BATTLE MOUNTAIN - Baked ham and all of the trimmings was served on Dec. 14 as the traditional Christmas dinner to all of the seniors. Attendance was lower than usual due to the snow that came the night before, but the snow helped to bring in the holiday spirit. It is always good to see many people we haven't seen for a long time and have a good visit.
Newmont contributed to the Christmas dinner this year and their first responder team served dinner to everyone. A special thanks to all of them.
The Senior of the Year award was again awarded.
This year it was given to Aida Stovall. Aida came to America when she was a teenager from Guatemala. She lived with an aunt in Texas while she went to school and learned the English language. She said the change was hard for her to adjust. Later she joined the marines where she met her future husband, David, and later they married. They raised a family and later located to Battle Mountain.
Aida took care of her mother, Dorcas Juarez, for many years. Dorcas had polio when she was younger and was crippled in her leg and foot. It was hard for her to walk and get around. Aida tried to get her to the senior center as often as possible for meals and socializing. I remember her as being such a proud lady to be an American. She would always tell this to her friends. Everyone got to know these special people as they participated in all activities.
Aida helped out in volunteer council activities such as council secretary and treasurer. She has also helped out in all fund raisers. She has a good listening ear for those in need. We are very happy to give the Senior of the Year 2012 award to Aida Stovall.
Bob Rives retired from Echo Bay and Newmont as an electrician in July 2012. His hobby has been making wooden ship models. He became inspired by his father-in-law, James Gorel in 2009. He buys the kits and the plans to make these boats. The kits may cost between 200-600 dollars. Some of them come from Spain and some of them he gets in Florida. When he was a child he made model airplanes. He showed one to me and it was mounted on the ceiling and looked very intricate. The models he makes now could take from six months to one year to complete.
He completed the" HMS Surprise", from the movie, Master and Commander, with Russel Crowe in it. It is shown in the Rives living room. He also made the US Constellation - American Frigate 1798 that the U.S.N. built.
Her missions included seizing numerous ships, defending the Hawaiian Islands and transporting food to Ireland during the great Famine of 1845-1849. Bob and Mary Lou were able to visit the original U.S. Constellation which is anchored in Baltimore, Maryland. They were able to see it in May 2012. They also got a tour of the ship which was very impressive to them. It was also the 1st U.S. warship to visit China in 1842. It became a training vessel in 1871.
He also made the Santa Maria. The Santa Maria, Pinta, and Nina ships were famous the world over for their part in Columbus's discovery of the New World.
The HMS Endeavour was launched in 1765. Three years later, Captain Cook discovered Australia and the Tahiti Islands. She returned to England in 1771 bringing back all kinds of animals and vegetables unknown to Europe. Bob has several of his ships on display at our local museum. He made one for our senior center raffle that was won by Robin York.
I enjoyed visiting with his wife Mary Lou and meeting his two beagle dogs. I think you have a very special hobby, Bob.
We would like to thank everyone that contributed to our raffle. We wish everyone a prosperous, happy, and healthy 2013.
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