Such a busy weekend it was! Santa Marians had a jam-packed social schedule on Sept. 26 and 27.
The Santa Maria Valley Humane Society holds its annual autumn fundraising dinners at the very nicest places. This year, it was at Rancho Miranda, a property awash with gazebos, trellises, plants, greenery, and views. Jeanne Miranda knows how to decorate the outdoors!
About 80 turned up for “Harvesting Our Dreams” on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. The $100 tickets included wine and beer bars and silent and live auctions.
On this particular day, Rancho Miranda was also awash with Breakfast Club Rotarians, who barbecued the tri-tip and prepared and served beans, salad, garlic bread, and cake.
At a previous auction for another nonprofit, Dan and Peggy Blough had secured the winning bid on a barbecue that the Breakfast Rotary Club would put on. The Bloughs then donated this barbecue to the Humane Society.
Bo Cudd, president of the Humane Society’s board of directors, introduced the new executive director, Jill Tucker, who recently moved here from Vermont. Tucker is a native Californian with a solid background in humane society administration.
On hand to enjoy the fun, frolic, and food were John and Cyndy Ross, Bunny Maxim, and Bob and Etta Waterfield, as well as board members Pam Goble, Geri Murphy, Quintron’s Jim McGlothlin, and Wanda McDonald (with husband Jim Hopkins). Bill Thompson, who recently returned from China, enthralled listeners with tales of his trip.
Alzheimer’s Association Walk in Waller Park
Driscoll’s Berries was the star of the second annual Alzheimer’s Association Walk on Saturday morning, Sept. 26. The local facility gave away strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries—and not just one berry at a time, either.
Other locals were also generous. Lompoc chiropractor Michael Hinkens provided upper back massages, while Virginia Hall treated some of us to hands-on samples of her soothing massage therapy.
Roy Allen, Santa Maria coordinator for the Central Coast Chapter, and Karen Cordary, local event coordinator, were ecstatic about the turnout. They estimated between 350 and 500 people showed up. Allen announced they trumped last year’s fundraising by several thousand dollars.
“We couldn’t do this without our wonderful volunteers,” Cordary said.
Eddie Galarza of the Boys and Girls Club superbly barbecued the chicken and hot dogs and made the beans and salsa from scratch.
The gorgeous morning got off to a fine start with muffins, Danishes, fruit, juice, and coffee. There was music from the Sound on Sound gals, as well as Chinese auction and silent auction items.
“There is a lot of good energy here,” noted photographer Jeanne Sparks. The Alzheimer’s Association’s Santa Barbara-based executive director Rhonda Seigel drove up with two board members, Lol Sorensen and Bob Hirsch. Of course, they were quite taken with our gorgeous Waller Park and the lakeside event.
Noontime Altrusa’s Afternoon of Chocolate Delights
Noontime Altrusa members Kathy Boyd, Christine Gerber, and Dee Martini put the word out to fellow club members that they needed chocolate whatever for an afternoon of Fess Parker wine, entertainment, and desserts at a lovely Orcutt hilltop home with fabulous views. Members responded with an extravagant spread of brownies, a chocolate fountain, and sinful enticements galore for this fundraiser. About 80 bought the $25 tickets for the occasion on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 27.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@ yahoo.com.
This article appears in Oct 8-15, 2009.