Our Association’s annual meeting/membership drive is normally held in October at the Catalina Verdugo Adobe. This annual meeting, some 65 old and new members joined their neighbors in the standard mode of sociability, 2020-style — a Zoom meeting.

This format created a challenge. How to create a feeling of neighborliness and community when we could not physically be together?

We couldn’t eat together, but we ate well. Annet Arakelian, Loretta De Lange, Marcia Hanford, Joanna Pringle, and Rick Stern organized and delivered bags with refreshments, including the makings for mimosas and fresh breakfast scones and baklava prepared by local Woodlands home businesses A Moveable Feast LA and Baklava Bar. Instead of the usual 50/50 lottery, members received a California Lottery Scratcher (sadly, no reports of sudden fortunes). The Board also provided a packet of native wildflower seeds in the hope that, come spring, our neighborhood will be ablaze in colorful, butterfly- and hummingbird-friendly plants. What better way to show a Woodlands spirit? 

The Board said good-bye to long-time colleague Alice Villaseñor and welcomed new Board Member Amy Yazzetta, our long-time Event Committee Chair, as well as new Associate Board Member Pam Elyea. Current members Arakelian, De Lange, and Pringle were re-elected to the Board. Thanks to all for their past and future service.

Our 2020-style meeting was still an opportunity to stay informed, connect with your neighbors and at the same time have a grand time! We never fail to increase our membership at this event, even this year.