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Santa Rosa Shores kicks off holiday season
This year it was held on Tues. Dec. 11 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Santa Claus arrived at 7 p.m. on his beautiful sleigh accompanied by his helpers. The flashing lights of a fire truck and several vehicles led Santa to the right place. He had cookies, apple cider, cocoa and coffee waiting for him to share with the families. Local families and kids lined up to talk to Santa. Children had an opportunity to tell him what they want for Christmas. The kids were very excited and some whispered their requests in Santa's ear. Santa Rosa County Sheriff Wendell Hall and County Commissioner John Broxson were both there to greet Santa as well. The development of Swenson Park, located in Santa Rosa Shores, is one of the projects the SRSWC and SRSHA worked on together to make the event a reality. "We have come a long way since Hurricane Ivan thanks to everyone coming together, hard work and our Lord," said Margaret Cunningham. SRSHA meets monthly at the Midway Fire District offices on College Boulevard and quarterly at the Community Life Center. SRSWC meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in a member's home.
The Gulf Breeze Hospital Auxiliary held the annual Tree of Lights Ceremony on Dec. 6 at 5:30 pm. The ceremony holds a special meaning for members of the Gulf Breeze Hospital family and the community it serves. Each light honors individuals or groups that support the auxiliary. The ceremony began with welcome remarks from Dr. Robert Harriman, administrator of Gulf Breeze Hospital/Andrews Institute, and Gulf Breeze Mayor Lane Gilchrist. Jerry Blacklaw, pastor of Gulf Breeze Presbyterian Church, gave the opening prayer. The Gulf Breeze Elementary School fifth grade chorus, with Dottie Castleberry directing, and the Gulf Breeze High School jazz band, with Neal McLeod directing, provided the evening's entertainment.
On a signal from Dr. Harriman the Tree of Lights lit dramatically and shone beautifully over the hospital grounds as a special signal to members of the Gulf Breeze Hospital family and the community. Following the tree lighting Blacklaw gave seasonal remarks, all in attendance sang "Silent Night," and refreshments were served in the lobby. Each year during the holiday season anyone may recognize someone or some group for a minimum donation of $5. The name of the person or group recognized appears in the Book of Honor displayed in the hospital lobby and a card is sent notifying them of the memorial.
The Emerald Coast Woman's Club (ECWC) will host an evening with guest speaker, Glenn Frazier, a veteran of World War II. Frazier will speak to the audience of his experiences and then hold a question and answer session. He was a prisoner of war for three years in the Philippines and Japan, and a survivor of the Bataan death march. Frazier appears prominently on the recent Ken Burns PBS documentary, "The War," and is the father of the current ECWC president, Janis Fort. This event will take place Friday, Jan. 11 at 6 p.m. at Sound Side, Hurlburt Field. Tickets are $15 to ECWC members and their guests and $25 to non-members. Tickets are limited to 200. There will also be heavy hors d'oevres and a cash bar. Frazier's story is one of human endurance, spirit and courage, and is only one of many such stories to come out of World War II. He has written a book entitled "Hell's Guest" and a raffle will be held for an autographed copy. A biography of Glenn can be found at www.pbs.org/thewar/detail517 1.htm. This meeting will present an opportunity to meet and listen to a man that truly represents the heart and soul of America's greatest generation. For more information and tickets contact Janis Fort at 850-930-3972.
The Santa Rosa Woman's Club met for the annual Christmas celebration at Hunt Hall on Pensacola Beach on Dec. 4, with President Marion Ginn presiding. Membership Chairman Jane Parker introduced members and their guests, including: Brenda Sadler's guest Jean Merchant, Shari Fulford's guest Sally Sternung, and Mary Woodward's guest Jane Bennett. Marion Ginn welcomed Sharlene Cox, director of District One. The club was honored to have President Marion Ginn's mother, Lillian Russell, as a guest. Russell was a founding member and a past president of the Azalea City Woman's Club in Mobile and Marion's mother-in-law, Thelma Ginn, was also a president of that same club and is now an active member of Santa Rosa Woman's club. The club welcomed three new members: Lena Bessinger sponsored by Sally Stanford, Sue Simco sponsored by Jane Parker and Tracie McMahon sponsored by Barbara Gonshor. The officers and chairmen reports were brief but informational. First Vice Presidents Linda White-Spunner and Linda Dawson reported the fundraiser net income was $ 4,426.64 and asked members to critique the fundraiser so improvements could be considered for the next year. Public Affairs Chairman Rose Jenkins reported on the sale of talking smoke alarms. The club voted to donate $100 to both the Gulf Breeze and Midway Fire departments. Home Life Chairmen Mary Eder and Barbara Miksch provided fliers that can be put on mailboxes in members' neighborhoods to collect food for Interfaith Ministries. Shirley Gaddis asked for donations to send gift cards to Hacienda Girls' Ranch. Alice Louise Crawley spoke about the Christmas bingo party at Bay Breeze Nursing Home. Kay Craven is collecting the pink Yoplait lids. Happy Birthday greetings were given to December gals: Margo Bigham, Mildred Byers, Sherry McReynolds and Lolly Sandfort. Following the meeting the group enjoyed a special skit and the song, "Are My Ears on Straight," played and sung by Gonshor. The group also enjoyed a special Christmas buffet provided by Elaine Caterers. Santa Rosa Shores Woman's Club Santa Rosa Shores Women's Club held their Christmas celebration at the home of Fran Fletcher on Tuesday, Dec. 4. Club members met at 7 p.m. for heavy hors d'oevres, wine and desserts, which served as a holiday meal to celebrate the joy of the season. The house was beautifully decorated, starting with the wonderful old Santa Claus on the door instead of the usual wreath. The group played dirty Santa, enjoyed the decorations and just had a very good time. Gulf Breeze Rotary Club Gulf Breeze Rotary recently selected officers and directors for the next fiscal year, is growing in membership, gives service to the community and schedules interesting and inspiring programs. The club members approved a new slate of officers and directors for fiscal year 2008/2009. They are as follows: President Dana Morris, President-elect Pam Langham, Past President Paul Stanley, Secretary Mark DeNunzio, Press Secretary Stephen Pitre, Treasurer (paying) Gary Tringas, Treasurer (receiving) Dick Fulford, Sergeant-at-Arms Greg Smith and Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Bill Randall. The club directors are: Club Service, Le Rogers; Community Service, Kragh Folland; International Service, Cherry Fitch and Vocational Service, John Myers. President-elect Dana Morris inducted three new members, Tracy Matthias, Stephen McKenney and Guy Gascard. Matthias is originally from California and is now in automotive sales at Sandy Sansing BMW. McKenney is the son-inlaw of Gene Presley and is a real estate appraiser. Gascard, retired, was born in Paris, France and was in telecommunications. The program on Dec. 4 featured Julian MacQueen, the founder of Innisfree Hotels. MacQueen spoke about how he got into the hotel business. The club is making great progress as it grows and increases services to the community. |
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