GRF president, executive director were special guests at 60th event

SUNSHINE CLUB

The Sunshine Club celebrated an “An Evening in the Tropics” in Clubhouse 2 to mark LW’s 60th anniversary on June 24.

Club President Anna Derby welcomed special guests Marsha Gerber, new GRF Board president, and Jessica Sedgwick, the new GRF executive director. They were greeted with loud applause.

More than 200 people attended the event, which featured an Asian-tropical dinner served by 16 volunteers from Joyful Line Dance Club and Filipino Association of LW. Without them, the club wouldn’t have be able to host the event.

Servers donned apron, facemasks and gloves to serve over 200 plates of food within 30 minutes, giving guests plenty of time to dance to the classic rock music of The Emperors.

During breaks, deejay Ed Bolos played line dance music that drew more than 20 dancers to the floor.

This event marked the only event celebrating LW’s 60th anniversary. The GRF sponsored the Emperors, which is also celebrating its 60th anniversary.

The band has been a favorite in the Long Beach-Orange County area for many years.

Bowing to nostalgia, the club decided to charge only $25, the same price people paid at the 50th Anniversary celebration 10 years ago.

And a banner used at the 50th anniversary celebration was displayed on the back of the wall.

The Sunshine Club thanks the people who attended, food servers and everyone who checked tickets at the door.

—Anna Derby