May 10, 2004

Long-time Sunol resident Fay Dishong was presented an award from the City of Pleasanton on April 29 during an Appreciation Dessert at the Pleasanton Senior Center, the plaque stated, "Our thanks to Fay Dishong - 2003 Nan Cohen Volunteer of the Year -Pleasanton Senior Center". Fay has been a volunteer at the center since it's opening in 1993 and has most recently been the Bingo caller, putting in a total of 3,275 volunteer hours. Fay has also been active in the center's Bocci league since 1994 and if you want to catch him in action visit the Senior Center on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 p.m.

Fay originally discovered the Pleasanton area as a youth while traveling across the country with his family racing thoroughbred horses and they visited the Pleasanton Fairgrounds racetrack. But it was a new job transfer to the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory in December 1955 that brought him back to the valley and it was a Pleasanton realtor, who was also a Sunol resident, that guided him and wife Joan to their cute, comfortable cabin in Kilkare Woods.

Joan volunteers her time at the Pleasanton Senior Center as "Sunshine Lady" sending out thank you and get well cards to seniors and she also volunteers at the Kaiser Medical Center in Pleasanton taking patients blood pressure.

Since retirement in 1993, Fay has also volunteered his time with the American Cancer Society by driving patients to their doctor appointments. Fay has been active in the community for many years; is a member of the Niles Canyon Railway, was a community leader in the Sunol 4-H and was a certified national rifle instructor of the Sunol Gun Club. He also repairs antique radios and has recently donated several to his brother's antique museum in Oregon.

Joan and Fay will soon be celebrating 55 years together as they were married on July 15, 1949. They have three children, Mike Dishong, Glen Dishong and Kristy Nigg; three grandchildren, Christopher, Adrianne and Andrew; and one great-granddaughter, Victoria.

Please join me in congratulating Fay and thanking him and Joan for all they do to make life a little easier for those less fortunate.

The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at Sunol Glen School tomorrow from noon to 6:00 p.m. The Red Cross Van will be parked at the back of the school for your convenience. You must be 17 years or older, weigh no less that 110 lbs and be in good health to be a donor. You will also be required to provide ID so bring a drivers license, government ID or Red Cross blood donor card.

Sunol Girl Scout News: Troop #2921 is preparing to go on another fun-filled weekend to Camp Bothin for this years Camporee on May 29-31. I was able to attend this annual event a few
years back when Lori Nielsen and I were the troop's leaders and let me tell you what a great experience we had. It was our first year so we did not know what to expect but the wonderful Crossroads Association of the San Francisco Bay Girl Scouts is so organized, they have every minute of the day planned from sun up to sun down. I think at first our girls were a little intimidated (I know I was) by the enormous number of other scouts in attendance, but they quickly caught on to obvious camp traditions. This will be their third year at Camporee and I'm proud that they will be seasoned campers this year as they have mastered a mess hall tradition called "the cup game". Thanks go to troop leaders Lori Nielsen, Victoria Barnes and Helen Eberle because I know how hard they will work that weekend to make the experience extra special for each and every scout.