New decorations go up this month
Thanks to the efforts of a local warden, three instructors and over 80 inmates, Corcoran residents will be seeing new Christmas decorations downtown this year.
Driven by the Corcoran Chamber of Commerce, the project has included several local donations, capped with the willing labor supplied by California State Prison and Substance Abuse Treatment Facility at Corcoran (SATF).
Earlier this year, a review of the bells and swags that decorate the downtown area was completed—and the aged decorations found sadly wanting. While the frames for the bells were in good shape, the garland was worn and lights needed replacement. The city has been using the decorations for approximately 20 years and the sun had also taken its toll on the garlands’ once-bright colors, while storage had flattened the garland wrappings.
Darrell Frey with the Corcoran Chamber of Commerce took the lead in the project to purchase new decorations. Problems arose almost at once: to purchase new downtown bells and swags, the cost could easily reach $75,000. The chamber, partnering with the Corcoran Christmas Tree Committee, pulled together a committee to seek a less expensive solution.
SATF stepped forward to save the day. Warden Ken Clark offered free labor through vocational classes provided to inmates at his institution. The local committee needed only to purchase the supplies to make the project succeed.
Between The Corcoran Community Foundation, the Corcoran Rotary Club, the Christmas Tree Committee and the City of Corcoran, funds were raised—approximately $25,000—to order all new garland for the decorations, along with new paint and other supplies needed to refurbish the frames. Enough garland was also ordered to completely decorate Christmas Tree Park during the holiday season.
Once the supplies were ordered, the old decorations were delivered to SATF, where instructors Pete Frankmore, James Searcy and Andrew Perales oversaw classes of inmates who stripped the old garland and lighting away, before sanding and painting the decoration frames. The work was completed under the guidance of Patricia Medved, principal of the Tulare Lake Adult School at SATF, and Dave Risenhoover, vocational vice principal.
The school was able to tackle the project since it met requirements for the learning experiences offered to the inmates enrolled in the institution’s various classes. A total of 81 inmates worked on the renovation, putting in free hours that saved the community many thousands of dollars—and making the project possible.
And the inmates got something from the experience.
"They were very animated about it," said Perales. "They got to see the decorations come together from beginning to end; they were all willing to participate and it was something very positive for them."
More than feeling good about what they were accomplishing, Frankmore said valuable skills were also being taught: the production end of the project helped inmates learn to work in a focused, efficient environment.
"The inmates were very professional about it," he stated.
The proof of that professionalism will be visible to the entire community when the new decorations go up this month. The new relationship forged between the community and SATF will also be continuing through new projects.
In fact, the city’s 1969 Packard has already arrived at the institution, ready for a complete overhaul, paint job and make-over. Look for it at upcoming parades in Corcoran and around the area.

District to host building forum
Corcoran Unified School District is encouraging the community to attend an open forum to discuss formulation of a multi-year plan to improve existing school buildings and possible construction of a new school.
The session will be held at John Muir Cooper Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 6, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The oldest local school buildings can be found on the high school campus and date from 1939 (not including the small gymnasium, which is even older). Other wings at the high school have been constructed over ensuing years. The majority of buildings at Bret Harte, Fremont, Mark Twain and John Muir Middle School were built between 1951-53. All Corcoran school sites have portable buildings, which are now also showing their age.
The meeting offers a chance for the public and district staff to provide input on how to improve Corcoran’s schools—and to tell what they would like to see in a possible new school. The plan for the multi-million dollar project will extend over several years and will be a huge undertaking to match the vision of the community and the district.
"This is a very significant endeavor that will affect Corcoran students for years to come," noted Superintendent Rich Merlo. "We hope the community will come to the meeting, providing the district will vital information."