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REPORTERS & COLUMNISTS
Cattlewomen, cattlemen scholarships
Four Madera County high school graduates have been awarded $1,000 scholarships by Madera County Cattle Women and Cattlemen to help them with their first year college expenses.
Sarah Myers plans to pursue a degree in ag business at Merced Junior College. She is the daughter of Don and Sandy Myers of Raymond. She recently graduated from Chawanakee Academy and works at Evans Feed in Madera.
Shannon Sumpter of Madera plans to pursue a degree in animal science/management at California State University, Fresno, and plans to work in the animal nutrition industry. She is the daughter of Gary and Debra Sumpter.
Amy Evans of Madera plans to pursue a degree in business and a career in agricultural law. She will attend University of the Pacific or Westmont College. She is the daughter of Roger and Karen Evans.
Brittany Hitchcock of Chowchilla plans to pursue a degree in agriculture education in hopes of teaching. She will attend California State University, Fresno. She is the daughter of Terry and Mindy Hitchcock.
El Portal teacher honored with conservancy award
El Portal teacher Paul Amstutz has been presented the Yosemite Conservancy Award for his enduring commitment to inspiring future environmental stewards.
"Paul chose to dedicate himself to helping Yosemite's youth in a very direct and meaningful way," said Mike Tollefson, president of Yosemite Conservancy. "His creativity, energy and commitment connect youth with nature and the park to forge a deeper appreciation of the need to protect our natural lands." Amstutz started teaching in Yosemite in 1991. He worked for eight years as an instructor and manager for the Yosemite Institute, a nonprofit residential field science and environmental education program.
For the past nine years Amstutz has taught math, science and elective classes to students in grades 9-12 at El Portal's one-room Yosemite Park High School. He also created field courses studying Yosemite's geology, ecology, and natural and human history.
Amstutz is involved extensively in the Yosemite community. He has been a member of the El Portal Town Planning Committee for almost a decade, serving as its chairman for five years. He is founder and coordinator of the El Portal Travel Series, a monthly lecture series about adventure travel and international issues. Yosemite Conservancy is the only philanthropic organization dedicated exclusively to the protection and preservation of Yosemite National Park and enhancement of the visitor experience. The Conservancy works to restore trails, protect wildlife through scientific research and habitat restoration, and offers outdoor programs that provide visitors with unique ways to connect with the park.
Details: 1-800-469-7275, yosemiteconservancy.org.
Arbor Day
Forest land is one of America's most prized resources, and everyone can help plant needed trees in these vital areas simply by joining the Arbor Day Foundation.
Through its Replanting Our National Forests campaign, the Arbor Day Foundation will honor each new member who joins the foundation in July by planting 10 trees in forests that have been devastated by wildfires, insects and disease. The cost to join the Arbor Day Foundation is $10.
The need to replant forests in the U.S. is great. Recent years of unprecedented wildfires has left a backlog of nearly 1 million acres that need replanting in National Forests. The Arbor Day Foundation has worked with the U.S. Forest Service for more than 20 years to plant trees in forests that have the greatest need.
To join the Arbor Day Foundation and help plant trees in our National Forests, send a $10 membership contribution to Replanting Our National Forests, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410, or go to arborday.org/july.
Details: arborday.org/replanting.
Furlough days for assessor's office
Madera County Assessor Tom Kidwell has announced that his office will be closed on the following days in accordance with measures implemented by the Board of Supervisors due to the county's fiscal situation:
July 22, Aug. 5 and 26, Sept. 2 and 23, Oct. 7 and 21, Nov. 4 and 23 and Dec. 22.
Furlough days are unpaid days off for county staff. According to Kidwell, most general questions amy be answered by going to Madera-County.com/Assessor. Voicemail is available 24-hours a day at (559) 675-7710.
Mountain Community Women officers
Mountain Community Women closed another very successful year and began its 2011-2012 year with the installation of new officers and directors. New officers are: Nancy Taylor, rummage sale director; Karen Bussburg, flea market and boutique director; Kathy Burrow, Holiday Boutique director; Shari Aube, Tables & Taters Luncheon/table setting contest director; Joanne Wager, president; Linda Core, vice president; Jill Hufford, membership and Holiday Home Tour director; Cathy Rossiter, Green Thumbs director; Lonnie Setaro, Card Party/Luncheon director and secretary; Jerrie West, treasurer; Marcia Rossander, parliamentarian.
Library hours changing
New library hours have taken effect in the Mountain Area. The Oakhurst Library will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and the North Fork Library will be open 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.
Details: Dale Rushing, (559) 683-4838.
El Capitan scholarships
The El Capitan Educational Foundation, which gives scholarship to Mountain Area high school students to attend Oakhurst Community College, announced its 2011 awardees.
The foundation awarded scholarships to Yosemite High School seniors Blake Dambrino, Logan Dambrino, Brandon Fuller, Megan Howard, Ashleigh Kopecki, Michael Lalev, Nicolas Marr, Vanessa Mudrick, Paul Nelson, Andrew Rowledge, Tree Smith and Brandon Worthy.
Habitat for Humanity yard sale Friday
Mariposa County's Habitat for Humanity will be holding a yard sale from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in downtown Mariposa. The proceeds of this sale will go towards safe, decent, affordable housing.
Some building supplies will be sold as well as household items, jewelry, books and good used clothing.
Details: (209) 966-7444 or (209) 966-6971.
Scenic byway hydro and railroad history
Historians Keith McClure, retired Southern California Edison station chief and Darinda Otto, curator of the Shaver Crossing Railroad Station museum, will lead a free tour of the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway Saturday, Aug. 6.
The tour will focus on one of the first hydroelectric projects in the U.S., including history and present operations of Pacific Gas and Electric and Southern California Edison power plants and the story of the railroad that helped build them.
Carpool groups will form at the North Fork Post Office parking lot at 9 a.m.
Lunch is optional for $10 per person.
Details: Doug Waltner, dwaltner@netptc.net, sierravistascenicbyway.org.
Nelder Grove tour
Brenda Negley will lead a free tour of Nelder Grove on Saturday, Aug. 6. Participants are asked to meet at the Mountain House Restaurant at the corner of Bass Lake Road (222) and Highway 41 at 9 a.m.
Negley will provide an in depth look at the Giant Sequoia grove including the ecology of the area and the history of Native Americans, John Muir and John Nelder.
Lunch is optional for $10 per person.
Details: Doug Waltner, dwaltner@netptc.net, sierravistascenicbyway.org.
