The North Lake Tahoe/Truckee community is filled with locals who make significant impacts on the quality of life in our region. Living and surviving in a mountain town is no easy task, yet there are many who go above and beyond the call of duty. To celebrate the holidays, Moonshine Ink decided to profile a few who give back in significant ways. Whittling down the list to four was no easy task, but we aimed to show the wide spectrum of the community spirit in all the corners of our locale. Those presented here are all long-time locals who have carved out a niche in their respective corner of North Lake Tahoe/Truckee. For these four local celebrities, building and maintaining a strong local community is paramount. To that, we say “cheers!”
THE COMMUNITY BUILDER
Dave Ferrari
Ask anyone in Kings Beach who has had the biggest impact on the community, and chances are that Dave Ferrari’s name will pop up. His parents started Ferrari’s Crown Resort Motel in the heart of Kings Beach nearly 70 years ago, and now Ferrari manages the motel with his sister, Marilyn. He can be linked to nearly every community resource in North Tahoe, having helped found both La Comunidad Unida and the Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe. He was instrumental in bringing the Sierra College campus to Truckee, was a member of the capital campaign to purchase the Community House, and donated land to the local 4H program. He also allows locals free use of the Crown Motel’s swimming pools since no community pool exists in Kings Beach. It is no surprise that Ferrari, who is one of six children, was named person of the year twice locally.
Occupation:
Co-Owner and manager of Ferrari’s Crown Resort Motel
How many years have you lived in Tahoe/Truckee?
I have lived in the Tahoe/Truckee area much of my life. As a child, I lived at the Crown Motel in Kings Beach and then off and on in other areas before coming back to Tahoe.
Current City:
Kings Beach
What is one food you must have during the holidays?
During the holidays, a staple food is my Nonna’s ravioli done from scratch with the original filling. We still use the old marker and cutter to make them.
What is a memorable family holiday tradition you have?
Being Italian, a holiday tradition is eating great meals with family and friends. The faces at the table have changed over time, but it is a moment to remember those who got us here and celebrate the new family and friends.
What gift would you give the North Lake Tahoe/Truckee community?
If I could give the Tahoe/Truckee community a gift, I would make sure the lake stays blue and the water temperature stays down about 4 degrees. From a social level, I would make sure that all the people that work in the Tahoe/Truckee region would be able to live here comfortably.
Tell us a story about the impact the community has had on you.
I think we have an amazing community that works together for the betterment of all. Over 30 years ago, I helped bring a family I had been living with in Nicaragua while studying Spanish to Kings Beach. Nicaragua was war torn and very poor. I left after my 30 days and continued to stay in touch. Things continually worsened in the country. Tere, the mother of four, decided to relocate to Florida where she had family. They travelled overland in what was a six week trip. I visited them a few times in Florida and it wasn’t easy there, either. I talked to Tere and it was decided that they would move to Kings Beach where they would have their own trailer to live in. Doug Diaz, his family, and I drove to Florida to pick them up and brought them to Kings Beach. At that point, I realized how ill-equipped I was to help the transition from Nicaragua/Florida to Kings Beach, where they had no friends or family. However, without asking, a number of local people and families stepped up and accepted them into our community without question and helped them through what could have been a very difficult and lengthy transition process. All of them are now successful in this country and are positive members of their community. It could not have happened without the support and guidance received from day one. I can’t name everyone, but the José Diaz family and the Jean Pierre Doignon families were instrumental. This is a true testimonial to the spirit and generosity of this community.
What do you consider as your biggest achievement?
In this community there are not really personal achievements, but I think my biggest achievement was forming La Comunidad Unida (LCU) with Dagoberto Diaz and Rick Castro. It was formed in response to some graffiti incidents at our grammar school in Kings Beach. There was a rapidly growing, non-English speaking population in Kings Beach and few bilingual people in the region. There were a couple public meetings at the elementary school and the conclusion was that it had to be “those people.” The situation was very ugly as there was no Latino representation at the meetings. Since Dagoberto, Rick, and I had little experience in the public arena, we were able to form the non-profit, but were not sure where to start. We were very fortunate to run into Chris Ballin working at the local volunteer center. With her guidance, we learned about pulling people together in a positive manner and the principles of social justice. At the same time, Project MANA and Tahoe Women’s Services (now Tahoe Safe Alliance) were also starting in much of the same principles and dreams. Chris Ballin held us to a very high standard and today we are a model for all other similar communities. Now, our children are learning two languages in Kings Beach Elementary School, we have a state of the art Boys & Girls Club that has expanded to Truckee, and an unique Family Resource Center that is a one stop shop for those needing support. Our great community even voted to tax themselves to create a community college that has 600 students per semester. I would be remiss to not mention the SH Cowell Foundation that pushed us to limits of service that we hadn’t even dreamed of.
THE COMMUNITY ACTIVIST
Leticia Aguilar
Leticia Aguilar is the definition of a local success story. As one of 18 children from Jalisco, Mexico, she moved to the United States in 1971, and established her first childcare facility in Truckee in 1982. Her bilingual approach to education has granted her an outstanding reputation, as shown by the consistent waiting list at her daycare, Lety’s Preschool and Daycare. She put herself through college, earning an Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education and an Associate of Arts Degree in Early Education, Master Teacher, both with honors. Aguilar is deeply involved in the Truckee community as a committee member of the Family Resource Center of Truckee and Latino Advisory Council, and as a member of the Rotary Club, Soroptimist Club, and Queen of Hearts Foundation. In 2011, she received the Woman of Distinction honor from the Soroptimist International of Truckee-Donner. Her family includes her husband Ramiro, three grown children, and three grandchildren.
Occupation:
Director, teacher, and owner of Lety’s Preschool and Daycare
How many years have you lived in Tahoe/Truckee?
I moved from Vista Hermosa, Mexico, to Sacramento in 1971, and then to Truckee in 1979. I’ve lived here for 36 years.
Current City:
Truckee
What is one food you must have during the holidays?
Salads! Plus, I put on a big Christmas party every year, and I spend days, alongside some of my friends, cooking tamales, rice and beans, flan, and other dishes.
What is a memorable family holiday tradition you have?
Having our family together and recollecting things we used to do as children.
What gift would you give the North Lake Tahoe/Truckee community?
The gift of helping young women reach their goals, primarily working toward a college degree and then getting a job they enjoy. I want women to gain self-respect and to know that they are equal to men.
Tell us a story about the impact the community has had on you.
When I attended college, I had a lot of support from teachers and administrators. They helped me in scheduling/counseling, in my classes, and tutoring. They encouraged me at every stage, and for that I am thankful.
What do you consider as your biggest achievement?
Obtaining two AA degrees was a big achievement. Studying, raising a family, and working full-time was very challenging.
THE CIVIL SERVANT
Cindy Gustafson
During her 32 years as a Tahoe resident, Cindy Gustafson has made a significant impact on the local community through her involvement in various government positions, boards, committees, and volunteer community efforts. She started at the Tahoe City Public Utility District in 1991 as director of resource development and community relations, was promoted to assistant general manager in 2001, and named general manager in 2008, becoming the first woman in that role. She successfully garnered grant funding for, and administered, $30 million in a variety of projects, including bike trails, sidewalks, water and sewer system upgrades, community buildings, public parks and beaches, and environmental restoration projects. Originally from the Washington, D.C. area, Gustafson served four years as a California Fish and Game commissioner, chaired the Marine Life Protection Act Blue Ribbon Task Force, served two years on the Lake Basin Federal Advisory Committee, and five years on the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District board. She has a 28-year-old son, Erik.
Occupation:
Manager of the Tahoe City Public Utility District
How many years have you lived in Tahoe/Truckee?
32 years
Current City:
Tahoe City
What is one food you must have during the holidays?
My mother’s turkey stuffing; with the turkey, of course!
What is a memorable family holiday tradition you have?
It is wonderful for the entire family to decorate our home inside and out, and then entertain friends and family during the season. I have many holiday decorations from my grandmother, from my mother, and then my own. Putting up those decorations from their childhoods and sharing memories with our family is really special. It prompts stories about their lives that we seem to only talk about once a year.
What gift would you give the North Lake Tahoe/Truckee community?
This is easy. I believe that the one thing that would make the biggest change in the future of our community would be to make it possible for young families to own a home, here in North Lake Tahoe. Too many of our public servants and other young workers — PUD employees, firefighters, teachers, law enforcement, etc. — can’t afford to buy into our housing market and they end up commuting from Reno. Housing was so much more affordable when I came here, and I was able to raise a family and build a career while living in and serving my community. If I could give our young families what I was fortunate enough to have, I would be thrilled.
Tell us a story about the impact the community has had on you.
I can’t name just one. I have been greatly moved by the many times this community has come to the support of people who have suffered in some way. Whether that was for parents of a son or daughter who was taken too soon, or the families of 9/11, or the veterans in our community on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. We feel it more deeply and it becomes more personal precisely because we live in a small town. The connection we have to everyone here is what makes this such a special place.
What do you consider as your biggest achievement?
Just being involved in positive change for my community. It’s the process, not necessarily the outcome in each case, that’s important. There are so many opportunities for all of us to contribute in our community and make a difference. What I may have achieved is less important to me than how I have lived my life to help improve our community.
THE PRO SKIER
Michelle Parker
A ski racer until she was 15, Michelle Parker then realized her passion was freeskiing, having followed the likes of Scott Gaffney, J.T. Holmes, and the late Shane McConkey as a kid. At 16, she competed in her first U.S. Freeskiing Open. Now, at 28-years-old, Parker is considered one of the ski industry’s most versatile female skiers. She has appeared in more than a dozen ski films and, in 2013, won Best Female Performance at the Powder Video Awards and at the International Freeski Film Festival for her segment in Matchstick Productions’ Superheroes of Stoke. She is currently in the running as a finalist for Freeskier Magazine’s skier of the year. Parker is also passionate about Tahoe, where she was born-and-raised, and gives back to the community by being on the board of the High Fives Foundation, as well as co-founding a women’s avalanche safety clinic four years running.
Occupation:
Professional big mountain skier
How many years have you lived in Tahoe/Truckee?
I’ve been here all my life; 28 years. I was born in Truckee and raised in Squaw Valley.
Current City:
Tahoe City
What is one food you must have during the holidays?
I think some of mom’s homemade pies; they really hit the spot, especially pumpkin and pecan. She has a mean pecan pie.
What is a memorable family holiday tradition you have?
I would say going skiing together in Squaw Valley. My mom, dad, brother, and I go out skiing every holiday. My dad and I have this unique competitive relationship. When I was younger, I remember racing him down the hill. I was giving it all I had, and I’m sure he was going slow. As long as I could remember, I was always racing my dad down the mountain. I feel bad for him and now I go slower.
What gift would you give the Tahoe/Truckee community?
For me, it would go along with how I view my life purpose right now. One of the reasons I do what I do is to inspire young women to live active, healthy lifestyles and to appreciate nature and the outdoors. I try to lead by example and also by just being involved in our community — just skiing with the younger generation. I host a women’s avalanche clinic with other women professional skiers at Squaw Valley — SAFE AS.
Tell us a story about the impact the community has had on you.
The community has really impacted me. For my job, I travel year-round and I come home to a community that always embraces my lifestyle and is supportive. I am grateful for that. No matter where I am in the world, I can communicate with people from home. I feel really welcomed, and I don’t think it is like that in every community. I feel like we have gone through a lot together as a community; we have gotten closer as a community. We are there for each other and stand up for each other. That is really powerful. That is how I feel about the core of the Tahoe community. My friends from out of town who come visit say they get a sense of that, and that is empowering.
What do you consider as your biggest achievement?
I think, honestly, my biggest achievement is having fun every single day and keeping it lighthearted — laughing at myself and with others. I think a lot of that has to do with my dad. My dad has the most positive outlook out of anyone I can think of in my life. He is a goofy, goofy guy and likes to have fun. It is contagious to be around him.
