By Clyde Noel

Town Crier correspondent

Every holiday season, when the Foothill-De Anza Community College District has their annual election of officers, a tradition begun 44 years ago is renewed.

Called “fruitcake refreshment,” it’s the only known activity that has endured from the beginning of the district. The celebration takes place before the first slated meeting in December when most of the former trustees return to socialize over the fruitcake. This year, the regular meeting was held Dec. 3 in the District Administration Building at Foothill College.

A recent food survey revealed the majority of Americans feel fruitcake is best used as a doorstop, a gift during the holiday season or even as landfill, but don’t tell that to Mary S. Levine, one of the first elected trustees of the district in 1957.

“As a woman on the first board, I didn’t accept being put in a slot. It became obvious at board meetings the other board members and the staff didn’t know what to do with a woman with the same elected stature,” Levine said.

At the December 1958 meeting, Levine brought a fruitcake to soften the feelings among the different factions when the board and staff came together for a bit of socializing.

“The suggestion of serving a fruitcake came from Fran Birkenbuel, chair of the home economics department at Cubberly High School,” Levine said. “The event was warmly welcomed and it was presumed I would do it again the following year. I have for 44 years. For several years, I made the fruitcakes myself until I became too busy. Today the fruitcake is made in Georgia by Koinonia Partners.”

Mickey Wheat, a district trustee during the early ’90s, said former trustees return to enjoy the “fruitcake refreshment.”

“The fruitcake evokes delightful memories of the early days of Silicon Valley,” said Martha Kanter, president of De Anza College. “One bite and your holiday spirit returns.”

Jim Keller, vice chancellor, said the fruitcake is getting better every year.

One of the original directors, Robert Smithwick, stood with a slice of fruitcake on his plate as he commented on Levine’s role in continuing such a nice tradition.

Noticing all the former district trustees in attendance, Chancellor Leo Chavez said, “These people here tonight are the guiding force behind our history.”

The celebration also served as a tribute to departing Dolly Sandoval who said, “I leave this district with a heavy heart. I have been involved in the district since 1984 when I was a student trustee when Mickey Wheat was my mentor. My 10 years as a trustee on the board were most fruitful.”

Following the fruitcake celebration, Sandy Hay was elected president of the board of trustees and Mary Mason vice president for the coming year.