Social Events

Winter Wonderland Luncheon

Monday, Dec. 10, 2012

Renaissance members enjoyed the traditional winter luncheon at the Dante Club. The theme was Winter Wonderland and members were asked to wear a winter hat. Many of them doffed cute, warm or Christmas headwear to celebrate the season.

Participants also were asked, again, to bring canned or non-perishable food items for local charities. Several long tables were filled with these!

After the food, there was a drawing for several gifts. And the Renaissance Singing For Fun seminar entertained with songs by Al Jolson, closing with the "Renaissance Recruitment Rag," words by seminar co-coordinator Marilyn Penland. If you would like to see the words (and perhaps sing it in the shower to the tune of "Cabaret"), you will find it here.

2012 Spring Awards, Luncheon
and Annual Meeting

The annual Spring Luncheon was held on May 1, 2012, at the CSUS Alumni Center. The buffet luncheon, catered by CSUS caterers, included a selection of salads, plus rolls and cookies.

The highlight of the affair was the awarding of four, $2,000 scholarships to outstanding CSUS students. This year's winners are Angelika Dyadchenko, Jessica Heintz, Hind Reggad and James Weygandt. Learn more about them on the Scholarship page.

Also as usual, the luncheon included the election and re-election of Renaissance Society officers for 2012-2013 and a vote to change the society's Bylaws to increase the number and stagger the terms of members-at-large. The slate of officers and the Bylaw change were approved unanimously. President P.J. Garrido, Vice President Marilyn MacBride, Secretary Doris Keller, Controller John Walker and Members-at-Large Bob Taylor, Joy Skalbeck, Al Wolfgang, Richard Sickert, Florence Young and Richard Kowaleski take office on July 1.

One member at each table was able to take home the center floral arrangement (the one with the lucky dot on his or her saucer). There was also a raffle for prizes, which were restaurant gift certificates.

Winter Brunch Buffet

Photos By Mary Alice Coverdale

The annual fall social event, held on Dec. 1, 2011, was a brunch at the Dante Club, featuring scrambled eggs, blintzes, croissants, bacon, sausages, country potatoes, juices, coffee and tea. Enjoying the food and fun were 160 members and guests.

A special event this year: Members brought canned or non-perishable food items that were donated to a local charity.

Entertainment was provided by Renaissance's own Singing for Fun seminar and pianist Tanya Plescia.

Photos by Clarence Smith

Former Scholarship Winner Edna Gabaldon

25th Anniversary Luncheon

The Renaissance Society celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a May 2, 2011, luncheon at the Radisson Hotel.

The event opened with a social hour and music from the Sacramento State University Jazz Quintet.

While members arrived and ate lunch, they were able to watch a slide show with pictures dating from the Society's founding through today. Four founding members attended: Esther Branthaver, Ruth Brunner, Robert Heilman and Dick Tarble.

The luncheon also included the annual presentation of the Renaissance Scholarships, granted to CSUS students since 1993. In honor of the anniversary this year, five scholarships of $2,000 each were granted. The recipients were Katrina Currie, Shontaine Brayton, Ariadne Antipa, Nancy McCord and Kimberly Litts. Details are on the Scholarship page.

A former scholarship winner, Edna Gabaldon, was a special guest speaker. She received her scholarship in 1994, the second year of the awards. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force as a Technical Sargent in the medical career field, she enrolled at CSUS earning a bacherlor's degree in Gerontology and a master's degree in Social Work. She has been employed with the Veterans Administration and is currently working with military personnel suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Next came the annual election of officers. The new slate for 2011-2011 was unanimously elected by those present. President P.J. Garrido, Vice President Marilyn MacBride, Secretary Coby Bonner, Controller John Walker and Members-at-Large Bob Taylor, Doris Keller and Al Wolfgang take office on July 1.

The program closed with a musical interlude by the Singing for Fun group. The songs included one specially written for the 25th Anniversary by Marilyn Penland entitled "That's The Way It Happened".