Main Street

Book donation appears more feast than famine

By Mary Ann Cook

A BOOK AND ITS COVER: Who should know that old saw about a book and its cover better than Los Gatan Marge Rice? Rice is one of the handful of people who keep the book sale table at the Los Gatos Library fully loaded with used, donated books at 50 cents per.

The money accrued goes to Friends of the Library coffers and from thence is dispensed to the library for various enhancements, generally to enlarge the children's programs and to answer the library's wish list, submitted by director Gloria Grimes and her staff.

Sometimes the booksale people are inundated with donations; other times they are urging folks to rifle their shelves at home for books that can be recycled and re-read. It's either feast or famine for book donations, and there's no predicting what will appear on the library doorstep.

One day last month, three boxes of books appeared that looked ancient, unsaleable, even. Rice's heart sank on first spotting these orphans. But, as she studied them further, she realized that actually they were a rare find that might prove to be quite valuable.

Most were 18th- or even 17th-century editions in German. Some were venerable how-to books for surgeons. Some contained incredible etchings. Some were printed on vellum. All in all, a fabulous windfall, in marked contrast to her first appraisal of the contents.

Rice would very much like to thank the donor, if that person or persons will declare themselves. Meanwhile, the books have been taken to San Francisco in search of an appraiser who is experienced enough to do these tomes justice.

GARDNER GROWTH: How does your gardner grow? These Los Gatos Gardners--Perry and Gwen--have reared socially conscious offspring, two of whom are off serving humanity this summer. Darren Gardner is in Blue Hills, Nicaragua, for six months as part of his senior studies at UC-Santa Cruz.

His major is community studies and he'll be teaching in a high school in Nicaragua, the subjects yet to be determined. And his sister Alexis was assigned to Ecuador for seven weeks as part of the Amigos Program. Her project was to teach environmental concerns such as methods of farming.

But a transportation strike cut short her stay in Ecuador. Since the roads were closed, the Amigos couldn't get the equipment needed for the project, so the plan had to be abandoned and the students sent home. "We had a tense week until she was safely home," says Gwen. Alexis will be a senior at LGHS this fall.

The third Gardner offspring is Lauren, who recently completed her first year at the University of Redlands in Southern California. Gwen is an administrative assistant at Apple, and Perry is a project manager for DeMattei Construction. Harold Coleman, a Meadows resident, is the proud grandfather.

TREADING THE BOARDS: Treading the theatrical boards this summer is Tony Panighetti, LGHS class of 1995. Panighetti is appearing with the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, which offers productions in both Santa Maria and Solvang throughout the summer.

This is his third year with PCPA, and he'll be playing Mozart in the production of Amadeus. Last year he was the conniving hero, Bud Frump, in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

After LGHS he attended the American Academy of Performing Arts in Pasadena for three years. In his school days here, Panighetti was very involved in the San Jose Children's Musical Theater, having played Will Rogers in The Will Rogers Revue and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.

At LGHS he played Nicely Nicely in Guys and Dolls. He is the son of Janet Panighetti. Former LG postmaster Jack Panighetti is his great uncle. His grandmother, Irene Panighetti, was our informant.

HIGHEST AWARD: LeRoy J. Neider was named Outstanding Rotarian of the Year at ceremonies held recently at the Mountain Winery. Neider has been a Rotarian for 29 years, is a past president, and is a Paul Harris Fellow, an award that recognizes time, talent and monetary support.

The Los Gatos attorney lives in Saratoga. He wrote a history of the Los Gatos Rotary Club, as well as creating the basis for the club's Charity Foundation by establishing the legal operation, pro bono.

NEW AAUW OFFICERS: New officers of the Los Gatos-Saratoga branch of AAUW are Ellen Cousins, president; Allyson Lageschulte, president-elect; Mary Henderson and Jean Wenburg, program vice presidents; Patty Weber, treasurer; and Irmalyn Benkert, secretary. For membership information call 867-4237. Margaret McCartney is outgoing president.

In the further amplification department: It was reported here that AAUW won the Human Relations Award of Special Merit from Santa Clara County, but more specifically, it was the Committee on Homeless Women and Children, an AAUW committee, that won that award earlier this year.

Next project for the branch is a fundraiser courtesy of the Saratoga Drama Group. The play is My Fair Lady, and proceeds from the special performance will go to AAUW. The drama group hosts two benefits a year for service groups. "We got our bid in first," says Nancy Anderson.

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