Tropical Bliss, this year’s fundraising gala held at the Oceanside Museum of Art on Saturday, April 15th, was an evening of music, food, art and fellowship. There was a special tribute made to the Ackermans and Stewarts for their support to our Legacy Program. A big thanks to many of our members who created 22 amazing auction items that earned $5,800.00. Nancy Schaefer not only helped raise $10,000 in corporate sponsor money, but also arranged for the musical group D.O. Uke, who sang and played their ukuleles, they were so much fun people just had to get up and dance. Kriss Stewart organized a project that had over 170 students from Oceanside and Mission Vista High Schools paint mini masterpieces. She sold 70 of them to members as mementos of the evening the rest are on sale at our Thrift Shop. Sandy Matheus and Barbara Bennet were in charge of the lovely Hawaiian themed decorations and Angela Bear and Jane Valentine added to the theme with fun boats of delicious appetizers followed by coconut macaroons. We had two guest artist, Vivi Anderson, who was demonstrating her painting techniques, and a surprise guest, the featured gallery artist, Robert Xavier Burden. The emcee for the evening was Tyler Brumbaugh, Ed Parish was in charge of the bar, Debbie Virden and Nancy Nelson ran registration and behind the scenes were Mona Ackerman and Paula Alexander. Anne Speraw and Cheryl McGlocklin, chairpersons, are very grateful for all the amazing talent of these people, and those who worked with them, who contributed to earnings for ALNC of over $22,000.
