Tribute for sustenance

Photo by Paul Robeson, Reporter

FOR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICEJuanita Hutcherson is presented with an outstanding achievement award by Chaplain George Scheidler, right, and Flag Chairman George Russ at VFW Post 9650 in Anderson.

It is estimated that Juanita Hutcherson has cooked over 5,000 dinners in her 15 or so years of volunteering with her late husband Bernard for various civic organizations around the state. More specifically, the couple and then Juanita alone, cooked for the Anderson and Buckeye Granges, the Calif. State Grange, the Redding Senior Center, the Moose Lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekah Lodges, for fundraisers, and at the Anderson Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9650.

On March 27 Juanita was presented an “outstanding achievement award” at the VFW post by Chaplain George Scheidler and Flag Chairman George Russ.

“Your breakfast, lunches and dinners have always been served with a smile on your face and a positive and pleasing attitude,” said Scheidler in the ceremony. “And, I might add, it’s the best tasting food in Shasta County.”

Hutcherson and her late husband Bernard moved to Shasta County in 1982 from Dunsmuir where Bernard had worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad.

“The couple had volunteered their cooking skills at the VFW post,” said son Barry.

“My dad was past post commander and my mom was a past president for three years of the Women’s Auxiliary,” he added.

The couple prepared breakfast for the flag committee for “at least 10 years” said Russ.

“After Bernard passed away five years ago, Juanita continued with the flag breakfasts, as it had been one of their ‘pet projects.’ Juanita was here at 5:30 a.m. on flag days, ‘rain or shine,’ and their sons Barry and Bobby also helped. She was never sick nor did she complain,” added Russ.

“That is because this was my home away from home,” said Juanita Hutcherson.