Shirley Wild: Naples Garden Show blossoms

Under the auspices of chairman Margie Burri, the Naples Islands Garden Club held its aual Flower Show luncheon at the Long Beach Yacht Club on April 12.

The theme of “Bella Italia” was carried through many of the 90 flower arrangements, potted plants, single blooms and teacups on display. The colorful creations of the members were enjoyed by the 120 guests and members attending.

A variety of categories were judged by Darrell Poper, Jillian Brown and Miriam Somoana who had a difficult time selecting wiers from the wonderful array of arrangements.

Wiers of the top awards were: “Best in Theme,” president Sandy Davidson for her Italian- themed place setting; Joyce Levinson, “Judges’ Favorite;” and members’ choice of “Best in Show” went to Margaret Dineen-Ke.

In conjunction with the flower show, a silent auction raised $1,650 to further fund beautification projects in the Naples community. Items were generously donated from businesses in the Naples area.

This year one of the club’s major projects was to continue the restoration of landscape around Naples Elementary School by repeating the design completed last year. Through principal, Beth Fy, they were assisted by the Long Beach Unified School District Grounds Maintenance team who installed 120 plants purchased by the club.

Seen at the Scene: President Sandy Davidson, Mariae Huntley, Tina Everson, Margaret Dineen-Ke, Patti Davis, Ly Danielson, Ducky Caswell, Edie Graber, Susan Townsend, Jeaie Hughes, Cindy Murphy, Loretta Luskin, Julie Taboada, Linda Silver, Kay Berg, Patricia Fuquay, Boie Clark, Julie Jones, Shirley Knoff, Ly Shober, Barbara Jordon, Trish Schooley, Kathy Alshin, Marilyn Bittle, Laurie Scanlin.

Junior League’s Lunafest Film Festival

Junior League Long Beach’s Aual Lunafest Film Festival event was once again a big hit!

A crowd of more than 340 guests were entertained on April 10 at the group’s Fifth Aual Lunafest Film Festival held at the Art Theatre of Long Beach.

More than $41,000 was raised at the event with proceeds benefitting the JLLB and the Breast Cancer Fund.

Celebrating the empowerment of women in their communities, the film festival featured six short films made by, for and about women. This traveling film festival spotlights the work of a diverse array of talented women filmmakers with intelligent, humorous and thought-provoking themes.

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Califoia State Assembly member Patrick O’Doell greeted the throng and President Elizabeth McCa also made opening remarks. She acknowledged the committee including chair-elect Summer Smith, who was working on behalf of 2016 event chair Ashley Hopkins, a brand new mother.

Following the screening, president-elect Virginia Zart moderated a Q & A panel with two of the filmmakers: Sarah Feeley (“Raising Ryland”) and Aa Schumacher (“Finding June”). Vice President Alexandra Weiss acted as MC throughout the event.

At a pre-screening reception, guests socialized and dined on offerings from local restaurants, sipped wine and champagne, and vied to win enticing opportunity drawing and silent auction prizes.

Seen at the Scene: President Elizabeth McCa, Ashleigh Ruhl, Maribel Mullery, Nancy Freelander-Paice, Candice Stacy, Pamela Spoo, filmmaker Sarah Feeley, filmmaker Aa Schumacher.

Children’s Benefit League Garden Party Children’s Benefit League of Long Beach hosted “Garden Party,” their 66th aual fundraiser Fashion Show, on April 2 at the Long Beach Airport Marriott Hotel. Harpist Liska Yamada greeted the 300 guests with her melodic music as they entered the foyer before visiting a boutique of 12 vendors and the silent auction. The silent auction was artfully decorated by Judy Cowall, Pat Payne and Barbara Jones with large silk flowers woven into lattice structures and interspersed among the more that 120 donated auction items. Nine original auction packages posters, designed by Nicole Nichols and Michele Jones, were displayed to assist bidders. One of the most popular items that engaged eager bidders was a Bonus Package: “A Day at The Huntington” that included a limousine and lunch. The event raised $56,000 for the five clinics the group has supported for many years: AbilityFirst, Children’s Dental Health Clinic, John Tracy Clinic’s Long Beach Demonstration Home, The Children’s Clinic, and The Guidance Center. Purple and yellow colors were seen throughout with banquet tables decorated with lovely floral centerpieces arranged by Standing Ovation Flower Gallery of Los Alamitos. A flower garden mural backdrop stretched the full length of the stage with a fantasy lit tree framing either end and flowing fes adding to the décor.

The live auction opened with Andrea La Vela and her Lavender Lassies (Teresa Gill, Susan Lance and Shirley Wiewel) singing and dancing to the song, “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” with original lyrics written by Andrea. Three packages were successfully auctioned to the highest bidders: “Cruise Into a Northwest Autumn,” “Tea Time,” and “A Day with Chef José.” Four cash prizes and the beautiful centerpieces were awarded during the luncheon.

Lucinda Miedema’s Fashion Show included entertainment and fashion favorites from local clothiers: Carol’s of Seal Beach, Draper’s & Damon’s, Formal Fashions, Francesca’s, and Elisabeth Saba Custom Knits - offered fashionable daytime and evening attire wo by seven professional models along with dancers and singers who charmed the guests.

Children’s Benefit League is a non-profit organization with over 125 volunteer members. The League raises funds to help medically needy children and their families.

Seen at the Scene: President Robin and Mike Coughlin, co-chairs Susan Lance, Andrea LaVela, and Judy Nichols, Jackie Kell, Virginia Baxter, Michele Hansen, June Harriman, Jean McKelvie, Jeae Paige-Peterson, Rosalie and Robert Lynch, Shirley and Harry Wiewel, Barbara Schlosser of AbilityFirst, Doa Buntrock, Shary Reed, Sumie Imad, Judy Zylstra, Debbie Welding, Diana Parker, Teresa and Mark Gill, Susan Lopez, Susan Arcese, Fund Development Chairperson Cherie de Gomez, Jean Dayak, Carol and Leo Black, Gloria and Dave Opstad, Pat Leue, Zelda Rice, Maureen Cauley.

News of social events with charitable purposes may be sent to Shirley Wild at [email protected] or by fax to (562) 594-9668. Please include a contact phone number. Send high-resolution jpeg photos, by attachment, to [email protected] and include group name and identification of individuals from left. Call Shirley at (562) 594-9468 for more information. Please check the website for coverage of additional events: wwwpresstelegram.com/social.