HELEN ANN THOMAS

It was one swell shindig. Held in an airplane hangar at the edge of the Santa Maria airport, the Allan Hancock College (AHC) Foundation celebrated its 40th anniversary with a gala on Saturday, Oct. 21. More than 300 people showed up for this auspicious event. Tickets were $150 each and included an endless supply of […]

The Minerva Club, founded in 1894 by a small group of pioneer women, held its traditional Opening Day luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the Radisson Hotel. \More than 130 ladies came to welcome the official start of Minerva’s 2017-2018 club year. In need of rest and relaxation, after several arduous months of teas, potluck […]

This event had a ton of pizazz. I am referring to the annual Celebrity Waiters Night held on Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Santa Maria Country Club, where 230 locals gathered to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Maria Valey. There was so much going on—it made the beat of a […]

Although temperatures were over 100 degrees, Tour and Taste of the Valley, an annual fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Maria Valley, attracted a respectable-sized crowd on the morning of Sept. 2 in the back parking lot of the Orcutt Union Plaza. Billed as a “wine country ride, run, and tasting event,” […]

On Saturday evening, Aug. 26, Elks Lodge No. 1538 was overrun with young people from Allan Hancock College all sporting numbered football jerseys and, maybe, shoulder pads. Who were these bulked-up bulldogs? Well, the big guys and the really big guys were likely football players, the tall guys were likely basketball players, and the gals […]

Who would have thought that hanging out at a health fair could be so enjoyable? The Elwin Mussell Senior Center was the scene of an “Active Aging Health Fair” on Saturday morning, July 29, for people over 50. Of course, anyone was welcome, but the activities were targeted toward the older generation, those who have […]

“Christmas in July.” Oh, my goodness, this pre-holiday happening sounded intriguing! Christmas was the theme of the monthly Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce mixer hosted by Altrusa of the Golden Valley on July 20 at the Santa Maria Town Center mall. The theme was carried out with red and green decorations, holiday napkins, and […]

On my way to an agricultural awards event on the eve of the Santa Barbara County Fair, on Santa Maria Fairpark grounds, I passed by the Great American Petting Zoo. I had to stop and hobnob (from afar—the gate was locked) with a pen full of captivating small animals (goats, pigs, sheep, donkeys, and two […]

Social life in Santa Maria often occurs in clumps. At some times of the year, there will be a flurry of happenings—so much going on that a hobnobber could be out every night and sometimes in the afternoons, too. April and May this year were like that. I was swept up in a swell of […]

Blackberry pie, a la mode. Doesn’t that sound oh-so-summery and too divine for words? That was dessert at the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society’s annual business and dinner meeting held on the evening of June 12 at the Masonic Lodge on Lakeview Road in Orcutt. Before you utter the words, “Oh my gosh, boooring,” let me […]

One million dollars. That is how much a local oil company, ERG, has pledged to give to the Dunes Center in Guadalupe. This humongous gift was announced on the Saturday evening of June 3, at the nonprofit’s fourth annual fundraising garden party with a 1920s theme. Did jaws drop? You bet they did. Doug Jenzen, […]

Breakfast Rotary’s 28th Annual Barn Party Luau was a major hoot. Their big (maybe huge) fundraiser of the year was held on Saturday, May 13, at the Santa Maria Fairpark. Fun is guaranteed, and it is always well attended—we are talking 400-plus. Incoming president and event chairperson Kristine Mollenkopf greeted guests at the door. She […]