A couple of World War II veterans and a former Saratoga High School secretary will be honored by the Saratoga Historical Foundation on July 26.
The “Honoring Saratogans” event will be paying tribute to Henry Clarke, Rhoda Ann Porter and Adrian Stanga for their contributions in the areas of community service, local history and service.
“This dinner is one way we can recognize and celebrate the contributions made by individuals from all walks of life, across a range of areas that improves the community in which we live,” said Saratoga Historical Foundation president Annette Stransky. “It’s a great way to thank these people who through hard work and dedication have significantly contributed to the community.”
A fourth generation Saratogan, Henry Clarke attended Oak Street School in Saratoga and served in World War II. He is a third-generation plumber whose plumbing shop, Clarke’s Plumbing, was an icon in Saratoga for many years. The historical foundation is honoring him for his service in the Saratoga community–35 years as a volunteer firefighter and 25 as a fire commissioner.
Clarke’s fellow Oak Street School alum Rhoda Ann Porter also has deep roots in Saratoga, having served as secretary to the principals of Saratoga High School for 20 years where she was known as the “one to go to to get things done.” Porter and her husband raised four children and built their own adobe house.
Adrian Stanga is another WWII veteran who has been recognized as a citizen of the year in Chico, Sunnyvale and Saratoga. He is known as the father of the Celebrate Saratoga event. Stanga owned Adrian’s Men’s Wear in the Argonaut Shopping Center for many years, and he was in education for more than 30 years as a principal in Sunnyvale.
This is the second time the Historical Foundation is holding this event, according to Stransky. Last year’s honorees were George Cooper, a World War II pilot; Warren Heid, an award-winning architect; Amy June Jorgensen, a member of one of Saratoga’s pioneering families; and Jackie Welch, a former Los Gatos Times Observer reporter.
The Saratoga Historical Foundation is a nonprofit organization that operates the Saratoga History Museum, which contains one of the largest collections of history and memorabilia on the town and people of Saratoga.
The event takes place July 26 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Historical Park, 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road, and includes a BBQ dinner and music. Tickets are $40 for foundation members and $45 for non-members and can be purchased by sending a check to “Honoring Saratogans/SHF” at P.O. Box 172, Saratoga, CA 95071.
For more information, call 408.867.9727 or email roberthimel@att.net.
