On Oct. 10, Turlock Mayor Gary Soiseth and the City Council proclaimed Oct. 22 would honor the 200th bicentenary of the founder of the Baha’i Faith, Baha’u’llah. Erika Bennet, Ken Allen, Mary Allen, Sara Martinez and Elvira Ghardashem were on hand to receive the proclamation, and on Oct. 22, a celebration was held by the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Turlock, joining more than 6 million Baha’is from 240 countries around the world in observance of the bicentennial event.

The 72 guests for the evening were treated to a documentary about the life and teachings of Baha’u’lla, and celebrated the long heritage of the Baha’i faith in Turlock since 1927. Maud Fisher was the first Baha’i known to have lived in Turlock, and was married to Elmer Fisher, a farmer and longtime employee of Turlock Irrigation District.

Allen, the Chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Turlock, is the son of Fisher.