teel Magnolias. Back Row: Carmen Bubar, Susan Phillips, Liz Krummell, Susan Whitecotton, Dane Hickerson, Patty Gadd, Karen Owens. Front Row: Erin Trachy, Elizabeth Borsting, Carolyn Martin, Fay Abed. Missing from photo is Surina Geoffroy.
A celebratory spirit filled the air as Cameo, the Professional Auxiliary of Assistance League of Long Beach celebrated its 30th anniversary on Nov. 15 at the Assistance League of Long Beach Philanthropic Center.
With nearly 100 guests in attendance, the event recognized and expressed appreciation to the four key groups that were instrumental to the group’s growth and success of its mentoring program over the past three decades.
Cameo provides a one-on-one mentoring program to high school and community college students designed to encourage personal growth and development, providing them with financial support, college guidance, paid summer work-place internships, and academic and social enrichment activities to further their academic and life goals.
Serving as co-host, Cameo chair Char Bockholt and event organizer Daphne Ching-Jackson (a charter member and past president), lauded the group’s “unsung heroes,” the Long Beach high school principals and counselors; the internship business partners; the charter members (there were eight present) and the chapter liaison officers who have provided guidance to Cameo’s leadership over the years. The ladies were presented with long-stemmed roses.
After a dinner catered by Cynthia Brooks Distinctive Catering, a beautiful cake decorated with a large Cameo image on it was presented. Daphne thanked past chairs Diane DeWalsche and Naomi Blackmore for decorating the room with elegant centerpieces of soft pink roses and while lilies with a pastel pink Cameo-emblem of “30” in the center of each arrangement, that stood out dramatically against black tablecloths.
Seen at the scene: past National Assistance League president and former ALLB president Suzanne Nosworthy, ALLB chapter president Vickie Sullos and president-elect Patti Brown, Cameo chair-elect Diane Fagan, past ALLB president and charter member Linda Drummond, and charter members Virginia Baxter; Pamela Thames, Lorie Merrill, Greta Budai and Barbara Bixby Blackwell; Tammy Newland- Shishido, Jeff Williams, Julie Larkins, Robert Segovia and Matthew Faulkner, Jeff Inui, Catherine Salazar, Rosi Pedersen, Jane Boyce, Hajra Saeed, Linda Edgar, Donna Popkin, Rosa Ruiz, Doris Hogue, Gloria Dacanay, and Executive Director Annette Kashiwabara.
Steel Magnolias New Members
At the Dec. 5 annual meeting of the Steel Magnolias held at the Greek Cultural Center membership chair Joyce Williams stated, “Steel Magnolias is pleased to introduce a wonderful group of women who will be joining our organization as New Members in 2017.” She eloquently stated, “This group collectively brings a wealth of talents and experience in many areas, but most importantly they come to Steel Magnolias with a desire and passion to give back to their community.”
Seen at the scene: New Members Carmen Bubar, Susan Phillips, Liz Krummell, Susan Whitecotton, Dane Hickerson, Patty Gadd, Karen Owens. Front Row: Erin Trachy, Elizabeth Borsting, Carolyn Martin, Fay Abed. Missing from photo is Surina Geoffroy.
Steel Magnolias Past Presidents
It’s been a long-standing tradition, established 16 years ago by Founder Shirley Wild, to gather and host the past Steel Magnolia presidents for a luncheon to welcome the immediate Past President into the fold. 2016 President Tammy Newland was the guest of honor on Dec. 17 at Tantalum restaurant. Board Chairman Anthony Gagliardi has jokingly and fondly called these special ladies “”his wives” because they take care of everything.
Seen at the scene: past presidents board chair Anthony Gagliardi, inaugural president Mari Hooper, Dawn McKenna, Mary Alice Braly, 2016 President Tammy Newland, Lorie Merrill, and Gail Gray.
Steel Magnolias Founders Award Honorees
Because the Steel Magnolias, like so many volunteer organizations, is comprised of dedicated people who donate their time, treasure and talent, it’s difficult to single out individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty, but there are always some who work quietly in the background with little, if any, recognition. Founder Shirley Wild shows her appreciation of these individuals with a traditional annual luncheon to give them a much-deserved pat on the back. On Jan. 9 fifteen individuals gathered at the Boathouse on the Bay for lunch and goodwill. 2017 president Theresa Brunella was a guest to honor these very special people.
