P a r a m o u n t
December 2016
Serving the Community Since 1990
www.paramountchamber.com
Thanksgiving Event A Good Time for Nearly 500 Local Elders The elders of our community were honored Thursday, November 17 at the 36th Annual Seniors Thanksgiving Dinner. It was a capacity crowd of almost 500 folks who danced to the tunes of Grupo Neblina, dined on a turkey lunch with all the trimmings, won a gaggle of raffle prizes, and just had an enjoyable time. The surroundings were decorated brightly and there was much visiting, laughter, and happy conversation filling the room. The usual team of volunteers worked seamlessly – the Paramount Rotary Club and City staff plated the food and the Paramount High School Corsairs service club, with help from the local Wells Fargo branch, served. The participation of these terrific community members, year in and year out, helps make this event a great success. Healthcare Partners of America, Caremore Health Plan, and Applecare Medical Group were on site as sponsors. In addition, multiple local businesses provided money and prizes to offset the costs. A special thank you to all who made these contributions. Your generosity is much appreciated. $500+ L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe; Clinica Medica Hispana; Ace Clearwater Enterprises; Caremore Health Plan; Communication Workers of America Local 9400; Weber Metals; Applecare Medical Group; HealthCare Partners of America; Total Western. Up to $300 Paramount Petroleum; Standard Catering; Tepic Sister Cities; CalMet Services; FENICO Precision Casting; Knights of Columbus. Under $200 Demaria Electric Motor Services; Los Compadres Restaurant; The Water Store; Vicky Professional Services; Walmart. Gift Certificates Alondra Hot Wings; Antojitos Mexicanos; Bank of California; Big Ben Car Wash; Casa Gamino Restaurant; Enrique’s Mexican Restaurant; Gus’s Deli; The Home Depot; Los Compadres Restaurant; Northgate Market; Shakey’s Pizza. Part of the tradition of the Senior Thanksgiving Dinner is acknowledging those in the crowd who are 90 years old and above. A few of them spoke this year with the Pulse Beat.
Refugio Gomez 100, born September 8, 1916 “Everybody be happy, share what you have, be nice to people, give respect.” This was just part of the positive outlook on life that Refugio shared. “I’ve been in Paramount since 1965. Some of the neighborhoods had no sidewalks, now it looks pretty nice. I bought two homes here back then for $65,000.”
Chize Ouchi, 97, born on Dec. 28, 1918. “Keep everybody healthy, enjoy every minute of every day, that’s what I tell my great grandchildren,” Chize said. “Been here since 1948 and really love Paramount.” In the early days, she and her husband, Edward, had a chicken ranch. “Paramount has progressed and became a really great city.”
Paramount Chamber of Commerce
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Ralph Matsumoto 95, born on June 9, 1921. While Thanksgiving is enjoyable for Ralph, “The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday since that’s our wedding anniversary.” He and his wife, Amy, will have lived in Paramount for 60 years in Paramount as of 2017. “We’re known as Paramount Pioneers, since that was the year the City incorporated. We could see cows right across the street when we opened our kitchen windows.”
Santiago Mata 92, born July 22, 1924 “I like everything and love everybody,” Santiago said in reference to a good, long life. “And Paramount is a beautiful town, very clean.”
Glenn Swain 92, born November 28, 1923 “Springtime in the Rockies is my favorite time of year,” Glenn said, which was also a reference to his favorite song. “I spent five years in the Army during World War II and received three Purple Hearts. This area, years ago, was all cows, dairies all over the place, lots of oranges, and there have been lots of changes over the years.”
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