Community: Farmer’s market is a Saturday morning mainstay
For buying fresh fruit and vegetables or just enjoying a brief stroll, the best place to hang on Saturday mornings is the Burbank Certified Farmers’ Market, nestled in the parking lot of the Community Services Building, at the corner of Glenoaks Boulevard and Olive Avenue.
This is the market’s 32nd year, said Elaine Paonessa, president of the Farmers’ Market Guild. A portion of the proceeds raised goes to the Providence St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, which provides medical care to as many as 12,000 people a year who cannot afford treatment, she added.
The market draws 30 certified farmers, which include five organic farmers and 13 non-agricultural vendors selling processed items such as bread and baked goods as well as fish, tamales and soap products. Currency accepted by vendors are EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) Advantage Cards, WIC, (Women, Infants, and Children nutrition program ) coupons and Seniors Nutrition Program coupons.
Local nonprofits seeking public exposure can reserve a table at the Burbank Community Service Corner. It is available to service clubs, nonprofit organizations and city departments. To make a reservation, stop by the information booth.
Market hours are from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Saturday, rain or shine, except Christmas and New Year’s Day. Free parking is available in the adjacent parking structures on Orange Grove Avenue, behind City Hall, or in the Police and Fire Headquarters’ parking lot.
Parade theme ideas sought
The date for Burbank On Parade is April 29, it was announced by Carey Briggs, the organization’s president.
The committee encourages residents to vote for a theme. There are four options listed on burbankonparade.com. They are “Aloha Burbank,” “Echoes of the Past,” “Let the Music Play” and “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”
When voting, parade chair Joanne Lento Miller suggests to keep in mind the one that best can be illustrated by floats, novelties and costumes. The theme that receives the most votes will be announced on Sept. 13, so vote this week on the website or the group’s Facebook page.
Fundraising chair Cynde Bost is coordinating the third annual Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament and Bingo Night from 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 1 at the Burbank Elks Lodge. Pre-sale tickets are $60, or $75 at the door. Food and drinks can be purchased. For advance tickets, contact Bost at cyndebost@gmail.com or (818) 572-5273.
Sheridan Gardens’ matriarch celebrates 100th
Best wishes go out to Dorothy Arlene Waldron who celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday. Her husband, the late Leon Waldron, was the founder of Sheridan Gardens, which had a location in Burbank for many years.
Dorothy Waldron was born on Aug. 28, 1916, in Des Moines, Iowa. Her parents moved the family to a farm in Lancaster when she was 5 years old. She played the saxophone in the school band while attending Antelope Valley Union High School and graduated in 1934. She came to Burbank to find work and met her husband-to-be, Leon Waldron, at the Burbank Church of the Nazarene. Their first date was a flight over Glendale in a single-engine airplane.
Dorothy Waldron was hired to work for the superintendent of the Chevy Chase Estates in 1937 on Chevy Chase Drive. Leon Waldron was the greens keeper at the Chevy Chase Country Club. They were married in 1939 and realized their dream to live in the Chevy Chase Canyon, where she has continued to live for close to 80 years. Their first home was just a shack on Sheridan Road and, as they had their four children, Leon Waldron worked with a contractor to increase the living space.
The couple supplemented their income canning and selling cuttings from the juniper bushes, ivy and ivy geraniums on their property. In the winter of 1949, a major snow storm froze their inventory. At the same time, floods destroyed a nursery owned by Leon Waldron’s father in Sun Valley.
The plants were washed into the street and people helped themselves. The elder Waldron, disgusted by the public’s disregard for property, then sold the business to his son, and he called it Sheridan Gardens Nursery — after Sheridan Road.
Sheridan Gardens grew to three locations and a landscape business. Over the years, most of the children and grandchildren worked in the business. Dorothy Waldron worked in the garden shop at one time. The nursery was sold in 2015, but former son-in-law, Dave Junod, continues to run Sheridan Landscaping.
Leon Waldron passed away in 2010. Dorothy Waldron continues to live in the Glendale family home they purchased in 1952.
Business group recognizes its own
Ardis Bazyn, of Burbank, was installed for a second term as president of the Verdugo Glen chapter of the American Business Women’s Assn. during its 53rd anniversary celebration at the Glendale Elks Lodge.
Joining her on the board are Anne Marie Johnson, vice president; Kathy Preshaw, recording secretary; Lisa Swain, of Burbank, corresponding secretary; and Teri Chandler, treasurer. Past president Lynn White Shelby, also of Burbank, conducted the installation of officers.
Mistress of ceremonies Marty Preciado introduced the past presidents attending. They were Bazyn, Shelby, Donna Hempel, Kathryn Van Houten, Maria Tapang, Lori Hartwell, Sharon Jaeger, Nancy Johnson, of Burbank; Rhea Rader and Evelyn Reichgelt.
She then presented the Woman of the Year pin to all members who have received that distinction since the league was formed.
Sharon Ecklund Jaeger announced the four young women receiving scholarships. They were Adrianna Ochoa, attending West Coast University; Christina Leon and Daniela Ruvalcaba, both attending Cal State Northridge; and Elizabeth Leon, attending Los Angeles Valley College. Funds are raised primarily through the organization’s annual spring fashion show.
The purpose of the American Business Women’s Assn. is to bring together business women of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.
For membership information or to learn more about the organization, contact Johnson at (626) 354-6478.
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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.