Mission Viejo Elks’ Ladies 44th Annual Fashion Show

By Pat Ohman

The Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks’ Ladies presented their 44 Annual Fashion Show on March 2^nd. The chairmen Laura Lumley, Cookie Akesson, Vicky Long, & Pat Ohman along with over 30 ladies & men volunteers decorated the Lodge Room. The theme “Petticoats & Pearls” greeted guests as they entered the MV Elks Lodge. Colorful Petticoats and strings of Pearls hung from the ceiling thanks to Jack Jacobs. The centerpieces were lace petticoats & pearls on a lady jewelry hanger. They were made by Laura Lumley, Cookie Akesson, Eileen Fietz, Marti Prespentt, & Carmen Szladowski.

Thank you, strong brothers, Mike Shanton, Jack Jacobs, John Martin, John Mattson, Mateo Salazar, & Steve Cagnassi who were terrific setting up, decorating, and taking the stage apart. A special thanks to all the Ladies that helped set up, decorate, wash silverware, and to Sandy Jacobs who folded all the napkins. Our Lodge Organist Andy Costello, Grand Lodge Area 7 Membership and Marketing Committeeman, provided the appropriate music for shopping, lunch and the models. Barbara Copolla and Sandy Jacobs checked in guests and passed out the lovely program created by ER Mike Klinger and Pat Ohman. The vendors, Yoshi – Crafts & Purses, Joan – Gifts To Go w/Jewelry, Handbags by Shahnaz, Terri’s Creative Crafts, Farah’s Jewerly & Bags, Ellen – Shopping Diva, CDS Ceramic Club, Ashley – Something Cute, & Vicky’s Jewerly Case, had unique, custom made, crafty merchandise to buy.

Our smiling waiters were Elk officers: ER Mike Klinger, Loyal Knight John Lee, Lecturing Knight Lane Keran, & Inner Guard Steve Cagnacci, looking very sharp in their tuxedos serving cocktails. Su Barker, our photographer, spent the day snapping photos of ladies, vendors, shoppers, table friends, fashions vendors, and of course models on the runway. Our kitchen chefs, Kevin Lindley, Josh Owsley, Brad Holt, & Laura prepared a delicious lunch of chicken breast on wild rice pilaf, Waldorf salad, rolls, and little pies. Our faithful Girl Scouts from Troop 1383 served the luncheon. The latest spring fashions were presented by Stein Mart, Fashion-4-Ever, Bella Terra, American Horse Products & Fashions. Thanks to Harvey Ohman & Bill Bongarts who turned the game room into a private dressing room for them. The models were Coleen Bass, Marcia Berman, Jean Chapman, Nancy Ingham, Sandy Jacobs, Barbara King, Dana Lamphere, Susan Lee, Judy Longi, Liz Marquez, Vera Pavlic, & Marti Prespentt. Their escorts to and from the runway were PER Dave McLeod and PER Jim Humphrey. Dressing room helper was Janet Griffen. Cookie Akesson, Diana Wilson, Jennifer Williams, & Linda Cimmarusti were kept busy selling opportunity tickets.

Thank you for donating Opportunity prizes goes to the following: $100.00 Money Bear donated by Gail Reavis, Gift Cards from High Park Tap House, Z Nails, Woody’s Diner, Fashion-4-Ever, American Horse Products, Bella Terra, Crafts by Yoshi, Centerpieces by Laura and Baskets by Cookie Akesson. Our Tenders, Donne and Rene, did a fantastic job in the lounge.