~GFWC Woman's Club of Ocoee Celebrates 86thBirthday~

               The Woman’s Club of Ocoee’s Annual Birthday Luncheon and Fashion Show is a celebration of the 12 months of holidays, as well as the anniversary of one of the oldest service clubs in West Orange County.  Twelve tables are decorated each year according to the 12 months.  There are St. Patrick’s Day items at one table, Christmas at another and a vintage celebration of Mother’s Day at still another.

               In addition, themes also include the Fourth of July, April Showers, Thanksgiving and a glittering celebration of a Happy New Year.  It’s a whole year of celebrations rolled into one.

               Special guests at the 86^th Birthday Luncheon held March 6 were Ocoee Mayor Scott Vandergrift and his wife, Beth, Kathy Harris, GFWC FFWC District 7, and from Dillard’s Fashion Coordinator Randa Alvarez and Assistant, Cathryn Dube.

               Woman’s Club President Vicki Raduenz welcomed the roomful of members and guests.  Kathy Harris read the collect and Lynne Seigler gave the invocation.

               Modeling the fashions from Dillard’s were Mary Jane Antonov, Susan Bornmann, Lisa Carter and Sherry Dahlstedt.

               The following members decorated the tables:  Sonia Brown and Myra Kinnie (January); Diane Bonnano (February); Donna Kelly (March); Mary Black (April); Teresa Lemons and Carole Bogucki (May); Ann Hopper and Bev Thornton (June); Barbara Milazzo and Joann Vann (July); Susan Bornmann and Pauline Mathius (August); Mary Jane Antonov (September); Jackie Titus (October); Karyn Kurtz (November); Lynne Seigler and Sherry Dahlstedt (December).  Decorating the head table was Vicki Raduenz.

               Long time member, Elizabeth Maguire, was selected as an Honorary Member for the 2008-2010 Club Year.  Elizabeth has served 28 years of service with the Woman’s Club of Ocoee.  She was a member of the Junior Woman’s Club of Ocoee from 1947 to 1952 and became a member of the Woman’s Club of Ocoee in 1986.  She served as First Vice President in 1989; President from 1990-1993; Treasurer 1997-2001.  She served as the Club’s Parliamentarian and House Manager for many years.  There are few that are more dedicated than Elizabeth who  volunteered for each and every fundraiser, the Club’s Birthday celebrations, past Corned Beef and Cabbage Days, Essay Contest celebrations and many more.  She also served as Treasurer of the Ocoee Historical Commission.  The widow of Harold Maguire, former Mayor to the City of Ocoee.  Elizabeth is retired from the Orange County Public School System.   Elizabeth was honored with a certificate, bouquet of flowers from Betty J’s Florist and a Honorary Member pin.  She joins a prestigious list of other Honorary Members: Ruth Grafton, Betty Hager, Nell Minor and Winnifred Griffin.

               Beverly Thorton was also presented as the Woman’s Club of Ocoee representative for the Health Central Trustees.  Beverly will be replacing Milton West who served as the representative for the Woman’s Club of Ocoee for many years.  Beverly Thornton is a life-long resident of Ocoee.  She has been an employee for 30 years with the Orange County Sherriff’s Department and currently serves as an Executive Staff Assistant.  Beverly has been a member of the Woman’s Club of Ocoee since October 2008.

               The Woman’s Club thanks the sponsors of this annual event:  the City of Ocoee, Westside Tech, Health Central, Jessie Taylor’s Catering, Trattoria D’Urbino, Rusty Johnson of Gosselin Realty, Pat Sharr Realty, Party Plus, Downtown Herb Shoppe, DJ’s Auto Sales, Coins of the Realm, BR Dental (Dr. Brian Ramski), Betty J’s Florist, Ruth S. Minor of Coldwell Banker, Ocoee Café, Basil and Joann Vann, Custom Cornices & Woodworking, Publix, First Baptist Church of Ocoee, Florida Looks Salon, A Mobile Notary, Central Florida Auto Brokers, Advanced Entertainment Solutions, Inc., House Blend Café, My Salon, Robert B. Lecce, Franco’s Pizzeria, E.L. Alpha Sporting Goods, Western Crafts & Gifts, Cre-Ativ Nailz, Alicia Swarckof (My Salon), Texas Road House – Ocoee, Too Jay’s – Ocoee, Vogue Salon, Grace’s Gifts, Patrick Reilly’s Lawn Service, And Everything Under the Sun, Mail Center & More, Donna Kelly, Ron Rampadt, Bev Thornton Notary Services, Detox Via D’Feet , San Jose’s Mexican Restaurant and Dillard’s West Oaks Mall.

               The club also thanks Ann Hopper, Birthday Luncheon Committee Chair and Teresa Lemons, Co-Chair and the members who have spent many untiring hours organizing and promoting this event, the Ocoee Fire and Police Explorers and the Ocoee High School Civitan Club for their service at the luncheon, as well as all those who donated door prizes.

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