The annual San Diego Chapter ANG holiday party this year was an elegant and festive affair, celebrating our chapter's 15th anniversary.  The event took place on December 12 and was graced by the beautiful and stately venue of the Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club.  The evening brought together approximately 35 members, who shared holiday cheer, enjoyed an exquisite dining experience, installed new board members  and recognized the 2000 board, exchanged gifts, found out the identities of their "Secret Stitchers," and paid a special tribute to one of the chapter's founding and most exemplary members, Sandy Higgins.  

In honor of Sandy's endless dedication and contributions of effort, resources, creativity and leadership to the chapter, San Diego ANG established the Sandy Higgins Scholarship Award for Meritorious Service.  Once a year, the award will recognize a San Diego ANG member who has "contributed outstanding effort, time and achievement in furthering the goals and commitments of the chapter during the duration of her/his membership."  Nominations for the award recipient will be open to all chapter members and due by October 31 of each year.  The SD ANG board will then select from the letters of nomination and present the award at the annual Holiday party.  The award will be eligible to be used towards any ANG sponsored program, workshop, or class fees.  Sandy Higgins was also honored with a lifetime membership to our local chapter.

Extra surprises of the evening included, for every attendee, a lovely porcelain shoe pin cushion (hand-crafted by Diann Kohn), and a hand painted (by Bridget Carroll) wooden needle case featuring the SD ANG 2000 magnet design (designed by Shirley Chin), personalized with each attendee's first name.  There was also a spectacular anniversary cake decorated in the same design, and several lucky attendees received Victorian porcelain tassels and charms created by Christina's Flowers.

Kudos for all the hard work and creative flair for organizing and carrying off the stunning event go to Co-Chairs Diann Kohn and Lee Anne Meyers, with assistance from Shirley Chin, Rita Dana, Gloria Fedor and her husband (who helped with set up), and many others. Special thanks to Jill Rigoli for presenting Sandy's award, Lee Anne's aunt for loaning us the beautiful decorations, Sandra Helt for contributing holiday cookies, and to Shirley Chin, for emceeing the evening. 

Here some more pictures we would like to share, courtesy of Sandra Helt.  Click on any picture to get a larger view.