33201 Agua Dulce Canyon Road

SEPTEMBER 18, 2010

Thank you to our 2010 sponsors:

Agua Dulce General Store
Agua Dulce Hardware
Gardner Grading
Hamer Toyota
Kenneth Lester, CPA
Premise Keepers
Sierra Motors
Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic
   





2009 Grand Marshal
Bob Harris
Bob Harris is 85 years young, and has been a resident of Agua Dulce for over 40 years.
Currently, Bob operates Agua Dulce Movie Ranch with his partner William Fix. On weekends you can find Bob racing flat track motorcycles. It’s reported that he is the oldest man in the United States still racing dirt track.
His resume is long and varied. Bob has been a miner, a boxer, and Army soldier during World War II, a commercial pilot, a construction worker, car salesman, and professional race car driver. Race car driving introduced Bob to the world of Hollywood stunt driving and lasting friendships with actors who were involved with racing. He has been a stunt double for Elvis Presley and raced with Steve McQueen.
He started in the stunt business in the 1950’s and continued into the 1990’s. His credits include Bonanza, Bonnie and Clyde, Speedway, Bullit, The Love Bug, True Grit, Dirty Harry, Magnum Force, The Deer Hunter, China Syndrome, and many more.
Bob Harris and the Agua Dulce Movie Ranch have been consistent sponsors of local community events, including the Country Fair.
2009 Family of the Year
Frederico & Belia Enriquez
Frederico was born in Pleasonton, Texas, and Belia was born in Los Angeles, California. They met in south Los Angeles in 1955 and promptly became friends. Although Belia did not really like Freddy -- as everyone called him then -- Freddy fell in love with Belia. He knew that she was the girl he wanted to marry. Frederico and Belia were teenage sweethearts at the early age of 14. Three years later (at 17 years of age) they had a shotgun wedding -- oops!
 They were married May 17, 1958. They have been married 51 years and have been blessed with five wonderful children -- one girl and four boys. All the children are adults now and have families of their own. Frederico and Belia have 17 grand children and are expecting their first great-grandchild in October. One of their sons, David, and his family also reside in Agua Dulce. Belia also has a brother, Eddy Varela; he and his wife, Stella, live in Agua Dulce as well.
 Lucky (Frederico’s nickname) and Belia have been residents of Agua Dulce for 27 years. They purchased vacant land in Agua Dulce in 1975, and lived in the Santa Clarita Valley from 1976. In 1984, Lucky and Belia moved to their vacant land and into a small, 30-foot travel trailer.
 They built an outhouse for their personal needs and hauled in potable water. They then purchased a mobile home which had been damaged by a fire (a larger one Belia found in the classified ads). They remodeled it and lived in it for six years while they were building their dream home. Lucky and Belia gave all the credit for building their dream home to their carpenter sons who are in the construction field, and also knew their parents dream and vision, which they held onto and never gave up! “Let nothing deter you from your dreams,” they say.
 Frederico is a retired ironworker. He and Belia have owned and operated two real estate offices in Pacoima and Panorama City. They have been involved in political affairs -- both at the state and national level -- for most of their adult lives. They are currently involved in the Agua Dulce Seniors Club.
 Frederico and Belia urge everone to get involved in the community. They say: “There are so many wonderful people out there anxious to be your friend, excited to get to know you, and more than willing to be there when you need a friend. Look around you! We are here! We are your brothers and sisters who are waiting to love you and encourage you and listen to you. We are here to have fun together with you. Join us in these organizations that are already set up by members of this small community. Think about it and call us. Do it soon!”




2009 Pioneer Family of the Year
Irene & Dan Fierro
Too crowded, too many people, too much traffic, and too little peace of mind -- those were some of the reasons the Fierros decided to move to Agua Dulce in 1990. Forty acres was enough room for Danny and the entire family (two daughters, one son, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren) to relax and hike on their own land. After they moved here, Danny Jr.’s family kept coming out on the weekends to enjoy the beauty and peace; then in 1996, Danny Jr., his wife Ella, Carlos, Denise and Adrian joined the senior Fierros here.
 While keeping busy maintaining Hacienda Fierro and gardening, Danny still helps his son out with their auto repair business in Pacoima. Before opening his own business, Danny worked 25 years with Jessup Dairy maintaining the machinery used in milking and milk processing. He also helped with artificial insemination.
 Friends and neighbors appreciate his expertise in pruning and cleaning up that he does with the aid of a grandchild or two. Danny helps out by picking up senior friends and taking them shopping or wherever else they need to go including DMV or medical appointments.
 Irene is busy with her knitting and crocheting, making baby blankets for premature babies in hospitals, the caps for the babies to wear home, afghans for veterans and older wheelchair patients. She also makes afghans to go to the homeless. Her craftmanship as a seamstress is apparent, as she wears clothing she has designed and sewn herself to events within the community.
 Since moving here, the Fierros have been very active in the Senior Citizens Club, and Danny served as president for two years. Irene has been active in the Women’s Club as well as participating in activities revolving around their great-grandchildren’s school activities.
 Danny and Irene are thankful for all the friendly and helpful people they have met and worked with in Agua Dulce. Danny says, “Agua Dulce is a small town but it has people who have BIG, BIG hearts.”