay for all those printing discounts. Ed and Jonni Biaggini for promoting our businesses.
Grace Poletti, Morro Bay's energetic one-woman booster club. Grace Melton and Betty Forsythe for their gifts to our library. Barry Ross, the go-to guy for support of city projects. Cathy Novak for her tireless involvement in community activities. Doug Redican for donating space and services for meetings. Lynda Merrill for her active support of numerous causes. Billy Clayton for offering kids a gathering place at Two Dogs Coffee. Steve Mathieu, Nancy Castle and Ray McElligott for making Morro Bay the leader in public access television. Rosalie Valvo for her constant volunteer work. Ann Reisner for coordinating the city-wide yard sale. Mike Baird and Judy Sullivan for making Morro Bay news available on the internet.
Some givers are doing the jobs they are paid for, but consistently give much more time and energy than required. So many of our business and city employees and council members over the years reflect that generosity of spirit.
I hope I won't offend anyone by offering a personal tip of the hat to Bob Lloyd, Jude Long, Bill Peirce, Hank Roth, Judy Salamacha, Graham Pask, Neil Farrell, Tim Olivas, Alan Cook, Bridgett Bauer, Warren Dorn, Mel Breneisse, Camille Watkins, Joyce Lundy, Bruce Keogh, and Norma Vaughan.
And of course the volunteer organizations and service clubs whose whole purpose is giving . . . Rotary, Quota, Lions, Elks, Oddfellows, Morro Bay Beautiful, Morro Pups, CCNHA Docents, the Business Forum, Chamber of Commerce, Commercial Fishermen's Organization, Merchant's Association, MB Art Association, MB Community Foundation, TEACH, all the past and current members of city advisory boards and commissions, Friends of the Library, Fire Department, Police Department, Teen Center, etc.
I'll end my list here, with the absolute certainty that the minute I press "send" to submit this column I'll think of a dozen more people I wish I had included.
I know other communities have givers, too, but Morro Bay seems especially rich in this regard. As you enjoy your holidays, make your own list of givers . . . it's an exercise in joy and gratitude and holiday spirit.
Thank you, dear givers, for all your wonderfully generous gifts.
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