Parks wins Book of Golden Deeds award; tea held for girls and moms

May 28, 2008
Excited little girls dressed in pretty spring dresses arrived with their mothers and grandmothers for the Girls & God Tea Party at St. Peter’s UMC. The tables in the Stainton Room were set with lace tablecloths and fine china with pretty flower centerpieces and I stopped in the kitchen where Jennifer Bowman, Anne Beckert, Sandra Roberts and Megan Generosi were setting out tea sandwiches and petite desserts on silver trays for high tea lunch. Of course Bill Bateson was on hand to do the dishes and helped Mary Beth Salmonsen and Sharon Somers set up another table when an overflow crowd arrived. I stopped to chat with Adelaide Brandes and checked out Marilyn Hughes circa 1880 China head doll. Ruth Thron brought her Shirley Temple doll she got 72 years ago when she was 8 years old. I admired Audrey Kerr’s tan she got on the beach last week when I joined her and Christine Crist at their table. Peggy Osbourn arrived with her 5-year-old twin granddaughters, Anna Grace and Margaret Mary Faust, and joined us for lunch. Beth Bowman took lots of pictures of all the little girls and a few extra of granddaughters, Katie and Kelsea, who wore matching summer sundresses and were joined by older sister, Caroline. Jennifer Bowman showed off her grandmother’s sterling silver tea service and gave the girls a lesson in the fine art of holding a tea. Alyson Roberts sang and accompanied herself on the piano during lunch then Anne Beckert conducted a pop quiz on women in the Bible.
Lynne Cates left her popular boutique, Sun Seekers, in the hands of co-workers and enjoyed the tea with daughters, Dana and Tara, who brought their dolls but kept changing their minds about modeling in the show. This columnist served as commentator for the fashion show when the little girls took to the runway carrying their dolls. Stella Eiter sported a long powder blue satin dress from her native country of China and really got into modeling when she heard the applause. Stella’s mom, Courtnay Eiter, chose a matching red satin Mandarin collar dress with side slits, but hers was from Victoria’s Secret. Charity Beckert had a busy weekend as in addition to this affair, she attended her Girl Scout tea and performed in her dance recital at Stockton PAC and grand mom, Dorothy Dyck, from Kennet Square was on hand for all three. UMW president Nancy Caine looked lovely in a lavender crepe sheath dress and enjoyed the tea with daughter, Jessie, and granddaughters, Alexia and Kyra. Jennifer Rowe had to fill out a second card so I could describe daughter, Madeline’s pretty purple flower print dress when she walked the runway. Molly Salmonsen was on crutches having sprained her ankle doing handsprings and her doll dressed in the same outfit as Molly also sported tiny crutches. Tyra Guseman sat back and beamed when daughter, Lily, walked the runway with her doll. Donna Doyle enjoyed the tea with daughter, Melissa Doyle-Waid, and granddaughters, Abby and Gabrielle Waid. Marilyn Merritt brought her daughter, Heather Connolly, to the tea and her 5-year-old granddaughter, Emma Connolly, introduced me to her doll, named Julie. Jennifer Bowman always makes lots of goodies and invited guests to fill snack boxes with tea sandwiches and desserts to take home to enjoy on Mother’s Day.
George Reeves, affectionately known as “Doc” at St. Augustine Prep, was roasted by colleagues and students recently at the school when family and friends joined in the fun at a dinner in Doc’s honor. Doc taught the young men at St. Augustine Prep wisdom, values and good jokes and now that it is time for him to relax and enjoy his golden years at his new winter home in Florida he was presented with a golf cart to use on the golf course as he improves his game and masters the sport.
Heavy rain, high wind and flooding didn’t keep a large crowd for attending the Exchange Club’s 43rd annual Book of Golden Deeds award dinner at the Flanders. I chatted with Lillian Ellerman in the lobby while waiting for our husbands, Jim and Rich, to park the cars. Music filled the air as we climbed the steps to the second floor lobby where Roy Gillian was entertaining at the grand piano while Brian Broadley and Dottie McClain greeted guests and Brian offered to take my coat that actually was a dress. Mary and Bob Wurtz, Joan and Jim Currens and Cathy and Herb Adams arrived early driving in from Osprey Point for the party. Linda and Curt Gronert had to wade through water to get to their car while Mary and Warren Hughes were without electric all day. I chatted with Rosario and Sam Foglio, Terry Grau and Vonnie and Ed Price while sampling the hors d’oeuvres. With everyone sporting black on this rainy night, Mary Woods was a breath of spring in a bright salmon color jacket. Congrats to Jane Lugo who is excited about her new position as Atlantic County’s treasurer. Irene and George Reeves were late as they had to wait for the water to go down to get out of their house. Rita Fulginiti looked great in a navy suit and heels with not a hair out of place even though she was traveling around Cape May County in her car all day in the wind and rain. Pat Gillian, Sue Doll and I discussed plans for the upcoming Miss NIV pageant. I chatted with Susan and Fred Miller and Angelo Psaltis as we headed into the crystal ballroom for dinner and Sal Perillo joked that I must be Italian as I can’t talk without using my hands. Brian Broadley served as emcee and Bill Woods, a 1977 Golden Deeds recipient, introduced prior award winners in attendance. This year’s honoree Dan Parks was chosen for his selfless dedication to the community and the Exchange Club directing the Miss Ocean City Pageant for seven years and working all club activities. The Exchange Club’s Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse is one of Dan’s proudest accomplishments and Dan is currently serving as president of this group. Rita Fulginiti, Jeff Van Drew and Sal Perillo made presentations to Dan while Stu Sirott, Katie Ulmer, Debby Jenkins and Jim Dalfonso recounted tales of working with Dan and Rich Ellerman presented Dan with a $3,000 check to the Prevention Abuse Center from the Foster-Karney Foundation. Jon Battistini had the honor of presenting the Book of Golden Deeds award to Dan Parks at the conclusion of the ceremony. Dan’s sons, Josh and Nathan, made sure they got lots of pictures of all the presentations throughout the evening. I enjoyed catching up with Dan’s neighbors, Cheryl and Dave Edwards and their daughters, Megan and Jodie. The rain had just about stopped and the winds were subsiding as everyone headed for their cars to drive home.
 

Lynne Cates and daughters, Dana and Tara get together at the tea with Nancy Caine and her daughter, Jessie, and granddaughters, Alexia and Kyra.

Alyson and Sandra Roberts enjoy tea with Cathy Finnegan, Melissa Doyle-Waid, Donna Doyle and Abby and Gabrielle Waid (front).
 

George Reeves poses for a picture at his retirement roast with wife, Irene, daughters, Linda, Sondra and Beth, and their spouses and children.

Recipient of the Book of Golden Deeds award, Dan Parks, enjoys the Exchange Club dinner with his son and daughter-in-law, Josh and Jennifer, mom Nathalie, son, Nathan, and step-mom and dad, Eleanor and Elliott.

Courtnay and Stella Eiter, Dorothy Dyck and daughter and granddaughter, Anne and Charity Beckert Lily Guseman and Mary Beth Salmonsen and daughter, Molly, enjoy the tea.

Brian and Caryn Broadley, Larry Carnuccio and Sue and Don Doll relax at the Book of Golden Deeds dinner.

Jane and John Lugo, Rosario and Sam Foglio and Vonnie and Ed Price pose for a picture at the Book of Golden Deeds dinner.