Santa Cruz Woodies Installation Dinner

For the 22nd year, the Club gathered to celebrate the installation of new officers for the coming year. The event got started off with Happy Hour followed by a wonderful dinner prior to starting the program for the evening.  Out-going President Rowland Baker welcomed all and thanked those who had worked so hard to make the past year, highlighted by the 20th Annual Woodies on the Wharf.  As has been the long-term tradition, there is much that goes on prior to the installation of officers and this year was no exception.

Upcoming SCW events as well as those of our sister Clubs were announced followed by the presentation of Special Awards. First was the Pete and Flo Passof Long Distance Award. Pete announced that this years award will instead be presented during the 2015 Woodies On the Wharf but instead presented to Rowland one of his beautiful hand made wooden bowls in recognition of his year as President. George Benson recognized with very special “Homie” beanie’s those who had come together in the past to crawl under the hood and help complete the restoration of Kristina Benson’s 1946 Mercury Woodie. In recognition of her 22 years of service as the Club’s Secretary Patsy Benfield was presented with a beautiful Koa Wood Wave necklace crafted by one of Hawaii’s finest jewelers.

Then it was on to what is always one of the evening’s highlights, Jim Vickery and his showing of SCW Year in Review, photo remembrances of the best, funniest and sometimes candid moments of our Ohana during the year past.

Introduction of the SCW Past Presidents was followed by installation of new officers:
President – Phil Iatomase
Vice President – Arlene Solis
Secretary – Dorma Baker
Treasure – Kathryn Benson

As his first official act newly installed President Phil presented outgoing President Rowland with a wonderful framed photograph taken by SCW Member Bob Barbour of Santa Cruz surfing legend, and much missed friend, Jay Moriarty at the famed Maverick’s surf break .

The evening was capped off with music from SCW Member and awesome D.J Jonathan Dufour who also provided hula hoops to helps us Hoop it up and dance till we couldn’t do it no more!  Thanks you to all who attended kick off what is going to be another wonderful year for SCW!