OCTOBER IS FUND RAISING MONTH FOR TACOMA / SOUTH PUGET SOUND NACE.

Happy October everyone. It is already October 6 – the days are simply flying by.  This month is our annual fundraiser, Thursday, October 27 from 5:30 to 9pm at the McGavick Event Center located at Clover Park Technical College.

This is our second annual Fantastic Basket auction and dinner with proceeds benefiting the CPTC Culinary Arts program, the Foundation of the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) and the education funding for members of our chapter – Tacoma / South Puget Sound NACE. 

Put this date on your calendar and get ready to have a great time.  This is a night to enjoy delicious food, prepared by the culinary students at CPTC, take advantage of a great opportunity to network, and walk away with some terrific baskets of goodies” donated by members of NACE and the local community. 

Bring your spouse, significant other, mother, father, brother, sister, aunt, neighbor because the baskets are awesome. They include a Christmas décor basket, a basket with hotel stays around the South Sound, a casino party basket, and more.  We also have our Wine Grab. It's $15 for one bottle of wine or $25 for two. You never know what wonderful delicious – expensive – bottle of wine you may end up with.  Check out the bling at Julia’s Junk Jewelry Sale. If you want to repurpose your old jewelry you do not want to wear, give it to Julia Miller.  She will sell it that evening for the chapter. Remember, what is old to you is NEW to someone else.

If anyone would like to add to our baskets, please contact Nems Scarim at nems@nemsconsulting.com and let her know what type of basket you are donating.  We are also accepting delicious bottles of wine for our wine grab and of course junk jewelry for the jewelry sale. I am happy to arrange to pick up any items you are willing to donate!  Call me at 360.412.8300.  See you on Thursday, October 27!

Best wishes for a great October!

Susan Aaron
Tacoma / SPS NACE Chapter President

CLOVER PARK CULINARY ARTS

TRAY PASSED HORS D’OEUVRES

  Assorted Crudités

BUFFET DINNER:

Tossed Green Salad with Vinaigrette

Prime Rib with Fresh Horseradish

Salmon with a Garlic Vermouth Butter

Spaghetti Pesto

   Spaghetti Pasta tossed with house made pesto and vegetable broth.  Topped with Balsamic marinated tomatoes & Parmesan cheese

Vegetable Medley

Dinner Rolls and Butter

October 27, 2011
Fantastic Basket Auction 
McGavick Event Center, Clover Park Technical College

November 15, 2011
Chapter Meeting
South Sound Manor, Olympia 
with Paprika Catering

December 19, 2011
JAM (Joint Association Mixer) Bubble Ball
Columbia Tower Club, Seattle

January 17, 2012
Chapter Meeting - Tacoma / SPS NACE Board Installation
LaQuinta Inn and Suites, Tacoma

September meeting at Washington Floral

What a great meeting we had last month at the Washington Floral Warehouse in Tacoma.  Julia Miller of Julia’s Floral transformed a warehouse space into Shangri La - the mythical, secret Garden of Eden of the Orient, with beautiful linens, table ware and Chivari Chairs from AA Party.  And gorgeous centerpieces she created with items from Washington Floral.  The delicious food was provided by Stefana Welker and her crew from Whole World Catering.  David Sader provided our music and sound for the program.  David Lobban took the awesome photos you see on the website.  And if you wander through the warehouse you probably found the amazing and fun photo booth area created by Mike Abella of 1000 Words. 

During the educational part of evening we were amazed to watch Julia Miller (Julia’s Floral) and Diane Lagerstedt  (Washington Floral) create amazing and beautiful floral and garden creations in front of our eyes.  Julia and Diane showed us what we could create, simply and easily, from a just few items that can be purchased at Washington Floral.  This was an award winning meeting and presentation – let’s get this one in as a submission for a NACE National Award at Experience! 2012 in New Orleans.

When Susan Aaron joined the South Puget Sound -Tacoma Chapter of NACE eight years, she offered said to a board member, “If you need help with anything, let me know.” Since then she served on the board in several positions starting as Newsletter Editor, transitioning to first and second Vice President, Treasurer, and currently as President.

Being on the board has many benefits. “It gives you more opportunities to learn things, more contact with other people and to find out what they are doing,” explains Susan.  “It doesn’t pay to belong to an organization and not be involved.”

As a member of NACE she says, “I value the professional friendships. Being able to meet with my peers validates what I do. When I talk to others and find out they are experiencing the same things I am at work, it makes me feel like I am doing okay because other people are facing the same issues I’m facing.

“The education that I get going to the national NACE Experience conference is also very valuable, but to me it’s the professional networking and friendships that help me realize that I’m doing a good job and staying on top of things,” says Susan.

“I really enjoy all of the time I’ve given to NACE and I look forward to being involved in the chapter,” says Susan.

Susan is the Catering Sales Manager at Indian Summer Golf & Country Club in Olympia. For 10 years, she’s served golf club members and the public at a variety of events including wedding and receptions, fundraising events, anniversary parties, private dinners, staff retreats, memorials and more. 

While the golf course is private, people who book events at the club may arrange to play golf. The public may also hold golf tournaments there. The restaurant is open to the public as well for lunch (Tues.-Sat.) and dinner (Thur., Fri. and Sat.) and for Sunday brunch and lunch. (Remember when visiting the golf club, there is a dress code: no jeans.)

After graduating from the University of Nebraska in Political Science, Susan went to work with the intention of eventually starting law school. Once working, she changed her mind about law school and worked as a meeting planner for several trade associations.

She enjoys working in the hospitality industry, “It’s fun to help people put on events. Now I help plan so many weddings; it’s such a happy moment in people’s lives.”

After work, she enjoys spending time with her family and gardening.

For information about Indian Summer Golf & Country Club meeting spaces, contact Susan Aaron, susan.aaron@indiansummergolf.com or 360-412-8300.

By Paula R. Lowe, Newsletter Chair, South Sound Wedding & Event Magazine