OUR 35TH ANNIVERSARY GALA DINNER AND DANCING UNDER THE STARS was an affair to remember. With 245 members and guests in attendance we filled up three areas generously offered by the Don Carlos Hotel for our celebration. The ladies looked stunning in their evening wear, the gents looked dashing in their tuxedos and evening jackets, and, after a welcome cocktail by the waterfall and the pool, we gathered for dinner at Los Naranjos Terrace, with tables and chairs dressed in black satin, gold and white. The fresh flower arrangements were compliments of the Don Carlos. A fabulous buffet was laid out at the Salon Los Naranjos while everyone at the hotel went out of their way to welcome the American Club of the Costa del Sol to its birthplace.
Our Consular Officer Bobbye Aaron read the words of our founding member Troy Davis that related some of the first days of the American Club. The Councilor for Tourism and Foreigners Dept. of Marbella, Jose Luis Hernandez, spoke on his appreciation of the activities of the American Club. His counterpart from Fuengirola, Suvi Kauranen joined us for a drink, and the Executive Board of the Real Liga Naval de España joined members and friends from all our Chapters for our special evening of celebration.
The anecdote of the night was the weather, cool air that only got colder as the evening went on. Once again, the Don Carlos staff was at their best, supplying bare shoulders with blankets, hot towels and when those ran out, tablecloths. Conversations were started as ladies, and some gents too, figured out the best way to wear their “original” wraps. Dancing helped to tame the cold too. Our raffle, with the help of Elizabeth Gross, Finola Sloyan, Karen Marshall and Peter Marshall as MC, raised 815 Euros. We thank them all for their help, as well as Jo and Laurie Taylor for reservations, Angret Moeller and Patricia Salazar for reception table, Pam Becque for getting us a busload of people from Estepona, and Kathryn Wilson for helping us with details. We enjoyed a memorable evening that honored the 35 years of history behind us and left a profit of 510 Euros for the Central Board.
JUNE LUNCH AT RESTAURANT GARUM
We gathered beachside at this contemporary styled restaurant at the Paseo Maritimo
in Marbella for a nice lunch, enjoying a balmy breeze and nice company.
We thank David and Jackie Woodward for taking reservations for us.
THE ARTEMARBELLA FESTIVAL, organized by Estepona member Pixie Gore and her team was a huge success, laying the ground for an annual art festival of significant proportions. Marbella Board members were instrumental in securing funds from the Banus Foundation for the production of their catalog. We congratulate Pixie on a very successful event.
THE INTERNATIONAL FAIR IN MIJAS
Members of various chapters were present at the USA stand, sponsored by the American Club for the Soroptimist Association, decorated in the best American style, featuring U.S.presidential portraits donated by the American Embassy, views of the USA, cowboy hats, and all in red, white and blue. Great success, and congratulations to the ladies for collecting 2362 Euros for victims of domestic abuse. The American Club was happy to help.
THE BUSINESS NETWORK AND SOCIAL FORUM gathered tennis players and business owners for tennis, a BBQ lunch and exchange of information. This sports oriented gathering draws members and friends, interested in establishing contacts with the American community away from business offices and phones. Ann McGeehan coordinated the event.
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY, 4TH OF JULY, 2009 IN MARBELLA
The Marbella Chapter celebrated the 4th of July with two events:
AMERICAN FESTIVAL AT THE ALAMEDA PARK IN MARBELLA, the First American Festival in Andalucia began at 5:00 pm and lasted until 10:00 pm. Organized jointly with the Marbella Town Hall, Dept. of Tourism and Foreigners Dept., the event was a great success, with about two thousand visitors. Americans, visiting Marbella approached us, delighted to see the celebration of the Fourth of July while on vacation in Spain. American music filled the area, while typical American 4th of July food, was prepared and enjoyed. Members and friends gathered to hear American vocalist Kathleen Pearson sang an a capella rendition of the Stars Spangled Banner. Our Consular Officer Bobbye Aaron joined us to read a message from President Obama, and Jose Luis Hernandez Marbella Councilor for Tourism, gave a speech in honor of the United States´ 233rd birthday.
Entertainers were enthusiastic participants; guitarist and singer Sean Murray sang American songs, the LetsDanceRoc jive group danced American rhythms, the cheerleaders of the Laude International School gave a command performance that delighted everyone with their various dance numbers, and the Valvetones Blues Band had people dancing in the park, while enjoying American food, wine and Budweiser beer, flavored slush and other American treats. For a short view of the festival, please see these links:
In the evening, members and friends gathered at BUDDHA BEACH CLUB in Puerto Banus, for an American style BBQ dinner and dancing, in a festive ambience decorated with stars and stripes of red white and blue. Sparklers at midnight added to the fun of our 4th of July celebration and we danced until July 5th.
We thank Finola Sloyan for her help in arranging the evening event, Elizabeth Gross for taking reservations and for her always welcome help, both ladies acting as hostesses to our guests while we closed the Festival in town. Jurguen, Laurie and Patricia sat at the entrance table, and Patricia Salazar welcomed five new American members. Special thanks to Bobbye Aaron for joining us for both events in Marbella. We had a memorable and very exciting 4th of July.
The Board of the Marbella Chapter presents Certificates of Recognition to Sydney and Lillian Mathews, founding members of the American Club of the Costa del Sol. Sydney and Lillian are residents at the adult care facilities of Sanyres in Puerto Banus. Sydney celebrated his 102nd birthday this year!
In the evening