Judy Wait

 President

 Founder

       

        Judy is a retired educator having taught for 23 years, first as an elementary teacher and later as a Library Media Teacher.  She holds a BA in Education and an MA in Library Media Services.  She is a wife of fifty-four years, a mother of seven children, and a grandmother to fourteen grandchildren.

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​        She has been an active community volunteer, 4-H Community Club Leader, member of P.E.O., 19th Century Round Table, and a member of the Hanford Garden Club where she was teaching gardening at local school gardens, then deciding that all children in the Valley deserve a beautiful, educational and magical Garden!  Judy enjoys working with the Green Teens.  She loves Hanford because of its historical character and believes strongly in historical preservation.  

Her favorite quote is:

        “In a hundred years it will not matter what you owned or how you looked. But the world may be better because you were important in the life of a child.”

​        ​        ​        - Anonymous

Barbara Black Tolle

Founding Member

 
        Barbara is a graduate of Fresno State University.  She is a mother, grandmother, retired teacher of 25 years and a very active member and officer in community clubs, her church group and other organizations.  Barbara serves as the Secretary for the Children’s Storybook Garden & Museum.

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​Her favorite quote is:

        "One filled with joy preaches without preaching."

​        ​        ​        - Mother Teresa

Kate Catalina

Board Member

 Founding Member

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        Kate is a member of the marketing and business administration of our organization as well as chairing major fundraising events. Kate was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and raised in Mobile, Alabama. She brings a cultural diversity to the Board and to the Garden. 

       

        After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Kate pursued a successful career in the beverage industry for fifteen years, culminating in her hometown growing a small import wine distributorship from $243,000 in annual sales to $1,200,000 in three years.

        Kate moved to the Central Valley in 2004 with her newlywed husband, who is currently a Lieutenant Commander in the U S Navy. In 2006 she obtained her real estate license and is a licensed REALTOR with Century 21.  Kate and her husband, Fran, have two children who attend public schools in Hanford.

Jana Dudley

Board Member

​        Born and raised in Hanford, Jana Dudley retired five years ago from HESD and teaching special education (K-Junior High) for 38 very inspiring years. She graduated from the University of California at Davis with a BA in Psychology and Fresno State with a double teaching credential in elementary education and learning handicapped. She has been married to Roger for 45 crazy years and they have two creative sons, a wonderful daughter-in-law, and a precious 2-year-old grandson.

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​        Her club involvement includes the presidency of the Hanford Garden Club, secretary of California Retired Teachers, secretary of the Nineteenth Century Round Table, weekly reading to the children in HESD about gardening and related subjects, and occasionally teaching an adult Sunday School class at her church. Other than spending lots of time in the garden, she enjoys anything Star Wars and collecting PEZ dispensers.

 

​        With her love of children and gardening, she was totally drawn to the Children's Storybook Garden & Museum and the wonderful educational opportunities this venue can bring to our community.

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Her favorite quotes are:

​        "Truly wonderful the mind of a child is."  

- Yoda
 

​        "Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce."

- Jeremiah 29:5

Tony Mendes

Board Member

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​        Tony Mendes was born and raised on a small dairy farm (60 cows!!) just outside of Hanford where they also grew apricots and peaches for drying.  He taught grades 3-8 in Hanford and Corcoran for 40 years.  Now retired, he is president of the Kings County division of California Retired Teachers (CalRTA Div 30). 

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​        He is inspired by the vision and the people attracted to it:  Storybook Garden is an experience!

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His favorite quote is:

​        “We think we can! We think we can! We think we can!”

- (adapted from The Little Engine That Could.)

Mahi Woody

Board Member

 

        Mahi graduated from Hanford High and spent one year at COS Visalia before moving to Los Angeles. While there, she studied respiratory therapy at a private college and went on to work in that field for 15 years. 

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​        She then discovered what would become her lifelong passion: natural living. This led her to become a vegetarian/cook/chef. Her family owned and operated a natural food store and juice bar.

 

        On her journey, she was employed by a few celebrities, such as Charles Dutton, Debbi Morgan, and Syreeta Wright. She became a strong advocate for animal rights, pesticide-free living, and other passions. 

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        After many years, Mahi returned to Hanford and inherited her parents' home. Her youngest daughter lives on the property as well, and together they take care of the land where Mahi's parents were mainly farmers. Mahi and her daughter have a goal to leave a living legacy for others to enjoy in memory of her parents.

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Her favorite quote is:

​        "What you think you become, what you feel you attract, what you imagine you become." 

- The Buddha 

Carmen Bettencourt

Vice President

Founding Member

 

​        Carmen Bettencourt is a mother, community leader, school volunteer, caterer, designer, executive secretary, farmer, and bookkeeper.  She is a graduate of Fresno State University with a degree in public administration and recreation.

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​        Carmen is a very active member of her community.  She is the director of the Farm History Museum.

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Her favorite quote is: 

​        "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

​        ​        ​        - Margaret Mead

Linda Nielsen

Treasurer 

Founding Member

 

        Linda was born and raised in Hanford.  She is a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  Linda was a Patient Account Representative for a non-profit organization for 28 years.  She has been the treasurer of the Hanford Garden Club for over 10 years, and the Treasurer for CSG&M for four years.

Lindsey Calvillo

Treasurer/Bookkeeper

 

        Lindsey is an elementary school principal for Hanford Elementary School District. She taught 3rd, 7th, and 8th grades, all for HESD, before becoming a Learning Director and current Principal. She was born and raised in Tollhouse, CA where she developed her love for agriculture and athletics. She holds a BA in Liberal Studies with a minor in Math and English from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and an MA and Administrative Credential from California State University, Fresno.

        Lindsey has happily lived in Hanford for the past 21 years with her husband, Rick (an elementary school teacher) and three daughters. Lindsey is passionate about education and providing hands-on experiences to children. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. 

Ginnie Herleman

Parliamentarian

Board Member

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        Ginnie is retired from Kings County Human Services.  Ginnie worked for the county for 20 years and was an Employment and Training Supervisor when she retired.  Ginnie grew up in the Bay Area and moved to Hanford with her husband Ron when he began working as an attorney in Kings County 41 years ago. She is the Parliamentarian for the Garden Board.

 

        Ginnie has belonged to many local organizations and served as an officer many times.  She raised her children and her grandchildren are being raised in the area.  Ginnie has been involved in many youth organizations.

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Her favorite quote is:

        "God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts.  Use them well to serve one another."

​        ​        ​        - 1 Peter 4.10.

Jeannie Williams

Board Member

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​        Jeannie is the owner and manager of Genesis Organic Farm in Hanford, growing stone fruit and berries. In 2008 she began Discovery Gardens, a hands-on agriculture program teaching classes specializing in organic and biological gardening methods to help people learn to grow their own nutrition.  Jeannie also started Gardens 4 Education, a fundraising program, which helps local schools support their school gardens. 

​        Jeannie is an advocate for healthy eating. "We are starving to death with full stomachs, processed foods simply do not meet our nutritional needs. We have to encourage the next generation to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Teaching people to grow their own is a great way to make it both affordable and accessible."

​        Jeannie also has a background in graphic arts and web design which has helped with the creation of the CSG&M website and marketing materials.  She lives in Hanford with her husband, Ted.

Her favorite quote is:

​        "Let food be thy medicine"

- Hippocrates

Maryse Guevara

formerly a Board Member, now our

Director of Education

 

        Maryse earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from California Lutheran University.  After working for five years in California's Child Welfare Services as a social worker, she earned two teaching credentials and worked for 11 years teaching 5th and 6th grades.  She has taught AVID classes and is a teacher consultant for the San Joaquin Valley Writing Project. 

 

​        Recently, Maryse completed Master Gardener training.  Maryse is now the CSG&M's Director of Education and writes our curriculum for the field trips as well as teaching the lessons on the trips!   Her favorite part of spending time in the Garden is hearing from children and visitors all the ways the Garden serves the community. 

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Her favorite quote is:

​        "Beauty surrounds us, but usually we need to be walking in a garden to know it." 

- Rumi 

Chris Raven

Board Member