Shirley Wild: Pathways bring Europe to Long Beach for annual fundraiser

Pathways, an enactment that provides intensive support  for severely traumatized young women to be college, precocious celebrated its 25th Annual Party successful the Park — but took a antithetic way this year.

Instead of their customary format — a thoroughfare enactment — guests pre-selected their venue with a “Passport to Pathways: European Adventure,” choosing to sojourn 1 of 3 options Paris, Seville, oregon Athens and Rome (together).

What remained the aforesaid was the creativity of the party-givers. The radical transformed the backstage backyards of 3 Park Estates homes to distinctively correspond each city; oregon successful the second case, the large destinations of Greece and Italy, respectively.

An innovative “first” was the emcee/auctioneer moving each of the parties remotely and simultaneously.

Working from a power booth successful beforehand of the Seville house, helium broadcast to each the locations astatine once. In the interim, helium visited each enactment and introduced himself. This achieved a accepted Paddle Raise without hiring 3 auctioneers. All donations were made electronically and displayed successful existent clip connected the ample screens successful each venue. In 10 minutes, they raised $45,000. Overall, the lawsuit raised much than $750,000 for Pathways Programs.

Still successful the shadiness of the coronavirus, however, immoderate 300 guests safely gathered astatine the 3 chiseled parties, which included food, unrecorded music, dancing, speeches and the auction.

In the Paris venue, arriving guests walked done the metro into the Champs-Élysées, wherever they were greeted with the Arc de Triomphe aglow with lights, a immense exemplary of the Eiffel Tower and different French-inspired designed. Can Can dancers and the Bierman Bros stone set played from a balcony, with guitar solos successful the crowd. Costumes included striped shirts and berets, French maids, painters and mimes.

As guests arrived successful Seville, they were greeted by life-sized posters of Spanish dancers and bull fighters, with fans and flowers for the hairsbreadth available. Two precise ample inflatable bulls floated successful the pool. Featuring a festival theme, colored insubstantial lanterns were abundant with elephantine bulls and flamenco dancers cut-outs. Spanish dancers and a DJ entertained from the stage. Costumes included flamenco dancers and bull fighters.

Those attending the Athens and Rome enactment were greeted by a ample Pegasus and Acropolis, creation and columns down the introduction way.  There was a ample Trojan equine and a “philosophy pit” seating area. Costumes included tons of togas, Greek and Roman goddesses, Roman soldiers.

FYI: Pathways to Independence is simply a non-profit successful Huntington Beach with a beardown way grounds of helping women implicit assemblage and go self-sufficient.

Seen astatine the scene: Party Hosts were Jean and Jerry Green, Sandi and Larry Lewis and Tony Gagaliardi. Also attending were CSULB President Jane and  Coli Conoley, Randy and Nancy Gordon, Terese Parkin, Rose Hurtado, John Uriosteugui, Corey Clements, Dr. Grant Uba, Regina Monroe, Rod Nakamoto, Carl and Julie Tierney,Dara France, Mark Bernardini, Alfred and Cindy Dennison, Doug and Cathy Richi, Mone and Marie Sandhu, Jeff and Debbie Burroughs, Scott Marchael, Barbar Thingelstad.

Footlighters

Footlighters Season Sponsor and Past President Marlene Temple, Stephanie Davis, Founding President Judy McNulty Black and Donna Estrin astatine the nonprofit’s caller Music successful the Morning Luncheon and Annual Boutique Shopping Spree. (Photo by Shirley Wild, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Celebrating their 22nd year, Musical Theatre West Footlighters precocious held their Music successful the Morning Luncheon and Annual Boutique Shopping Spree for astir 120 members and guests astatine The Grand.

After the agelong coronavirus lay-off, President Deborah Smith gave an affectional welcome. She acknowledged Lynette Sewell, Joan Wells, Arlene Bonney, Toni Ellis, Jack Gesner, Nancy Koblensky, Terralee Pettinger, Carol Senske and Temre Vouga for the luncheon arrangements.

MTW’s Executive Producer/Director Paul Garman launched the spirited luncheon by ushering Jason Graae, manager of A Grand Night for Singing, and a rousing performances by formed members.

Ladies emotion to shop! The group’s fashionable Boutique Shopping Spree showcased a assortment of stunning items from chic jewelry to dazzling evening wear; from handmade “bling” jewelry trees to leather purses and bejeweled evening bags; and from a immense assortment of scented soaps to fun, pumpkin-filled succulent gardens.

Roxanne Korzeniowski drew the winning raffle tickets for a sought-after radical of prizes donated by buying spree vendors. Prizewinners were Pat Peters, Sara Forster and Kay Berg.

Pam Dingwell introduced caller subordinate Linda Baltad, bringing rank full to 118. Scholarship Chair Carol Senske shared 1 of the galore assistance occurrence stories.  After winning an MTW scholarship, Kyle Selig won a Jimmy Award (National High School Musical Theatre Award). He went connected to look connected Broadway (in “Mean Girls”). He is present engaged to his “Mean Girls” co-star!

Lynn Gesner reminded everyone of the Enchanted Winter Village vacation picnic lawsuit to beryllium located on the Naples Canal from Nov. 26 to Dec. 23, benefitting the MTW Education and Outreach Programs (contact Lynn astatine 562-755-6375).

Paul Garman said this year’s MTW Travel Club has 2 trips to New York, May 23 to 29 and May 30 to June 5. Spots are inactive disposable for some trips. If interested, interaction Kate Luhr astatine 562-856-1999, hold 229, oregon kate@musical.org. Paul besides noted the 5 remaining musicals for the 2021-22 play see “The Andrews Brothers,” “Smoky Joe’s Café,” “Grease,” “Damn Yankees” and Cinderella” (contact the MTW Box Office astatine 562-856-1999).

Seen astatine the Scene: Toni Ellis,Dottie Reiner, Barbara Blackwell, Terry Marté-Greco, Marnos Lelesi, Shirley Callan, Ken and Joan Parker, Lisa Maloney, Lynn Danielson, Susan Joy, Carol Borowick, Karin Gill, Jack Gesner, Jan Foster, Marian Locke, Diane Spiegel, Robert Sciortino, Janie Von Seggern, Carolyn Powers, and Rita Valentine.

News of societal events with charitable purposes whitethorn beryllium sent to Shirley Wild astatine spwild@verizon.net oregon by fax to 562-594-9468. Please see a interaction telephone number. Send high-resolution jpeg photos, by attachment, to spwild@verizon.net and see radical sanction and recognition of individuals from left. Call Shirley astatine 562-594-9468 for much information.