The Scripps Ranch Welcome Club’s monthly Coffee Klatches always bring out a warm group of ladies, but October’s Halloween gathering drew the largest coffee crowd in the club’s history. The hostess and newer club member, Mary Rea, has long enjoyed a reputation for her holiday décor, and the ghosts, goblins and witches that adorned her home attracted an enthusiastic throng of Halloween revelers.

JoAnn Farmen, Sandy Desmond and Emma Rotella, all co-hostesses at the Halloween Coffee, contributed to the delicious brunch buffet laid out on Mary’s colorfully adorned dining table. Mary’s husband, Lou, manned the coffee machines and kept the brew perking during the morning feast. The pleasant weather enabled the ladies to enjoy their friends outdoors among the artistically arranged potted plants and Halloween trimmings on Mary and Lou’s patio. 

We all had fun trick or treating on Halloween as kids, but this was a most delightful adult celebration of the day. It is events like this that have grown Welcome Club’s membership to the greatest number in its 35 years in Scripps Ranch. 

November’s Welcome Club calendar has 22 events slated for members to select from. Walking on local trails, venturing to nearby beach hikes, playing bunco, pitch or bridge, making crafts, discussing books, celebrating birthdays, attending a play at the Scripps Ranch Theatre, and visiting a holiday treasure with lunch following, all made the event-filled month something to look forward to. 

Members learned at the regular meeting about how the challenges created by natural disasters are met by a team of dedicated professionals from a talk by Doctor Jake Jacoby, emeritus professor of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Jacoby detailed the Disaster Medical Assistance Team’s role in helping those people affected by recent climactic disasters in Texas and Puerto Rico. 

Coming in December, most of the usual routine activities will be offered. In addition, the special seasonal highlights will include the annual Holiday Party at the regular club meeting on the ninth at the Community Center. A Holiday Coffee Klatch on the 12th will be hosted by Karen Reilly at her home. The Holiday Dinner-Dance with the club’s favorite DJ at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo is planned for the 15th. 

Should you want to learn more about this fun-loving group known as the Welcome Club, check out the website at scrippsranchwelcomeclub.com. You will find contact information and a “Welcome to the Club.”