Winter & Spring 2006

We have welcomed another new year and it’s already springtime! I am truly grateful to be able to get this newsletter out to you on time. For those who did not know, I was diagnosed with Stage IIIB ovarian cancer; however, my surgeon performed a full hysterectomy and removed all cancerous tumors. No chemotherapy is needed but I will still need to check my CA125 (cancer blood test) every three months for several years to make sure it does not appear again.

      I am now back to my normal routine such as going back to work, catching up with LACD issues and doing errands around the house. My daughter, Suzanne, created a nice temporary website for everyone to keep track of my health and recovery for two months. Thank you for all of your support and prayers!

      We, the board members, have accomplished new things for LACD such as new pamphlets designed by Suzanne Stecker. The front side shows an old building that we used to own while there is another picture of the GLAD building on the back along with text, promoting our organization. LACD was able to pass out them out to officials, players, coaches, and fans at the Clerc Classic Basketball Tournament, where our Secretary Roy Lopaty regularly referees, at California School for the Deaf last January.

      DeafNation Expo on April 29th is the next deaf-related event in Southern California where we will publicize about LACD again. Be sure to come to our booth to see the new pamphlets and to say HI! We would love to see you all.

      Here’s to an exciting announcement, LACD marks its 80th year of existence next year and the LACD Board will host a big celebration at a hotel nearby. More information will be shown on flyers and website soon. It all began with a different name, “Silent Club” in 1927, but after undergoing few name changes, the members decided to incorporate Los Angeles Club of the Deaf in 1940. Check our website to read more about LACD’s history. Speaking of which, if you have photographs from the recent or early years, please share them with me, so they can be included on the website.

      Good news! The National Softball Association of the Deaf Tournament will be held in Riverside, California this year! The dates are from Thursday, August 3rd until Saturday, August 5th. Our mighty softball ladies hope to recapture the national championship title this year. They won first place twice in 2003 (Clearwater, Florida) and 2004 (Reno, Nevada), but two unusual losses in 2005 (Gulfport, Mississippi) took them down to 4th place. Let’s go to Riverside this coming August and root for our players because the NSAD tournament rarely comes to Southern California! This is your chance to have fun and mingle with others from different states. For more information, go to their website at www.nsad.org.

      Most of the LACD members are already retired, and they will have new ones join their club this coming June: Anne Wallis, John Goul, and Bob Bergan. Anne has taught different classes for 41 years, John as a P.E. teacher at Marlton School for 34 years, and Bob for 36 years. Happy retirement to three of them!

      Eva Dobrovech, David’s wife and a Lockheed Martin employee for 25 years, was randomly selected from Burbank-based Service Champions’ drawing and won a free car wash and President’s Parking Space for a month. Congratulations, Eva!

      Sue and Norm Green’s sons are their true pride and joy: the older one is a TV agent, working with well known clients such as Marcia Cross from Desperate Housewives and the other one works at New Line Cinema in Beverly Hills.

Storks bring in new grandchildren

      Donna Lopaty’s oldest daughter, Carrie, had her 4th baby meaning Donna’s 9th grandchild on December 15, 2005. Givonna Bruno Gasbarri, the baby boy’s name, weighs 8 pounds and 2 ounces and is 21 inches long!

      Joan Gleicher’s daughter, Becca, gave birth to a healthy boy named Tiernan William Booth. He was born on Valentine’s Day, weighing at 8 pounds and 15 ounces and is 20 ½ inches long. Stan and Becca’s daughter, Rayzele, is now 2 years old.

      Our son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Richelle, are expecting their first child this coming July! It will be my first grandchild and Rusty’s 5th.

      Sue and Norm Green will be grandparents for the first time when their younger son’s wife gives birth sometime in mid-June. Sue had a shoulder surgery last month to repair a tear in rotary cuff and to remove the spur as well. She will be able to carry her first grand-child by then.

Members’ adventurous trips

      Larry Dubin traveled in Bogotá, Columbia (South America) for one and half months with Murray’s family to build a four-story apartment. Larry designed the entire floor plan then shopped for materials by bus, taxi and walking for them! He may need to go back there this coming summer to finish up some things. On New Year’s Eve, Larry joined a group of 20 people to a famous restaurant where they were served with a huge bowl of meat, pork and chicken. It reminded him of the old knight days where they ate those delicious food with their fingers. However, he still missed the food, car and TV programs in the good ole USA. Welcome back, Larry!

      Last January, Dan Smith joined his father and aunt in Hawaii for one week where they played golf and went sailing. They had a wonderful time indeed.

      Judy DeSalvio, Bobbi Maucere and Carol Trachtenberg along with three other deaf ladies explored in Peru and Ecuador, South America last January for almost one month! They even rode the riverboat to Amazon River where they camped out without electricity and hot water. They reached the famous zero latitude in Ecuador and saw plenty of interesting places. They hiked everyday in the rainforests, deserts and through rugged paths in small historical places. Six of them even ate exotic food like llama, guinea pig, octopus, piranha, quail eggs, etcetera. After the group tour, they stayed there for a few more days to visit the school for the deaf in Quito, go riverrafting, and hike some more. They sure will always hold fond memories from this rich experience!

      South America seems to be the most popular place for our beloved LACDers. Steve and Eileen Schultz traveled through Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Ecuador for over 5 weeks last February and March, arranged by their local travel agent with Big Five. Big Five is known for its exotic travel arrangements and tours. They took their daughter with them to Brazil and Argentina then dropped her off in Chile where she began her six-month study abroad program at Chilean Universities. Steve and Eileen met a deaf artist in Urubamba, Peru and bought two of his watercolor paintings. Ecuador was their final stop to meet another deaf couple named Myron and Delores Goldman. Their favorite and unique experience was traveling through the Amazon River on a riverboat then hiking in the flooded forest islands and rainforests with their guide. Steve said their trip was something “that they will never forget for a very long time.”

      Adele Davidson went up north to Novato to see her son, Don, and his family for more than one month. She attended a deaf club and made new friends during her enjoyable visit. She returned to SoCal with her daughter, Sherry, who also went to San Francisco to visit her youngest son for 5 days.

      Rusty and I along with our son, Patrick, and dog, Velvet, will fly to Washington D.C. for Suzanne’s big 3-0 in April! Suzanne will return to California this coming summer to play for LACD at both regional and national tournaments. She started playing for LACD when she was only 15 years old!

Obituaries

      It has been one year since Bernard Davidson passed away at the age of 84. The family lit the yahrzeit light on March 12th and his unveiling will take place at Mount Sinai Cemetery in May. He was married to Adele for 59 years and had two children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

      Jennie Westmoreland passed away on Saturday, October 15th from the big C in her liver and colon. The memorial service took place at Holy Angels Catholic Church the following week. She was married to Waldon for 54 years and had 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Jennie was also the sister of Lora Vincent, a LACD member.

      Maria Sanchez Smith’s daughter, Cynthia Esquivel, passed away on December 29th. Her liver and kidney were very weak after battling against thyroid cancer. Cynthia is survived by her 17-year-old daughter Amber, who plans to attend CSUN this coming fall to become a sign language interpreter.

      Bernard Castaline’s deaf sister, Elinor Kraft, departed us on December 27th from kidney failure at the age of 71.

LACD’s next events

      GSD and LACD, with David Freedman as the chairperson, are hosting the Pacific Coast Deaf Bowling Association tournament during the Memorial Day weekend in Woodland Hills.

      Our next general meeting is on Saturday, April 15th at 2 p.m.

      Card Tournament will be on May 6th chaired by Elaine Aikins. Be sure to let Marilyn Castaline know what game(s) you wish to play.

      Look forward to seeing all of you at the general meeting and card, bowling and softball tournaments!

Etta