SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MG CLUB ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY – DECEMBER 10, 2016
Club members began arriving to the Alpine Village in Torrance at 5:00 PM on Saturday, December 10, 2016 for an hour of visiting, renewing old friendships, making new ones and sampling the great hor d’ourves.
We had a group of Carolers arrive and sing some great holiday songs. The Carolers’ perfect harmony was joyous for the soul. At 6:00 PM, we all sat down to dinner. We were served a salad, with rolls; then each person received their entrée of choice – prime rib, chicken or salmon.
After dinner, the program began, with raffle prizes drawn. We welcomed three new members to the Southern California MG Club. Amongst new attendees were: Artharee and Gretchen Hutchins; Jerry and Lisa Alban; and Jim and Ellen Plowden.
Dessert was large slices of extra-yummy Black Forrest Cake!
Jim Heaton, treasurer, lead in the presentation of the Club’s annual charity donation. The Club presented a check in the amount of $1,000 to the Restless Legs Foundation (“RLS”). Jim discussed his own personal experiences with RLS and the history of the disease. This disease has no known cause or cure. He then presented a large, facsimile check to the two representatives from the Foundation – Susan Schlichting, So Cal Area Group Coordinator and Lew Phelps, Chairman of the Board of the National Foundation. They further spoke to us about the effects of sleep deprivation, from the disease, and how difficult it is to treat. We discovered that a number of club members suffer from RLS.
We observed a moment of silence to acknowledge those who have transitioned during 2016: Allan Wertheim, Mary Meline and Pitt Kinsolving.
The Enthusiast of the Year Awarded was presented to Jay and Gale Cohen.
The out-going 2016 Board was presented to the group: Zelda Davis, Interim President, Communications (Website and Facebook, News Flashes and Photographer); Steve Gartner, Interim Vice President and Program Chairman; Bill Willen, Secretary; Jim Heaton, Treasurer and Membership Chairman; Jackie Brion, Regalia; Matt Dabney, Orange County Coordinator; and, Adam Lombard, San Fernando Valley Coordinator (News Flashes)
A Thank you was given to Steve Gartner who stepped up and took over being the interim Vice President and Program Chairman. Jackie Brion retired as Regalia Chairman after three years. Jackie was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation.
The 2017 Board was presented to the Group: Zelda Davis, President; Communications (Website and Facebook, News Flashes and Photographer) Michael Lee, Vice President and Program Chairman; Bill Willen, Secretary; Jim Heaton, Treasurer and Membership Chairman; Matt Dabney, Orange County Coordinator; Gordon Hoopes, San Gabriel Valley Coordinator; and Adam Lombard, San Fernando Valley Coordinator, Communications.
The Los Angeles Fire Department stopped by to pick up the toys for the annual Spark of Love toy drive. We hope to see many more members come next year; tentatively scheduled for Saturday, December 2, 2017
HOLIDAY PARTY
December 10, 2016
5:00 p.m.- Hors d’oeuvres & No Host Bar
6:00 p.m. – Dinner
Alpine Village
833 West Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, California
Club Host: Bill Willen
This year the charity selected is the Restless Legs Syndrome (“RLS”). A local representatives and the Chairman of the Board of the RLS will be attending our Holiday Party to provide more information about this little known syndrome.
We will also be supporting firemen of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Beernardino and Ventura Counties’s 28th Annual Spark of Love Toy Drive. The “Spark of Love Toy Drive Fund” was created to provide toys or sports equipment for underserved children during the holiday season. We are asking that each person attending the holiday party bring a new unwrapped toy or sports equipment in support.
