A sun-drenched afternoon on a lovely hillside patio. Stupendous views. Music floating over the buzz of the crowd. Ice-cold Chardonnay and just-right-temperature Pinot Noir. Desserts rich with chocolate. Tempting morsels.
All this was part of Central Coast Altrusa’s fourth annual Chocolate Delight afternoon affair, held on Sunday, Aug. 29, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Dee and Rich Martini’s Orcutt home.
The word surely got out that this was an event not to be missed. The 100-plus turnout exceeded that of last year’s Chocolate Delight, also held at the Martinis.
“The place was packed,” reported Patty Elswick, who sold raffle tickets at the door.
Altrusa charged $25 per ticket for their fundraiser for club operating funds. Enticing raffle baskets brought in even more green. Club members came bearing gifts; they brought food and donated raffle items.
The dining room table was covered with chocolate desserts: brownies, cookies, candy, and the piece de resistance: a huge cake oozing with whipped cream from the Madonna Inn.
The kitchen island boasted a much-visited buffet of egg rolls, chicken wings, burritos, cheese and crackers, fruit, spiced pecans, and shrimp salad.
Outside, on the picturesque, well-appointed patio, perfect for entertaining, keyboardist Jimmy Enos provided garden party background music. Candace Estave did bartender honors. Estave is the North County coordinator for the Santa Barbara Chapter of the Autism Society of America, which is recruiting new board members. Anyone interested can call her at 349-8031.
Past president Bea Goyette and husband Paul were among the raffle ticket buyers, as were club members Lorene Dyson, Laura Dias, Monique James, and Josie Baldiviez.
Past president Sylvia Ng brought husband Ron and in-laws Dr. Daniel and Pricilla Ng.
Last year, most of the ladies dressed up for an afternoon in the garden. This year, the dress code was more casual and relaxed.
Altrusa of the Central Coast is gearing up for its annual Christmas Festival of Trees, held last year at Stowell Plaza.
“We open the day after Thanksgiving,” club president Melinda Aguirre said about the event.
International Literacy Day
Aguirre is also jazzed about her club’s program for International Literacy Day, Sept. 11. From noon until 3 p.m. at the Town Center mall (near Weight Watchers), Central Coast Altrusa will give books to children.
“We are having a zoo theme,” Aguirre reported. “Each child will get a mask that represents an animal.” With excitement and glee, she continued, “The masks are the cutest things.” A stuffed animal display is also in the works for the event.
[image-3] As if all that weren’t enough, “We are also having some arts and crafts projects for the kids,” Aguirre said. “And it’s all free.”
“Mall management,” she added, “has been incredible to us. We appreciate their cooperation.”
The Chocolate Delight Altrusa group is Altrusa International of the Central Coast—the noontimers. The original local Altrusa International Club is called Altrusa International of Santa Maria. They meet at night. This can get confusing for a Hobnobber!
Night-time Altrusa is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a dinner at the Santa Maria Inn on Oct. 16. This club also sponsors a Christmas Extravaganza of decorated trees at the Elks Club every December.
Both groups have contributed gobs of money to local good causes.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Sep 9-16, 2010.