Chamber salutes working women
The Flanders' garden room was the perfect setting on a warm sunny spring
day for the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce ninth annual Salute
to Working Women luncheon. Shawnda Conser and Barbara Brown made points
with this columnist when they handed me a list of attendees when I
arrived. The garden room looked great with bright colored cardboard
flower baskets filled with goodies at each place setting and fresh
tulips in bowls served as centerpieces on all the tables. I stopped to
chat with chamber director, Joann Del Vescio, as she prepared her notes
for the program. I enjoyed catching up with Janet Buchanan from 1st Bank
of Sea Isle City who arrived early. Susan Faverzani rushed in with son
Mark and joined models, Donna Oves, Tracie Ferra, Melissa Wilson, Mary
Beth Salmonsen, Kelly Faust and Lisa Sanchez, in the tiny dressing room
as they got into their fashions from Ta-Dah. Kelly organized the models
and her 4-year-old twin daughters, Maggie and Annie Faust, looked
adorable in their outfits from Pink and Blue Baby Boutique. Kelly also
has another set of twin daughters who are 6 and Kelly and her four
daughters are hosting an Easter egg hunt on the Tabernacle grounds.
Four-year-old Julie Wilson rounded out the young models.
Guest of honor Cindy Griffith arrived with husband Steve and joined
family and friends at her table in the middle of the room as she
received congratulations from guests. I enjoyed meeting Carol Tutelian,
who along with Mike Lucey opened Water's Edge Environmental at 13th and
Asbury a couple of years ago. Ed Hilinski retired from the federal
government four years ago and now works part time in the clerk's office
so he took lots of pictures of his lady boss at the luncheon. Ed's wife
Joann works in the personnel office and Ed knows my husband as he buys
cars from Harry Klause. When I admired a unique pin on Joann Cioeta's
suit she told me she got it at the fine art and craft show on the Music
Pier. Jean Jacobson and Shelly Opferman rushed in just in time for lunch
and I admired Jean's beautiful necklace from our favorite jewelry
boutique. I joined the Fox Real Estate folks at their table for lunch
and enjoyed chatting with Gary and Denise Jessel, Gail Blevin, Tricia
Audino, Vicki Herrington, Carol Hadtke, Joan Potts, Denise Oliver and
Betty Ray. Bright colors are big this spring and Betty showed her
fashion style in a three-piece turquoise slack ensemble accented with a
great pair of turquoise strappy sandals. Denise and Gary are looking
forward to spending their Easter holiday with their entire family in
Florida. Lisa Klassman served as commentator for the fashion show during
lunch. Ron Denney, Winnie Piriano and I held a mini-conference about our
upcoming trip to West Point and whether to add a cruise on the Hudson, a
visit to several mansions or a visit to Cooperstown to the itinerary.
I met Flo D'Avocato who works at the Ocean City Airport. Michele Gillian
and Sally Huff volunteered to write my column while I'm cruising the
Danube in Europe next week. Mike Datillo introduced me to Mike Rossbach,
the new director of public works. I enjoyed chatting up with Mike Lloyd
who will be the branch manager of the new Sturdy Savings Bank when it
opens on 34th Street. Jane Davis reports Johnny B' Good Ice Cream Parlor
will be open for the Block Party weekend. Maria Leadbetter reports her
daughter and granddaughter, Vicki and Jenny Kerbeck, are anxious to get
back to their beachfront home for the summer. Meanwhile, 10-year-old
Jenny, who has been dancing most of her young life, is performing with a
traveling dance troop. Linda and Larry Carnuccio have been traveling a
lot this winter with one of their favorite destinations being Ireland
where they attended the Ryder's Cup. Roy and Edwina Wagner looked great
as they showed off their great fashion style with bright color outfits.
Scott Ping took a break from work, but left wife Gail to keep things
running smooth at Boyar's. Ronnie Brobson was disappointed when she
couldn't think of anything interesting to report for my column.
Keynote speaker Lenora Boninfante, Cape May County communications
director, highlighted achievements honoring the working women who do
their jobs while raising families and keeping the home fires burning.
Lenora had a role model in Angie Pulvino who gave her encouragement when
she was starting out in the county. Jeff Van Drew, Nick Asselta, Jack
Thomas, Jim Rutala and Larry Carnuccio made special presentations to
Cindy Griffith, who has been our city clerk for the past four years and
has made quite an impact with her knowledge and efficient way she runs
this busy office and council meetings. Cape May County Clerk Rita
Fulginiti presented Cindy with a Lady Liberty pen, honoring the working
woman. On behalf of the chamber of commerce Joann Del Vescio presented a
pen set with the Woman of Achievement symbol and a bouquet of flowers to
Cindy who then stood at the podium to thank everyone for this honor.
Julie Forrest looked nautical in a navy blazer and white slacks and she
wanted to know how I liked the new light dessert the chef created for
the luncheon.
With Erica Wolf's wedding just weeks away, Marion McCaughey hosted a
bridal shower at her country home last Saturday. Erica greeted guests at
the door when they arrived while her fianc, Russell Parker, watched the
NCAA finals in the living room with the guys. Joanne Budnick, who just
returned from a vacation in Jamaica where she took the Gazette but
forgot to take a picture, was in the kitchen heating the fabulous hors
d'oeuvres she made while Marion set out the goodies on the buffet table.
Joan Dearborn is traveling with husband Don since he retired as Ocean
City's superintendent of schools and took a consulting position. Joan
also enjoys spending time with her four grandchildren and is busy
planning for her third daughter's wedding. Susan Miller enjoyed catching
up with everyone after being in Florida for the past two months. Carol
Heenan looked smart in a rust corduroy gaucho outfit. Guests gathered in
the Den Marion decorated with cascading tulle hung from the large light
over the pool table as Erica took the guest of honor seat in front of
lavender and cream balloons. Cheryl Edwards has been to a lot of showers
so she organized the games the guests played while Erica opened her
gifts. With everyone sporting a clothespin somewhere on their clothes if
caught with their legs crossed the first person to get to them grabbed
their clothespin. Joyce Trofa took her shoes off but still forgot and
crossed her legs. Liz Ulmer and Sue Annarelli were the best ended with
five each and had to split the prize. Alice Wolf sat next to her
daughter as she unwrapped gifts while Vicki Scheetz kept a list for the
bride-to-be. I enjoyed chatting with Gail Blevin, Maribeth Neall and
Jane Custer as the gifts were passed around. Erica's wishing well was
filled with cleaning supplies and when Erica said she loves to clean
everyone invited her to their home. |
Keith Hartzell, Cathy Finnegan, Larry Carnuccio and Barbara and Richard
Long enjoy the Working Women luncheon.
Erica Wolf and her fianc, Russell Parker (seated), pose for a picture at
Erica's shower with Joanne Budnick, Alice Wolf and Marion McCaughey.
Vicki Scheetz and Joyce Trofa (seated)
pose for a picture at the shower with Sue Annarelli, Liz Ulmer and
Cheryl Edwards.
Working Woman honoree, Cindy Griffith,
poses for a picture with Sheila Cottrell, Joann Del Vescio, Steve
Griffith, Ed Hilinski and Maryann Brown. |
.gif){kind=logo}