Published in the October 25 – November 7 issue of Morgan Hill Life

I’m looking forward to the annual Veterans Day Run and Veterans Day ceremony at the downtown memorial Nov. 11 from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Morgan Hill’s deeply dedicated veteran Eddie Bowers will organize the ceremony. It will include patriotic songs from local school children led by Karen Crane, a reading of the names of residents who died serving, a prayer, veterans raising an American and a performance of “Taps” to end the solemn ceremony.

This year, the Veterans Day Run will begin at 9:45 a.m. to allow for a seamless integration with the ceremony. Runners will start the course on East First Street, about half a block from the ceremony.

“It is our hope that attendees of the memorial ceremony will join in at the start of the run while also allowing for runners and walkers to come earlier and participate in the Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony,” race organizer Charles Weston told me.

Feel like taking part? Register at www.morganhillveteransdayrun.com or the day of the run. What a great way to express appreciation for the men and women in the Armed Forces — and get some exercise, too.

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Sharon Winchester

In January, I wrote about Morgan Hill resident Sharon Winchester, whose Hammered Copper Dog Tag gift was included in the swag bags given to celebrities, select press and media and other VIPs at the Golden Globes.

Well, she shared with me recently that she had another success. Earlier this month, one of her necklaces was used in the season six premier of the show “Arrow” on the CW. Emily Bett Rickards, who plays Felicity, wore one of her Dainty Gold Tube necklaces.

“I’m pretty excited and honored to have one of my handmade pieces on television,” she told us. In 2013, Winchester started her company Sleek Kitty that makes handcrafted, unique gifts. To learn more about The Sleek Kitty visit www.etsy.com/shop/thesleekkitty, or email [email protected].

Congratulations, Sharon!

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Photo by Marty Cheek
Janet Leach gives the peace sign on the grounds of where the proposed Peace Pole will be located in the Civic Plaza near the library.

The Morgan Hill Peace Project recently announced it had received a $500 grant from the Morgan Hill Community Foundation to support the creation of the future Morgan Hill Peace Monument. The monument will represent a community dedicated to peace, tolerance and unity. Peace monuments symbolize hope for a better world and will link Morgan Hill with people of all faiths and nationalities worldwide. There are tens of thousands peace monuments throughout the world, in more than 180 countries. Hopefully soon, Morgan Hill will join them.

Our proposed monument will be a 10-foot-tall, vertical column, etched with the words “peace” in multiple languages. It will be located next to the Morgan Hill Library. Funds for the monument are being raised through community donations and www.gofundme.com/mhmonument.

Great idea. I look forward to it

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Congratulations to Mike and Nancy Clampitt, owners of the United Academy of Martial Arts, who are celebrating 25 years in Morgan Hill, and the second year in their new location. A quarter century ago, the couple decided to open a martial arts studio where people could develop personally as well as physically while learning self defense. They also wanted a place where their two young daughters could learn martial arts, something that Mike had trained in all his life.

Mike and Nancy both started in education. Mike taught college prep English and humanities at Live Oak High School for 25 years and Nancy was a preschool teacher. They brought their love of teaching to the martial arts. The United Academy has trained more than 2,000 students and graduated more than 400 black belts. Here’s to another 25 years, at least!