Gloriana Casey presents an ode to the Citizen of the Year, with an added acrostic sonnet below. Who says we don't give you value here?
"Portrait of the Citizen of the Year, as an Altadena Man"
from gloriana casey
Citizen of the Year will be---
Altadena city:
A man of interests, oh so wide;
Yes! He's also witty!
A man whose brain is synapse full,
and firing in all might!
For thoughts and plans they rise in him,
from sunrise through the night!
"Who is this Bill Westphal?" you ask,
so just to tell you true.
A neighbor man of substance then,
an inspiration too!
Now some time back, in Highland Park,
he spent his growing youth.
To Altadena, he did move.
His gifts? Here is the proof!
Our weather man, yes he is ours.
He has a wondrous space.
Check the weather---24 hours
with "Mr. Bill" in place.
A mascot then is "Mr. Bill"
on WeatherCam, you'll see.
One little statue man -- you'll find,
and standing tall, he'll be.
"Bill" number one succumbed---he did!
A robber, made a steal!
This robber flew and ate him up,
a big bird's crunchy meal!
"Bill" number two? The sun his foe,
so hot that sun can be!
"Bill" number three, you'll see him now;
he waves eternally!
His WeatherCam, it has much more
for on his site you'll see,
along with weather--- science too,
plus local history!
Which brings us next to his photos,
found on this weather site.
"Beauty is Truth-- and ---Truth, Beauty."
His art work---a delight!
His grandmama, from the Midwest
photography---her art.
She moved herself to this state here,
her artistry to start.
A flapper type, Bill thinks perhaps.
With family then in tow,
she stormed the heights with pictures grand,
in architectural know!
More interests wide---like--- radio,
though some do call it "ham."
His father in that World War II,
Tech sergeant---radio man!
So now---a family legacy---
amateur radio!
The first world voice that came to Bill
from far Japan, you know!
So then began Bill's odyssey.
Nomadic ears, a clue.
Connection to the whole wide world,
with local talking too.
Now photovolactic,----what is that?
He tinkers with this too.
To make that solar light shine out,
Helios gets his due!
And just to let you know much more,
a night time volunteer.
He rides with sheriffs to impart,
10-4--- the city's clear!
So Bill Westphal, I think it's time,
your recognition's due.
But even better --- yes I have
a quote direct from you!
"I like to know what makes things work,
why things do what they do."
That's WHY--- he is the CITIZEN,
a SEARCHER--- tried and true!
****** and now: Take the acrostic sonnet quiz!
INSTRUCTIONS:
Citizen of the Year will show,
a man with Thinker's might.
Peruse this sonnet carefully,
the answer is in sight!
The hidden part of his essence
within this sonnet's found.
Word puzzle waiting just for you.
two words--- and so profound!
"A Sonnet for Mr. Westphal"
from gloriana casey
Raise the dais---sound the trumpets loud!
Even Nature---the sky proclaims it all!
None else! Citizen of the Year---be proud,
A man's long list of skills grows ever tall.
Initiator---WeatherCam--this plan!
Seek isobars and doppler on this site.
See artistry and beauty---photos grand!
And volunteer with sheriffs in the night.
Nor overlook those airwaves---radio!
Compelling, seeker---for this mind give thanks.
Engages science learning---solar show,
Makes Bill Westphal the top among the ranks.
And life can be that journey-- "joie de vivre"
Note too, Community, this joy to share.
