By BONNIE GRAHAM
The summer season opening “Welcome Coffee” meeting and fellowship gathering of the nearly 400-member Ladies Auxiliary of the Ocean Grove Auditorium Ushers was held Sat., June 30 in the Youth Temple.
Dr. Dale Whilden, Interim Chief Operating Officer of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, praised the women for their enthusiasm and hard work.
“Being onsite in the CMA office, I am amazed at the ongoing activity of your organization,” he said. “The staff of the Camp Meeting Association is here to help you. Thank you for all you do.”
Mike Badger, President of the CMA, thanked the Ladies Auxiliary on behalf of the CMA and said the Auxiliary is like a community and that sometimes it feels like ‘the Calvary’, due to its tremendous fund raising efforts.
Cathy Kenyon, President of the LA, spoke of the upcoming schedule of events planned for Fri., Aug. 3, which will include the annual Historical Society of Ocean Grove’s House Tour, the Ladies Auxiliary’s “Art in the Park” event in Auditorium Square, which will run from noon to 9 p.m. and illumination night, which will feature decorative lighting in Auditorium Square and surrounding areas that evening.
Margaret Hook and Kim McDonald updated everyone on the upcoming Book Sale, which will be held in the Auditorium Pavilion, across the street from the Great Auditorium on Thurs., July 5 (pre-sale, with $5 admission) from 5 to 7:30 p.m., Fri.,July 6 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sat., July 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
As always, donated books were dropped off during the off-season at the CMA’s garage in Bradley Beach, and a team of LA volunteers opened/sorted/packed the books last month. 800 boxes of books were delivered to the Auditorium Pavilion on Tuesday, June 26 by members of the various Ocean Grove summer youth groups. The books have been placed by category on the various tables in preparation for the opening night pre-sale. Additionally, religious and children’s books are placed in a large tent placed directly next to the Auditorium Pavilion.
Anne Bishop and LeAnn Hunkler-Dennis announced this summer’s fundraising dinners:
– Fish and Chips or Chicken Tenders from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tues., July 17 in the Auditorium Pavilion. Prices: Adults-$14 and children-$10.
– Summer BBQ on Tues., Aug. 7 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Tues., Aug. 7 in the Auditorium Pavilion. Prices: Adults-$14 and children $10:00.
Rachel Mitchell and Lisa Merseles Misurella spoke of the LA Bazaar, which will be held from 4 to 7 p.m Thurs., July 26 (pre-sale, with $5 admission) and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, July 27 and 28, at the Auditorium Pavilion.
The bazaar offers a sizeable variety of items, including clothes, coats, shoes, jewelry, bedding, sheets, comforters, household goods, books, seasonal decorations, china, jewelry, furniture, baked goods, and “white elephants.”
Donations for the rummage sale have been received into the Camp Meeting Association’s basement throughout the off-season. July 14 is the deadline for dropping off items into that location.
The LA’s Ice Cream Social will be held from 6 to 9 p.m.on Fri., Aug. 3 in the Auditorium Pavilion. Jewelry will also be available for purchase. Holly Horn and the Ocean Grove Violin Academy will play during the event.
The annual Ladies Auxiliary Christmas Boutique will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8 and 9 in the Community Room.
Photographs of various LA members from last summer’s fund raising events were displayed throughout the meeting.
Immediate Past President Tara Higgins said, “We are looking at our 75th anniversary in 2019.” They are collecting recipes for a commemorative anniversary Ladies Auxiliary cook book, with recipes from grandmothers, mothers, aunts, etc — those who belonged in the organization –along with family photographs, for a historical review.
The LA’s past efforts have included: replacing the carpet in the Great Auditorium four times, painting the exterior of that building four times, designing and purchasing the speaker’s chairs, purchasing the communion rail kneeling pads, and upgrading the Auditorium’s sound system.
Nancy Ann Gillan, the CMA’s Program Chair, spoke of Ocean Grove’s 150th anniversary, which will be celebrated in 2019. She spoke of three major events that are planned for next year’s celebration:
– Past – History of Ocean Grove.
– Present – The “Together Campaign”, which raised significant funds for repairs to the Auditorium, beach and boardwalk in the wake of super storm Sandy, and to renovate Thornley Chapel. This campaign successfully blended the efforts of numerous Ocean Grove community groups.
– Beyond – Centered around the youth.
