SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL of CALAVERAS COUNTY CLUB NEWS

A letter from our President...
Teddi Paul is Named 2006–2007 Soroptimist of the Year
Installation of 2007–2008 Officers Celebrated
Frog Jump Youth Parade
Festival of Trees: Another Successful Year!
Auction Winners Enjoy Italian Dinner Party

A letter from our President...   Dear Fellow Soroptimists, What an honor to be elected Soroptimist International of Calaveras County's (SICC) President for 2007-2008, in it's 60th year of success! SICC is a dynamite club - filled with energetic, dynamic, ambitious women who are not afraid of a little effort. We have accomplished, and continue to accomplish, so much service to our community.
My thoughts about this coming year ~ we will continue to support our past programs and may even consider some new avenues for giving service to women and girls in this very needy community. The theme I have chosen, "Together We Can", to me is the epitome of what SICC does. The going may get tough, but from the wings emerges members to pitch in and "make it happen". Cooperation & experienced guidance from our past leaders keeps us on the right path. And what is service without having fun? There will be fun sprinkled in all along the way. Our Board of Officers is a wonderful mix of seasoned members and two newer members - how exciting! I am so proud to be surrounded and supported by dedicated, industrious women who are willing to give of their valuable time to serve as officers. Celebrating our fundraiser's 10th anniversary, Festival of Trees is offering us an opportunity to invite Not-for-Profit organizations to join us in this very lucrative fundraiser. There will be glitz, balloons, sparkle and shine in every corner of the Ironstone Music Room. I burst with pride when thinking of what a spectacular Gala and Auction it will be. To participate with our members as President for this special celebration, fills me with so much pride. Happy 60th Birthday, Soroptimist International of Calaveras County. "Together We Can" and WILL make 2007-2008 a year to remember! With love & friendship, President Chyrl
Teddi Paul is Named 2006–2007 Soroptimist of the Year Teddi joined SICC in 1998 after moving her State Farm Insurance office from Stockton to Murphys in 1996. She is a member of the Murphys Business Association, the Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce and served on the Board of Directors while on the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors when her office was located in Stockton from 1990 to1996. She still retains her membership in NAIFA today. Teddi was elected President of SICC in 2000-2001 while taking on the responsibility of Festival of Trees Event Coordinator the same year! She has been very active over the years, heading the sponsorship committee for the Festival of Trees Gala, and chairing her favorite event - the Frog Jump Youth Parade which is the kickoff to the Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee in May. She also enjoys being involved with SICC's annual Teddy Bear Tea, where she dons a huge bear costume each November to the joy of all the little ones present. Teddi was truly overwhelmed at receiving the award and expressed her gratitude by saying that it was an incredible honor to be selected for this very prestigious award.

Installation of 2007–2008 Officers Celebrated

Following the theme of their newly elected President Chyrl Hillis, "Together We Can", SI Calaveras County celebrated the Installation of Officers on Sunday June 24th at Saddle Creek Golf Resort in Copperopolis. President Chyrl and her Board were honored as incoming 2007-2008 officers. President Chyrl's theme challenges members to make a difference in their community and throughout the world.

Newly installed officers to serve with President Chyrl include President-Elect Karen Strand, Treasurer Joan Andersen, Assistant Treasurer Kathy Mazzaferro, Recording Secretary Terri Wilson, Corresponding Secretary Susan BenBrahim, Director of Technical Committees Paulette Stelte, Director of Service Committees Gloria Correy and Parliamentarian Kathi Flores. Shirley Ryan, Trisha Frazier and Lynn Darmsted will serve as club Delegates.

Sierra Pacific Region District III Director, Catherine Santa Maria of Groveland, was present as the installing dignitary for the red, white and blue ceremony. Norma Rash of the Reno Soroptimist club (and formerly a member of the Calaveras County club), led the installing team, dressed in their patriotic blue shirts and Rosie the Riveter American flag-style bandanas, dispensing the appropriate "tools" to each officer as they were installed, reminding them of their duties and responsibilities as new officers. Planning and coordinating the event were Teddi Paul and Roberta Bean. Thank you ladies for a very entertaining afternoon!

President's Spotlight:

President Chyrl is a retired office manager, formerly with Calistoga Press. She has been a member of Soroptimist for twenty years, joining SICC in 2003 after moving to Calaveras County. She was formerly a member of the Calistoga club since 1987 where she held numerous offices, including Corresponding and Recording Secretary before accepting the office of President in 1995-1996.

President Chyrl was honored as SI Calaveras County's "Soroptimist of the Year" in 2003-2004, and served as Recording Secretary in 2004-2005. She has served on numerous committees including SICC's annual fundraiser, Festival of Trees and this year volunteered to take on the responsibilities of Event Coordinator for Festival of Trees, while serving as President.

"I have so enjoyed my association with Soroptimist over the years, and am excited about the possibilities of what we can accomplish this next year. It is an honor to be elected as President of such an illustrious, hard-working group of women", President Chyrl said.

Frog Jump Youth Parade - May 15, 2008

President Chyrl Hillis and Monica Smithers carrying Festival of Trees banner

Sponsored by our Soroptimist Club since 1947, the Frog Jump Youth Parade is the kick-off every year to the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee. This year's parade was held on May 15, 2008, down Main Street in Angels Camp. Children of all ages were invited to participate. Prizes were awarded in various categories.

Youth Parade Grand Marshall Lucy Thein

Youth Parade Float

FESTIVAL of TREES: ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR!

Over ten themed and beautifully decorated trees, along with custom wreaths, getaways, and specialty items were auctioned off in Ironstone’s Grand Music Room, bringing in substantial funds for SICC’s many vital local programs. The Teddy Bear Tea thrilled young and old alike with a wide range of entertainment.

Festival of Trees supports local programs such as Touching Lives, which benefits local citizens who have medically-related expenses not covered by other means, college scholarships, and programs to help women, children and families in Calaveras County.

Donations to these programs can be mailed year round to SICC, P.O. Box 696, Angels Camp, CA 95222. Click here for more information about Festival of Trees click here.!

Auction Winners Enjoy Italian Dinner Party
A country-style Italian dinner party for eight invited guests of the lucky Festival of Trees Gala auction winners, was hosted by Soroptimist International Calaveras County on June 12, 2004. Teddi Paul opened her lovely home and gardens in Murphys for the dinner party. The scent of gardenias in the breeze and flowers in bloom framed a magnificent view of the hills at sunset.

Left to right, back row: Trisha Frazier, Norma Rash, Chris Doty, Gloria Correy.
Front Row: Teddi Paul, Roberta Bean, Paulette Stelte, Judy Ortner, Carol Dougherty

The sunroom was decorated with day lilies and dahlias, creating a truly country Italian setting, magically highlighted with candles burning. Teddi’s kitchen was buzzing with activity, as Roberta Bean, Paulette Stelte, Lynn Darmsted, and Teddi Paul prepared the feast, while Gloria Correy, Chris Doty and Karen Varni were on cleanup duty. Paulette Stelte and Norma Rash greeted the guests as they arrived with “Bella, Bella,” bottles of wine and loaves of French bread. Welcoming servers included Trisha Frazier, Carol Dougherty, Roberta Bean, and Judy Ortner, all dressed in white dress shirts with red ties, black slacks, red cummerbunds and Italian gondola hats.

The feast commenced with appetizers of goat cheese and sun-dried tomato tartines, toasted ravioli, roasted eggplant and olive spread with pita bread chips. Starters included Chef Sally Hughes’ roasted porcini and cremini mushroom ragout soup with an antipasto salad. The scrumptious main course, prepared by Chef Jenny Baxter, was a shrimp and crab cannelloni served with herb foccaccia bread. And for dessert—a Florentine cream cake! A selection of local wines flowed throughout the evening.

The talents of violinist Paula Shearer playing Italian love songs highlighted the very special evening. Bella Bella, to all Soroptimists who made this evening a truly Italian experience in the hills of Murphys.

Click here for the Festival of Trees site.

Revised June 15, 2008