P a r a m o u n t
pulse Beat
December 2015
Serving the Community Since 1990
Celebration of Our Seniors During Annual Turkey Feast Fest
www.paramountchamber.com
Part of the event’s tradition is acknowledging those in the crowd who are 90 years old and above. A few of them spoke this year with the Pulse Beat. Emelia Defour The eldest in attendance this year at age 101, born July 20, 1914, in Trinidad, Tobago, West Indies. Emelia has lived in Paramount for 43 years. “I enjoy Paramount and love California. I enjoy my children, they treat me so good, I am blessed by them.” She was also the winner of a $100 American Express gift card during the raffle!
The annual Seniors Thanksgiving event was held at the Paramount Park Gym on November 19th.
The City of Paramount held its 35th Annual Seniors Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 19th to honor the elders of our community. It was a capacity crowd for dancing, dining, raffle prizes, and more. The dance floor was crowded during the performance of Grupo Neblina. The Paramount Park gym was decorated for the season and filled with lively conservation as friends, both old and new, visited among the tables. Thanks to the seamless work of the usual team of volunteers – including the Paramount Rotary Club, the Paramount High School Corsairs service club, and City staff – the food flowed easily and quick. The participation of these terrific community members, year in and year out, helps make this event a great success. A special thank you goes out to all of the local businesses who contributed to this year’s event. Their cash support and
Chizui Ouchi 96, born on Dec. 28, 1918. Has lived in Paramount since 1948. Is an honorary Rotary Club member, as her husband,
Edward, was in the club; he also served as Paramount’s City Treasurer. “I know the city changed its name, it was Hynes before becoming Paramount. We had a chicken ranch in town. We would dress them and sell them locally to the stores, which were mostly mom and pop stores since there were not too many big markets back then. We also sold to restaurants. In those days, eating chicken was for a Sunday dinner.” As to tips for a long life? “Be happy. I tell my grandchildren each day to enjoy every minute.”
Ralph Matsumoto 94, born on June 9, 1921. Ralph and his wife, Amy, moved to town when Paramount incorporated as a city in 1957. They were honored, along with many of their neighbors who also settled in the City at the same time, by the City Council as “Paramount Pioneers.” “Long’s Dairy was right across the street from us. We opened the curtains and we saw cows. I think you have to take it easy for a long life.”
raffle prize donations make the Thanksgiving fun possible. The City appreciates their generosity.
$500+
L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe; Ace Clearwater, Inc.; Caremore Health Plan; Clinica Medica Hispana; Communication Workers of America Local 9400; Weber Metals, Otto Fuchs Aerospace Group.
Up to $300
Paramount Petroleum; Standard Catering; Tepic Sister Cities; CalMet Services; FENICO Precision Casting; Knights of Columbus.
Under $200
Victor Valadez 92, born on July 28, 1923, in Mexico City. Victor came to Paramount in 1947 and worked in a factory that manufactured garden hoses. His tips for a long life? “No drinking alcohol, no smoking, no night life, just enjoy life.”
Alondra Hot Wings; Demaria Electric Motor Services; Taqueria 2 Amigos; The Water Store; Vicky Professional Services.
Gift Certificates
Antojitos Mexicanos; Bank of California; Big Ben Car Wash; Casa Gamino; El Compa Restaurant; Enrique’s Mexican Restaurant; Gus’s Deli; The Home Depot; Northgate Gonzalez Market; Rosewood Restaurant; Shakey’s Pizza.
See More Photos on Page 5 Paramount Chamber of Commerce
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