Archive for June 25, 2013

Summer Basketball: La Habra Lady Highlanders win a close one over Whittier Christian.

Lady Highlanders win 31 to 27 vs. Whittier Christian in a nail-biter June 24, 2013 at Wilson High School in Hacienda Heights.

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Whittier Christian and La Habra girls basketball teams finished neck-and-neck on Monday, June 24, 2013 at Wilson High School in Hacienda Heights. La Habra was down 13 to 10 at the half but was able to extend the lead by as much as eight points early in the second half. Whittier Christian closed the gap to one point in the final minutes but wasn’t able to stop the Lady Highlanders, who ended up winning 31 to 27.

This week’s homily by the Rev. Thomas M. Boles, Ph.D.

A little girl was once in a very bad mood. She took her frustration out on her younger brother, at first just teasing him, but eventually, punching him, pulling his hair, and kicking him in the shins.

The boy could take it all, and even dish back a few blows, until the
kicking began. That hurt! And he went crying to his mother,
complaining about what his sister had done.

The mother came to the little girl and said, “Mary, why have
you let Satan put it into your heart to pull your brother’s hair and
kick his shins?”

The little girl thought it over for a moment and then answered,
“Well, Mother, maybe Satan did put it into my hart to pull Tommy’s
hair, but kicking his shins was my own idea.”

All the evil in the world doesn’t come from direct satanic
involvement. Much of it comes from the heart of man. What we do with our anger, feelings of hatred, and frustrations is subject to our will.
We can choose how we will respond to stress, or to the behavior of
others. Our challenge is to govern our emotions; otherwise, they will
rule in tyranny over us.

A man is never in worse company than
when he flies into a rage and is beside himself

He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly

Proverbs 14:17

Tom and Virginia Boles given highest honor by the YMCA

Virginia and Tom Boles share smiles in their La Habra home of 55 years on June 13, 2013. They both were recently awarded the 2013 Myron Claxton Distinguished YMCA Service Award for their many years of contributions to the ‘Y.’

Longtime lovebirds made a career giving back to community

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By Tim Traeger

Editor

411whittier.com

WHITTIER — If you want the ultimate sendoff when your mortal coil escapes this earth, look no further than the Rev. Thomas Boles. If volunteerism is your passion, look no further than Tom’s wife, Virginia.

A multiplatformed businessman in everything from embalming, mergers and acquisitions, sales (of anything) and community service, Tom recently added another feather to his gently graying cap – the 2013 Myron Claxton Distinguished YMCA Service Award from the YMCA of Greater Whittier. Involved in the ‘Y’ for 80 of her 88 years, Virginia was equally honored.

“I have really not met anyone in Whittier who works so tirelessly on behalf of so many good causes than Tom and Virginia,” said Mike Blackmore, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Whittier. “The YMCA has been a huge beneficiary of their time, talent and treasure. But the thing that makes me feel the best is that both Tom and Virginia grew up in the YMCA. Virginia attended our very own YMCA Camp Arbolado when she was a little girl and Tom with the ‘Y’ in Columbus, Ohio. So even though I did not know them personally the first 70 years of their lives, I know that the ‘Y’ was there helping to raise solid citizens just like we endeavor to do today. I count Tom and Virginia as two of YMCA’s and Whittier’s best friends.”

“It was fun to be involved in the ‘Y’,” Virginia said. “And know that you were trying to make the community a better place for youths. It’s amazing how many kids come to the ‘Y’ now. Little guys and older people, there’s something there for everybody. I was just happy to be part of that. I was proud to be on the board.”

Although Tom Boles, 86, was honored for his commitment to the YMCA, his experience as a minister is his current claim to fame. When someone who has ever heard him deliver a eulogy needs someone to officiate over a funeral service, the phone rings.

“There’s a lot of people that after they hear Tom give a service, they say they would like Tom to do my service,” Virginia said inside their palatial four-story, four-bathroom home in La Habra.. “There’s been people from the Friends Church and Presbyterian Church that have their own ministers who still ask Tom to come in and do it. People from the Shrine.”

Virginia guessed her husband of 33 years has performed at least 80 final sendoffs, many to important community leaders like former Whittier Mayor Delta Murphy and former columnist and former Whittier Daily News editor Bill Bell.

“In addition to weddings and baby blessings. It’s just kind of amazing how these people come out of the woodwork and ask him. Whether it’s a funeral or a wedding or whatever,” Virginia said.

While Virginia – a third generation Whittierite – is a staunch supporter of the Assistance League of Whittier, the Whittier Historical Society, the YMCA and myriad other philanthropic groups, her husband comes with his own impressive resume. Tom runs a ministry on Skid Row, pastors to two local churches and holds down the religious fort at PIH Health, formerly known as Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital, and was knighted by the Greek Orthodox Church. When he was potentate of the Shriners in the greater Los Angeles area, he oversaw 25,000 members. In addition he helped form the Whittier Area First Day Coalition, a homeless shelter, alongside the late community icon and oil man Ed Shannon. He is a former president of the Rio Hondo Symphony.

Tom Boles was born in Shadyside, Ohio. The future man of God got his early beginnings in Columbus. At the age of 4, the giddy red-head was tap dancing for pennies. Literally.

“I started performing in Shadyside when I was quite young. I was 4 or 5 years old when I got my first stage appearance at a Masonic lodge. I was a tap dancer. All of my performances were from Pittsburg to Whitting, W.Va.  and the Ohio Valley.

“It was Vaudeville,” Virginia interjected.

“I stayed in show business until high school in Columbus,” the reverend said. “What we got paid was from what people threw up on the stage, which was basically pennies. In those days pennies bought a lot. Ten pennies bought a loaf of bread. Ten pennies bought a quart of milk. Pennies counted and my mom (Irene) made sure I picked every penny up,” Tom Boles said.

“It was tough. We had to watch the food. A can of beans had to last two nights. A loaf of bread had to last a week. A quart of milk had to last three days. We always had enough to eat though. I don’t remember ever being hungry. I know my mom had to be measuring everything to make it last,” he said.

Boles took dancing lessons from Mary Elizabeth Vasic, who trained Bill “Mr. Bojangles” Robinson. “That was kind of her fame,” Boles said.

In an antiquated form of day care, Irene had to make sure her only son wasn’t goofing off after school.

“She had to make sure I went some place. I either had to go to the YMCA or my church. And sign in and stay there until she got out of work.”

Tom Boles entered the U.S. Navy right out of high school. He was sworn in and served aboard the military transport ship the USS Admiral Simms, AP 127, in 1945.

“We weren’t in any sea battles because we were always hiding from the enemy,” Boles said.

After leaving the Navy, Boles briefly attended pre-med school at Otterbein College in Ohio on the GI Bill. He hated every minute of it. So in 1948 at the behest of a friend, Boles decided to hitchhike from Ohio to Los Angeles and enroll in embalming college. His first job laid the foundation for his eventual arrival in Whittier. He worked at Vosque Mortuary on Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles.

“God it was awful. We had murders on our front porch. We had a woman raped on our front porch. Right next door was a beer joint. One day they blew it up with a cocktail bomb. I just wanted to get out of there,” Tom Boles said.

So he took a job at Swert-Barber Funeral Home on the corner of Philadelphia Street and Pickering Avenue, where the Mosaic Gardens complex now stands, working for Ruth Barber.

About this time he met his first wife, Barbara Bragg. They were married for 26 years and had four children, one deceased, before she died in 1976. Barbara’s grandfather was one of the original settlers of Whittier. Boles has seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

“L.D. Proud helped start the Quaker Church,” Tom Boles said. “His homestead was right where the YMCA is now, on the corner of Pickering and Hadley. “

After a six-year stint in embalming, Boles built wooden shipping boxes for Holmes and Narver, Inc., worked for the Fluor Corp. in purchasing, Honeywell Inc. selling military electronics and the Worthington Corp. selling pumps and cryogenic valves. He later bought businesses selling eyeglass frames and stainless steel kitchen units.

In the early 1970s Tom started his own business, Sun Union Inc., buying and selling companies large and small.

“I was very lucky. I loved sales. I worked hard. I got up early in the morning. Nothing was handed to me. I was the only salesman I know who wore a hat, suit and a tie. The receptionist would always remember the guy who was wearing the hat,” he said.

“I’ve had a lot of jobs,” he said.

Virginia Boles was born at Murphy Memorial Hospital in Whittier, is on the “Y’ Prayer Breakfast committee and helped plan the new ‘Y’ building on Hadley Street following the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. But that’s just the tip of her volunteerism iceberg.

Following high school, Virginia attended UC Berkeley and graduated with a degree in dental hygiene. She worked for a plethora of dentists before devoting her time to giving that time away for worthy causes.

She has served as chairman of the Hathaway Museum board in Santa Fe Springs and is on the board of the Whittier Historical Museum, which her mother, Leona, helped found. The Leona Myer gift shop inside the museum on Newlin Avenue is named after Virginia’s mother, who attended a one-room schoolhouse, the Little Lake Schoolhouse, in Santa Fe Springs. Virginia is also a driving force behind the Assistance League of Whittier.

“When my mother passed away in 1986, I took some time off from each of the (dentist) offices and the more I took off, the more I liked it,” Virginia said. That’s where her volunteerism kicked into overdrive.

“I guess it was then that I started doing a lot of volunteer work in Whittier,” Virginia said. “I joined the Assistance League and the PEO (Philanthropic Educational Association) and the ‘Y’ board and I became involved in the (Whittier Historical Society) museum and several other things. So from 1987 to now it’s just been doing volunteer work and helping the community advance.

“I hope I’ve been able to do some good,” she said. “I enjoy volunteer work and it keeps me busy. I have piles of papers everywhere.”

Like mother, like daughter.

“My mother used to say she wished she had more money so she could give it away,” Virginia said. “She did a lot of good.”

Tom was the last dental patient of the day when he first asked Virginia out on a date.

“I was kinda lonesome so I asked her if she’d like to go out and have a drink. She said, ‘I don’t drink.’ So let’s go have a cup of coffee. ‘I don’t drink coffee.’ I was reaching for something. So I said let’s go have a dish of ice cream. And she said ‘yes.’

“So we went to have a dish of ice cream and I was taken by everything. She was world-traveled. She’d been to every continent in the world. Interesting to talk to,” Tom said of Virginia.

“That one dish of ice cream led to another dish of ice cream.  Then we went to Maldonado’s in Pasadena. Then finally one day I said ‘I think we ought to get married.’ And she said, ‘OK.’”

“I lived on Ocean View Avenue,” Virginia recalled. “I rented an apartment that belonged to the Kirkwoods of the Kirkwood Tire Company on Greenleaf. He asked me and I said yes. It just developed from there and here we are 33 years later.”

Following a successful career in business, what finally brought Tom Boles to the Lord?

“I had a calling,” he said. “I was 68 years old. It happened one night. I was upstairs, sleeping in bed, I heard this voice, ‘go back to school to prepare yourself and follow Me.’ I got to thinking that that must be God talking to me. The Lord telling me to go back to school. Do something. Follow Me.”

The next morning Boles called Fuller Seminary in Pasadena. He got in his car and drove to Pasadena. Even without the prerequisite college degree, the enigmatic Boles talked his way into the master’s program.

He graduated with his master’s in theology in 2000 while at the same time earning a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College online. The lifelong learner went on to get his doctorate in ministry from Trinity and earned a Ph.D. in theological studies from Edinberg Seminary in Cleveland. He currently is studying the Dead Sea Scrolls, the history of Judaism, the New Testament and comparative religions online through North Carolina University.

Yet for all his love for learning, Tom Boles’ enduring fascination remains with Virginia.

“I couldn’t live without her,” Tom said.

“And versa-visa,” Virginia quipped.

“Like he says, you dirty the clothes and I wash them. I cook the dinner and he eats it.”

Amen to that.

Tim Traeger is a Whittier resident and former editor of the Whittier Daily News. Write to him at editor@411whittier.com or call 626-646-7352.

Whittier Sports Briefs 6/25/13

Youth football camp

Pioneer High School, 10800 E. Benavon St. in Whittier, will host its Titan Youth Instructional Camp.

The camp, open to children ages 7 to 14, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30. The cost is $35 per camper.

The price includes lunch, T-shirt, individual camp awards and visits by former NFL and college players. The camp features combine testing, speed and agility training, football position training, and individual and group work.

For more information, call 562-698-8121, Ext. 5425 or visit www.wuhsd.org/phsfootball.

 

Whittier Area Youth Soccer

Whittier Area Youth Soccer will accept registration from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 29, at Parnell Park, 15390 Lambert Road in Whittier. The registration fee is $120.

For more information, visit www.eteamz.com/ways/.

Tennis lessons

The city of Whittier offers a beginning youth tennis course for children ages 7 to 15.

The session, which consists of 10 classes, is slated from 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, July 1 to Aug. 2, at Palm Park, 5703 Palm Ave.

Class structure provides instruction in basic groundstrokes, serve, net play and game scoring. A racket is provided for participants. The fee is $102 for residents and $117 for nonresidents.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

 

Skateboarding

Children ages 6 to 17 can register for the city of Whittier’s beginning skateboarding class.

The Saturday program is slated from 9 to 10:30 a.m. June 29 to July 27, at Whittier Community Center, 7630 Washington Ave. Students must wear helmet, elbow and knee pads, and bring their own skateboard.

The fee is $107 for residents and $122 for nonresidents.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

 

Aerobiz

This class, offered by the city of Whittier, features aerobic dances, kickboxing, sports drills and interval training.

The program, open to ages 15 and above, is scheduled from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m., Thursdays from June 27 to Sept. 12 at Palm Park.

The fee is $32 for residents and $37 for nonresidents.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

 

Youth soccer

Lil All Stars Soccer is offered to children ages 3 to 6.

Each participant will learn the basic fundamentals, rules and organization of soccer.

The first three weeks will be broken into skill drills such as basic dribbling, passing and control drills, throw-ins, corner kicks, how to trap the ball, offensive and defensive positions, and more, along with team concept. The final week will be a scrimmage to imitate a game situation.

Parents must stay at park for the entire duration of class. Participants should bring a soccer ball.

Four Saturday sessions, which are scheduled from June 29 to July 27, will be offered at Michigan Park, 8228 Michigan Ave. in Whittier. Children ages 3 to 4 can register for either the 8:30 or 9:15 a.m. Class. Youngsters ages 4 to 6 can sign up for either the 10:10 or 11 a.m. session.

The fee is $50 for residents and $55 for nonresidents.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

 

Summer swim lessons

The city of Whittier offers summer swimming lessons at both Palm Park, 5703 Palm Ave., and La Serna High School, 15301 Youngwood Drive.

Registration is under way for any open session. It is recommended that participants sign-up at either the Palm Park pool or La Serna pool.

The city’s swimming lesson program is based on the American Red Cross LEARN TO SWIM program. It teaches aquatic and safety skills in a logical progression.

For class schedules and more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

 

Diving at Palm Park

Three more diving class sessions, open to children ages 5 to 17, are scheduled for Palm Park.

The next Monday through Friday class is slated from July 1 to 12. The next two sessions are scheduled from July 15 to 25 and from July 29 to Aug. 8. The fee is $47 and the resident discount fee is $42.

For class schedules and more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

 

Recreational swim

Palm Park offers recreational swimming until Aug. 25. Recreational swimming will also be offered on Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and 2.

The program is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The fee is $2. No swimming is slated for Aug. 16, 20 and 23.

An adult must accompany any child under age 7.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

 

Family Fitness and Health

The city of Whittier will offer a family fitness and health class this summer.

Parents can bring their son or daughter to work out together for a healthier and better life. There will be different options available for adults and kids. The same parent and child partners must attend. Children must be at least 8 years old.

Two Wednesday sessions are scheduled for the Whittier Community Center, 7630 Washington Ave. The first program is scheduled from July 3 to 31, followed by a second session that will run from Aug. 14 to Sept. 11.

The fee is $35 for residents and $40 for nonresidents.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

 

Beginning gymnastics

This program, open to ages 8 to 18, includes warm-up exercises for conditioning and flexibility, as well as floor exercises and balance beam work. Instruction will also be given on other apparatus, including mini-trampoline, bars, vault and tumbling.

The Tuesday session is slated from 6:30 to 7:25 p.m. Aug. 6 to Sept. 10, at Parnell Park Activity Center, 15390 Lambert Road. The fee is $59.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Murphy Ranch All-Stars start on impressive note

By Eric Terrazas, www.411whittier.com

Murphy Ranch Little League All-Star starting pitcher Austin Rosario winds up against the West Yorba Linda All-Stars on June 23, 2013. Rosario earned the victory in Murphy Ranch’s 10-5 victory in a winner’s bracket game at the District 56 tournament in Fullerton.

FULLERTON – The Murphy Ranch Little League All-Stars started quickly and didn’t look back in its opening game June 23, 2013 at the District 56 major division (ages 11-12) tournament.

Jacob Garcia, Brett Shryne and Alex Flores paced a balanced offensive attack that helped spark Murphy Ranch to a 10-5 victory over the West Yorba Linda All-Stars.

Eight players drove in at least a run for Murphy Ranch, which raced out to a early 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

Garcia collected a team-high three hits, which included a run-scoring triple. Flores’ two-run homer and Shryne’s two-hit performance also lifted Murphy Ranch.

Murphy Ranch starting pitcher Austin Rosario earned the win by scattering six hits and striking out five in 4 1/3 innings.

Murphy Ranch advanced to a winner’s bracket game against East Fullerton, which is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. Saturday, June 29, at the Fullerton Sports Complex.

“Our goal number one is completed,” Murphy Ranch manager Brent Anderson said of his team’s triumph. “Jacob Garcia and Alex Flores led our team on offense. We’re going to take it easy and get some rest, regroup and get back at it.”

Anderson added on West Yorba Linda, “They played us tough and they had their share of hits. The difference was pitching – we outpitched them.”

Garcia started the game’s scoring when he delivered an RBI triple to center field, which drove in Shryne.

After Garcia scored on Bennett Thurman’s bunt single, Flores cleared the bases by blasting a two-run homer to right.

Leading 4-1 after two innings, Murphy Ranch took control by scoring five unanswered runs during the next three innings.

Andrew Maguire’s third-inning double set the stage for Justin Gomez’s one-run single.

Colin Mercado and Shryne each added to Murphy Ranch’s lead by producing back-to-back run-scoring hits in the fourth inning.

Evan Sipple’s lead-off single set the table for Rosario, who drove home Sipple with his base hit to right. Rosario then scored when Luke Garcia reached on a fielder’s choice.

Sipple completed Murphy Ranch’s scoring when he came through with an RBI single during the sixth.

West Yorba Linda showed some fight during its last at-bat in the sixth, scoring three runs. Spencer Vossman collected two RBIs to pace West Yorba Linda’s offense.

Ten Murphy Ranch players combined for 14 hits.

Hacienda Heights 7, Whittier 6

The Whittier All-Stars came up on the short end of a roller coaster opening-round game June 22, 2013 at the District 56 major division tournament.

Matthew Raffety played the heroic role for the Hacienda Heights All-Stars as he delivered a walk-off three-run homer in the sixth.

Chris Perez and Gabriel Gandara each delivered a base hit to set the stage for Raffety, who finished with five RBIs.

“It felt good,” Raffety said of his game-winning hit. “I knew people were on base. I tried to hit a home run and I did it for my team.”

Hacienda Heights manager Claudio Contreras added, “It’s a good win to start. It was the best win this year.”

After falling behind 4-0 after two innings, Whittier regrouped and scored six unanswered runs.

Joseph Ramirez started Whittier’s rally by hitting a three-run homer during the third inning.

Whittier then took a 5-4 lead on Trevor McNary’s fourth-inning run-scoring bunt single.

Jason Flock then increased Whittier’s advantage with an RBI bunt single during the sixth.

“The kids did not lay down,” Whittier manager Bob Small said. “I’m really proud of them. They gave 110 percent.”

Whittier will next play against West Fullerton in an elimination game scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 25 at the Fullerton Sports Complex.

eterrazas@411whittier.com

Dads, moms and marriage hanging in the balance

 

This last weekend, we along with many of you celebrated Father’s Day. It was a great opportunity to reflect upon all the good that has come from our fathers, father-figures, and our nation’s forefathers.

We are now just days away-perhaps mere hours away-from two of the most significant Supreme Court decisions in years.  By the end of the month, we expect to get major decisions from the High Court on both Prop. 8 and the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).  These two lawsuits represent two of the greatest attacks on fatherhood-as well as motherhood-that we have seen in our lifetimes.  Beyond all the hype of so-called “marriage equality,” the court imposed redefinition of marriage would create a sea change in public policy that insists fathers and mothers are interchangeable and irrelevant.  Already, in response to the never-ending demand for acceptance by homosexual activists, some schools no longer talk about Father’s Day or Mother’s Day, and some states are eliminating the words “father” and “mother” from birth certificates in favor of “parent 1, and parent 2.”

We believe dads and moms are still crucial to healthy families.  That’s why we have been fighting for years to defend the traditional definition of marriage.  Not only was PJI part of the ProtectMarriage coalition that vaulted Prop. 8 to voter approval in 2008, but we began years earlier by advocating for Prop. 22, the predecessor of Prop. 8.  Through our campaign to hold the Federal Department of Justice accountable for its egregious violations of basic attorney-client loyalty in its betrayal of DOMA (see NoWayDOJ.com) we are using every tool in our legal toolbox to restore the rule of law that is being threatened by these cases.

As we remember the importance of dads-and look ahead to these crucial decisions-I hope you will join me in saying a prayer for our nation and our families.  Thank you for your faithful support as we engage these crucial battles in the courts and on our knees.

Running the race,

Brad Dacus
President, Pacific Justice Institute

This is what it means to love your Bible

Courtesy of Israel Gomez: Amy Schultz, now of Tennessee, revels in the revelation she had found her personal Bible more than a month after it went missing at Calvary Baptist Church on Newlin Avenue in Whittier.

By Israel Gomez

Pastor of Students & Families

Calvary Baptist Church

WHITTIER – This is Amy Schultz.  She just graduated Magna Cum Laude from CSU Fullerton with a BS in Child and Adolescent development and a Minor in Natural Science.  The fascinating thing about this young woman is that she graduated with such honor and doesn’t seem to be seeking the most prestigious teaching job to start out.  Most people believe they are more than they are or seek jobs above their abilities.  In an age when recent grads expect large paychecks, more responsibility, or the head job; here, the brightest among them is seeking the job of a servant.  Amy is joining an organization called Teachers For America.  They believe that every student in America should have a chance at an excellent education.  They take recent graduates and put them in lower-income areas. Thus, Amy is joining them in rural Mississippi, where she will dive right into their community because she wants to teach kids who don’t have good access to education.

 

What gives a sharp woman like Amy the drive to give so much of herself to others when she could most likely land the big job?  She is profoundly gripped by Jesus and His Word.

 

On Mother’s Day, Amy was here at Calvary visiting her grandparents Ron and Nancy Shultz. When she left, she had forgotten something very precious to her, her Bible.  If you read your Bible it becomes very much a part of you.  It has notes, markings, journal entries, and ideas. In some cases, these may have taken years to complete in one precious Bible.  It is yours, with your thoughts and no one else’s.  You know the pages intimately, and you know what side of the page your favorite verses fall on, whether on the left or the right and that its layout is completely different from other Bibles.  With as profoundly personal an individual’s Bible might be to him or her, above all, it is God’s Word. For these reasons, Amy loves her Bible.

 

For more than a month she looked everywhere and no one could find it at any part of the facility at Calvary.  On June 30, more than a month from the time she had left it behind, she decided to give one last ditch-effort in locating her lost Bible.  She asked if she could take a look around the church.  I agreed to help look. When I was first greeted at the office door by Amy, I did notice that her eyes were watery, but passed it off as allergies. I had no idea it was because she was saddened with the agonizing notion that her Bible might be lost forever.  After unsuccessfully locating her Bible, I informed her that we would let her know if her Bible turned up. With tears in her eyes, and no perceivable history of allergies, she went on her way.

 

My wife and I decided to take one more look and found it in an unassuming corner of one of the side offices of the sanctuary. Instantly I called her grandmother and asked her to notify Amy to inform her of the good news and within minutes she drove back and was able to reunite with her Bible.  She was overjoyed.

 

This little morning episode got me excited about people who love their Bibles because they are excited about what God says.  This leaves me with one question to ponder.  If I lost my Bible today, would I miss it?

 

Whittier Sports Briefs 6/18/13

 

By Eric Terrrazas

www.411whittier.com

Summer Swim Lessons

The city of Whittier offers summer swimming lessons at both Palm Park, 5703 Palm Ave., and La Serna High School, 15301 Youngwood Drive.

Registration is under way for any open session. It is recommended that participants sign-up at either the Palm Park pool or La Serna pool.

The city’s swimming lesson program is based on the American Red Cross LEARN TO SWIM program. It teaches aquatic and safety skills in a logical progression.

For class schedules and more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Diving at Palm Park

Three more diving class sessions, open to children ages 5 to 17, are scheduled for Palm Park.

The next Monday through Friday class is slated from July 1 to 12. The next two sessions are scheduled from July 15 to 25 and from July 29 to Aug. 8. The fee is $47 and the resident discount fee is $42.

For class schedules and more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Recreational swim

Palm Park offers recreational swimming until Aug. 25. Recreational swimming will also be offered on Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and 2.

The program is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The fee is $2. No swimming is slated for Aug. 16, 20 and 23.

An adult must accompany any child under age 7.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Youth Football Camp

Pioneer High School, 10800 E. Benavon St. in Whittier, will host its Titan Youth Instructional Camp.

The camp, open to children ages 7 to 14, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30. The cost is $35 per camper.

The price includes lunch, T-shirt, individual camp awards and visits by former NFL and college players. The camp features combine testing, speed and agility training, football position training, and individual and group work.

For more information, call 562-698-8121, Ext. 5425 or visit www.wuhsd.org/phsfootball.

Aerobiz

This class, offered by the city of Whittier, features aerobic dances, kickboxing, sports drills and interval training.

The program, open to ages 15 and above, is scheduled from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m., Thursdays from June 27 to Sept. 12 at Palm Park.

The fee is $32 for residents and $37 for nonresidents.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

FBI Agent To Address Whittier Rotary

Special Agent Kevin Pratt, Federal Bureau of Investigation, will address the Whittier Sunrise Rotary Club at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25, at the Friendly Hills Country Club, 8500 Villaverde Drive, Whittier.  The program will include an overview of operations and current trends in federal crime.

The community is invited to attend, but reservations are needed due to limited space.  There is a charge for breakfast which is served at 7:30AM.  There is no charge for the program only.  For information, contact 562-693-7674.

Weekly Homily By Thomas Boles Ph.D.

One day, St. Francis of Assisi said to several of his followers: “Let us go to the village over the way and preach.”  As they went, they met a man who was greatly burdened in his spirit.  Francis was in no hurry, so he stopped and listened attentively to the man’s tale of woe.

Upon reaching the village, Francis talked with the shop-keepers, spent time with the farmers at their vegetable and fruit stalls, and played with the children in the streets.  On the way back to the monastery, he and his followers were met by a farmer with a load of hay.  Francis stopped to talk with him.  By the time he said good-bye, the morning was gone.

One of the followers seemed disappointed.  He said to Francis, “Brother Francis, you said you were going to preach.  The morning is spent and no sermon has been given.”

The saintly Francis replied, “But we have been preaching all the way.”  Not only do our thoughts give rise to words, but to actions.  As we think, so we speak and do.  As we act, so we are.  Choose, therefore, with great care what you will think.  In your thoughts are the seeds of your reputation.  Be careful of your thoughts:  They may become words at any TIME.

A wise man’s heart guides his mouth.

 

Proverbs 16:23

The Rev. Thomas M. Boles graduated with honors from Trinity Theological Seminary with his BT, DMin and D.D.degrees, also his MAT Degree from Fuller Theological Seminary and his PhD. in Biblical Studies at Newburgh Theological Seminary.