Joie de Vie Gala Well Attended
Despite the outdoor rain, a packed black tie only crowd attended the 10 annual Joie de Vie Gala Sunday night at Ironstone Vineyards.
The Gala, included a silent auction, dinner, entertainment and the presentation of the Irving Symons Award.
During dinner entertainment was provided by the Starlight Serenaders, a vintage jazz band featuring local artists David Tozier on guitar, Roger Francis on clarinet, Mark Stotenberg on bass and Katie Tozier providing vocals.
The 2010 Irving Symons Award was presented to Chuck and Willy Evans for their outstanding, long-term service to the community.
The Evans have been the backbone of social and services activities in the Twain Harte area for decades. They were the organizers of the annual Twain Harte Christmas Community Dinner, founders and organizers of the annual End-of-Season Twain Harte Survival Party, organizers of the Annual Twain Harte Community Picnic and were Grand Marshals of the 2009 Twain Harte July 4th Celebration. Chuck and Willy served on the hospital’s Capital Campaign Steering Committees for Cancer and Cardiac Care, are volunteers and supporters of Young Life and have received 15 Paul Harris Rotary Fellowships.
Chuck served as President of the Twain Harte Rotary, was Board Member of El Capitan National Bank, was on the original committee of the Economic Development Assoc. of Tuolumne County, was a member of Sonora Community Hospital’s Civic Advisory Board, was a Board Member of the Twain Harte Chamber of Commerce and the Twain Harte Homeowner’s Association.
Willy served twice as President of the Twain Harte Soroptimist, organized the historic Sonora Pass Wagon Train 4 times, chaired the Summerville High School freshman orientation for a decade and is a former Board Member of Sierra Repertory Theatre.
The Irving Symons Award, named after the late Irving Symons, recognizes long-term, outstanding community service. Former recipients include Irving Symons, Frank Salel, H. Randolph Holder, Robert Cutler, Pete Kerns, Pete and Sue Kleinert and Joe Martin.
The silent auction brought in over $14,000. All of the money from the Gala will be assisting patients of the Sonora Regional Cancer Center with special individual needs. Funds from last year’s Gala have assisted cancer patients with personal needs such as childcare, transportation to treatment, house cleaning, household expenses and emergency medication.
Written by mark@mlode.com
