COMMUNITY NEWS
Pajaro Valley Chamber Award Honorees T K he Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture will present its 60th Annual Awards at a dinner at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at the county fairgrounds, celebrating the people, businesses and organizations that have gone above and beyond to make the Pajaro Valley the best place to live, work and play. Honorees are:
Lifetime Achievement Lowell and Wendy Hurst ruly they have truly given a lifetime to the Pajaro Valley. Individually and as a couple, they have given their lives to the betterment of the community.
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Lowell and Wendy Hurst
After earning his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in agronomy and science and master’s degree in educational leadership and administration, Lowell had a long career as an agricultural science and horticulture teacher from 1978 until 2010, instilling Pajaro Valley knowledge to local students. He volunteered in the Peace Corps from 1976 until 1978 in the Kingdom of Nepal. Lowell was first elected to Watsonville City Council in 1989 and has served on the body for three stints during the past three decades. He has served as mayor three times. He has an unwavering dedication to the Pajaro Valley and its residents. Wendy was in education beginning in 1978 with a career at E.A. Hall as one of the first bilingual teachers in PVUSD. Wendy has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for many years, changing the lives of youth in foster care by being their voice and advocate. Wendy is active in Soroptimist International of Watsonville on their board of directors and volunteers at their many fundraising activities. Wendy is also active in Girls Inc., an organization that encourages girls ages 5-18 to live an active and healthy lifestyle.
DON’T BE FOOLED BY MEASURE D. Measure D is NOT Pro-trail
We’re already getting a trail, with some sections already open. Measure D will stop progress and delay the trail for years.
Measure D is opposed by:
Sierra Club, Roaring Camp, Democratic Party, Friends of the Rail & Trail, Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce, Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, Cabrillo Federation of Teachers, Youth for Climate Justice
For a full list visit nowaygreenway.com/opposed Paid for by No Way Greenway - Vote No on Deceptive Measure D P.O. Box 5624, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 www.NoWayGreenway.com 20 / May 15th 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
Man of the Year Ken Schwan en has catered for hundreds (if not thousands) of businesses and celebrations. He has been a major donor to local events, sports teams, Watsonville Senior Center, local charities and fundraisers. He was one of the first to help organize the first Evening of Wine and Roses and other events for Ken Schwan the Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust and helped start the galas at Notre Dame and St Francis schools. He has done fundraisers for the Diabetes Foundation, Agricultural History Project, Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Pajaro Valley Historical Association, the Rogers House, the YWCA, the Watsonville Fly-In, and so many more. Through the years, Ken hired many teens and adults from Teen Challenge and other adult-in-need services/programs in the community. In his private time, Ken has helped raise money for prostate cancer through the Distinguished Gentleman Sidecar Ride. He dressed in dapper attire with the dog by his side. They then rode up and down the coast of California in a sidecar rally and spread awareness while collecting donations for this great cause. Ken has generously donated hundreds of gift certificates and dinners to anyone who asked. He would bend over backwards to make accommodations for last-minute funerals to make things easier for a family in pain. The numbers of hours he has worked for nothing in return is immeasurable. From his own families’ weddings, friends asking for a favor, and the community asking for his wisdom and
knowledge, he has never given a second thought to helping. Ken is an amazing leader. He has always been willing to help…even when not getting paid. He has worked tirelessly to create a company that he and Watsonville can be proud of. In his retirement, Ken has left a legacy. He uses his experience to give advice to organizations planning events. He knows what works and what doesn’t…and shares his wisdom and great cooking! With the support of his wife, Kathy, his companion dog Rider, and countless friends, Ken is now ready to relax and enjoy retirement. Woman of the Year Renee Mello third-generation Watsonville native, Renee Mello was raised on a farm in the outskirts of Watsonville and attributes her work ethic to the summers she spent picking berries, tomatoes and apples. Having built a strong network of lifelong relationships here in the Pajaro Valley since her return in 1994. Her time away from Watsonville, from 1975 – 1994, were in Silicon Valley in the comRenee Mello puter industry as a salesperson. She got her bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University and her master’s of business administration while working in Silicon Valley. Upon her return to Watsonville, she met and in 1994 married her husband Bob Mello, whom she feels has been the reason for her success. After a short time at Bank of America she went back to real estate in the year 2000. Renee is not only a very accomplished real estate agent and personal/professional
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