UHAA & Friends–Las Vegas: Stew Fête
It all began at 5:45 p.m. with the veterans leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance and then the pule by Billy Olds. Our current President Tom Fitzgerald took the stage and made a few announcements about upcoming events and then ...
It was time to eat! We had so many different stews to choose from to include a tripe stew! We can thank Rosie Fields, Owen Wong, Miki Texeira, Phyllis Moniz, Jeannette Espinoza, Manu Schmidt, Marcy Haime, Bob Ulmer, Earline Frandsen, Ulli Miyashiro, Lynette Maccauley, Ray Liu, Elsie Ayers, Keo Marciel, Billie Ann Sabala, the Kiyomuras, Don Sacco, Kanani Cadaos and Lucy Takeuchi for donating the delicious selections. Add macaroni salad compliments of Gerry Hackney and Phyllis Matsuda, green salad, rice and kim chee donated by Cindy Puana ... and there you have it ... a feast! And desserts? Well, you name it and it was on the table. Choices were over the top from friends and members who graciously donated their favorites ... it just completed the delicious meal!
Our Stew Committee – Phyllis Matsuda, Harry and Marcy Haime, Jeannette and Paulino Espinosa, Cindy Puana, Lynette Macauley, Gerry Hackney, Pat Gorsch, Merriam Olds and Sharon Takahashi – is ever fabulous. They meet well in advance of the stew date to coordinate the stew makers and set up, discuss new ideas, entertainment, raffle prizes and 50-50, the incredible table of desserts, the coffee and tea. These wonderful folks also came in the day before the Stew Fete along with other chapter members to set up the room, the stew area and tables so we were ready to go on Saturday when doors opened at 5 p.m.
Many tables were reserved ahead of time that included Owen Wong and Pacific Rim, Kamehameha Schools, Las Vegas Hawaiian Civic Club, Aloha Lions Club, Billy Hutchinson and the 9th Island Ukulele gang.
Music from Owen Wong began at 5 p.m. and they never stopped except to eat and let the Ewalu group from UNLV take the stage with a few show-stopping numbers. The Ewalu group also served the stew as they have done each previous year – very much appreciated. They also have an opportunity to sell tickets to their annual luau on April 23 this year – another fabulous event! Big mahalo to Charles Heering for the packages of peanuts on each table. We also thank UHAA for sending some fun goodies for each table.
We did something different this year and added items for a silent auction to the table. Vincent Souza graciously provided two show opportunities for a party of four to the ever-popular Terry Fator Show!
What a treat that is! And then, our friend Moon Cevitz donated the Maverick Helicopter ride for two! A most beautiful Murano glass conch shell was anonymously donated. Master wood craftsman Kent Bowman donated the detailed handcrafted koa canoe with paddles. It was an amazing array of items to choose from.