In Good Times and Sad – the Value of Community

One of the many pleasures of living in the Crescenta Valley is taking the opportunity to acknowledge those who do so much to make living here such a joy. Such an opportunity took place on Thursday night.

The Oakmont Country Club was the place for the annual Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce recognition banquet. The banquet brings together civic leaders, law enforcement individuals, business professionals and school board representatives to celebrate the contributions made to our community. I was fortunate not only to hob-nob with some of these dignitaries but also to introduce the chamber’s woman of the year Joanna Linkchorst.

I was able to detail not only her contributions to Friends of Rockhaven but to the community overall through her work with the Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley among others. It was a privilege to let the audience know of the work she does for the community, both in front of and behind the scenes.

The same pleasure I took in sharing Joanna’s achievements was felt by the presenters of the other honorees. Listening to the introductions of the recipients by either their friends or co-workers was a reminder of how fortunate we are to live in this community. Not only was that noted by the presenters but also by the recipients, many of whom thanked the community for its support of their work.

To learn more about the recipients, including seeing some great photos by Dick Clubb, go to page 14.

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The importance of a strong community was brought home to me this week. On Sunday, with Mary O’Keefe, I visited Ed Waldheim who is battling cancer. With his family, we were able to sit with Ed and listen to some of his reflections on his fight and his feelings when he was told by the hospital that “they couldn’t do anything more” for him. Ed is a huge supporter of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the 24-hour event held at the track of Clark Magnet High School. Each spring, from 9 a.m. on Saturday morning until 9 a.m. Sunday morning, team members walk the track to celebrate those who’ve won their battle, encourage those who are fighting and remember those who’ve lost their war. Ed has long battled for others and, in my opinion, it stinks that he now has to fight his own cancer war.

Finally, another reminder of the importance of community was brought home when a former neighbor lost her battle with cancer. A young woman, she fought for more than two years but was always positive and, in fact, spoke at a Relay for Life event to encourage others. Her death was particularly hard for me and for my neighbors, too. I was talking to another of my neighbors and she shared what everyone feels in times like this: If there is anything we can do to ease the pain for the family, we’ll do it. Unfortunately, there really isn’t anything that can be done except allow time to heal the pain … and lean on friends.

  robin goldsworthy