By Catawba College in South Carolina recently recognized alumna Eleanor Thompson Wortz of Los Altos with a Distinguished Alumni Award for her outstanding service during World War II as a member of the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS).

Wortz, who was honored last month, was active in college activities. In her junior year she was listed in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.

She was the only woman among a group of 10 who took part in the first Civilian Pilot Training Program at Catawba College and received her private pilot’s license in January 1941. The war broke out during her senior year.

After graduation, Wortz was working for the Civil Aeronautics Administration in Washington, D.C., when she was invited to join the WAFS.

The women had to complete the same training as Air Force cadets. Wortz was assigned to the Fifth Ferry Group in Dallas, Texas, and ferried many different aircraft all over the United States.

The last six months of her 22 months in the Air Corps was as an engineering test pilot on the AT-11 at Victorsville.

The name WAFS was eventually changed to WASPS, Women Airforce Service Pilots. Congress belatedly gave the WASPS recognition in 1969. Although all the benefits had expired, the members of the WASPS were delighted to be finally recognized for their contribution to the war effort.

Gregg D. Cleaver of Los Altos has completed California Highway Patrol (CHP) cadet training and is assigned to CHP’s San Jose Area office. Cleaver is a graduate of Homestead High School and received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminal justice from Colorado State University, Fort Collins.

Richard T. Schlosberg III, president and CEO of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, has announced the appointment of Christopher C. DeCardy as the new director of communications. DeCardy, currently executive director of Environmental Media Services, will assume the foundation position in February.

“I am pleased to join an organization with such a deep commitment to addressing global issues and assisting the non-profit community,” said DeCardy.

He and his staff will work closely with each of the foundation’s programs under the overall guidance of Schlosberg.

His responsibilities will include expanding the foundation’s capacity to meet internal and external communication needs and supporting grantee-related communications projects.

Gourd author Ginger Summit of Los Altos Hills and her decorative gourd creations are featured in the November-December issue of Country Woman magazine.

Summit turns the hard-shelled fruits into vases, baskets, ornaments, and more, with decorative touches from painting to carving to wood-burning.

Her handmade tree trims are in “vine” form, too. Mini-gourds carved into bells surround strings of tiny lights. Squat bottle gourds double as candle holders and luminarias.

Summit began drawing artwork out of her shells 13 years ago. The retired teacher has since published four books on the subject and conducts gourd crafting workshops across the country.

For more information, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Ginger Summit, P.O.Box 592, Los Altos Hills 94022, or visit her Web site at www.gingersummit.com.