Winter 2002

      The year of 2002 finally arrived and we are elated to announce that we welcome two new LACD board members, Elaine Aikins and Loretta Swanson!

      LACD annual brunch at Odyssey restaurant during the third Saturday last December had a good crowd with Mel Carter as our master of ceremonies. At that place, Mel Carter announced that Bob Skinner and Joan Cummings of Indiana got married two weeks earlier.

      As you probably know, LACD has been having its annual holiday brunch at Odyssey for the past 10 years. We plan to have the brunch at a different restaurant, especially since we are moving to GLAD in March.

      Yes, it is official. We will move from CSUN to GLAD on March 16th. February 16th will be LACD's last social night at CSUN. Please mark that on your calendar as a gentle reminder that we will be at the new place. When you go there on March 16th, be sure to wear something green because it is St. Patrick's Eve!

      The LACD softball ladies will continue selling goodies and drinks at the new place. They are currently selling Helen Grace candy bars and working on getting a spot to sell fireworks during the week of July 4th for the softball fund.

      Speaking of the softball, the women's softball team has both new manager and coach. Ken Watson has been appointed as their new manager with Howard Sultan as the coach. Roy Lopaty and David Dobrevech are now working on forming men's softball team for LACD.

      LACD went back to the good ole days and hosted the New Year's Eve party at GLAD! The chairpersons were Larry Dubin and Joanne Gleicher (formerly Garas). The theme of the party was "The Roaring '20s." Flashy Esther Aheroni and sleek Richard Liberatore won the best costume award. We had some drawings and Sue Green won a nice DVD player as the grand prize.

      There will be a dinner cruise, sponsored by LACD and GUAA, chaired by Mark Corson. It will take place at San Pedro Harbor-Berth 77 on Saturday, April 27th. If you want to join us, send a check of $65 per person or $125 per couple to Larry Dubin. It is selling out rapidly, so be sure to reserve and purchase your ticket soon!

      As expected, there were many Super Bowl parties all over the nation on February 3rd. One of the parties was at Shakey's in North Hollywood where most LACD members went. Elaine Aikins and Richard Cato went to Nevada Stateline and watched many TV screens in the Primm Valley Sportsbook area. Some jumped with joy that the Patriots won while others grumbled, hoping the Rams would win.

      A new motion was made in our previous meeting to have committee of five to look for a new clubhouse. Mark Corson is the chairman and has David Dobrevech, Joe DeVita, Elaine Aikins, and Morton Steinberg helping him on the side. If you happen to find a great place, feel free to contact one of them.

      Mark & Lena Corson bought a very nice home in Granada Hills for their 25th anniversary. Their sons are still living with them. His brother, Harvey, is now the new superintendent at American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut.

      John and Shelly Goul's daughter, Jena, was selected by Silent News as one of the 16 girls to be on the All-American Volleyball team. She was also accepted to enroll Gallaudet University this coming fall. They are so proud of her!

      Last month, Don and Loretta Swanson had their 50th wedding anniversary party given by their children. Bernard and Marilyn will also celebrate golden wedding anniversary in April. Is there anyone else celebrating theirs, too?

      Pat Zinkovich had a big surprise 75th birthday party on December 27th at Deaf Community Center in San Leandro. For the old-timers, you may remember her as West Wilson's daughter. Happy belated birthday, Pat!

      We will have our next general meeting on April 20th at GLAD. The meeting will start at 3 o'clock in the afternoon and hope to see you all there. Be sure to renew your membership if you have not done that yet!

Etta