Meeting features Japanese-American WWII experience

Scripps Ranch Welcome Club members participating in a recent beach walk are (from left) Susan Parme, Ann Schiebelhut, Lori Gold, (in back) Kate Schapp, Helen Plutner, Dorothy Mildice, Vicky Bergman and Marcia Mikesell. (courtesy photo)

Meeting features Japanese-American WWII experience

September ninth’s Welcome Club monthly meeting at the Community Center will feature a talk by an officer of the San Diego Historical Society, Linda Canada. Ms. Canada has been active on the society’s board for more than 15 years.

According to Welcome Club Program Co-Chair Cindy Marshall, Ms. Canada will talk about the history of Japanese Americans in San Diego County and their transition from farming, fishing or running small businesses to living in internment camps during World War II. She will also discuss how they later reintegrated into post-war life, although not all returned to San Diego. This talk will be illustrated with photographs from the collection of the Japanese American Historical Society of San Diego.

During August, Welcome Club members enjoyed a Coffee Klatch at the home of Jackie Bhagat. This monthly friendship festival featured delicious brunch dishes prepared by Jackie and her co-hostesses Ghean Maksimow and Starlene Dahl. In addition to the morning feast and time spent chatting with friends, the ladies played a fun trivia game.

Summer evenings in Scripps Ranch are perfect for outdoor parties and Sue Cauble opened her backyard for the Welcome Club and friends. There, under the August moon, they feasted on a potluck and partied on her lawn. TGIs have been a Welcome Club summer tradition for more than 30 years and the fun goes on.

Walks along the trails of Scripps Ranch are a regular, thrice weekly adventure lead by Janelle Boustany. The opportunity to enjoy the out-of-doors and the company of other energetic gals makes this group attractive to a growing number of participants. Two beach walks along Mission Bay and the North County shore led by Dorothy Mildice were part of the special activities Welcome Club coordinated this month.

The Birthday Babes of the summer months met to celebrate at the home of Ann Schiebelhut. A potluck lunch and a festive cake always make this quarterly gathering a great way to share this special occasion.

In addition to their regular monthly discussion, the Morning Book Club once again took its enthusiasm for literature to the third annual Festival of Books at Liberty Station. There they heard presentations by acclaimed authors and got to meet some of publishing’s local and national stars.

Meanwhile, a third book group is forming. The Morning Book Club is assisting a group of newer members get organized to share their reading experiences on a regular basis. As the Welcome Club grows in membership, so do the opportunities for new members to find outlets for their favorite hobbies and pastimes.

A quick look at a Welcome Club’s monthly calendar shows no less than 20 events slated for the membership to choose from during the coming weeks. Welcome Club has a website, scrippsranchwelcomeclub.com, where information can be found that will connect you with members who will be happy to answer your questions concerning the club.