▲ Donna Porter, an Alpha Chi Omega who celebrated her 75th anniversary last year, passed away on July 15, 2024. Donna was an active member of the Greater Naples Alumnae Panhellenic for many years. Until last year she continued to lead the Pledge of Allegiance and the Panhellenic Prayer at each meeting. She was the gracious hostess for our Thanksgiving luncheon each year at the Imperial Golf and Country Club.
▲ The March 2024 meeting at Ridgway featured award-winning writer of fiction thrillers, Karna Small Bodman. Karna, a Kappa Alpha Theta and GNAP member, served as White House deputy press secretary and then senior director of the National Security Council under President Ronald Reagan. Her many anecdotes from her years in Washington, DC, made her a captivating speaker.
▲ The February, 2024, fundraiser at Naples Lakes Country Club was a smashing success! Attendees were treated to a delicious lunch and a style show featuring the latest fashions from Casual Connection modeled by our own GNAP sisters. The Silent Auction and raffle tables were stocked with an array of premium merchandise. There were several Grand Prize winners, but everyone who attended was a winner at this elegant event.
▲ These TriDelta sisters (Martha Bergren, Susan Cleghorn, Connie Shoemaker and Judy O’Brien) enjoyed the lovely GNAP luncheon at Quail Creek Country Club in January, 2024. The speaker enlightened our GNAP group about reflexology and how it can be blended with Western medicine to give patients a higher sense of well-being.
▲ A tradition at the December holiday luncheon is the collection of shoes and socks for Laces of Love as shown in this 2023 photo.
▲ The annual Merit Scholar Awards Luncheon at Pelican Marsh Country Club capped the spring season of our 60th Anniversary Jubilee year. Our fundraising efforts at the January auction and fashion show allowed us to award 5 scholarships to sorority women who attend universities in Florida. We were pleased that one of our recipients, Casey Ingram (Pi Beta Phi) from the University of Florida, was able to join us for lunch. Casey’s grandmother, Phyllis Hedrick Harris (Delta Delta Delta) accompanied her. We were inspired by Casey and her grandmother, both of whom spoke to us about Casey, her sorority experience, and her future aspirations.
▲ The April 2023 tea at Brambles English Tea Room was a lovely event with our members decked out in their afternoon tea finery. In addition to the scones, finger sandwiches and sweets, a highlight was the presentation by Marco Island milliner, Diane Shagoft. Diane brought examples of her beautiful handmade hats and taught us how to wear them.
▲ The Diamond Jubilee Fashion Show and Auction fundraiser was a smashing success. Attendees were greeted by the Grand Prize cake, a vast array of Chinese Auction items, and elegant Silent Auction items. The tables were decorated with lots of diamond glitz, and each table was named for a member sorority’s flower. The entrees and dessert were delectable. The fashion show featured our own members as models who had fun strutting their stuff. Casual Connection provided the fashions and music, and each attendee received a Casual Connection coupon. What a great way to start our Diamond Jubilee year!
▲ The 2022 Holiday Luncheon at Bayside was festive as usual. Lydia’s Song provided entertainment while we enjoyed decadent desserts. Everyone must have been good, because our member Santas brought a bountiful display of gifts which were enjoyed by all. Susan Flowers was our emcee for the event, and Linda Records reminded all of us about the January fashion show. The Grand Prize cake was on display to remind everyone to buy their raffle tickets for the fundraiser.
▲ The October 2022 luncheon at Lamoraga was a fun and enlightening kickoff to the 2022/2023 season. The theme was “Pink Ribbon Luncheon” in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In a lovely setting with pink balloons, the delicious lunch was followed by a presentation by Dr. Adam Riker, a local breast surgeon and oncologist. Flowers were given to Nancy Bicket, a breast cancer survivor, by Susan Flowers. We kicked off our fundraiser with a beautiful new cake which will be used at our Diamond Jubilee fundraiser in January.