2011 Installation Recap

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE MARCH 2011


Let me tell you a story of a stormy night in February, when over 100 Granadians and their friends gathered together on a hilltop overlooking Granada Hills to feast, tell stories, honor their community leaders and just basically have a great time!

Paul Lacayo, our new Chamber manager, and Board member NIcki Heyd manned the check-in station at the cocktail hour while musician Lee Gordon provided music to be happy by.

Board Member, Wynne Ritch, led off with a stirring salute to the Flag, followed by an Inspirational message on Joy and Spirit of Play by Board Member, Rev. Michael Lewis.

Immediate past president Irv Selman was the MC. Then a surprise! Board members, Irv, Michael, Wynne and Nicki, along with Board Members Bonnie Bursk and Joe Vitti launched into a singing salute to me as president, to the tune of that Simon & Garfunkle chestnut, "Mrs. Robinson."

An elegant dinner followed, while guests, between sips, munches and conversation, enjoyed a slide show, courtesy of Board Members, Michael Lewis and Michael Kabo, of the year's highlights and scenes of Maui where one lucky raffle-winner plus guests will spend a fun-filled week .

After dinner the Board was installed by the Honorable Greig Smith, followed by Congressman Brad Sherman presenting me with a flag that flew over the capitol -- a memento I will always treasure.

Then last year's Citizen of the Year, Jake Parunian, got to say, ". . .And the winner is. . ." for this year's recipient, Virginia Snow, who gave a heartfelt acceptance speech.

The night concluded with a fun-filled auction presided by Greig Smith, who stepping down for his last term as City Councilman, was awarded an over-sized engraved auctioneers gavel thanking him for his many years of helping us in so many ways.

Thank you so much for all of those that worked so hard to make this event such a huge success!

And PS!! Go to our website, at www.granadachamber.com click on "News," and see a fifteen minute highlight reel of the Installation!