Written by Carina M. Montoya

It is true that big things come in small packages. When I met long-time Fillmore resident Barbara Filkins and learned that she is a pilot and has been flying planes for several decades, I wanted to know more about this accomplished petite lady. Originally from Connecticut, Barbara came to California in the early 1970s to study at Harvey Mudd Collegein Claremont, known for its curriculum that educates talented scientists, engineers and mathematicians. It was at Harvey Mudd where she learned to fly and earned her pilot’s license under the tutelage of Iris Cummings Critchell. Critchell served during World War II as a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) and Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). She also raced airplanes competitively during the 1950s and together with her husband, Howard Critchell, helped found the Bates Aeronautics program at Harvey Mudd College in 1962.

After Barbara obtained her degree in physics, she returned to the East Coast and began working for the aerospace industryin Upstate New York where she met her husband, Dale, who is also a pilot. Barbara’s career soared through the years as her talent and skills in the aerospace industry grew and were in demand within the industry and related industries. A job offer at an aerospace company on the West Coast brought Barbara back to California, where she and Dale decided to make Fillmore their permanent home. They both share a love of flying and have three planes. Dale built one of the planes, a Velocity V-Twin engine,which is a flagship model of the Velocity Aircraft line. Although both have had their share of flying solo, they have flown together many times coasttocoastand often fly somewhere out of town for a weekend getaway. Barbara now teaches aeronautics through distance learning, including flight instruction at the Oxnard and Camarillo airports.

In addition to Barbara’s busy daily schedule, she still finds the time for a passionate hobby in an equestrian sport called dressage, which is a form of horse riding performed in exhibition and competition. It is also known as “the highest expression of horse training,” which involves the rider and horse to perform from memory a series of predetermined movements.

But wait, there’s more . . .Barbara is a member of the Fillmore Rotary Club and gives of her time for community service by enriching the lives of others locally and around the world, which is at the core of the club’s mission.

Next time you see a plane flying above when you’re out and about in town, give it a wave because it just may be Barbara flying over the town.

The interior of original Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

Join us Thursday, November 17th, 2022 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM via Zoom for A Hidden Gem: The Fillmore Historical Museum, sponsored by the Historical Society of Southern California.

The Historical Society of Southern California is spotlighting the Fillmore Historical Museum and its local history in their Community Focus series. Learn about the history of the Museum as well as an overview of our local history. Presenters will include Museum Director Martha Gentry, Museum Volunteer Sue Zeider, and local historian Michele Ybarra McKinley. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. Register now at https://forms.gle/TcQzbTqjX8kWDjXY9.

In 1972, the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce approached a retired Spanish teacher, Edith Moore Jarrett, to start an historical museum. Mrs. Jarrett was not just any retired Spanish teacher. She had written the Spanish textbooks, El Camino Real I. II, and other books. The textbooks became the most commonly used series of Spanish text books in the United States for several decades beginning in 1940 and into the 1970s. She also loved traveling and history. She was a Fillmore native, graduating from Fillmore Union High School in 1916 and from the University of Southern California in 1921. After graduation from USC, she returned to Fillmore and taught in its schools until her retirement.

Mrs. Jarrett accepted the Chamber of Commerce’s request. Space was rented on the ground floor of the Masonic Temple Building on Central Avenue and the word went out to the population of the area that she was looking for items for the Museum. She was overwhelmed with donations and soon out of space.

In 1974, the Southern Pacific Railroad was ready to demolish the depot they had built in Fillmore in 1887. It had not been used except for storage for many years and was in very poor condition. Edith Jarrett bought it for $1 plus 5₵ tax on the condition that she immediately move it from its original site. She petitioned the City which provided a lot on Main Street. Mrs. Jarrett then paid for the moving and renovation of the Depot as a donation to the town of Fillmore.

Fifty years have passed since the Fillmore Historical Museum opened its doors. After extensive damage in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, the depot was again moved and renovated.

The new site for the Museum was only a block from the old site, but now had room for a 1905 bungalow, the 1919 Rancho Sespe bunkhouse, a 1960’s caboose and several smaller buildings. An entirely volunteer operation, it receives no funding from any government agency.

The Museum is open four days a week and by appointment. It regularly hosts interns from local colleges and universities as well as welcoming local school children. Its website, fillmorehistoricalmuseum.org, includes information about the Museum and its programs as well as over one hundred stories about the Fillmore, Bardsdale, Sespe and Piru communities.

The Spirit of the Holidays - Saturday, November 26th, 2022, Visit with Santa! Holiday Toy Drive!

The Sunburst Train and Sierra Northern Railway, in partnership with our community, will continue the tradition of traveling through the Santa Clara River Valley making stops during the night to collect unwrapped toys for donation. Visit with Santa! Holiday Toy Drive!

Our friend Santa will ride the train, and with his helpers, pass out candy canes to the kids.
www.sunbursttrain.com/spirit-of-the-holidays

- 9:15PM to 9:45PM - Sespe Ave. and Old Telegraph in Fillmore (across the street from the Fire Station)
- 8:00PM to 8:30PM - Santa Paula Depot, Santa Paula
- 6:20PM to 6:50PM - Pedestrian Crossing 2000’ east of Montgomery Ave,
Ventura.
- 7:00PM to 7:30PM - Aleia St – Saticoy Depot, Ventura

Our Supporters: Fillmore PD, Fillmore Association of Business, Santa Paula PD, Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, Santa Paula Rotary, Ventura County Sheriff’s Association, FWRY.

On Friday, November 11th, Fillmore will host its Annual Veterans Day Parade at 10am on Central Avenue. A ceremony and BBQ will follow the parade at the Fillmore–Piru Veterans Memorial Building, 511 Second Street. This year’s Grand Marshal is Danny Golson, U.S. Army Spec. 4 Vietnam 1969 – 1970, and this year’s guest speaker will be Frank Renteria. You can read bios for Danny and Frank below:

Danny Golson graduated from Fillmore High School in June of 1968. Four months later, he was drafted into the United States Army. He served his basic duty and advanced training at Fort Ord, CA. He was ordered to Fort Benning GA. Where he completed a three-month Scout Dog training course. A month later, he was ordered to Viet Nam. Danny was a Specialist 4 Infantryman and served in Viet Nam from 1969 to 1970.

While in Viet Nam, he served with Company D, first of the twelve Fourth Infantry Division. His area of operation was the Central Highlands of Pleiku, Camp Enari and An Khe, Camp Radcliff.

Danny was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB), in October of 1969, for his participation in armed ground conflict. He was also awarded the Air Medal for his participation in more than 25 aerial missions over hostile territory for support of counter-insurgency operations.

He sustained wounds and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action while operating in the An Lo Valley of the Highlands. Other awards, pins, and badges were also received while serving his country proudly.

Post Viet Nam, Danny has served as President of the Piru Neighborhood Council and as the film liaison working with film companies. He served as President of the Piru Cemetery Board. He also coached little league and volunteered as an umpire for several years at One River Stadium. Unfortunately, he was forced to discontinue volunteer service due to cancer, heart, and liver/kidney surgeries. He is now doing well and is a life-time member of the American Veterans United organization. He is a strong advocate for our Veterans and is serving as a member of the Veterans Day Celebration Committee for our region.

***

Frank Renteria was raised in Santa Maria, Ca. He attended Santa Maria High School and completed his education in El Paso, Texas. Frank enlisted into the United States Army on July 15, 1980, and attended Basic Training at Fort Bliss, Texas. After completing basic and AIT, he was assigned to the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment, Fort Bliss, Texas. Frank spent tours of duty in the states and overseas during the Cold War to include a stint of time overseas during the first Gulf War.

Frank applied for and was accepted to the U.S Army Drill Sergeant Academy, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During his tenure at the Drill Sergeant’s Academy, he was awarded the Distinguished Graduate Award and several other awards. Frank performed his Drill Sergeant assignment at Ft. Bliss, Texas. While serving as Drill Sergeant, he was certified as the Training Center’s Hand-to-Hand Combat Instructor and Master Physical Fitness Instructor.

Throughout Frank’s military career, he continued to educate himself, attending all Non-Commissioned Officer courses available thus earning his promotion to the rank of First Sergeant (1SG).

After 22 years of distinguished service, Frank retired on August 4, 2022, as an Artillery Battery First Sergeant (1SG).

After Frank’s military service, he made it his “life-long commitment” to help Veterans and their family members obtain the benefits they have earned and deserve.

Deputy Gonzalez at San Cayetano Elementary answering student questions and interacting with them during recess, as part of Fillmore Unified School District’s Adopt-A-Cop program in partnership with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Photo courtesy San Cayetano Elementary blog.
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When Chrissy Schieferle returned to Fillmore Unified School District [FUSD] as Superintendent in 2021, she knew she wanted to bring back the very successful Adopt-A-Cop program.

The program originally began back in 2009 when Schieferle, then Principal of Mountain Vista Elementary, became aware of some of her fourth-grade students exhibiting at-risk behaviors. She worked with teacher, Mrs. Nutley, researching prevention/intervention programs used by schools across the country, and were most impressed with the “Adopt-A-Cop” program.

The Adopt-A-Cop program provides elementary students with an opportunity to build positive relationships with cops in Fillmore. The program’s goal is for kids to experience the human side of law enforcement through interactive discussions and working with students on teacher designed activities that build character. Students take these positive experiences home and express them with friends and family, further strengthening law enforcement’s relationship with the communities of Fillmore and Piru.

Superintendent Schieferle said, “One of our district goals is to build collaborations with the community. The Adopt-A-Cop program is a great collaboration with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department [VCSD]. When I talked to VCSD Captain Kuredjian about restarting the program, he was happy to help and worked to identify deputies excited to work with students at our 4 elementary schools. Captain Kuredjian and the deputies all enjoy interacting with students, playing with them at recess, and recognize the value of being positive role models while building strong relationships with students.”