Rick Rackers offer 'Pearls of Wisdom' at installation

On May 3, members of the Rick Rackers Auxiliary of Assistance League of Long Beach dressed in pearls to install the 2016-2017 goveing body officers led by incoming chair, Sheryl Pearl.

Assistance League president Suzae Powell was on hand to present Sheryl with the Winifred Campbell white orchid corsage, a 74-year tradition for Rick Rackers chairmen.

Blair Carty, outgoing chair, presented the aual report to the attendees before presenting chapter liaison Boie Dorrans with a Rick Rackers pendant and aouncing that Boie would continue as chapter liaison in the coming year. Advisers Suzae Nosworthy and Kathy Wade were introduced, along with honorary advisers, Jane Jackson, Melva Miller, Ellie Schaffner and Vickie Sullos. Honoring new members, membership chair Pam Karam presented flowers to Valerie Beu and Michelle Wimbish.

Rick Rackers social chairman Wendy Corzine and her committee styled the event in glamorous black and white to highlight the luncheon theme “Pearls of Wisdom.”

The theme was carried into the aouncement of the new board whose members were decked out in pearls representing their positions in the coming year: Valerie Beu, Holly Reinhard, Karin Jenkins, Katy Wade, Press and Elizabeth Borsting, Jeifer Peterson.

Chair-elect Sheryl Pearl shared her motivation to join Rick Rackers and the breakthrough moment when she understood just how instrumental Operation School Bell is to children in need attending Long Beach Unified School District schools. Pearl’s husband, Doug Pearl, her children, Scott and Chloe and her close friends, Suzy Tebbetts and Dawn Waller, were among the 65 attending.

Seen at the scene: Rick Rackers Women of the Year recipients Melva Miller, Suzae Nosworthy, Shirley Wild, Jill Rosenberg, Mary Alice Braly and Aemarie Forster; also, Suzae Powell, Vickie Sullos, Patti Brown, Kathy Wade, Jane Jackson, Ellie Schaffner, Cindy Summers, Boie Dorrans, Diae Gleason, Valerie Hayward, Cynthia Terry, Beth Wohlgezogen, Catherine Vandenberg Smith, Nancy Smith, Mary Lee Freeman, Michelle Ward, Karen Sprague, Katey Conley and Aette Kashiwabara.

Assistance League of Long Beach’s Operation School Bell provides approximately 10,000 school uniforms to students of the Long Beach Unified School District aually. For more information please call: 562-627-5650.

American Gold Star Manor

If ever there was an appropriate Memorial Day service it is the one offered by Terry Geiling at the American Gold Star Manor, a facility located on a 25-acre campus of lawns, trees, fountains and gardens. The Manor provides affordable housing for Gold Star parents (who lost sons and daughters in the military), U.S. veterans and other qualified seniors.

On May 27, Terry Geiling, president and CEO of the American Gold Star Manor, directed a meaningful memorial service honoring the men and women in the U.S. military who went off to serve their country – and never came back.

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The impressive opening ceremony included music provided by the Stephens Middle School Band; posting of national colors by seniors who are veterans and residents of the Manor; the Pledge of Allegiance by Air Force Sgt. Conrad Gomez, president of the local chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America; the National Anthem by the American Gold Star Manor Voices; laying of memorial wreaths by Kathleen Chappell (American Gold Star mother) and Air Force Sgt. Al Campbell.

Highlights of the program included a Long Beach Police Department helicopter flyover and a rousing chorus of the Marine Corps Hymn in recognition of L.B. Fire Chief Mike DuRee, a former U.S. Marine.

Congressman Alan Lowenthal presented a bronze plaque and flag flown over the US Capitol to the daughter and son of Bette Freeman. Bette, who recently passed away, was honored as a past president of the American Gold Star Mothers organization and as a long time board member of the American Gold Star Manor.

In his Idea, Terry Geiling aounced that the Manor had completed $56 million in construction financing to support the renovation of the entire property.

He said that the three- year construction project would focus on improving resident safety, increasing the conservation of water, gas and electricity and the complete remodeling of all of the resident apartments.

The closing observance was particularly moving. Pamela Hale Bus sang “America the Beautiful,” Taps was played, there was a 21-gun salute by the Long Beach Police department, “Amazing Grace” was played by piper Dave Champagne, and the “Tolling of the Bell” for departed veterans by Terry Geiling.

The 350 or so guests were treated to a display of a large model of the USS Long Beach, provided by the Port of Long Beach, and an historic fire engine provided by the Long Beach Fire Museum. The Long Beach Fire Fighters Union 372 provided a delicious barbecue.

Notables attending included Congresswomen Janice Hahn and Loretta Sanchez, Assemblyman Patrick O’Doell, Lakewood Mayor Ron Piazza, Councilmember Roberto Uranga, Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Reddicks, former Mayor Beverly O’Neill, Harbor Commissioner Doug Drummond, LBUSD Foundation president Felton Williams, LBPD Deputy Chief Michael Beckman, Chair of the American Gold Star Manor board Gail Schwandner and board members Bob Luskin, Bob Fronke, Diane Jacobus, Steve Keesal. Manor Chief Operating Officer Glen Patrick, Drew Gagner, Robin Hughes, Larry and Mollie Beck, Joseph Prevratil, Jack Berro, Suny Lay Chang.

Seen at the Scene: The Geiling family including son Chuck, grandchildren Charlie, Carson and Caroline, daughter Sara Moore and husband Steven Moore, and sister Laura Hammers. Also, Doug and Freda Otto, Diane Jacobus, Mike and Arline Walters, Susan Wise, Mort and Susan Stuhlbarg, Rich Archbold, Boie Lowenthal, Jean Bixby Smith, Julie Larkins, Eileen and Steve Factor, Craig Dougherty and Jane Lastusky.

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: www.presstelegram.com/social.