Local soroptimists help women live their dreams

Soroptimist International of Cameron Park-El Dorado Hills, a global organization that works to improve the lives of women and girls, recently awarded $5,000 to three women as part of the Live Your Dream program.

The Live Your Dream award provides women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families with the financial resources to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education or additional skills and training. The award can be used for tuition, books, childcare, carfare or any other education-related expense.

The awards were presented at LUNAFEST, the club’s main fundraiser, at the Cameron Park Community Center. Since that event, one recipient, Taylor Kruezberger has been selected by the Soroptimist International Sierra Nevada Region to receive an additional award of $3000. She will be honored at the regional conference in Reno Nevada in June.

Kreuzberger, mother of one from Diamond Springs, is using the cash award to complete her studies at Folsom Lake College and will attend a nursing school in 2024 with the goal of being a registered nurse. At 16, Taylor lost her father to alcoholisim and then suffered from drug addiction and alcoholism herself. Fortunately she found a rehab program that turned her life around. n See dreams page B5

Between the covers

60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Sacramento

Author: Jordan Summers

Publisher: Menasha Ridge Press

Rebecca Murphy

Mountain Democrat correspondent

Now that warm weather has arrived, it’s time to get out and take a hike. Many a tome has been written about various hiking and camping areas, but none so complete as this for the surrounding valley, delta and foothill areas. In 2007 Jordan Summers’ “60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Sacramento including Auburn, Folsom and Davis” was first published.

Last year the publication celebrated its third edition with the second published in 2012. It’s obvious Menasha Ridge Press has found itself a good seller if not a “best.”

Author Summers is a seriously seasoned hiker and camper and dedicates his book to his four grandchildren. As a young boy growing up in Virginia, he spent many adventures camping in the woods behind his home. Now he is a veteran hiker of the Pacific Crest Trail hiking roundtrip from the California-Mexico border to north into Canada and has written at least two books on the subject: “Pacific Crest Trail: Northern California” and “Pacific Crest Trail: Oregon & Washington,” both published 2021.

“60 Hikes within 60 Miles” elaborates on smaller day hikes at local locations such as Cronan Ranch and Cool’s Olmstead Loop, as well as interesting and historical hikes at places such as River of Skulls along the Calaveras River and the Bridgeport Bridge along Buttermilk Bend Trail along the South Yuba River. Northern California has a plethora of rivers and the Yuba and Calaveras rivers are just two of those that flow west toward the Sacramento Delta. Other rivers, along which hikes are highlighted

Know Continued from B1

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District presents a free concert with the Rachel Steele Band, 7-9:30 p.m. at Community Park. For more information visit edhcsd.org. Forever Goldrush performs 8-11 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

June 24

The Cameron Park Community Services District hosts the Summer Spectacular at Cameron Park Lake. Enjoy food, live music, fireworks and more. For more information visit cameronpark.org.

Apple Hill Growers are celebrating at this month’s Lavender Blue Harvest Days June 24 & 25 and July 1 & 2. The lavender harvest should be on full display at Bluestone Meadow Farm. And more Apple Hill Growers (wineries, brewery, farm stands, B & B and more) will be sharing the Lavender Blue love at their farms with special activities and products. For more information visit applehill.com/events.

El Dorado Dance Academy presents a summer performance, Metamorphosis, 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 6086888 or visit harriscenter.net.

Ponte Palmero Retirement Living in Cameron Park hosts a a Crab & Tri-Tip Feed/Open House, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seating is limited and RSVP is required and due by June 19. Call (530) 677-9100.

Gwinllan Estate in the Fair Play area hosts Paella on the Patio, 6-10 p.m. RSVP by June 21. Call (530) 723-2879 or email info@ gwinllanestate.com.

Oakstone Winery in Fair Play hosts a barrel tasting and futures event, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 24 & 25. For reservations email info@oakstone-winery.com.

Pacific ChamberFest hosts a concert with guest artist Michael Sporove, 2 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

The Neon Moon Band will perform at Lava Cap Winery’s Summer Concert Series in Placerville, 5-8 p.m.

Lantz Lazwell and the Vibe Tribe perform 9 p.m. to midnight at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Fairytale Town presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Crystal Ice Cream Fantasy. The enchanting event combines the whimsy of Shakespeare’s play and the delight of Crystal Ice Cream, 5:30-9 p.m. at Fairytale Town in Sacramento. For more information visit fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

Amador City hosts Dancin’ in the Streets parties, 6-9 p.m, with the following acts scheduled: Doppelgänger (June 24), Route 88 (July 1), Double Take (July 8), On Air (July 15) and The Blowbacks (July 22). For more information visit the website, in this book, are the north, south and middle forks of the American and Cosumnes rivers. From Davis and Sacramento in the west and north to Galt in the south and our very own foothills in the east, “60 Hikes within 60 Miles” is a treasure-trove of adventures waiting to happen. All one needs is motivation, along with plenty of water for the trip. Most of the 60 hikes in the book are less than 12 miles roundtrip with the exception of the Quarry Trail to American Canyon Falls, which is 14.5 miles

VisitAmacorCity.com.

Shane Dwight takes the stage 7-9 p.m. at Sutter Creek Theater in Sutter Creek. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheater.com.

Madroña Vineyards in Camino hosts a Wine Club Dinner

Under the Oaks Saturday, 6-9 p.m. Enjoy assorted appetizers while listening to Hickory Wine Duo. The dinner will showcase the amazing reds with prime rib and roasted vegetables. For reservations go to Madronavineyards@orderport.net.

A schedule of superstar headliners will perform at the Harveys Outdoor Arena during the Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series. Acts featured: Lake Tahoe Is For Lovers Music Festival with Jimmy Eat World, Yellowcard, Bayside, Plain White T’s, Hawthorn Heights, Anberlin and more, June 24; Old Dominion, June 30 and July 1; Sammy Hagar & The Circle, July 14; Dierks Bentley, Aug. 4; Foo Fighters, Aug. 10; Sam Hunt, Aug. 13; Darius Rucker, Aug. 19; and Kane Brown, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. For tickets and more information visit visitlaketahoe.com.

Music in the Mountains presents a champagne reception and piano recital with Vijay Venkatesh, 7 p.m. at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley. For tickets and more information visit musicinthemountains.org.

June 25

Holly’s Hill Vineyards in the Pleasant Valley area hosts live music at 1 p.m.: Hill Country (June 25), Gypsy Standard Time (July 23) and According to Bazooka (Aug. 13). For more information visit hollyshill.com/events.

Bill George, author of “Victory in the Pool: How a Maverick Coach Upended Society and Led a Group of Young Swimmers to Olympic Glory,” comes to Face in a Book in El Dorado Hills Town Center, 4 p.m. It’s the ultimate underdog story — that of a swim coach who could not swim, a swim club that accepted minorities when others would not and a group of young swimmers who became Olympic champions. For more information call (916) 941-9401.

The Fabulous Liars Band Dorado, 4-7 p.m.

June 26 out and back. This is a very popular location with parking along Highway 49 just south of Auburn in the Auburn State Recreation Area. The synopsis of the trail indicates its difficulty and challenge is a result of its distance and elevation change from +878 feet to -639 feet. As in other hiking books published today, GPS coordinates help keep the hiker safe and exactly on target.

Vitalant will host an El Dorado Hills community blood drive, noon to 4:30 p.m. The Bloodmobile will be located in the parking lot near the baseball fields at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District, 1021 Harvard Way. Make an appointment at donors.vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFM019 or call (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

The book’s introduction is complete with information on how to use the publication and explanation of the specific trail maps and elevation profiles, nearby activities, how to use the GPS coordinates for each trail; a general guide to Sacramento-area weather with average highs, lows and rainfall; essential equipment, hiking with children, first aid kit necessities, recommendations on gear and clothing, and cautions regarding mountain lions, bears and ticks.

For general safety, always carry food and water, stay on designated trails, be especially careful when crossing streams and at overlooks, be aware of the dangers of standing dead trees and weatherdamaged living trees especially when pitching a tent and know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and hypothermia. Ticks, snakes, poison oak and mosquitoes pose particular problems in the areas the book features, especially during the spring, summer and fall months.

Summers also offers tips on enjoying the trails in the Sacramento region including investigating different areas of the region, taking time along the trails and hiking on weekdays rather than weekends and holidays, if possible.

It’s always fun to have a guide along for a hike and sometimes it’s better in the form of a book that can be carried in a pocket or pack. At any rate, get out and enjoy the great outdoors. “60 Hikes Within 60 Miles” is available at a variety of locations, including Walmart, Target, thriftbooks.com and Better World Books.

Now

The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park presents “The Voice of the Prairie” through June 25. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com.

Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom presents “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” through June 25. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom presents “Cabaret” through June 25. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

The MACC in Rancho Cordova hosts 20 Years Making Magic –Celebration 20 Years of Cityhood through July 1. The exhibit features an art reception and exhibit, workshops, concerts, artist talks and more. For more information visit rcmacc.org.

Big Idea Theatre in Sacramento presents “Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties” through July 1. For tickets and more information call (916) 960-3036 or visit bigideatheatre.org.

Main Street Theatre Works presents “The Quest for Don Quixote” by Mark Brown and directed by Allen Pontes through July 15, at the Kennedy Mine Amphitheatre in Jackson. For tickets and more information visit mstw.org.

Watercolor Artists of Sacramento Horizons issues a call to artists for the 45th annual WASH open exhibit, Go with the Flow. Registration deadline is noon July 21. To enter visit smartentry.com/CallsForEntry.

Arts and Culture El Dorado’s newest show, FIRE/LAND: The Exhibition, runs through Aug. 6. For more information visit artsandcultureeldorado.org/fire-land-the-exhibition.

5.17% involved with First Tee and U.S. Kids Golf. high school. Sydney has volunteered with the American Red Cross and with senior citizens and has had a job for a few years while carrying a strong class load with many AP classes, maintaining a very high grade point average. She tutors students in Italian. Sydney’s references note she is a “hard worker, problem solver and has strong academic and interpersonal skills,” adding she is “genuine, passionate and has a zest for learning.”

Alena demonstrated a student can achieve excellent grades and combine that with numerous extra-curricular activities. She has been active in Girl Scouts for more than 13 years and has participated in swim contests and water polo at the varsity level. Her community service activities include volunteering at Placerville’s Upper Room Dining Hall and the Senior Nutrition Program. She was recently selected to participate in the Shriners Children’s hospital’s summer internship program.

It is clear that all four graduates made the most of their high school experiences; collectively, they were involved in the arts, in service organizations, in volunteering, and in myriad of sports and leadership activities. These four young women have amazing futures ahead and Soroptimist International of Cameron Park-El Dorado Hills is so very proud to help support their dreams.

For additional information about Soroptimist Club of Cameron Park-El Dorado Hills contact Marlyn at pinojones@ yahoo.com or check the club website, sicpedh.org.

The third Italian Heritage Scholarship recipient is Folsom High School student Sophia Cordone, who will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to study architecture. She received an academic award in 2022 as well as Principal Award (GPA higher than 3.85) in 2021 and 2022. She was in FHS concert band in 2019-20, choir from 2020-22 and this school year served on the Student Advisory Board. Sophia has volunteered at Hands4Hope – Youth Making a Differencw and the Oakmont Living Center and has worked at Safeway and Joann’s. Letters of recommendations highlight Sophia’s problem solving and communication skills, as well as her perseverance, describing her as “helpful, caring, motivated and an all-around amazing person.”

The first Bob Matranga Memorial Scholarship recipient is ORHS student Luciano (Luke) Williams, who plans to go to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and wants to go into centers to promote accessibility to mental health resources, Lucas developed the idea of Wilderness Wednesdays, which encourage participation in outdoor activities. He will use his scholarship to assist in his pursuit of a degree in biomedical engineering at the University of San Diego. the STEM field. He has received academic awards, to include Principal’s Honor Roll and AP Scholar with Honors, as well as the Jason Clarke Award while playing freshman football. Luke played football and baseball all four years of high school. He has also been an active member of Hands4Hope and the Boys Team Charity, in which he has served as president and hours chairperson. He holds a very high grade point average and has had a job for the past year. His references note Luke is “dependable, motivated, conscientious and thoughtful,” also including he is “actively engaged in the learning process, has a positive attitude and strong work ethic.”

Haley Wong, Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, served as president of the Interact Club (a high school Rotary equivalent) and worked with Project Linus, a program that donates homemade blankets to foster children. Through collecting bottles and cans from classrooms on campus over a two-year period, enough money was raised to purchase material to make 86 fleece blankets. Haley will use her scholarship in pursuit of a degree in biochemistry at UCLA.

The second Bob Matranga Memorial Scholarship recipient is El Dorado High School Student Jayce Kaldunski, who plans to attend Santa Rosa Community College. His goal is to eventually attend UC Santa Barbara to study theater or biology and get his teaching credential so he can come back to El Dorado High School to teach. Jayce has received many awards throughout high school and served many roles in youth programs and clubs. In his four years of high school, Jayce has completed more than 714 hours of community service. He has had several jobs and even started freelance landscaping and began propagating his own plants to sell at pop-up markets. As it relates to his Italian Heritage, one of his favorite memories is making

Advantage Scholarships

Faith Kramer, Divide High School in Georgetown, graduated early with high marks and “has a career path all planned out past high school.” She will use her scholarship toward her tuition at Paul Mitchell School for Cosmetology in Sacramento.

Kaia Mount, Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs, worked as a volunteer at a pediatric therapy center where she was a special role model for the children. She will use her scholarship toward her tuition at the University of Arizona where she will study molecular and cellular biology with an emphasis on genetics.

For more information go to assistanceleague.org/sierra-foothills.

homemade Italian sausage with his family — a tradition started by his Poppop. Jayce’s references state he shows “exemplary leadership, dedication and love for other students. He is dedicated to working with students with disabilities serving as a TA for a special education class, participating in Unified Sports, the inclusion club and planning special events.”

The final Bob Matranga Memorial Scholarship recipient is Sarah Muscarello, a homeschool student through Clarksville Charter who plans to study English at Wheaton College in Illinois. She plans to later go to law school and hopes to use that degree to make a positive impact on the world. Sarah is the published author of “Under a Bright Yellow Sun” and has taught creative writing at a private middle school. She has a gift of knitting and sewing in which she has not only sold items for profit, but has also sewed masks during the pandemic for local workers who needed them. Additionally, Sarah taught sewing to students, has volunteered at her church and has volunteered with other organizations. She single-handedly organized an Italian-themed potluck at her homeschool group for Italian American Heritage month.

The Italian Language Class Scholarship for Academic Achievement goes to Summer Dixon, who was selected by her Italian teacher, Ivana Arostegui. Summer is an ORHS student who took Italian for all four years. Arostegui describes Summer as “an outstanding student who shares their common goal of promoting the Italian language & culture. She is also the current Italian Honor Society co-president. Summer has been an avid supporter of all things Italian from leading cultural holiday meetings and peer tutoring to representing ORHS with the student Bocce team for the Italian Sons and Daughters of Italy community fundraiser. Summer is an amazing Oak Ridge student whose scholastic highlights include captain and gold medal Academic Decathlon winner; Science Olympiad medalist, Class of 2023 Salutatorian, AP scholar of distinction and two-time winner of the campus door decoration contest. Summer enthusiastically shares her love of learning and an interest in the Italian language and culture.”

For more information about the Order Sons & Daughters of Italy email President Jim Silveria at inspectorjim@yahoo.com or contact Genny Arietta at cruiseg@aol.com or (916) 834-1798.

El Dorado Savings Bank has Earned the Highest Rating for 119 Consecutive Quarters. www.bauerfinancial.com

The FINDLEY REPORT El Dorado Savings Bank Awarded the Classification of Premier Performance during the year 2022. www.findley-reports.com

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