Community – Join me on a blessed and heartfelt journey of discovery!

The Hero Who Believes in Serving Our Community

July 21, 2023July 21, 2023
by admin

Many years ago, at an evening meeting to discuss recreational opportunities for the youth in our community, I first became acquainted with Pastor Bernie Federmann, or Pastor B, as he is affectionately known. I knew little about him, so I had no preconceived ideas of who he was apart from his profession, but Pastor B didn’t quite fit the pattern of a religious leader I had determined from others with whom I had worked. His compassion for people, whether a part of his congregation or not, was so apparent that the air practically vibrated with this belief. His peaceful, measured tone was reassuring and hopeful, even when relaying undesirable information. It was a brief encounter, one that didn’t occur again until many years later, but one that I kept close to my heart, aspiring to emulate when possible.

Heroes Among Us

A Hero Among Us and a Mother of the…

May 26, 2023May 17, 2023
by admin

I believe every person’s story could be made into a major motion picture, complete with all the things we hold dear. Joyous celebration, heart-rending grief, challenges to overcome, and lessons to learn. These are the things that make a movie enjoyable, and these are the moments that comprise our lives. As Veronica Williams generously shared her story with me, it reminded me of this. She also reminded me how each of our stories matters because we matter. A reminder we matter not for what we have done, but for who we are. Read more “A Hero Among Us and a Mother of the Community” →

Heroes Among Us

A Hero Among Us and the Hometown Boy

September 23, 2021September 23, 2021
by admin

I truly am not sure when I first met Charles Sommer, aka Mr. Lompoc, but it seems it must have been at a youth sporting event of some sort. Perhaps it was at his mother’s deli, but it was definitely through sports that I got to know Charles a bit better and came to witness and appreciate how he interacted with the youth in our community, giving them respect and genuinely listening to their concerns, hopes and dreams. And yet, it took many years for me to learn how involved Charles was in this community into which he was born.

Heroes Among Us

The Hero and The Little Fishes

January 14, 2021
by admin

It is always interesting to me how the people that make the greatest impact on my life are brought into it and for John McReynolds it was a skateboard competition that was the catalyst. A unique setting for two adults that were not proficient skateboarders. He was a sports reporter for the Lompoc Record and was the tasked with promoting Lompoc’s first skateboard competition at the new skate park. I was just trying to figure out how to run a skateboard competition. And so our paths crossed. What initially struck me about John was how he cared about the human element of the event. The tricks to be performed, the venue itself, what type of boards or wheels were not important in his approach. It was the participants, the competitors, the persons involved in making the event happen that he focused on and wrote about. I remember observing this with interest and realizing later this tells you much about who John is fundamentally.

Heroes Among Us

A Hero Among Us and the Fearless Voice

August 27, 2020August 24, 2020
by admin

Though we had lived in the same small community for many years the first time my path crossed with Ashley Costa was just after she had won a seat to Lompoc’s City Council. The Council for many years had been comprised primarily of middle-aged males from our community with the occasional middle-aged female, but never someone in their twenties. To essentially be a lone representative in both gender and age as well as probably ideals was a challenge I couldn’t fathom anyone desiring but I admired her for taking on those challenges. When she did win my first thought was, “Awesome! You go girl!” but that was followed with thoughts of how much work she had before her. Little did I know at the time how Ashley thrives on challenge and hard work.

Heroes Among Us

A Hero Among Us and The Cheerleader

July 2, 2020
by admin

When first meeting Ken Ostini, his six foot plus stature is rather imposing, but his friendly, warm manner and easy banter quickly expose his love for Lompoc as well as his long history in our community. My interactions with Ken initially looked to be short lived. He became the CEO of the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce as my time on the board came to an end, hardly allowing us to learn each other’s name. Fortunately for me, a short time later, our paths crossed again and again on a regular basis as I was able to work with him for several years on different activities within our valley.

Heroes Among Us

A Hero Among Us-De’Vika

April 10, 2020April 9, 2020
by admin

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world.” ~Mr. Fred Rogers~

Never have these words been more true for me than today. I have found comfort in seeing all the individuals in our community that have come forward during our current challenges to help, reminding me of the strength, compassion and kindness that is abundant in our little valley. One of the individuals that can be seen helping is De’Vika Stalling as she leads at the Lompoc Boys and Girls Clubhouse which is now serving as a food distribution center for the SB County Food Bank. Timing is every thing they say, and in this case it is very true. Earlier this year, I reached out to De’Vika, thanking her for being one of my heroes and learning more about her inspiring story which she graciously shared with me. And now I wish to share it with you. Here is the story of one of the many helpers in our community.

Read more “A Hero Among Us-De’Vika” →

The Hero Who Believes in Serving Our Community

Share this:

A Hero Among Us and a Mother of the…

Share this:

A Hero Among Us and the Hometown Boy

Share this:

The Hero and The Little Fishes

Share this:

A Hero Among Us and the Fearless Voice

Share this:

A Hero Among Us and The Cheerleader

Share this:

A Hero Among Us-De’Vika

Share this: