P A R A M O U N T
December 2010
www.paramountchamber.com
Serving the Community Since 1990
Thanksgiving Dinner A Celebration For And About Local Seniors
Henry Harkema August 7, 1911 (99)
Emelia Defour July 20, 1914 (96)
Helen Melton May 28, 1915 (95)
Fred Walker May 24, 1916 (94)
Refugio Gomez December 18, 1916 (93)
A Paramount resident for 75 years, Mr. Harkema is a former City Council member and Mayor. “I take a lot of vitamins, watch what I eat and think positively. I never think about age, and always assume that I’ll be here tomorrow. Pretty good genes help, too.”
In Paramount for 36 years, Ms. Defour is originally from the West Indies and has lived in many cities all over the country. “For me, it’s been about seeing that my kids and grandkids all grow up and are doing well.”
A Paramount resident for 65 years, Ms. Melton was an original member of the City’s Parks and Recreation Commission and served for 25 years. Regarding the key to a long life, she said: “I have no idea.” (A good sense of humor, though, obviously helps.)
Mr. Walker worked in town for a business that rented out tools for oil wells, where he would steamclean and paint them. “No drinking, no smoking. Just healthy living.”
Born in El Paso, TX, Mr. Gomez has been in Paramount “most of my life.” He served in Europe during World War II as an Army engineer. “I never smoked and don’t drink. Always be courteous and friendly. Respect everybody, forgive everybody, don’t do wrong, just do right.”
before the meal. Members of the Paramount Rotary Club, City employees and students from Paramount High School’s Corsairs service club served up the food in clockwork fashion. After dessert, Bill Pellegrino of the Rotary Club led the group in a spirited sing-along. A major financial sponsor of the event was AppleCare. Raffle prizes were generously donated by Paramount WalMart (for items to put in gift baskets) and Eastern Meats, Café Corleone and Rosewood Restaurant (gift certificates). Other contributors included: Our Lady of the Ro-
sary Knights of Columbus; Gateway Business Bank; Alondra Hot Wings; Clinica Medica Hispana; Mariscos El Perihuete #2; The Water Store; First Transit; Casa Gamino and Downey Plumbing, Heating & Air. As usual, it was a fun and friendly time for everyone involved, one of the highlights of the City’s annual schedule of special events. A distinctive tradition at each year’s Thanksgiving Dinner is acknowledgement of those seniors in attendance age 90 and above. They were introduced to the crowd and given flowers. Some of them shared their tips on longevity with the Pulse Beat.
T Robert Pleshe Dec. 20, 1917 (92)
Jose Perez (92) Oct. 8, 1918
In Paramount since 1960, Mr. Pleshe worked downtown with an express company and later retired from a job with the school district. “Regular work and labor every day has been very important to me.”
Mr. Perez was a truck driver who owned his own company. “I retired at 49! I was rich so decided to quit, and haven’t worked since. Been in Paramount since 1958, and bought my house for $7,000 from a realtor whose office was where Stater Bros. is now. For me, I just wake up every morning, and it’s all good.”
Paramount Chamber of Commerce
PULSE BEAT
15357 Paramount Boulevard, Paramount, CA 90723
he City of Paramount held its 30th Annual Seniors Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 18th to honor the elders of our community. The event – held in a festively decorated Paramount Park gym – offered a free day of entertainment and a fine meal with all the trimmings for more than 600 guests. The dance floor was crowded and swinging to the sweet sounds of Sugah Daddy. Mayor Tom Hansen and the Paramount City Council welcomed the gathering and Reverend Grady Jones of New Commandment Missionary Baptist Church gave the invocation
What’s inside Ask The Expert...........................10 Business Card Directory..............12-13 Business Corner..........................11 Cityscape...................................15
Help wanted................................ 9 Mayors Corner............................. 3 Members Only..............................14 New Members...............................11
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