Joanna Spiller named Fiesta Day Grand Marshal

The Fiesta Day Committee named Joanna Spiller as this year’s Fiesta Day Grand Marshal. Joanna is a former member of the committee and an active volunteer in the community. She retired from the Fiesta Day Committee last year after serving 15 years as a volunteer on the committee. She served as the committee’s chairperson and treasurer for 11 of the 15 years. since 2006.

Joanna purchased property in Canyon Lake in 1980. She became a full-time resident in 1988. She’s been a member of the Canyon Lake Lioness Club for 28 years. She served as the club’s president for three terms and treasurer for the past 11 years. She’s been a member of the Women’s Golf Club since 1988 and a member of the Woman’s Club since the early 90s. She’s served as president in both clubs. Joanna also served as the chairperson of the POA Election Committee from 1991-1994.

Joanna was recognized for her community work in 2003 when she was named Volunteer of the Year. In 2014, she was named Citizen of the Year.

Several years ago Joanna discovered Edison was charging many homes in Canyon Lake the wrong rates. After she made a presentation of facts and figures, over 600 homes received corrected rates and refunds from Edison.

In addition to her volunteer work in Canyon Lake, Joanna is involved with “Honor Flight Southland,” an organization that escorts veterans on trips to Washington D.C. She escorted a WWII Air Force veteran to Washington D.C. in October 2015 and a WWII Navy veteran in 2016.

Joanna said she learned about helping and serving others when she joined Theta Rho Girls Club as a teenager. “Happiness through service” is its motto.

The Fiesta Day Committee works with the POA to put on Fiesta Day for the community. The annual event takes place the Saturday of Memorial weekend and attracts well over 5,000 visitors. Fiesta Day, considered the granddaddy of all Canyon Lake events, has been the opening event for the summer for more than 40 years.