Summer 2002

      It's unfortunate that I have to start this newsletter with sad news, but we are sorry to see Frances Skinner leave this state for Indiana. We will appoint a temporary treasurer to replace her until our next election. Marilyn Castaline is now our membership chairperson and Elsie Vincent as the new trustee.

      We had our open house at GLAD last March along with St Patrick's Day party. The board wants to thank those volunteers who donated food on that night. Good times and crowd were in sight!

      The softball ladies will continue selling food and drinks for the month of August (Hawaiian theme), and September (western theme) to raise some money. Christina Morgan, a licensed chef, contributes her time as the softball fundraising chairperson for these three months. They plan to go to Chicago for the National Softball Association of the Deaf tournament (NSAD) from Sept. 12th through 14th. Hope you all can come dressed in according to the themes and help them raise money. They prepared and sold amazingly delicious food on July 20th!

      Speaking of the softball, they are the Women's Sun & Surf Recreational League champions with 10 wins and only 2 losses. The team also played at an invitational tournament with other deaf teams in June. There were only two women's teams and LACD won both games. The LACD ladies got the chance to play against a coed team from Las Vegas. They lost the first game but defeated them during the second game! The team will play at FAAD (Farwest Athletic Association for the Deaf) in Riverside on August 3rd.

      Wendy George, who played with us in the league, left the team recently because she is now pregnant with her second child! However, we truly hope she can be with us again next year.

      Approximately 170 people attended the LACD/GUAA cruise chaired by Mark Corson. Harvey Goodstein, the chairman of Deaf Way II, was our guest speaker and the master/mistress of ceremonies were Mel Carter and Genie Gertz. The weather turned out to be very pleasant on that day, so it was fun sailing and eating on the boat in San Pedro. Speaking of Deaf Way II, which took place in Washington, D.C. in July, some of our members enjoyed themselves there, but the weather was hot and humid!

      Bernard and Marilyn Castaline had their golden wedding anniversary party at Old Spaghetti Factory Restaurant last April given by their children. Attendees included many LACD members and their grandchildren. After the party, the centerpieces, lovely heart shaped vases with roses, were given to each person per table to keep.

      Another golden anniversary party took place hosted by Nubby and Ellie Nuernberger on June 30th. Their children, grandchildren, relatives and friends showed up and some LACD members attended as well. Not to mention their high school and college classmates flew in from other states such as Washington, D.C., Texas, Indiana, Arizona, to name few. The flower centerpieces on table were so lovely and every person received a gold key chain as a token of appreciation.

      Joe Slotnick and his wife, Mary, traveled to Italy for one month. As Joe called it, "4 glorious weeks" of adventures in Italy included Rome, Venice (the water city), Milan, the capital of Italy and so forth. They managed to visit Robert Wirth, a deaf guy who runs the Hassler Hotel on the Spanish Steps in Rome!

      Caroline Preston and her husband, Jerry, have been working as freelance interpreters. Caroline also teaches one beginning ASL class at a community college in Las Vegas. They hired Evelyn Campbell as a tutor at that same college. They seem to enjoy living there.

      Maydeen Watts just turned 94 years old and is doing well. She still goes to senior citizen's gathering in Vegas and uses a walker to maintain her balance. Her sister, Frances Pasley, and her husband, Curtis, are still living in Vegas, too.

      It is sad to mention that Sally Korach passed away shortly after her birthday. She was in her 80s, and we miss her already.

      Our son, Patrick, became engaged to a pretty lady named Richelle. He bought a house then hid a diamond ring and 12 roses in one of his kitchen cabinets. She was surprised about the house then became elated at the ring. Amid hugs and tears, she accepted his proposal. They will get married on December 7th.

      There were two big events during the week of June 16th. One was National Campvention of the Deaf at Buellton, CA and the other one was National Deaf Bowling Association at Austin, Texas. Some LACD members went to camping while few others bowled. Anne Wallis won first place in world senior citizen's event in Austin, Texas. Congratulations, Anne!

      Adele Davidson bought a new car, 2001 Mercury, recently in Woodland Hills. To her delight, the salesman, who sold the car to her, was Roy Lopaty's son!

      We hope you will find time to come to our social events and join the fun!! Be sure to buy food from the softball gals.

Etta