At last week’s Fillmore Rotary Club meeting President Anna Reilley presented speaker Martin Erickson with a Rotary mug. Photo credit Martha Richardson.
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The Rotary speaker last week was Martin Erickson, Executive Director of the Ventura County Transportation Commission. The Commission is made up of 17 members, all of the Supervisors, Mayors of each city and two others. Along with the support of other partners across the county, they keep transportation moving. Some of their responsibilities are Ride Share, Valley Express, and Dial A Ride. They are always trying to stay relevant in Ventura County. When the landslide occurred on State Route 150 between Santa Paula and Ojai, they launched an emergency shuttle to help residents travel between the two cities. They now have a route from Fillmore to Moorpark which provides service not only to Moorpark College, Metrolink Station, and Moorpark Marketplace but also to 8 other bus lines and Amtrak.

Don’t miss out on the Fillmore Flower Show, April 26th and 27th, at the Fillmore Active Adult Center. Above is a bouquet arrangement from a previous flower show. Photo credit Jan Lee.
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By Jan Lee
The Fillmore Flower Show is just around the corner, April 26th and 27th, 2025. We hope many gardeners of every age will decide to exhibit something or at the very least come to the Active Adult Center, 533 Santa Clara Street, to view the many beautiful displays. There will also be live music, a plant sale and some treats to eat. Entries are accepted Saturday morning between 7:30am and 10am in the morning. Public viewing is 1pm - 4pm in the afternoon both Saturday and Sunday. All entries are FREE. Mark you calendar and plan to come.

Two categories in the competitive divisions are bouquets and arrangements. What is the difference? Bouquets are defined as: In a single vase, provided by the exhibitor, cut stem or stems of the same flower variety, or mixed colors or type of variety, but with no filler material— no size limit. Arrangements are: Flower displays up to 20 inches by 20inches with containers provided by exhibitor that may include items appropriate to the scene. Remember, the theme is “Fillmore Spirit in Bloom”.

Judges will take into consideration how your arrangement expresses the theme. In past years there have been some extraordinary arrangements and bouquets. What will you bring this year? For complete rules and information see: fillmoreflowershow.org.

On Saturday/Sunday, April 26th & 27th, the Fillmore Flower Show will take place at the Fillmore Active Adult Center, 533 Santa Clara Street. Entry check-in for the show is 7am – 10:30am and public viewings will be from 1pm – 4pm. This is a free event for all ages to enjoy. Pictured above are some of the Youth Display’s from a previous flower show. Photo credit Jan Lee.
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By Jan Lee

What else is there to know about the Fillmore Flower Show happening April 26 and 27? There are several divisions that are specifically for youth. Division IX is Youth Arrangements which is open to any youth, from any area. Flower displays are limited to 20 inches by 20 inches. They are to be arranged at the show without adult help. The arrangements must be completed by 10:00 a.m. so the judges can judge. Arrangements may have a variety of flowers and plants that may include items appropriate to the scene. Remember, the theme this year is “Fillmore Spirit in Bloom”. Youth arrangements will be judged by age levels. Division X is Youth Composition. Youth may submit a poem or short essay on a single page, with or without illustration on the theme: “Fillmore Spirit in Bloom”. There is a small cash prize for the winner.

Division XI is non-competitive Youth Art which is original artwork on the flower show theme “Fillmore Spirit in Bloom”.

Our youth are extremely talented and creative. We hope to have many entries in all categories. While these divisions are exclusively for youth, youth may enter any adult division also. Bring entries to 533 Santa Clara Street in Fillmore between 7:30-10:00a.m. Saturday morning April 26. The Flower Show is open to the public for viewing Saturday and Sunday from 1-4:00p.m. The flower show is FREE to enter and FREE to view. Plan to bring something to exhibit and plan to view the spirit of Fillmore at the flower show! See fillmoreflowershow.org for complete information.

GARAGE SALE - Sat. Sun. March 29, 30th. 8 AM, 961 Meadowlark Drive. Clothing, jewelry, stuffed animals, collectible plates, dolls, tools…etc. (3/27)

Pictured above is Fillmore Rotary Club President Anna Reilley, Program Chair Barb Filkins and speaker Rotarian Jan Marholin. Photo credit Martha Richardson.
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eight years then worked 12 years for the Boys & Girls Club, and is now on the Board. When she was a principal, she received a grant for STEM and was able to send four teachers into space. When she began at the Boys & Girls Club she wanted the club to be about education as well as recreation. Jan brought some of her teachers to train the people working at the clubs, and after that many companies came and talked about careers and companies and what is available. Jan got STEM involved and eventually started a KIDS STEM DAY. This year it will be held on Friday, July 11, 1:00-2:30 at the Santa Paula Club. Boys and girls from Fillmore and Piru will be bused there for the event. There will be many areas for the kids to explore science, VC Sheriffs posing will bring horses, FFA will bring small animals and talk to the kids about them, and companies will be there also. The kids love it and don’t know their learning. If you would like to know more or donate call 805-525-7910 or go to JMARHOLIN@BGCLUBSCV.ORG.

By Jan Lee

The 2025 annual Fillmore Flower Show is approaching fast. You don’t want to miss it! April 26 and 27 are the dates of the flower show held at the Active Adult Center, 533 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore. Entries are accepted Saturday morning from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. All entries are FREE.

What to enter? How about a single stem cut flower? There is a category for any and all the flowers growing in your yard. Division I is Single Stem Cut Roses. You may say “a rose is a rose”. But there are many categories in this division. There are Hybrid Tea/Grandiflora roses, Floribunda/Polyantha rose, Miniature rose, and Any Unlisted Rose. If you don’t know what type of rose you have, don’t worry. There are wonderful people at registration who know a lot about roses. They will help you get your rose in the correct category. Two fun classes in Division I are: 1. Most fragrant rose and 2. Largest rose bloom. Imagine winning a blue ribbon in one of these categories!

No roses? How about Iris? Division II is for them: Bearded Iris, Spuria Iris, Japanese Iris. Division III is Other Single Stem Cut Flowers which include: Orchids, Lilies, Delphinium, Geranium/ Pelargonium, and (my favorite) Any Other Unlisted Flower.

We will find a place for any bloom you want to enter. I must admit, I don’t know a Pelargonium from a Polyantha. I just know I enjoy seeing beautiful blooms. Come to the Fillmore Flower Show.

By Lisa Givan

The stage is set for an emotional journey. The Sespe Players return with, “In the Cards”, a heartwarming show guaranteed to
make you laugh AND grab your tissues. Lincoln has dedicated his life to his baseball card shop and the young players who
frequent his field out back, despite being blind for most of his life. When his shop is threatened with closure, Lincoln must
call upon his estranged granddaughter, Gabby to help him save it. Jess Givan is captivating as the stubborn and driven, Gabby
and David Becerra returns in a lead role as Lincoln, bringing his trademark wit and sarcasm. The free spirit Kiki, played by
Jan Faulkner, brings on the charm and humor, while Milly Perez and Layne Allen warm hearts as they learn life lessons from Mr.
Lincoln. As Lincoln shares stories of legendary baseball players who got their start on his own backlot, will Gabby rediscover
the importance of family? Follow along as their journey unfolds in a series of humorous and poignant moments.

“In the Cards” is not simply a play about baseball, it speaks to anyone who has ever disconnected from their roots and longs
to find a way back. It is a celebration of the bonds that can be rekindled through shared passions. The play is written and
directed by Josh Overton and co-directed by Lisa Givan. See “In the Cards” at the Sespe Auditorium- 627 Sespe Ave. March 20,
21, and 22 at 7:00p.m. Doors open 30 minutes before the show. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for Seniors and students.

Pictured above is an entry from a previous Fillmore Flower Show. Don’t miss the 2025 show on April 26th & 27th.
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By Jan Lee

The Fillmore Flower Show will be here before you know it! April 26 and 27 are the dates for the 2025 Fillmore Flower Show. The
theme this year is “Fillmore Spirit in Bloom”. The largest number of entries are blooms: single stem cut flowers, bouquets,
arrangements and miniature arrangements.

However, succulents are very popular with lots of people. There are two divisions just for you: potted plants and dish
gardens. Dish gardens are” mixed variety of plants in a container the exhibitor can carry”. Potted plants are a “single
variety in a container”. Potted plants don’t have to be succulents. African violets, orchids, cacti and succulents and other
are all included in the potted plants category. In past years there have been some beautiful entries in both these divisions.
Everybody is welcome to enter no matter your age. Who will win a blue ribbon this year? Maybe someone in one of these two
divisions will even win the Best of Show award.

Plan to enter something in the Fillmore Flower Show in April. Or, come to the show and see all the wonderful entries, hear
live music, stop by the cafe and visit the plant sale. Join us as we celebrate “Fillmore Spirit in Bloom”.

At last week’s Fillmore Rotary Club Meeting Program Chair Barb Filkins introduced speaker Lisa Fusano. Lisa talked about the Young Eagles Program that was launched in 1992. The purpose was to give interested young people, ages 8-17, the opportunity to go flying in a general aviation airplane. The volunteers who participate in the Young Eagles program are local members of EAA who are giving their time and aircraft to make the flight possible. For most young people this is their first flight, and some comments made were “I didn’t know there were so many pools” and” the cars look like matchbox toys”. The Young Eagles learn what real pilots do on the ground and in the air, and they remember this experience for the rest of their lives. Many come back years later to get their pilot’s license.

Ventura County Garden Club's April 2, 2025, meeting

The Ventura County Garden Club begins its 101st season by announcing its seventh meeting of the season to take place on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 10:00 am with a tour of Rancho Camulos, located at 5164 E. Telegraph Road, in Piru. The tour will be followed by lunch at El Pescador Restaurant, in Fillmore, at 1305 W. Ventura Street. Please arrange to carpool or contact your director. Organizer: Vice President – Kathleen Cressy. We welcome new members. For more information, email VenturaCountyGardenClub@yahoo.com, OR Facebook.com/VenturaCountyGardenClubVCGC/

On Saturday, February 22nd, the Fillmore Historical Museum held their Annual Membership Meeting which began at noon with a barbecue lunch for members to enjoy. They then discussed the annual report announcing their volunteers gave over 200 hours of time to the museum, among many other successes they had for the year. Photo credit Fillmore Historical Museum.
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On Saturday, February 22, the annual meeting of the membership of the Fillmore Historical Museum was held. It began at noon with a barbecue lunch for members. Our thanks to Board of Directors member Doug Legan and his wife, Andrea, for the wonderful lunch.

After the lunch the Annual Membership Meeting was held. Martha Gentry. Executive Director and President of the Association gave her annual report. Although only staffed by volunteers, we had a busy and productive year. In total, our volunteers gave over 2000 hours of time to keep the museum open, give tours, and maintain the collection. The year included school tours, tours for a variety of civic groups and individuals and six online zoom programs. The museum was used by civic groups for meetings and social gatherings. Our website continues to be updated and can be found at fillmorehistoricalmuseum.org. The website contains stories, information and all of the online programming that has been done.

Cameron Stone, our current intern from the History program at Cal State Channel Islands, spoke on his current project at the Museum. Several of our prior interns have gone forward with museum related graduate studies.

The final official business was the election of Mark Austin to the 2025-26 museum board of directors.

After the Membership meeting, the board of directors meeting was held. The Board made note of the fact that 15 year board member Robert Morris has now retired. The board also remembered 21 year museum board member Patricia Morris who passed away in 2024. Finally the board welcomed new board member, Mark Austin.

After fifteen years as secretary Beverly Hurst has stepped down and will be replaced by Joanna Michels. Beverly will remain on the board as a member at large.

The 2025 board of the Fillmore Historical Museum will be:

Martha Gentry -

President and Executive

Director

Jack Stethem -

Vice President

Joanna Michels -

Secretary

Nancy Bowlin – Treasurer

Directors:

Mark Austin

Carina Forsythe

Tom Hardison

Beverly Hurst

Doug Legan

Linda Robertson

Carmen Zermeno

***

Fillmore Historical Museum 2025 Annual

Pictured is Fillmore Rotary President Anna Reilley and Rotarian John Meadows. Photo credit Martha Richardson.
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New Fillmore Rotary member John Meadows gave a Kraft Talk. He grew up in Fillmore and graduated from FHS in 1992. His parents were Ron and Linda Meadows. Over the years he owned several businesses including landscaping, building old cars, and working for Exon Mobile out in the Santa Barbara harbor. In 2005 his father turned over the business to John and he began building custom cars, hot rods and wrote for a tech magazine. He also partnered with a large company and began building vehicles for them. He owns JMI Storage and enjoys serving the community with his motto, “Do things no one else wants to do”.

By Linda Nunes

Civic Pride volunteers have selected the home of Joe and Judy Lampara, of 84 Reading Street, to receive the March “Yard of the Month” award. The Lampara’s moved to Fillmore in 2006 from Massachusetts, after retirement, to escape the cold weather and to be near family.

Judy does the yard and follows design principles of Feng Shui. Color is very important, and Judy says she focuses on warm colors with yellow and red being the center of attention.

The perfectly manicured, vibrant green lawn leads your eye to a border of alstroemerias in creams, yellows and reds, with gladiolas and chrysanthemums behind them, which are not yet blooming. A red camellia bush is planted on the far right. The front patio has large pots holding a gardenia trained into a tree, a red hibiscus and epiphytes around the base.
Judy said her favorite plant would be red roses which they purchased from Otto & Sons Nursery and the lovely backyard has a row of neatly pruned roses, fruit trees blooming and a vegetable garden.

The Lampara’s received a gift card to Otto & Sons Nursery which they were eager to use. Civic Pride appreciates the nursery for providing these gift card awards.

At last week’s meeting, the Fillmore Rotary Program hosted a visit from their District Governor, Sherry Peckhoon Sim. She was born in Singapore and as a Rotarian she has held many positions in her own Club in Cayucos as well as positions in preparation for becoming District Governor of District 5240. Sherry has also received several Paul Harris Awards for service in Rotary. Her theme this year is “Rotary is Love”. She thanked the Club for 100 years of service and commitment to our community and the world. Her parting words were “ordinary people do extraordinary things.” We can do it because “Rotary is Love”.