Christmas arrived early for Justin Rudd and Ralph Millero and 100 of their friends on Nov. 29 during their annual holiday party. In lieu of gifts, guests brought packages of new socks and non-perishable food, which were later delivered to the food and clothing bank of Long Beach Community Table.
In turn, the crowd had a great time socializing and nibbling goodies as the Christmas spirit prevailed. Ralph’s exceptional talent was displayed in the two Christmas trees he decorated — which were greatly admired.
Seen at the Scene: Justin Rudd and Ralph Millero, Kevin and Mandy Johnson, Christopher Koontz and Bobby Duong, Nick Adams, Jessica Gillette, Harry Saltzgaver and Maria, Dave Clark and Dayna Kinkade, Suzie Price, Lisa Ramelow, Greg Perrault and Cookie Braude, Loree Scarborough and Dennis McConkey, Artem and Yevgenia Pokhylko, Dave and Wendy Smith, Kris and Maria Gragson, Robb Smith, Brad Miyasato and Brad Duerre, Anthony O’Toole and Logan Carter, Zoe Mazakas, Danyell Willard, Mandy Powers, Melissa Clark, Kate Karp, Cindi Rogan, John and Robin Canalis, and Ron and Angi Burkard.
Justin Rudd’s Christmas Party, photo from left, Justin Rudd, Mandy Johnson, Christopher Koontz, Nick Adams, Jessica Gillette and Harry Saltzgaver. (Courtesy photo)
Steel Magnolia LB908 Holiday Fair, photo from left, Stephanie Davis, Mari Hooper, Carl Lee, Gary Lee Wolf, Sue DeRosa, Bobbie Fesler. (Courtesy photo)
Members of the Magnolia Blooms, the auxiliary group of the Steel Magnolias, in October at a get-acquainted mixer organized by Renae Waestman-Furlow. (Courtesy photo)
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Justin Rudd’s Christmas Party, photo from left, Justin Rudd, Mandy Johnson, Christopher Koontz, Nick Adams, Jessica Gillette and Harry Saltzgaver. (Courtesy photo)
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Steel Magnolias at the LB908 Holiday Fair
A community event promoted by the LB908 magazine staff, owner/publisher John Grossi and Community Advocate Marina Hernandez on Nov. 29 and 30 at the Sports Basement, was also supported.
The purpose was to bring together local businesses and nonprofits, including the Steel Magnolias, to provide a fun day for the children of the community.
For two days, it was nonstop at the Steel Magnolia craft booth, with participants and contributors having a great time. Steel Magnolias set up several craft tables and had a crew there on Nov. 29 “with subpar crafting abilities” – except Bobbie Fesler and her granddaughter Genevieve — with Janel Rowden and her daughter Stevie coming to the rescue. Stephanie Davis and Sue DeRosa tried to keep up and did fairly well. Gary Lee Wolf and Carl Lee added more flare to the crafts. Kudos to Mari Hooper, who was an excellent Santa hat maker.
More than 200 children were helped to create at least an equal amount of Christmas crafts, which included reindeer antlers, Santa goggles, a variety of ornaments, Christmas cards, and paper airplanes. The latter were very popular – especially the runway for test flights. Another big hit at the Steel Magnolia booth was the “wheel to spin” for toys, rubber duckies, candy and the like.
“Kids and parents seemed enthralled with a few parents ‘sneaking’ in and making their own reindeer antlers,” said Davis. “Our booth was so popular, (we) had to make a run to replenish craft supplies and prizes.”
Seen at the Scene: “Magnolia Blooms” leader Renae Waestman-Furlow, who brought reinforcements, including Nancy Cherin and Gina Ashworth, with her daughter Sami. Theyestimate they might have helped build hundreds of paper airplanes and candy cane reindeer ornaments. Mari Hooper, Bobbie Fesler, Janel Rowden, Stephanie Davis, Sue DeRosa, Gary Lee Wolf and Carl Lee.
Magnolia Blooms
There are around a dozen or so new members in the auxiliary group of the Steel Magnolias, called the Magnolia Blooms. It was initiated by Renae Waestman-Furlow, who leads the group. She gathered the troop at her home in October for a fun get-acquainted mixer.
Seen at the Scene: Magnolia President-elect Sue DeRosa, Dana Buchanan, Stephanie Davis, Anne Emigh, Pam Luckey, Loree Scarborough with Dennis McConkey, Bobbie Fesler,Michele Dobson, Marianne Gastelum. Magnolia Blossoms: Christy Beranek, Nancy Cherin, Tessa Luckey-Owen, Grace Harambasic, Abby Pangilinan, Erin Espinoza, Renae Waestman-Furlow, and Gina Ashworth.
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.