Cornucopia of fun Cornucopia of fun - Almaden Times
Cornucopia of fun Cornucopia of fun - Almaden Times
Cornucopia of fun Cornucopia of fun - Almaden Times
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Page 12 � Nov. 2–Nov. 8, 2007 � <strong>Almaden</strong> <strong>Times</strong> Weekly<br />
Ann Romney<br />
visits <strong>Almaden</strong><br />
By Jeanne C. Carbone<br />
Staff Writer<br />
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s<br />
wife Ann visited the <strong>Almaden</strong> home <strong>of</strong> Richard<br />
and Nan Hunter last Friday.<br />
Attended by more than a 100 Bay Area supporters, she<br />
charmed with her persona and knowledge <strong>of</strong> the issues.<br />
“It is my pleasure to introduce Ann Romney this<br />
evening,” said Nan Hunter. “Ann Romney places primary<br />
importance on her role as a wife, a mother and a grandmother.<br />
She and Gov. Mitt Romney have been married for<br />
<strong>Times</strong> Local News<br />
“It is my pleasure to introduce Ann Romney this evening,” said Nan<br />
Hunter, at right. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis<br />
38 years, and are the parents <strong>of</strong> five children and 10<br />
grandchildren. Please give a warm welcome to the next<br />
first lady <strong>of</strong> the United States, Ann Romney.”<br />
Her visit to the Bay Area started with the annual<br />
California Conference on Women in Long Beach organized<br />
and moderated by Maria Shriver. One <strong>of</strong> the highlights<br />
<strong>of</strong> the symposium, attended by over 14,000<br />
women, was Shriver’s interviews with the wives <strong>of</strong><br />
presidential candidates: Elizabeth Edwards, Cindy<br />
McCain, Michelle Obama, Ann Romney and Jeri<br />
Thompson.<br />
Romney talked about meeting her future husband at<br />
Brigham Young University and parenting five boys. Her<br />
husband was elected governor <strong>of</strong> Massachusetts in<br />
2002. That same year he received national recognition<br />
for his role in successfully turning around the Winter<br />
Olympics surrounded in controversy and facing a<br />
financial crisis.<br />
Romney also discussed her 1998 diagnosis with multiple<br />
sclerosis [MS]. She volunteered much <strong>of</strong> her time<br />
to raise awareness <strong>of</strong> the disease as a board member <strong>of</strong><br />
the New England chapter <strong>of</strong> the MS Society and recently<br />
was awarded the Society’s Inspiration Award.<br />
As a member <strong>of</strong> the board <strong>of</strong> the Massachusetts Bay<br />
United Way, Romney implemented and supported programs<br />
to serve at-risk youth and has served on their<br />
executive committee and Community Impact<br />
Committee. One <strong>of</strong> her goals is to improve the welfare<br />
<strong>of</strong> children throughout the world.<br />
She’s involved with Right To Play, an international<br />
nonpr<strong>of</strong>it organization that uses sport and play as a<br />
developmental tool for children in the most disadvantaged<br />
areas <strong>of</strong> the world. She has served in the annual<br />
Scholastic Reading event, Partners for Youth with<br />
Disabilities, the American Red Cross, was past president<br />
<strong>of</strong> Best Friends and the Perkins School for the<br />
Blind.<br />
As Massachusetts’ first lady, she also served as a<br />
board member <strong>of</strong> the Children’s Trust Fund and many<br />
others. In recognition <strong>of</strong> her charitable efforts, she<br />
received the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award from<br />
Operation Kids.<br />
A sports enthusiast and an avid equestrian, Romney<br />
has received competitive recognition in dressage events<br />
nationwide, including winning the 2006 gold medal<br />
and 2005 silver medal at the grand prix level from the<br />
United States Dressage Federation. But she also lends<br />
her time and leadership to equine therapy programs for<br />
physically challenged children.<br />
“The Romneys are very impressive,” said Diane Blake.<br />
“I heard Mitt Romney speak and he is very knowledgeable<br />
and experienced. He knows the business <strong>of</strong> a country.<br />
And they are really a team.”<br />
“And Ann is great. She’s a super hero—any woman who<br />
raised five sons. He has my vote!” added Blake.<br />
Some at the event even compared Romney to Jack<br />
Kennedy.<br />
“It reminds you <strong>of</strong> when electing a Catholic was a big<br />
deal,” said Saratoga resident Mark Murillo. “Now being<br />
a Mormon is a non-issue.”