Tom & Edith Runels

Grand Marshals
Arroyo Grande Valley Harvest Festival 2005

Congratulations to this year's Grand Marshals, Tom and Edith Runels.

After reading and studying the dozens of Grand Marshal nominations received this year,
the 2005 Festival Board of Directors have named Tom and Edith Runels
the 2005 Arroyo Grande Valley Harvest Festival Grand Marshals.

"It was a difficult choice as there were many excellent nominees" said Board members, but,
after deliberations, the Board unanimously voted for Tom and Edith to receive this year's Honor.

The Runels, who have deep roots in the Arroyo Grande Valley
have lived in the same home on Valley Road for over 37 years.  Prior
to that they lived on their farm just across the street.
The Runels' family, has been farming in the area since the late 1880's
and still farm the same land today.

Tom's Grandfather, Vitalis Runels came to Nipomo in the late 1800's
and in 1887 began construction of the family home
which still stands today and is now the beautiful bed and breakfast
known as the Kaleidoscope Inn.


Click on image to enlarge

Both Tom and Edith were born in Santa Maria,
Edith on November 14th and Tom on November 3rd.
Tom was born to Elmer and Mazie and is 4th of five children.

Tom began farming when he was 14 years old.
Tom said, "Growing vegetables was like throwing dice.  It was always a gamble.
You plant your seeds, you wait for 90 days and hope you can make back
your money and some profit at the end."

The Runels began by farming dry beans, sugar beets and hay
and raised cattle and hogs.  It was a working farm.

Tom said "Farming, crops have changed.  It used to be dry land
farming and then it changed to irrigation.
We used to have walnut trees.  Our property was covered
with walnut trees, but when walnuts were no longer producing a good
income, the trees were removed. 
We changed from dry beans to pole beans and we did well.
We could grow leaf lettuce, cabbage, broccoli and other crops
in our prime soil that did not do well in the North County.
We also had 200 acres in the Oso Flaco area."

Both Tom and Edith attended Arroyo Grande High School.
Tom graduated in 1958 and Edith in 1956
(she laughs, "I was the older woman!")

Tom and Edith were married on November 21st, 1959


but due to the difficult economic times
which required Tom to work the farm,
they did not go on a honeymoon until ten years later!

Edith said, "Tom was born a farmer and will die a farmer.
It's in his blood and he's good at what he does".


Tom and Edith raised three children,
all attended Arroyo Grande High School.


For eight years, 1997 through 2004, Tom served the community
as a Councilman for the City of Arroyo Grande
as well as serving on both the
Zone 3 Water District Board and the Board
of the Arroyo Grande Cemetery District
for over 25 years.

Edith has a passion for getting her hands in the dirt. She has a flair
for flower design and arrangement and owned and ran a
flower shop for thirty six years.  Edith still loves to garden, which is
evident by all the beautiful roses and dahlias currently growing in their front yard.

In past years the Harvest Festival would hold flower arranging contests
which Edith many times won "Best of Show".

Today, she still enjoys getting her hands in the dirt.  She said,
"I also love hammers and nails.  Last Christmas Tom bought me
one of the best Christmas gifts I've every received,
a ten inch table saw!"

Tom and Edith are now both retired. This past year Tom
served his last year as an Arroyo Grande Councilman and currently
he oversees their farmland which is leased to other farmers
who are raising lettuce, broccoli, bok choy, cabbage and other row crops.

They both enjoy gardening, spending time with their children and
grandchildren (two of which are also born in November).

Tom and Edith were both overwhelmed at being chosen
this year's Grand Marshals.

They were very gracious and thankful.

Edith smiled and said, "The good Lord has blessed us big time!"

~~~

Come and see
Tom and Edith being ushered in as Grand Marshals
on Friday night, September 23rd
at the Gazebo on Short Street.

Tom and Edith will be riding in the parade
and overseeing Festival activities
on September 24th.