Ten of us had great fun overcoming our shyness (oh, yes, we can be shy) about being models at the recent annual meeting, luncheon and fashion show held by the Friends of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. We were decked out in AHNI fashions we each selected at the store at Renard Court two weeks ago. At the event, in two rooms at the DoubleTree Hotel, we quickly changed clothes and primped, checking lipstick and hair before lining up to come to the podium. There Tom Marquardt, Capital publisher, introduced us and described our outfits as Numa Lavy played popular music from the 1930s and 1940s in the piano. It was all done in good fun at the persistent urging of our good friend Anna E. Greenberg, who was re-elected FASO president and was celebrating her birthday that day.
Models, besides myself and What’s Up? publisher Veronica Tovey, were Adele Baron and Beth Dolezal, FASO board members; Linnell Bowen, Maryland Hall executive director; Sharon Dickerson, ASO staff; Keren Dement, Maryland Hall trustee; ASO board members Pat Edwards and Anne Potter (also ASO board chairman); and Mayor Ellen Moyer.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of a $36,000 check from FASO to the symphony, the largest amount the nonprofit group has given in its history. ASO President Lee Streby and Anne Potter were happy to receive the funds from Anna, who noted that FASO operates without any staff, just volunteers.
Besides Anna, the new officers are Marilyn Bockman and Marthena Cowart, membership co-vice presidents. Membership has grown to more than 250 people, who help with suppers for the musicians before rehearsals, the music van that visits schools, and dozens of other activities.
On board also are Carol Lee, vice president for the Concert of Tastes; Beth Dolezal, vice president of ways and means; John Cummings, recording secretary and newsletter editor extraordinaire; Judi Tanner, corresponding secretary; and Jean Russo, treasurer. New board members include Joan Russell and Jim Cheevers, a former president who is returning to lend his expertise.
In addition to acknowledging Jim and his many contributions throughout the years, Anna also announced that Music Director José-Luis Novo is going to Venezuela this summer at the personal invitation of President Hugo Chavez to work with a program for school children. It is a great opportunity to participate in this musical project and an honor to be asked.
The luncheon was a great success, with thanks going to Edie Wolf and Florence Smoot for their contributions to the organization.
Barbara Taylor of the Zonta Club of Annapolis asked me to be one of four judges at its recent Swinging Sweets chocolate festival and silent auction at Quiet Waters Park. And while my women friends have said there is no such thing as too much chocolate, believe me, you can think otherwise after tasting more than a dozen delicious delectables, all in about one hour! We could take water breaks, and then try again to select the top three.
While the Spa Creek Swing Band entertained, I was joined by Ken Jarvis, associate professor of the Hospitality, Culinary Arts and Tourism Institute at Anne Arundel Community College; Frances Jaques, retired Capital newspaper food editor; and Eric Smith, Capital cartoonist (part-time nowadays) in ranking the goodies.
Caroline’s Cakes took first place with the wonderful little chocolate cupcakes filled with chocolate mousse, completely dipped in a dark but sweet chocolate, each decorated with a tiny colorful flower and displayed on a three-tiered cake plate. Delightful! She won on taste and presentation combined.
Second place went to the Elkridge Furnace Inn for its truffles and Occasions by Cheryl took third for its truffles. Melt in your mouth...but this was a difficult decision, because the choices were challenging (and soooo chocolately). We would recommend any of the caterers who participated.
About 100 people attended, including José-Luis Novo of the Annapolis Symphony and his wife, Lori Kesner. I enjoyed seeing long-time friends and acquaintances supporting this good cause.
Zonta International is a worldwide service organization of executives in business and the professions who give time, talent and energy to the betterment of the community. One of the Annapolis club projects is Virtual Senior Pantry. Each month Zonta provides funds to the Department of Aging and Disabilities to use for medical and personal comfort and safety of homebound seniors.
With reference to that county Department, you should soon see in your local Giant food stores and at county senior centers the "Services for Seniors" directory listing all the services provided by the Department of Aging and Disabilities. What’s Up? Publishing Group handled the production part of the directory, which also is supported by the Anne Arundel Senior Services Provider Group and the Friends of Arundel Seniors. Let us know what you think about the publication and if it is helpful to you. You can send a note to me at mfelter@whatsupmag.com.
The next time you are in a local bookstore, you may find an author’s first novel, "Working at the Right Hand," by Richard M. Dykeman of Arnold. The book, available also by Internet order or through the publisher, Publish/America, LLC, explores the relationships between lawyers and paralegals and the morality of a profession founded on truths and ideals. But its practitioners often get bogged down and instead seek wealth, power and self-aggrandizement.
The book also deals with marital relationships when spouses enter matrimony with incorrect expectations, and are unwilling to struggle through difficult times when those expectations aren’t realized.
Richard said, "It took me 40 years, but it’s finished." A resident of this area for more than 20 years, he has written for local, regional and national publications, and while living out West (he was born and raised in Seattle), he wrote for several weeklies, dailies and the Associated Press. Formerly a trade magazine editor and writer, he also edited a newsletter and contributed to several non-fiction political books. In addition, he ran a public relations firm in Washington, D.C., for several years.
This graduate of the University of Washington has first hand experience in the legal field, having earned a paralegal certificate and worked for private law firms and the Justice Department.
He and Wendy, his wife of 33 years, have four children. Perhaps he can also write about raising teenagers. They can take 40 years off your life at times!