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"Laissez les bon temps rouler!" (translation: Let the good times roll!) was the slogan for the SI Azusa/Glendora annual fundraiser brunch, auction and awards reception held Saturday,
February 26, 2005, at the Via Verde Country Club in San Dimas, California. And, indeed, the good times did roll!
This 16th annual spectacle took on a new theme this year: Mardi Gras. Attendees were encouraged to dress in the colors of Mardi Gras (royal purple, green and gold), wear colorful beads,
and bring a unique or elaborate mask to participate in the "Mask Parade and Contest."
The day began with greetings and introductions by Brunch Committee Chairperson and Official Event Emcee Rose Wentz, then followed by a warm welcome and acknowledgement by SI Azusa/Glendora 2004-05 President Julia Bacon.
Awards and flowers were presented to the recipients of the Violet Richardson Award,
Making a Difference for Women Award, and the Women's Opportunity Award.
Each of the recipients spoke and took the opportunity to express their gratitude and make their individual special recognitions. Additionally, a presentation was made to the executive director of Project SISTER.
A buffet brunch was enjoyed by some 170 attendees, with the tunes of Dixieland and New Orleans jazz spun in the background by deejay and entertainer Paul Cavin.
Fifteen items were auctioned off during the "live" auction by professional auctioneer Bonnie Fox and her assistants from the Old Packing House Auctions in Glendora. Live auction
items included:
· tickets to a Los Angeles Dodger game with a Tom Lasorda autographed baseball (donated by SI Azusa/Glendora President Julia Bacon);
· a miniature golf cart with a set of junior golf clubs (donated by State Farm Insurance/Rose Wentz and Julia Bacon, respectively); and
· a large movie-themed "Sideways" wine basket, which included wines from the Santa Ynez Valley (donated by Jolie Elman, SI Azusa/Glendora webmaster).
Over 20 opportunity items were offered. Some of those included:
· a large basket containing salon treatments, such as a haircut and style, nail services, salon products and novelty items (donated by Tu La Diva Salon in Glendora, valued at almost $500);
· a "Kid's Package" with a red 26-inch mountain bike (donated by Maureen Ford, SI Azusa/Glendora delegate), a bike helmet and huge toy basket (donated by Denise Powell, SI Azusa/Glendora treasurer); and
· an ample-sized scrapbooking basket filled with a large assortment of items for the avid scrapbooker (donated by Creative Memories consultants Amy Payne and Robin Schoweiler, valued over $300).
And if that wasn't enough, over 50 door prizes were drawn throughout the day!
With the lively sounds of a Dixieland march playing, the mask parade participants strutted their stuff proudly and enthusiastically around banquet tables and throughout the room.
Rona Lunde, Kathy Collett and Maureen Ford were this year's mask contest winners.
Majority of the proceeds from this event go to educational grants and other community assisted programs.
Beautiful table centerpieces, an oversized mask for background display, as well as bouquets of flowers for award recipients were provided by Liz Sanchez of Foothill Flowers, Glendora. Ticket and event
programs were donated and supplied by Sue Hammett, Grand Printing and Design, Covina.
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