Every December our AAUW-SM Branch holds a fundraiser function for AAUW Funds, specifically targeting what was previously known as “Educational Foundation” (EF).  This year about 40 members, family, and friends went

Over The River And Through The Woods (by Joe DiPietro)

at the Santa Maria Civic Theater.   We were graciously greeted by Claire Terrill, President of the Board and Stuart Wenger, Director of the Play.  We held a social gathering before the play in their green room, catered by our members with some tasty treats, coffee, and fine wine.  Intermission brought us back to the green room for sweets and drinks and lots of shared laughter as we discussed the familiarity of the family in the play.  After the play, the SM Civic Theater invited us to come to the green room again, to meet and greet with the actors in the play, including John Shade and Cathy DeLaurentis as Frank and Aida Gianelli, the grandparents, and Bob Larsen and Valerie Pallai as Nunzio and Emma Cristano, the great grandparents, Westley Kossuth as Nick, the grandson, and Trista Ochoa as Caitlan, the single nurse and blind date for Nick.   The actors did a fine job in portraying their characters, who were written as Italians but could have been nearly any nationality – the universality of the characters was so strong … bringing lots and lots of laughter from both men and women in the audience!!

Director’s Notes about the play:      Nick is a single Italian-American guy from New Jersey. His parents moved to Florida, his sister to California. But he still has family nearby – he sees both sets of his grandparents every Sunday for dinner. This is a routine, until the day comes when he has to tell them that he’s been offered a dream job which requires his moving to Seattle, Washington, taking him away from his beloved, but annoying, grandparents. Thus begins the scheming to keep Nick around, including bringing to dinner the lovely, and single, Caitlin O’Hare as bait. “Tengo famiglia!”

We always enjoy our Holiday Gathering, where we often spend the day sharing food, drink, laughter, and hugs as we treasure the gift of time and friendship with our dear friends.  And we are able to raise funds to support the missions of AAUW in advocating for girls and women.  Makes for a wonderful day!!