Newsletter: July 1999

The really big news is that we are having a “Really Big Shoe”, as Ed Sullivan would say on October 15th, 1999. If you haven’t heard yet, we are celebrating the Arc-South Bay’s 40th Anniversary with a sensational bash at the Carson Community Center. The event will feature a buffet dinner, silent auction, and dancing. Cost is $30 per person ($20 per consumer) if tickets are purchased by September 15th. Otherwise, tickets are $40 per person. (Watch the mail for your special invitation.)

In conjunction with the dinner, we will print a keepsake program with agency history, photos and ads. We hope to have a special “reunion” type section in the program with information about Arc people (consumers, members, staff) who have moved away. Do you have any information to contribute? We also invite you to support this project by purchasing an ad for your family or business. Sample ads and costs are given on the enclosed flier.

If an ad isn’t your cup of tea, please consider providing a gift for our very first silent auction (the more gifts we have to offer the more fun it will be!). This will take place during the reception hour. Items donated so far include a custom-designed crocheted afghan, two items of Winnie the Pooh clothing, a color Game Boy, a video tape, two sets of framed watercolors and a cordless telephone. Please take a look at the enclosed flier for more information on the auction.

Moving away just a moment from the 40th anniversary, here’s another reason to celebrate. The Gardena/Arc volleyball team won First Place (the gold) at the Special Olympics World Games held in July in North Carolina. Members of our winning team Janice Clark, Pam and Debbie Spomer, Vanessa Knight, Nitaya Fulton, Sherie Atkins and Jamie Ferguson fought off competition from seven other teams including Kenya, India, Trinidad Tobago, Massachusetts, New York, Louisiana, and Belgium. Our team was billed as the Southern California All Girls Volleyball Team. Congratulations to the team and their winning coach Fred Hollis. We couldn’t be prouder, nor could they! Arc parents attending the Games were Lorna and Tony Clark, Don and Dorothy Spomer, Dorothy Knight and Mr. Fulton.

Bowling News

At the 16th Annual Arc Family Bowling July 11th, the team of Terrance Ross and Harold French walked off with the First Place trophy. Capturing the 2nd place trophy was the team of John Davis and South Bay Sunrise Rotarian Ken Hovsepian. Third place honors went to Sam Cusimano and Johnny Torres. Teddy Yoshida and Irene Garnew received the Most Inspirational trophy. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all who helped make it another fun bowling day.

In Memoriam

We recently lost three consumers, all of whom were special to us. Mike Kaskey passed away in June after an illness, and Mr. Kaskey has requested donations be made to The Arc in memory of Mike. Mike will be remembered and missed by many in the leisure services program. Passing in July was former Southwest Industries consumer Kathleen Moore. Kathie had previously lived at Southwest House and will be remembered for her sweet disposition. Another former Southwest House resident Hank Sweeters died following a brief illness earlier in the year. Hank has not been in our program for a few years, but we will never forget his enthusiasm for life.

Upcoming Events:

• July 22, The Arc-South Bay Board of Directors Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Management Information Seminar Room, Gardena City Hall.
• September 6, Labor Day holiday. All Arc programs closed