April 2023 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER 13

By MARY FIEWEGER

Well , we went from “ Hello Spring ” to some cold weather and several hailstorms . I think our Niners down south are going to stay a little longer !

FIEWEGER This issue we were asked to talk about leadership . No one has shown leadership longer than Joanna Sawyer .

“ When I started taking jazz , tap and ballet as a young girl , I never thought in a million years I would still be dancing at 76 . ( It is ) different than when I was younger but I am still enjoying the movement and being able to share the experience with other women , some who have never danced before . I continued my dance studies as an adult taking classes with my daughters including performing in dance recitals . I became the dance team coach for the Hillsboro High

School dance team , the Sparta Stars , through encouragement from my older daughter Shawna , who also lives in Charbonneau . I was the coach from 1982 to 1992 . I attended dance camps with the team every Sawyer year and attended dance classes right along with the team members . This is where I learned about choreography routines . Many team members continued dancing in college , many were Trail Blazer dancers and a couple became coaches for dance teams and opened their own dance studios . We moved to Charbonneau in 1996 . I joined The Niners , CWA and Boys & Girls Aid in 2004 . On my first day golfing I was paired with Helen Heestand in her cart . She was in charge of the Niners program that year , “ The Best Little Whorehouse in Charbonneau .” I told her about my dance experience and by the next day I was in charge of our dance group , The Charbonnettes , and had a calendar to teach a Western routine and a Can Can . That was the beginning of fabulous friendships and dedicated dancers . Later

I became the director for some of the programs such as “ Mama Mia ,” “ Eat Drink Dance ,” “ A Show About Golf ,” “ Queens of Music ,” “ Motown ,” “ Disney ” and “ On the Road with the Niners .”

Next year ’ s program is all planned out . “ It ’ s 5 o ’ clock Somewhere ”. I edit the music , write the narration , direct the show and choreograph the dance routine . I love working with all that are involved with the program and dance . I also appreciate the support of our community that attends our performances .”

Joanna starts working with us ( 20 Charbonettes ) in June . She spends 70-plus hours working with us to learn the dance and our skits . Here are some of the comments we hear : “ Well , let ’ s start over on that . Now that is a dance move I don ’ t recall teaching ”.

The Niners thank Joanna for her 19 years of dedication and leadership in directing an annual event for the Charbonneau community !

Let ’ s welcome some new Niners ! Joann Caravalla moved to Charbonneau from Lake Oswego . She was born and raised in Sunnyvale , California . While in San Jose , she was with Bank of America for 46 years and retired with a position as vice president of customer service . One of her hobbies is fishing . She catches salmon , halibut , trout and even tuna , in Cabo ! Her other hobbies include cooking , creating decorative garden art , crafts and crochet . Joann has a goal to go to Alaska and will bring her own fishing pole ! She loves traveling with friends and is going to Europe ( including Paris and Venice ) and Canada . Her favorite dinner is ‘ anything food ,’ yet especially enjoys Italian and loves Champagne . Joann has lived in Charbonneau for one year and is a member of Solo Sisters . Thank you Marian Bailey for introducing your friend .

The Welcome Back Committee has a fun event planned for Tuesday , April 3 . It will be fun to see each other and meet our new members .

And we welcome Shellie Sillman . She is a native of Washington state . Shellie played golf at Oregon Golf Course in West Linn . Thank you to Marsha Herron for referring her to the Niners ! She has a condo in Hawaii and enjoys the weather and venue . Shellie ’ s husband passed away unexpectedly from COVID-19 . Keeping Shellie busy these days are her 18 grandchildren — 11 boys and seven girls . She has three sons and a daughter . Her 7-year-old grandson was sitting next to her when I asked , “ What is your favorite food ?” He replied for her : “ Say chocolate ”. However , it is Mexican food . Shellie enjoys sewing and is an avid sports fan , especially college football . “ Go BYU Cougars and Go Ducks .”

Welcome to the New Smiles team , Dr . Aaron Wikle !

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