By DR. LARRY MOSES
Gold Star Award…It has been quite a while since I have given out a gold star. Those of you who are regular readers of my column are familiar with my Gold Star Awards.
It was a practice I started when I was a school administrator. I awarded a Gold Star to students who did something special for their school and fellow students. Sometimes it was monumental and at other times simply a kind gesture.
When this program was brought to the attention of the CCSD Central Office personnel, one of their representatives asked me to explain the criteria for the award so they might encourage it’s use throughout the District. When I replied there was no set criteria, it was merely a judgement call on my part, he was no longer interested. He said something to the effect that if it can be quantified it can’t be important. That was fine with me. I continued the program.
This week I would like to award a Gold Star to Shanna and Gary McPheters, as well as their volunteers at “Brooke’s Good Deeds.” The McPheter’s have recently imported a non-profit organization they created in Anchorage, Alaska, to Logandale. It is located at 3475 N. Moapa Valley Blvd. It is in the old ex-dairy/ex-hot rod shop on the west side of the road headed just north of the Logandale bridge. The non-profit was established in the memory of the McPheters’ daughter, Brooke who was killed by a drunk driver in August. 2013. Brooke was fifteen years old at the time of her death.
The organization was originally created in 2014 in Anchorage, Alaska. The stated purpose of “Brooke’s Good Deeds” is to honor the life of the founders’ daughter, Brooke, and her love of community service and helping others.
Under the management of these good people, a Golden Groceries and an All Ages Pantry is serving both Moapa Valley and Mesquite; and is now headquartered in Logandale. The All Ages Pantry is open to families and individuals of all ages offering a variety of supplemental grocery options. The distribution dates for the All Ages Pantry are Monday-Wednesday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
The Golden Groceries program provides delicious, healthy, supplemental groceries such as lean proteins, whole grains, and fresh produce to those who are 60 and older. Home delivery options are available.
The founders of Brooke’s Good Deeds stated: “Our pantry is here to provide a dignified, pleasant experience for all.”
Distribution dates for Golden Groceries are on Fridays of each week 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. The homebound can call 702-283-6118 to arrange for a home delivery in Moapa Valley or Mesquite.
The founders of Brooke’s Good Deeds welcomes you to drop in for a visit. They further welcome any volunteers who would like to help in the distribution of their goods. I would encourage you to stop in and meet Shanna and Gary McPheters. I am sure they would welcome any help you might wish to give this fine non-profit.
This is the kind of effort that makes small towns worth living in. They and their volunteers deserve a Gold Star as they bring triumph over tragedy.
For more information about this wonderful organization, you may call the number above.
No one asked me but… In September 1917, Moapa Valley High School opened its doors for education in a brown two-story sculptured masonry building in Overton. There were 28 students with two teachers and a principal. The first class graduated two years later with two students in 1919.
The red brick “Old Gym” was added in 1938 under the Federal Government’s Public Works (WPA) program. Through the years, the Old Gym became the center of community activity. It was the home of all high school and community athletic contests until the larger “New Gym” was built in 1964.
In addition, the Old Gym was the site of every community and school dance, as well as every dance review until its condemnation in 1990.
In 2001, after the “Old Gym” had been closed for ten years and fallen victim to a fire, a group of citizens decided to renovate the historic old building that had served the community so well those many years. It was their vision that the “Old Gym” would provide a place for community activities in the nature of class reunions, formal dances, classes of all kinds, all forms of recreation as well as after school activities.
Today, the Old Gym is first and foremost an overflow facility for the local schools and Clark County recreation programs. The Old Gym is located on the grounds of W. Mack Lyon Middle School at 353 West Thomas Ave. in Overton, Nevada.
On Friday October 28, 2022, from 5-7pm the Board of the Old Overton Gym will hold its annual Halloween Family-Friendly Carnival. From 4:30 to 5:00 pm the carnival will open exclusively for children with special needs. These special youngster are welcome all evening but these 30 minutes will be reserved exclusively for them.
There will be a myriad of food available including bake sales, game booths, and popcorn/caramel corn. All are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. Game tickets are 27 tickets for $5. All games require three tickets to play.
There will be a Frito Pie Dinner available for $5 with a drink and corn dogs for $1.
This will also be a great time to sign up for a membership in the Old Overton Gym support group. If you wish to know more about this old historic building you can go to oldovertongym.com.
Thoughts of the week…A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love. – Saint Basil “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
—Margaret Mead
