Each year, the popular Christmas luncheon hosted by the Sand Dollars (the wives of the past Long Beach Yacht Club Commodores) sells out the week it’s announced.
It was much the same this year, with some 220 beautifully clad ladies attending the Dec. 11 event, which, as always, proved to be a delightful, fun afternoon filled with excited holiday partygoers.
The attendees shopped among the 20 vendors that offered clothing, jewelry and handcrafted items, as they sipped eggnog, some spiced, some not. A superb luncheon of steak or striped bass was served as Dorothy Jacobi tickled the piano keys.
The throng, always generous in their donations to the Stramski Children’s Development Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, under the direction of Sand Dollar Joan Knight, raised about $600 indonations, along with four large bags full of toys for the special needs children.
Anne Shull received lovely flowers as the chair in 2025. She will repeat that role again in 2026. Floral bouquets were also given to Commodore Lisa Meier (who spoke about theleadership of the Long Beach Yacht Club ladies throughout the community) and to Paula Piercy (whose husband, Bob, will be commodore next year).
Seen at the Scene: Sue Hood, Joan Knight, Carolyn Steuber Powers, Melva Miller, Debi Lorbeer, Mary Suttie, Anne Shull, Kendra Dixon, Liza Van Dyke, Suzanne Fleishman, Lisa Westerfield, Sandee Bradley, Kay Berg, Mary Beth Ives, Cheri Busch, Cathy Satariano, Mari Hooper, Shirlee Bouch and Magnolia Blooms – Renae Waestman-Furlow, Jacquie Ferneau, Stephanie Everson, Sarah Kirk, Tasha Mazakas, Tessa Luckey-Owen, Crystal Glenning.
The Long Beach Yacht Club Sand Dollars annual Christmas luncheon on Dec. 11 included a vendors boutique with shopping donations going to buy toys for special needs children at the Stramski Center at Miller Children’s Hospital. (Courtesy photo)
Steel Magnolias, photo from left, 2025 President Michele Dobson; Founder Shirley Wild; Ioana Pal and Dr. Gary Feldman of the Stramski Center; Rob Gonsalus of the Long Beach Memorial Foundation; 2024 Bobbie Fesler; 2026 President Sue DeRosa; Treasurer and 2025 Founder’s Award winner Hilda Sanchez. (Courtesy photo)
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The Long Beach Yacht Club Sand Dollars annual Christmas luncheon on Dec. 11 included a vendors boutique with shopping donations going to buy toys for special needs children at the Stramski Center at Miller Children’s Hospital. (Courtesy photo)
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Steel Magnolias’ Annual Holiday Gathering
Steel Magnolias of Long Beach hosted its Annual Holiday Gathering on Dec. 15 at Gladstone’s Restaurant, welcoming 64 members and friends for an evening of celebration, fellowship and philanthropy. Set against the waterfront, the festive gathering marked a year in review for the organization and highlighted the collective impact of its charitable efforts. The evening’s centerpiece was the presentation of Steel Magnolias’ annual gift, an extraordinary $160,000 donation to the Stramski Children’s Development Center, underscoring the group’s ongoing commitment to improving the lives of children with developmental needs.
Guests enjoyed warm camaraderie as the organization reflected on a year of service, leadership and community partnership. The holiday gathering offered a meaningful opportunity to celebrate accomplishments while reaffirming Steel Magnolias’ mission of giving back.
Seen at the Scene: 2025 President Michele Dobson, 2026 President Sue DeRosa, Don and Bobbie Fesler, Mari Hooper, Rob Gonsalus of the Long Beach Memorial Foundation, Candace Wood of the Long Beach Memorial Foundation, Dr. Gary Feldman of the Stramski Children’s Development Center, Ioana Pal of the Stramski Children’s Development Center, Tammy Newland Shishido and Ken Shishido, Gloria Deukmejian, Stephanie Davis, founder Shirley Wild, Tessa Luckey Owen, Renae Waestman, Hilda and David Sanchez, Janel Rowden, Shelley Hanks Hokari and Numi Hokari, Jean Joseph and Surina Geoffrey.
News of Social events with charitable purposes may be sent to Shirley Wild at spwild@verizon.net. Please include a contact phone number. Send high-resolution jpeg photos, by attachment, to spwild@verizon.net and include group name and identification of individuals from left. Call Shirley at 562-594-9468 for more information.