The year was 1963, and the EIGHT of us (yes, six kids, each born in a different state!) lived in Navy housing in Alameda (in a 3 bed, ONE bath house, but I digress).  Our country was midway through the Vietnam “military conflict.”  Our Navy pilot dad, Louis Burghardt, had already served during World War II and the Korean conflict; thankfully he did not go to Vietnam (although my brother, John, served on a Navy aircraft carrier off the coast).

Sometime during that year, a neighbor told my parents  about a young Marine, Gordon Gunter, who had survived a horrific helicopter crash in Vietnam and was being treated for massive burns at Oak Knoll Hospital in Oakland, CA.  (He and his co-pilot had kicked out the windshield and managed to escape the crash site, but not the flames.)

Gordon at Oak Knoll Hospital

Gordon Gunter

Gordon was from Texas, and he knew no one in California. Enter my wonderful parents, who took it upon themselves to fill in where his family was unable to.  During his three-month Oak Knoll stay, my mom (and dad, when he could) visited Gordon nearly daily, often taking flowers and treats like cut-up, de-seeded watermelon and ice cream to spoon-feed him while his face was still bandaged.  Ever the elegant woman, Mom always wore a dress, “heels” and pearls.

Considering Gordon’s significant injuries (even requiring grafting of tissue for new eyelids) and the ever-present threat of infection, it was amazing that he survived at all.  I know there were times when he talked of giving up.  But my beautiful mom was always there to let him express himself, to encourage him, or just sit quietly with him.  How do I know this?  Because she was also brave and caring enough to take me or one of my siblings along on some of these visits.

I don’t recall having fear or anxiety during these visits, just the curiosity of a typical 8 year old.  In looking back, the lesson I learned from that experience was how selfless and considerate people can truly be, even toward total strangers in extremely challenging circumstances.

Gordon visited our family a number of times over the years that followed.  So we knew he had returned to Texas, become an attorney, married (twice) and had several children (even giving one the middle name “Burghardt” in honor of my parents).  But then somehow we lost track.  Mom has talked so often about wishing she could find Gordon again to check up on him.

Through the magic of Facebook (and a natural tenacity), my sister Nancy recently found Gordon’s daughter Chanelle and put her in touch with our Mom.  Turns out Gordon is now in a military hospital battling Parkinson’s Disease (and, unfortunately, rapidly losing the battle this time).  But Chanelle put him on the phone.  Mom did the talking, catching him up on family events (including, sadly, the passing of my father nearly four years ago), and Chanelle said she thought her dad understood and actually smiled when he heard her voice.  In spite of the circumstances, Mom was so glad to have found Gordon again, and to know that he had lead a full life and is now being cared for by his loved ones.

As heartrending as some of this story is, I feel it is also a testament to the human spirit and how we touch each other’s lives as we move through our individual journeys.  And it’s a tribute both to Gordon (and all the courageous people like him who risk their lives daily for the well-being of the rest of us) and to my mom, who took time out of her busy life to bring comfort and hope to a lonely, traumatized young man.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.  Love you.

Margaret and Gordon

Gordon, Margaret and Lou

Wonderful building site on 0.61 acres in Humboldt Woodlands gated community. Incredible views with privacy. Subdivision has pool and each lot has a storage shed. Lot owners own the homeowner’s association, which owns approximately 160 acres as open space. Partial house plans available (included in price with accepted offer). HOA dues are $121.25. Year built is required for posting, but the building lot is actually vacant land.

Turnkey Property!! New roof put on just a few months ago, dual pane windows, newer heat/air refurbished, Kitchen & bath and refinished oak floor. Living room and family room all with a large yard across the street from Lindo Chanel. Nice central location close to schools and bike paths.

Waif Mullins (right) poses with his painting, “The Collector (Portrait of Reed Applegate),” and its subject.

If the works of art on exhibit (just a fraction of the collection) are any indication of the quality of art that has been purchased for decades by local collector Reed Applegate, Chico is in for a real treat as these “pop-ups” continue.  (Mr. Applegate has generously donated his collection so that the public may enjoy the fruits of years spent investing in Northern California art.)  Click here to view some of the wonderful works.

My friend Trudy Duisenberg (along with the other MonCA Board members and volunteers) has put in countless hours working to bring this collection out into the open for all to enjoy.

Trudy Duisenberg at the Soroptimist of Chico Home, Garden & Leisure Show, 3/12

MonCA is currently working to raise funds to purchase a van (Mobile Museum) to share the art with  schools, retirement communities and other local organizations.  Donations can be made here.  (Ultimately they hope to find a permanent location for the collection.)

(*Pop-Up museums are temporary art installations in nontraditional settings.  The Pop-Up at 325 Broadway continues through the month of April, Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (open till 8 p.m. April 12, 13, 19, 26).   Where will the next one be?  Stay tuned…)

Cheerful Soroptimist volunteers - "All About Food"

Unique creations for sale!

Wonderful antiques for sale

What’s A Chico Soroptimist? from Jeanne Rawlings on Vimeo.

This cute cottage is located on a quite cul-de-sac, and really close to schools.  This single family home features 3 bedroom, 2 full baths, and a basement.  Mature trees and lots of foliage surround the home, while a circular drive provides easy entrance and exit to the over-sized parking area.

Chico Unified School District (CUSD) Center for the Arts

Wow, were we impressed (with both the new facility and the performances)!  Located  at the Pleasant Valley High School campus at  1475 East Avenue, the facility seats 484 people and is available to citizens and community groups for meetings and public activities.

It was great to see Chico area students (elementary through high school) engaged in all sorts of creative activities, including singing, musical instruments, drama, and different forms of dance.  Prior to the live show, we were treated to some delectable treats made by the PV High Culinary Class and a slideshow of students’ art (painting, ceramics, mosaic art, etc.).

Arts for All (check out their Facebook page here) is a component fund of North Valley Community Foundation.  Donations are tax deductible.

Kudos to the students, teachers, administrators, parents, and the Chico arts community for working together to keep the arts alive for our youngest citizens!

CUSD Center for the Arts - interior

Left: Senator Theater/ Right: Smith Center for the Performing Arts

I couldn’t help noticing the resemblance to our beloved Senator Theater in downtown Chico!

I’ve always had a thing for all things Art Deco, and these two structures are fine examples of Art Deco architecture.

The Senator Theater opened in 1927 as a 1,400-seat vaudeville and movie house.  In 1978, the theatre was purchased by United Artists.

Restored in 2001, the theater later reopened as a performing arts center and now mostly functions as a concert venue.  The lobby of the historic theatre is still intact and contains the original murals and chandelier.

The building’s tower was partially removed in the 1990s due to deteriorated condition but was restored to its original grandeur a few years later, thank goodness!

Our Soroptimist of Chico club was treated today to a fascinating presentation by Jerry Olenyn and Karla Johnston, representing the Sacred Stones Project at the Abbey of New Clairvaux.  Who knew stones could be so interesting?

Moved in 1931 from a Cistercian monastery in Ovila, Spain to San Francisco by millionaire publisher William Randolph Hearst at a cost of $85,000, the stones were intended to be used at Wyntoon (his estate near the McCloud River).  He even had a structure designed by famed architect Julia Morgan (who designed his San Simeon estate).  But then came the Great Depression, and the stones sat languishing for decades in Golden Gate Park, where some of them were used as borders in the Japanese Tea Garden.

Then In the 1990s, the stones were given to the New Clairvaux monks, who started using them to reinforce their monastery buildings with concrete and steel to meet modern earthquake codes.  A few years ago the monks embarked on a huge undertaking: reconstructing the Chapter House on their spacious grounds.

Read more about the reconstruction here: http://www.kcra.com/news/18779644/detail.html#ixzz1nA4uph7z

In 2010, Chico’s legendary  Sierra Nevada Brewing Company announced its joint venture with the Abbey of New Clairvaux to begin production of Belgian-style abbey ales.   Named “Ovila” after the 12th century Cistercian monastery, Santa Maria de Ovila, the ales have proved wildly popular.  Part of the profits go to help with the Chapter House reconstruction.

It’s been years since I visited the monastery, but I definitely plan to go in the near future.  Click here for info about day visits; you can also schedule a weekend retreat if you are really wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in our techno world!

Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. This site lets you organize and share things you find on the web.  Many use pinboards to plan a wedding, find their new favorite recipe, and hints to help decorate their homes. You can browse pinboards created by other people.  This is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

Click on this button  to see Laura’s pinboard.