The Virginia Country Club is incomparably beautiful year-round, but it is exceptional during the holiday season.
And 117 ladies will experience this beauty on December 18th when the Naples Islands Garden Club holds its annual Spark of Love Christmas dinner. Guests at the event were also impressed by the spectacular table settings, sparkling in silver, ice blue and white, with sparkling crystal trees at the center. Event co-chairs Arleen Tolle, Beverly Butters Lane and the rest of the committee presented the showcase room.
Luncheon guests were impressed by the welcome of the many toys and gifts that the Long Beach Fire Department was to distribute to underserved local children.
NIGC President Linda Frame welcomed LBFD Chief Dennis Buchanan and introduced Spark of Love Coordinator Firefighter Will Nash as “Santa's BFF” – an acronym for “Best Friend Forever.” The audience was pleased with the good work of the Spark of Love Toy Drive and the resulting joy.
In addition to greeting the volunteer firefighters who loaded the toys onto the fire truck, guests were treated to a “flash mob” of spirited NIGC members singing “Winter Wonderland.”
All in all, it was a fun day at the Virginia Country Club.
Seen at the crime scene: Arleen Tolle, Beverly Butters Lane, Trish Schooley, LBFD Chief Dennis Buchanan, Spark of Love Coordinator and Firefighter Will Nash, Nancy Elmslie, Judy Taylor, Jeanne Krauss, Lisa Mauck, Ruth Saa, Susan Bell, Margie Burr, Sandy Noonan, Linda Pillsbury, Cynthia Finley, Ann Devlin-Snyder, Lynn Shober, Tina Everson, Lynne Clarke, Deborah Smith, Katie Rowe, Susie Atwood, Mari Hooper, Valerie Rich, Catherine Steissel, Esther Watkin, Kristen Fisher, Kathy Owens, Tish Camp, Susie Armstrong, lively pianist Ralph Brunson and Alamitos Bay magazine owner/editor Mary Zarafa Loos.
South Course Golf Course Christmas
The energetic ladies of South Course Golf Course hosted their annual Spark of Love Toy Drive Luncheon on December 13th at Old Ranch Country Club. In addition to the delicious food, annual awards were presented and numerous door prizes were given out.
In particular, Hospitality Manager Nancy Miles was recognized for her remarkable improvement. Nancy recently retired and her game is booming. Rarely do people still play golf after the age of 100. Evelyn Haesloop, who attended the event, played with the golf group until last year. A special award in Evelyn's honor, the Evelyn Haesloop Perpetual Award, was presented to Paige Breen. For the second time, Paige held the record for most rounds played.
President Jeralee Shewfelt delivered the year-end report, spotlighted the board members and invited the crowd to the Friendship Table in the cafe after their rounds of golf.
There were 60 guests and 60 toys for the Long Beach Fire Department's Spark of Love Toy Drive.
LBFD Captain Jack Crabtree and his helpers Matt and David expressed their appreciation for the golf club's donation. Jack noted that the program began in 1950. Last year, 300 families were fed thanks to a “warehouse full of elves.” One volunteer noted that the workload at the warehouse includes sorting clothing, food and gifts by age and gender. Even the books were categorized by reading level.
Seen at the crime scene: Jeralee Shewfelt, Evelyn Haesloop, Anne Bumgarner, Paige Breen, Anne Burke, Camille Daniels, Linda Granillo, Jan Isenberger, Mary Beth Ives, Cheryl Knight, Deanna Scheffel, Judy Onstad, Patty Reilly, Jennifer Stahl, Robbie Stuart, Maureen Sullivan, Jan Timmons, Nancy Miles, Cynthia Camp, Barbara Eslinger, Kim Olery (new membership chair).
Messages about charitable social events may be sent to Shirley Wild at spwild@verizon.net or by fax to 562-594-9468. Please provide a contact telephone number. Send high-resolution JPEG photos as attachments to spwild@verizon.net and include group name and identification of individuals from left. For more information, call Shirley at 562-594-9468.