Feeble Tribute

I lived in the same house my whole childhood, moving was never a topic that came up. Things were pretty routine day in and day out, don’t get me wrong, life would happen and things would come up, but things still managed to stay mostly the same.

Then came college, I can’t say I’ve really stayed in “one place” since then. Location wise I haven’t moved a lot, but job wise one look at my resume tightly squeezed onto a page with little margin and the tale is told.

But there is one place I was at, a place that was both work and home for over a year. In fact I was there longer than I was at Cal Poly. It was a place of hard lessons and renewal, an imperfect place of quirks, a place I left tired bec

ause I’d given all I had at the time, and I'd do it again for a place I still love; Mount Hermon.

Those who have worked there be it one summer, 20 summers, or work there all the time, you know what I’m talking about. It gets under your skin and into your blood. Any camper or conference attendee could tell you, there’s something about it that makes you come back. It may not always a perfect experience but the nostalgia lingers because at its core it is a good, peaceful place where God resides.  

Today part of that bedrock of the MH I know and loved was shifted with the passing of Roger Williams. For those who have no idea who that is, he was the director during my two year stint at the Herm. As auditorium host and later IT/AV intern I had the privilege of working with him fairly often, especially in the summer. He was a kind, wise, down to earth man who loved his God, his family, and horribly corny jokes that drove me mad. I didn’t see him much in the last four years since I returned to the Central Valley. But I followed his battle with cancer through his wife Rachel’s Facebook posts and updates from friends that are still in the area. (FYI never underestimate the Christian “grapevine”.)  

When I was an intern when I’d turn on Conference Drive I’d inevitably start singing the chorus of Jack Pearson’s “Mount Hermon Home”.  For those who had the privilege to cross paths with Roger a piece of that home has vanished to a more permanent residence.

To the Williams friends and family my thoughts and prayers are with you. To my extended Mount Hermon family my thoughts and prayers are with you as well.

If there’s anything I (or the hundreds of others who will be offering the same thing), can do to help just give a holler. 

Sandy Labor

Labor Day weekend arrived and the Alvernaz's youth scattered for a weekend of fun. The gorgeous girls, (and Dominic) traveled to Cold Springs to hang out with friends, enjoy the forest and Pine Crest Lake. Meanwhile the other three brothers headed up to Point Reyes for the 33rd Annual Sand Sculpture Contest at Drakes Beach. (Which brother had it better, you decide.)

The boys came in second out of 26 teams with their Transformer Buried in the Sand. First place was swept away by a sculpture referencing the earthquake in Napa Valley. Timely to say the least. 

For those who would like an overview here is an interesting article on the competition. Sadly they don't have any pictures of the first place sculpture, so I'm still not sure what it looks like. Also the picture of Joey isn't good at all, but it does have some other pictures. 

And now, what you have all been waiting for but didn't know until this moment, Casey's 7 minute recap of their success.  

The San Joaquin Sand Fleas next competition on the books is October 19, 2014 in Carmel. (For more info see the Carmel by-the-Sea events page.)  

We hope to see you there. 

Menagerie

Amilia Suzanous in her natural habitat.

Suzi’s time at the zoo is almost up. Despite my noble ambition I have not kept up with her adventures as I intended. Fear not I have one more post before the Amilia Suzanous is seen no more.

Most of her time is spent in the “petting zoo” area. They no longer have the one eyed pony that I remember, but there’s an assortment of rabbits, a guinea pig, a hen and an actual pig that likes to nibble on your shoes that you can pet all for the crazy cost of $1. (Come on people the zoo itself is like $3. Talk about a cheap entertainment.)

Working at the zoo is never boring; first there are the other volunteers, mostly high school students looking to get volunteer hours, with a smattering of adults who just like working at the zoo. Then there are the employees, many of whom apparently double dip and also work at the Fresno zoo. The two groups have created a summer camaraderie of good natured teasing and messing with each other that comes with youthful high spirits and hours of working together.

In addition to the petting zoo Suzi has cleaned cages, measured meals, fed animals, dredged bathrooms (I don’t think they didn’t realize what they were unleashing), and gotten muddy head-to-toe transplanting flowers. She did however resist the urge to startle patrons and clearly announced her presence in the tall stems whenever anyone got close.

There was even an incident where a woman was escorted off the premises, like I said, never a dull moment.

But the best part of Suzi working at the zoo, are the stories she tells about the animals as you take the tour. Each cage has a tale to go with it.  For example the tortoises are surprisingly picky and will snub their food if it’s not the vegetable of their choice.

Melon, the eyes say it all.

Melon, one of the emu’s has a creepy way of coming up behind you and looking over your shoulder while cleaning the cage.

And of course the UC Merced mascot Boomer (a bobcat) resides at the zoo. (UCM is my current employer ergo this important to know.)

If you want a personalized tour that includes names and stories of the animals, or just want to watch a small pig try to eat your toes, take this Monday/Tuesday off and visit Suzi at the Merced Zoo.