Jail inmates Harts & Ruth Hobbs behind bars, accused of having a too good a time.
Barbequing one hundred pounds of Tri-Tip, Wagon Master Pat Martino says, “You’re bound to get a little smoke in your eyes.”
David Nimmo and the “Steppin’ Out Cloggers” perform an exhibition.
Winners of the best costumes contest L to R: Shelly Zeiler, Donna Wild, Contest Judge Mary Ann Costello, Jason and Naomi Spence.
Western Nite Hoedown a Winner for Handicapped Kids’ Charities
The Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks Run-A-Ways RV club held its 31st annual Western Night Dinner Dance. Over 200 campers, Elk members and guests filled the Elks Lodge for the always sold-out event.
The Elks Lodge room was once again transformed into a delightful old western town & country scene which included wall to wall western murals and an, almost real, jail house that practically everyone frequented by night’s end. Prisoners happily paid Sheriff Jason Spence and his Deputies a small fine (for the kids) to buy their freedom. Cowboys and girls in western attire feasted on BBQ tri-tip, chicken, country beans, corn & salad, topped off with Ice Cream dessert. Helping with the serving were Leora Beck, Scout Leader, with four of her Girl Scouts from Troop #261 along with two young men (their brothers). David Nimmo and the Steppin’ Out Cloggers’ after dinner show was a big hit with the crowd. Dancing was to the great country & western music of “South County Band”. Guest’s were treated to over 70 surprise door prizes. Local Saddleback Valley merchants and friends of the Campers donated the prizes. They ranged from free dinners to baskets of groceries, gift cards and cash. All obtained through the efforts of camper Marilyn Gross and her gift committee.
Serving in his sixth year as Run-A-Ways Wagon Master and chairing the event was Pat Martino along with wife Barbara. Assisting the Martinos were no less than 65 hard working club members all volunteers and all dedicated to making certain that all would have a great time. MC Andy Costello welcomed the guests and thanked them for their support. He announced the amount of the Camping Club’s annual contributions to Handicapped Kids charities exceeded $9,500 for the year. “Every year the party just gets better,” said event chair Martino. “It’s a whole lot of work, but getting to meet this year’s little theme child at our Elks convention, and knowing that every cent we earn goes to help kids like her, makes all the work we do a labor of love.”
Many of the 120 club members will be headed next to Golden Village Palms in Hemet to join with over 700 Elk RVers from across the State of California for the annual Elks Rally. The annual weekend event is expected to raise in excess of $30,000 for the Elks Major Project, which benefits seeing, and hearing impaired children. For information on Elks charities or membership in the Elks call (949) 830-3557.
