Winter 2023
Happy New Year! Hoping your holiday season was blessed while celebrating with family and friends. Since Spring, there have been many exciting community events and we’re so excited to share the highlights in this newsletter with all of you.
For Festa, we revealed our Strong Women displays, and I thank Donna Calhoun and Belle Joseph for their time in interviewing each candidate. They both did an excellent job with the displays, so please stop by to see the exhibit and read about these great women.
Our first Summer Fashion Show was a lot of fun and brought the community together to enjoy a lunch, raffle and fashion show. It was so successful we’ve decided to make it an annual event. Thanks to Eddi Santos, PHC Board of Director, for taking the reins to organize a successful event with the entire Board.
On September 24, the President of Portugal and his delegation joined us for the Chapel Centennial by making an official visit to U.P.S.E.S. Many of our community members came out to welcome him as he recognized our beautiful chapel and its 100th year.
Our biggest event last year was the Tunaman’s Ball and Recognition Dinner on November 19th at the Balboa Park’s Prado with a “Winter Wonderland” theme. I can’t thank Daniel Silva, the Chair and his Co-Chair Tiffany Balelo, enough for their hard work in putting this entire event together. It was picture perfect and got us all excited about the Holiday Season. It was such a pleasure to hear about each honoree and their contribution to our community. I especially want to thank our Donors and Sponsors for their extreme generosity. Without your support, our Center would not be successful. Look for your names engraved on our Donor Board within the Center the next time you stop by.
I am so happy to announce we have 4 new Board of Directors! Dina Amaral, who is a longtime community member and past Board of Director and I’m thrilled she is back. Jeanne Martin-Smith, a longtime member who has supported our Center’s events with her art design and baking abilities. And a lovely recently married couple, Olivia Xavier Martz & Blake Martz, who have Portuguese roots here in Point Loma and who want to be involved in the history of the Portuguese. I feel so blessed to have a Board that works together, and each member has so many unique talents.
The new year has begun, and we are working on putting together two symposia, our annual Tunaman’s Mass and ceremony at Shelter Island, which is already scheduled for March 12th this year, our 2nd annual Fashion Show and a few more events. Our 2023 membership drive is going well and we always welcome new members, so see our website for an application. We’re happy to have four scholarships available to our young adults thanks to John Rebelo, Diana Balelo and the Miss Cabrillo Club. Please encourage our young adults to apply by April 15th.
In closing, please stop by Saturdays from Noon-to-3PM for a visit. Or schedule an appointment with us anytime. I hope you enjoy this Winter 2023 Newsletter and remind you to also visit our website www.PHCSanDiego.com for updates.
Thank you so much for being a part of our organization!