Around Town … with Robert Airoldi: Gilroy garlic is featured in new children’s book about an elephant

“Education among Gilroy’s youth has long been the primary focus of the Christopher family’s philanthropy,” Ken Christopher says.

The children’s picture book “Elephant Garlic” is being read at Gilroy schools.

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

Children in Gilroy schools can learn about the herb that made the South Valley region world famous in a story book written by Ken Christopher and illustrated by Daniel Voight. It was published in March.

“Elephant Garlic” tells the tale of one of local garlic grower Christopher Ranch’s most celebrated products — an oversized member of the allium family. The hero is a young elephant who takes a  journey to discover his favorite food.

On March 2, the Christopher Family Foundation partnered with the Gilroy Unified School District to provide hard copies of their original children’s picture book to schools in the area. Christopher, president of the foundation, will be reading the story throughout 2021 to Gilroy’s elementary school children. Following the book’s launch and virtual readings with Rod Kelley Elementary, the foundation looks forward to working with many more schools in the near future.

“Education among Gilroy’s youth has long been the primary focus of the Christopher family’s philanthropy,” Christopher said. That’s why they were inspired to create a special story for the children of Gilroy and the surrounding communities.

Because of the pandemic, the Leadership Gilroy program held off the launch of its 2021 class. It began with an orientation April 7 and starts its first class on April 16. Last year’s class won the “Gavilan College Community Spirit Award” for their “Clove Days” community project that raised more than $40,000 to help local nonprofits.

This year’s class members are:

Amy Tran (dentist), Aurelio Rodriguez (works at Gilroy Unified School District), Daniela Dwyer (works at eBay), Deborah Britt-Petty (Gavilan College employee), Denise Buessing (works at VPS), Jacqueline Bogosian (works at Sakata Seeds), Jaclyn Ceballos (works at garlic grower Christopher Ranch), Julie Wyrick (city of Gilroy employee), Kristina Roebeson (works at the San Martin resort CordeValle), Laura Brown (works at Enza Zaden), Laruen Mantani (GUSD employee), Marisol Ponce (works at nonprofit Rebekah Children’s Services), Marta Olvera (works at St. Louise Regional Hospital), Shelley Canerio (works at Re/Max), Sydney Larose (Gavilan College employee), Tammy Puthoff (works at the Gilroy Police Department), Thomas Larkin (works at the Gilroy Police Department), Travis Graham (works at One Life Prints), and Victoria Valencia (works at the Gilroy Chamber Of Commerce).

Best wishes on your year of leadership learning, class. We can’t wait to find out about your community project.

Shawna Freels

After 14 years serving the Gilroy community, Shawna Freels will step down April 16 as city clerk to enjoy her retirement.

The city hired her as an administrative assistant in 2006 and the next year she was appointed to the city clerk position, where she managed the city’s elections and public records.

“I value the support and encouragement of each city council I have worked for,” she wrote to the Gilroy City Council in a letter dated March 22. “It has allowed me to be ambitious and visionary in serving the community and to grow professionally. It has been a privilege to have been a part of this organization.”

Freels plans to spend her retirement years with her husband traveling and enjoying nature.

A long-held tradition in Gilroy won’t take place this year because of the COVID-19 crisis. Just like last year, the May 31 Memorial Day Parade has been cancelled, it was recently announced.

“A holiday like Memorial Day on May 31, 2021, should be a day to bring us together,” wrote Albert Lambert, the Gilroy Memorial Day Committee chairman, in a letter to the community. “Unfortunately, we can’t safely gather together yet. But we can unite as a community to remember, honor and mourn all military personnel who have died while serving our country.”

Throughout U.S.  history nearly three million Americans, including 80 Gilroyans, have paid the ultimate price to preserve our freedom, liberty and way of life, he said.

Lambert suggests during the entire month of May, Gilroyans fly an American flag at their home and/or place of business or visit a veteran. They can also visit the grave site of a veteran family member and leave a small American flag.

Even though the Gilroy community might not have a parade this Memorial Day, let us all show these heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice they are not forgotten.

Robert Airoldi is the editor of Gilroy Life. Reach him at [email protected].