Janice Weaver, of Santa Cruz, took the top overall prize by winning “Best of Show” for the third year in a row at The Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau’s 45th Annual Apple Pie Baking Contest at the Santa Cruz County Fair.
There were more than 40 apple pie entries, and winners were selected for each of the three divisions: youth, adult and masters.
The Apple Pie Contest judges are different every year. This year’s judges included Dennis Webb, president-elect of Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau; Caroline Eiskamp, vice chair, Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley; CJ Miller, chair, Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee; and Jennifer Gavin, director of Pharmacy, Watsonville Community Hospital.
The winners:
• Youth division: 1. Rosa Taylor, Santa Cruz; 2. Marisa Wood, Watsonville; 3. Keara McNutt, Watsonville.
• Adult division: 1. Stephanie Hedgpeth, Watsonville; 2. Andrew Kasunich, Royal Oaks; 3. Leslie Achord, Boulder Creek.
• Masters division: Janice Weaver, Santa Cruz; 2. Rita Hewitt, Watsonville; 3. Tim Verterli, Soquel.
Church to mark 170 years
Watsonville First United Methodist Church will celebrate 170 years on Oct. 22. A church service and luncheon will mark the occasion, according to a release from the church.
The congregation was established when the Rev. D.A. Dryden conducted a marriage ceremony on the banks of the Pajaro River in 1852. This was believed to be the first American wedding in the Pajaro Valley. Soon, a sanctuary was built on Main Street. In 1873, a church at Third and Rodriguez streets served members until 1954. The current location of 229 Stanford St. has been used since that time. Freedom Community Methodist Church combined with Watsonville First United Methodist Church in 1998.
The current pastor is Rev. John Song. For information about the event, 831-724-4434 or visit watsonville1stumc.org.
Education
Biola University in La Mirada welcomed five Santa Cruz County students this fall.
The students included: Natalie Amador of Scotts Valley, Colette Friedley of Watsonville, Landon Holtzclaw of Aptos, Hannah Kuo of Scotts Valley and Karlie Pryor of Scotts Valley.
• New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine welcomed its newest medical students including Julio Alejandro Lima Hooven from Watsonville.
Vic Davis to retire
Santa Cruz County this week announced the future retirement of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Vic Davis.
Davis will continue to serve in his current role with the bank to support a transition to his successor, according to a release from the bank.
With more than 40 years in community banking, Davis began his career at County Bank and Trust in Santa Cruz, where he served as branch operations supervisor and budget manager. For 10 years he was chief financial officer of San Benito Bank in Hollister. In his career, he also served as a senior level auditor and consultant for Bank Vision Inc.
In his 14 years at Santa Cruz County Bank, Davis has managed the bank’s assets and liabilities, securities portfolio and finance department. In addition, Davis led the department during the recession, through systems conversions and the merger with Lighthouse Bank and multiple, complex stock-related transactions.
Got a story to tell, an event to report, an award to announce? Tell Name dropping. Email Namedropping@santacruzsentinel.com. Name dropping is published Sundays and Mondays in the Sentinel.
