December December 2017
www.MoonValleyTattler.com
VOL 37 No. 12
FESTIVE LIGHTS, SOUNDS AND EVEN MORE BY SUSAN MERCER HINRICHS, REPORTER Some Yuletide questions to get Moon Valley residents into the holiday spirit: 1. Who are some of the movers and shakers who generate this wondrous, all-volunteer event? 2. When does its planning first occur? 3. How many candles and bags are distributed and to how many homes? 4. Who earns honors for mounting magnificent, and often multimedia, displays? The answers to all these questions stem from the annual Christmas Eve luminaria-lighted roadways and cul de sacs threading their way through the Moon Valley neighborhood, which ranks among the Valley’s finest. Nearly half a century of tradition, dating back to the mid-1960s with the Clements
family, now goes into the displays of illuminated candles in paper bags, festive lighting, seasonal sounds, and even some dancing Santas. The annual Dec. 24 event is a labor of love put together with rosters of local-resident volunteers. “We moved into the neighborhood in December 1973,” Moon Valley resident Adron Hall says. As newcomers, “ … we didn’t put out luminarias (that year), but in other parts of the community they did.” Then the next year, the family started participating in the event, too. Come hail or high water, or in our neighborhood, even if the occasional wet stuff drips or drops from overhead nighttime skies, principals Bret Aldieri, Richard and Sylvia Iodice, event historian Hall and Moon Valley Neighborhood Association treasurer Felicity Barrett collectively put in countless logistical hours to make the Christmas Home decorating event more delightful than the past one. These folks represent the answer to question #1. And here’s the answer to question #2: Aldieri, the MVNA president, starts thinking about the current-years luminaria extravaganza in January. Of course, as the months proceed, he consults frequently with his event colleagues; and the work in earnest starts in early October. While it’s generally easy rounding up a group of volunteers, Aldieri says he continually remains pleased with the neighborhood block captains continued on page 5
Boys Team Charity – Making a Difference One Charity at a Time Boys Team Charity (btc) is a volunteer service organization dedicated to developing an altruistic spirit in young men through active participation of parents and sons in philanthropic projects in their communities. October was a busy month for the North Valley btc chapter volunteers and many hours were dedicated to one of our cherished charities, Mom’s Place, where the goal is to improve the health and well-being of low income families or teenage moms and their children by teaching moms to properly care for, love, and provide for their children. Throughout the year, btc boys, along with their parents, care for the Mom’s Place children while the moms are taking much needed classes on infant and child care. A good time was had by all as they celebrated the season by helping with their Halloween Family Fun Night, where they dressed up in costumes, played games, and handed out prizes to the little ones who attended with their families. Also in October, the Class of 2020 donated over 37 PJ’s for the Mom’s Place kids and wrapped them during their class meeting. Ben Hester, current Class of 2020 President, had this to say about Mom’s Place: “Today I was told to write a sentence or two about my personal experiences at Mom’s Place, but in my opinion, I don’t think one or two sentences can do it justice. The first time I tried Mom’s Place my plan was to just go through the motions, however, plans change.
B Y S TA C Y B I E H L E
Instead of going through the motions, I was greeted by what seemed like dozens of kind smiles waiting for me to play. As a volunteer I can literally feel the joy and the excitement that these kids experience when they are at Mom’s Place. Bringing joy to these kids is not the only good deed Mom’s Place does, however. Every 3 in 10 American women are impregnated prior to their twentieth birthday. At Mom’s Place, we are attempting to help these moms, we are trying to teach them the essentials of being a mother, we are trying to ensure that their child has a full and happy life, and that is what Mom’s Place is to me.” Nolan Hoiby, btc Class of 2020 General Meeting Rep, stated: “Knowing that I can help a child stay warm, sleep well and be ready for school the next day by a simple jester of providing pajamas is a humbling experience. I look forward to many more years of helping out at Mom’s Place.” Kyle Black, Class of 2020 Inspiration, added: “I enjoy volunteering at Mom’s Place because I know I am a positive influence and make a difference in their lives.” As a parent, coach, and team manager, I am so proud of these boys and their enthusiastic contributions to these important community charities and for taking time out of their hectic schedules to do some good in this crazy world. Philanthropy: Moms’ Place (Neighborhood Ministries) - 602-206-8072 Btc Liaison: Kelly Hester