RB Hall of Fame Archives - 2016
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New members Thomas Cook, Linda Gannon, and Michael Vaughn  a>(Click on the image above for a full resolution copy.) The new inductees, Michael Vaughn, Linda Gannon and Thomas Cook, seated second row center, with 22 previous inductees of the Rancho Bernardo Hall of Fame at the organization’s annual gala on May 13, 2017 at the Bernardo Heights Country Club. Front row (floor): Valerie Brown and Nancy Canfield. Seated: Marty Judge, Richard Mason, Michael Vaughn, Linda Gannon, Thomas Cook, Shirley Black and Marla Cruz. Standing: Dave Brooks, Jim Denton, Tom Lettington, Gary Carlson, Ted Gaasch, Craig Brown, Jay Riordan, Nick Anastasopoulos, Scott Lawn, Jane Radatz, Robin Kaufman, George Cooke, Jim Roth, Steve DeMatteo, Larry McIntyre and Vicki Touchstone ( Photo Credit: Elizabeth Marie Himchak - Pomerado News) By Elizabeth Marie Himchak 3:08 p.m.May 17th, 2017 The Rancho Bernardo Hall of Fame welcomed three new members into its ranks during its annual gala. More than 80 community members, including 22 of the 49 living previous inductees, were present at Saturday night’s event in the Bernardo Heights Country Club. They were there to celebrate the addition of the organization’s 113th, 114th and 115th members — Thomas Cook of the Rancho Bernardo Historical Society, Linda Gannon of the Rancho Bernardo High School Friends of the Library and Michael Vaughn of the Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial Association. The three longtime community volunteers were selected for membership in April. The RB Hall of Fame, established in 1974, honors those who have provided years of significant volunteer leadership to the community. Cook, nominated by 2015 inductee Nancy Canfield, has served on the Rancho Bernardo Historical Society board for 11 years and was president for more than three years (2006-09). He also has been a RB History Museum docent and held many board positions. In the nomination, Canfield said it was as project leader that Cook led the group’s efforts in renovating its museum, resulting in “our current, biggest, best museum, creating an even better resource for Rancho Bernardo.” The museum is at Bernardo Winery. She also called Cook “the driving force in the construction of a full-size replica mud wagon, a small stagecoach that ran through San Diego in the late 19th century, now a centerpiece at the museum and a crowd pleaser at parades and events.” Canfield said Cook regularly shares his extensive knowledge of local history, calling him “a community asset ... (who) has become a part of Rancho Bernardo’s history.” Cook and his wife, Jackie, have lived in Rancho Bernardo since 1985. Gannon, nominated by Liz Schwartz, was president of the RB High School Friends of the Library for five years (2010-15) and is now its vice president, despite not having a student there since 2013. “Through her leadership as president ... a strong learning foundation was provided for thousands of RBHS students — our leaders of tomorrow,” Schwartz wrote in the nomination. She called Gannon “an outstanding leader, a passionate advocate and fundraiser. Her efforts ensured the RBHS Library, the learning hub of campus, had cutting edge resources — offering learning services, books and resources that enabled all members of the school community to become critical thinkers and effective users of information in all formats and media.” According to Schwartz, under Gannon’s leadership the Friends raised more than $120,000. “Without these vital dollars our RBHS library would have been understaffed and not have had the necessary learning resources to support success in learning for all RBHS students.” She also called Gannon a “hidden hero,” citing her more than 600 hours of service during the five years of her presidency. Gannon, a longtime RB High volunteer; her husband, Dan; and their children moved to Rancho Bernardo in 1989.. Vaughn, nominated by 2012 inductee Tom Lettington, is a Navy veteran who has been president of the Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial Association for the past six years and has held several leadership positions in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7766. “Due to Mike’s leadership, the three annual patriotic celebrations at Webb Lake Park have continued each year on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day,” Lettington wrote. “Members of our community continue to have an opportunity to honor our veterans by attending these celebrations each year as they have since the memorial was dedicated on July 4, 1994.” According to Lettington, while the non-profit memorial association is run by volunteers and has a board to provide guidance and establish policy, “the president is solely responsible for planning and execution of the three annual patriotic celebrations. Success depends upon recruiting volunteers to participate and handle all logistical functions.” Lettington wrote, “Without a fully dedicated leader the mission of the RBVMA could not be accomplished. Mike Vaughn has kept the traditions of the RBVMA in place while introducing innovative changes to keep the programs fresh and vital.” Vaughn and his wife, Mary, have lived in Rancho Bernardo for 25 years.. |
 Inductee Thomas Cook, third from right, with his family |
 Inductee Linda Gannon, center, with her family |
 Inductee Michael Vaughn with his wife, Mary, and their son, Mark |
 Laurel Roth with Brenda Riordan and 2016 inductee Jay Riordan |
 Merv Adams, Jane Harmon and 2003 inductee George Cooke |
 RB Hall of Fame President and 2012 inductee Valerie Brown, 2013 inductee Marla Cruz and Carol Denton |
 Standing are Alex Lawn, 2016 inductee Scott Lawn, Cindy Pearson and 2015 inductee Nancy Canfield. Sitting are Fred and Carol Gahm |
 Connie Gaasch, 2000 inductee Ted Gaasch, Clareen Carlson and 2009 inductee Gary Carlson |
 2009 inductee Marty Judge and Beverly Judge |
 City Councilman Mark Kersey with inductee Thomas Cook |
 City Councilman Mark Kersey with inductee Linda Gannon |
 City Councilman Mark Kersey with inductee Michael Vaughn |
 Nominator and 2015 inductee Nancy Canfield introducing Thomas Cook |
 Thomas Cook giving his acceptance speech |
 RB Hall of Fame President Valerie Brown (2012 inductee) with new member Thomas Cook |
 Thomas Cook with Assemblyman Brian Maienschein |
 Linda Gannon with Assemblyman Brian Maienschein |
 Michael Vaughn with Assemblyman Brian Maienschein |
 Nominator Liz Schwartz introducing Linda Gannon |
 Linda Gannon and Liz Schwartz. |
 Linda Gannon giving her acceptance speech |
 RB Hall of Fame President Valerie Brown (2012 inductee) with new member Linda Gannon |
 Nominator and 2012 inductee Tom Lettington introducing Michael Vaughn |
 Tom Lettington and Michael Vaughn |
 Michael Vaughn giving his acceptance speech |
 RB Hall of Fame President Valerie Brown (2012 inductee) with new member Michael Vaughn |