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Blog Entry 21 of 51 Something to think about...

An occasional visit to things that make you go "hmmm..." opinions on life in the world close up and far away. By trade, I'm a community reporter covering Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys for the Daily News, but can't help thinking outside the box sometimes...in the spirit of full disclosure, I'm involved with the Canyon Theatre Guild and Newhall Redevelopment, so history and the arts are pretty important to me. I'm open to discussions, suggestions, criticisms and compliments. I might not like what you say, but I'll defend your right to say it. Shall we?

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Contributed by: Carol Rock on 3/24/2007

It's been a tough week.

Walking into the kickoff meeting for the annual Boys and Girls Club auction, you could sense a difference in the air; a feeling that something was different. Beyond the pinks and blacks of the theme, "Grease: You're The One That I Want" was a pale shade of foreboding gray.

Two people who had been critical to the event were suddenly, painfully no longer with us.

Earlier that day, the body of Gary Alziebler had been found in the Angeles Forest. Gary and his wife, Suzie, were active members of the community, cheerful and generous volunteers who gave of themselves to make events like the auction work.
We sat by them at the Repertory East Playhouse just last week. His last words to me were "see you at the next show."

On Tuesday, Pat Craig, another volunteer who has been part of the undercurrent that takes this community on its unique voyage, died after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage from a fall in her home.

She lived around the corner from me. I remember hearing the sirens and hoping that they weren't coming for one of the athletes or coaches at the track meet being conducted at Canyon High. I never thought they might be coming for someone who was one of the first people to welcome us into our hilltop neighborhood 25 years ago.

Pat was an amazing artist and one of the Santa Clarita Artists Association's biggest supporters. When interest waned, she would talk up the group, working with the city's Arts Alliance to make sure visual artists weren't left behind. When they needed someone to decorate their evergreen for Festival of Trees, she was there. She always worked at the Boys and Girls Club auction, tirelessly contributing her artistic talents and spirit. She never complained, although I have since heard that she had some medical challenges thrown her way. If you needed anything, Pat was your go-to gal - someone you could always count on.

Likewise, we would run into Gary and Suzie everywhere. They seemed to be the kind of couple who enjoyed spending time with friends making a difference. They laughed at our antics at the Canyon Theatre Guild and worked with Zonta to raise money to help young women grow and thrive. There was always a hug and a smile from both of them. I simply cannot imagine what Suzie is going through now.

So many of the people at the auction get-together are like family. Rena Newhall and I talked about raising our children through the auction, instilling a sense of obligation to help their communities. Sheldon and Pat Allen talked about the changes we've seen in the club, reminiscing back to when we worked out of a closet-sized office on the grounds of Emblem Elementary School - and still raised enough to keep the club in the black. Pat Warford reminded me that she introduced me to the auction, during one of her famous group outings where we all dressed up to match the theme - after spending a few days decorating for the fundraiser. Judy Penman, one of Craig's closest friends, said that she couldn't imagine life without volunteering like so many others in the room.

All told, this group had been together for more than a quarter century, doing whatever it took to support a club that influenced the lives of thousands of youngsters, quite often our own. We are a family of sorts, who come together around our holiday that falls on the second Saturday in June, each bringing their contributions to the celebration.

This year, there will be two empty seats at the table and we will note their passing with a raised glass or a deeper resolve. But because of Pat and Gary, this family will also welcome new people to fill those seats, inspired by the wonderful deeds of who went before.

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