Fillmore High School will live-stream their 2022 Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, June 9th. FHS seniors will take their walk
across the stage to say their final goodbyes to Fillmore High. You can view the entire graduation using this YouTube link: https://youtu.be/AqFKyBYktfQ

Thank you, Laura Purcell, CFO of Fillmore’s Super Seal & Stripe, for organizing this great project for the Santa Paula Boys & Girls Club site. It has been a dream of the Club’s to have a new blacktop with lines for games. “The kids used to have to
imagine where the lines would be when playing games,” stated B&G Club CEO Jan Marholin. Super Seal & Stripe donated all materials and labor and Laura coordinated with Guy Tittlemier, Division Manager of Pavement Coatings Co. in Santa Paula, and Chris Aurella of traffic technologies LLC in Oxnard, to donate the rest of the materials. This project is huge for the Boys & Girls Club which ranges from 80-200 youth a day depending on the season. Thank you to all these companies for making such a positive impact for the Club!

The Rotary Club of Fillmore announced the FHS scholarship recipients. Scott Beylik introduced the Scholarship Committee; Andy Klittich, Christine Scheiferle, Barbara Filkins, Garo Kuredjian and Dick Richardson, who in turn presented the recipients and scholarships. Angelica Herrera $1,000, Emma Myers $1,000+$800 for the Don & Ruthie Gunderson Scholarship, Gabriela Herrera $1,000, Alianna Tapia $1,000, Anahi Hernandez $1,000 Davian Gonzalez $1,000, Emilia Magdaleno $1,000, Chloie Martinez $1,000+$800 for the Ari Larson Scholarship, Nathalie Magana $1,000+$800 for the Rigo Landeros Service Above Self Scholarship, Brianna Camacho $1,000, and Michael Torres $1,000.

Bill Manning, County Sheriff Howard Durley, Ralph (Curly) Burson at extreme right.
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Fillmore’s Festival Queen of 1946 Queen Ruth Johnson and Ruth Johnson her court Jackie Hampson, Billie Barden, Inez Phillips and Glendolyn Stull as the ride in the Parade.
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George Espinoza.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

It was May 1946. World War II had been over not yet a year. Fillmore was slowly returning to some sort of normalcy. Most servicemen were returning home, though even those that came back were changed forever by their experiences. But Fillmore was ready to shake off all that. The last festival had been in May 1941. Not enough time to get something ready for May, but maybe June?

The Fillmore Junior Chamber of Commerce, more well-known as the Jaycees, had just reorganized and were ready to take on a new challenge. The Fillmore-Piru area needed a new emergency vehicle, but that cost money, money that was still in short supply, so a fundraiser was needed. How about a festival? The first mention of a Fillmore Festival was in the May 10, 1946, Herald in a report on the Jaycee’s meeting of that week. By the next week, the City Council had approved the idea and June 22, 1946, was chosen as the date of Fillmore Frontier Festival, and with John Oxford named as overall chair.

It would only last one day, but it would be a full day of events, starting off with a parade at 10:00 A.M.

The Festival Queen would be chosen based on votes. Tickets were obtained from local merchants, one ticket for each dollar’s worth of merchandise purchased or the tickets could be bought outright for ten cents each, three for twenty-five cents. The contestant with the most votes would become festival queen with the four runners-up as her court. The race for Queen was intense with the standings posted at City Hall and reported in the newspaper. Two weeks before the festival Glendolyn Stull led with 1,974 votes, followed by Ruth Johnson with 1,633 and Billie Barden with 1,596. On the Wednesday before the Festival, Jackie Hampson was leading with 4,904 votes; Ruth Johnson was still in second with 4,260 votes followed by Billie Jean McKim with 3,830 votes. In the end, Ruth Johnson swept the field with 13,008 votes. Her court was made up of Jackie Hampson, Billie Barden, Inez Phillips and Glendolyn Stull, all of them gracing the Queen’s Float in the parade. Grand Marshall of the parade was Ventura County Sheriff Howard Durley.

The barbecue, headed up by Glen Fansler and Walter Hall was held on Sespe Avenue “under the peppertrees” with the newly formed VFW Auxiliary serving. It was estimated that over one thousand people were fed.

One of the more unusual events was the “Dive Bombing” by the US Army. This consisted of two US Army Air Corp planes. One did aerial acrobatics while the other flew low in an AT6 and dropped pamphlets many of which contained gift certificates redeemable at local businesses. Unfortunately many of the pamphlets landed on the roofs of business along Central Avenue and were never redeemed.

During the afternoon, a Horse Show was held on the High School football field. John Galvin, in disguise with a fake beard, stove pipe hat and frock coat, emceed the event. In the windows of City Hall, people could view Al Lamberg’s extensive collection of clocks through the ages. A hobby show was simultaneously being held at the “IOOF Hall, next to the Theatre.” Over a thousand people were estimated to go through the show. The highpoint of the hobby show was Frank Erskine’s display of woodcraft, including a tiny desk, complete with telephone, labeled “For the man with a small business.”

The men of Fillmore had been encouraged to grow beards for the festival, with prizes awarded based on audience applause. George Nadin and Ken Fine were deemed to be the winners. Gentlemen who failed to grow a beard were subject to arrest and fines. City Marshal Earl Hume was kept busy enforcing this one-day ordinance, even arresting City Attorney John Galvin who was spotted through his disguise.

Concession stands lined Central Avenue run by local groups including a shooting gallery run by Oliver Corl, Jr.; a slingshot gallery in charge of Dr. Art Fuschetti; orange juice stands run by the American Legion Auxiliary; an ice cream truck with the Methodist ladies in charge; and several games of skill run by the Jaycees, Lions and other groups.

The evening started out with an amateur show. Entries included the ever-popular George Espinoza from Santa Paula as well as three dance groups under the direction of the high school athletic teacher, Mrs. Aldona Glover. Lee Chriswell won first place with “Indian Love Call.” Mrs. Glover’s groups took second and third places. Judges were Frank Erskine, John Galvin (who must have been let out on bail) and Mrs. John Keefe.

The hectic day ended with a street dance on Central Avenue. A six-piece dance band from Ventura, the Melody Men, played for over 800 couples. The dance was interrupted at 10 pm when the Ford Deluxe Tudor Sedan was given away. Although Vic Casner bought the first ticket with a silver dollar, it was won by George Matosian of Los Angeles.

So, all in all, how did the festival stack up? According to Earl Hume the day was “gratifyingly free from disturbances.” Financially, the event not only paid for the needed emergency vehicle but showed a $200 profit!

The Bardsdale Cemetery will hold its Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30th at 11AM.

The featured speaker this year is Jannette Jauregui a 4th generation resident of Santa Paula. She holds a Masters Degree in Journalism and currently serves as Public Information Officer for the Ventura County Agency on Aging. Jannette’s work profiling Ventura County’s military veterans began in 2001 as a freelance journalist with the Ventura County Star. She traveled throughout Ventura County interviewing veterans primarily from World War II. Jannette has profiled more than 220 veterans many of whom have since passed away. While most of the veteran profiles Jannette has completed are in written format she has transitioned to video profiles and continues to seek local veterans to interview. Her goal is to document the personal experiences of veterans before their stories are lost forever. Jannette is the author of four books, including Ventura County Veterans; World War II to Vietnam, Of War and Life; A Decade of Stories, a Man Named Jennings; and Dad’s Song From Heaven. In addition to her current position with the County of Ventura, Jannette served as Media Relations Coordinator and Adjunct Professor for California Lutheran University, Production Assistant and Associate Producer for NBC’s Today, and Writer and Editor for the Pepperdine School for Law.

The Reverend Bob Hammond of St. Stephens Anglican Church will give the Inspirational Message and special music will be provided by Alissa Allred Thompson. Also assisting in the ceremony will be VFW Post 9637, Boy Scout Troop 406, Cub Scout Troop 3400 and Bill Morris. The Boy Scouts & Bardsdale 4H will put out the flags on Friday, May 27th and they will be picked up by the Bardsdale 4H on Tuesday, May 31st.

The Board of Trustees of the Cemetery District: Lani Farr, President, Lynda Edmonds, Secretary ,Lisa Hammond, Greg Taylor and Bill Morris would like to invite the community to this special event.

Johnny Hurtado, receiving distinguished Flying Cross for a rescue mission on June 8, 1972.

Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

During World War II Painter James, a local painter and decorator, invited military personnel and trainees from all around California to be hosted by local families for holidays and weekends. He also created an extensive collection of over 300 photos of Fillmore men and women who were in the military. These photos were displayed in different locations around town including Briggs Hardware Store and the Memorial Building. The collection now hangs in the downstairs hallway of the Fillmore Historical Museum.

The Museum volunteers would like to update and add to this collection with photos of local individuals who served during the Korean/ Viet Nam Era or later conflicts. Working from a list of Fillmore/Piru veterans provided by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars we have found corresponding photos in Fillmore High School’s Copa de Oro yearbooks. A few generous residents have shared other photos and materials. If you know someone who was in the military during these conflicts please let us know. We would like to connect with them, see their photos, and hear their stories. Our email is fillmore.museum@gmail.com, or you can call us at 805-524-0948.

On May 23, 2022, at approximately 1:00 PM, two Fillmore High School students were involved in an alteration on campus. The Fillmore School Resources Officers along with Fillmore patrol officers responded.

The altercation led to one of the students stabbing another. The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The suspect was arrested and is currently in custody. There are no additional suspects or any threats toward any other students, staff, or the public.

The Fillmore School District works closely with Fillmore Police Department to provide support and safety for the students. The SRO’s close partnership with the high school and the school district staff allowed for the prompt response of patrol units and school support resources for the safety and care of the students. The Fillmore Police Department takes pride its relationship with the Fillmore School District and its schools which led to an efficient and coordinated effort during this incident.
Anyone with information regarding this altercation is encouraged to call the Fillmore Police Department or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at the below listed numbers.

Nature of Incident: School Assault
Report Number: 22-67893
Location: Fillmore High School
Date & Time: 05/23/2022 1:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol, Fillmore Detective Bureau, School Resource Officer Unit, Sheriff’s Major Crimes
Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

On Sunday, May 15, Sheriff Bill Ayub was recognized as the Community Service Advocate of the Year by the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation at the 29th Annual Leo Tauber, MD & David Fainer, MD Community Health Care Awards.

This year’s award recognized Sheriff Ayub’s instrumental role in implementing and supporting programs that benefit mental health services and the well-being of the community. These programs include VCSO’s Veterans Outreach in Crisis Events (VOICE) program, support of the Youth Reinvestment Grant (YRG) – run in collaboration with local non-profits – to assist youth with support programs and services to stay out of the criminal justice system, and the establishment of VCSO’s Homeless Liaison Unit. As well, Sheriff Ayub was recognized for working in collaboration with Ventura County Behavioral Health, the Ventura County Public Works Agency, the Ventura County Executive Office, and other local area non-profits to find multifaceted solutions to the issue of homelessness in the communities across the county.

“I was honored to receive this recognition from the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation, and I accepted it on behalf of the dedicated women and men of the Sheriff’s Office who consistently provide excellent service to keep our communities safe and on the forefront of innovative public safety practices.” – Sheriff Bill Ayub

The annual Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation’s Tauber/Fainer MD Awards recognize outstanding community contributions by those directly involved in the delivery of health care in Ventura County who, through professional, charitable, and public service activities, have demonstrated they exemplify the ideals of generosity, excellence, and integrity.