Approximately 65 members and guests of Da’ Hawaii Seniors Club gathered at Liberty Park in Cerritos for a Potluck Picnic and Entertainment on Saturday, June 8, 2024. Programs VP Rosaria Loke Minetta and her Decoration Committee arrived early to cover the picnic tables with tablecloths and flowers in pots. By 10:30 a.m. members and guests started to arrive to register and receive tickets to win drawing prizes at the end of the day.
At 11:15 a.m., President and M.C. Carmelita Tiongson welcomed members and guests to the event. Larry Anduha led the Pledge of Allegiance and Danny and Winona Chang led the singing of Hawai’i Ponoi. Hedy Anduha led the singing of Happy Birthday to the two June birthday celebrants, Gloria Kunimoto and Anne Ohara.
Carmelita thanked all the people who helped to prepare for the Potluck Picnic, especially Program VP Loke Manetta and the Entertainment Co-Chairs Frances McCormick and Susan McCormick. She wanted all the members of the different committees to pose for a picture, including the committees for Registration, Food, Raffles, Audio Tech, Decoration,
Entertainment, and Clean-Up. She also thanked guests who helped in any way.
Entertainment Co-Chairs Frances McCormick and Susan McCormick introduced the different groups that performed. They included Ann Kho directing the Angklung Group of Cerritos who played their Indonesian bamboo instruments for two songs, My Yellow Ginger Lei and Sunshine. Ann then sang a solo of the song Memory, from the movie Cats. David and Edna Ethington then sang as a duet, two songs, Ku’u Ipo, Hawaiian for Sweetheart, and Johnny Cash’s I walk the Line.
Due to some audio technical difficulty, the guest Elvis Impersonator could not perform at his designated time. Hedy Anduha took this opportunity to teach everyone the names of parts our faces in Hawaiian. She then offered a prayer before meals prior to everyone taking time to try the potluck lunch. Everyone was invited by tables to go to the three tables that were full of a variety of appetizers, snacks, salads, and main dishes. Two more tables on the side of the building were filled with desserts. There were so many leftovers after lunch that many took home some for dinner!
After lunch, the Elvis Elias Laberinto performed for Elvis’ songs, I Need Your Love Tonight, Wear My Ring Around Your Neck, Treat Me Nice, and Ca ‘t Help Falling in Love. Liberty Santiago joined in singing when Elias stopped and sang to her. Everyone enjoyed Elvis Elias and applauded his singing.
Frances McCormick introduced four remaining performing groups. Irina Soleymani and Cesar Franco played their guitars as instrumentalists for the songs, A Summer Song and Las Palmeras. Cesar sang and accompanied Susan McCormick as she sang and played her guitar for the songs You’ve Got a Friend and the song, Sing. Susan asked everyone to join in singing both songs. Larry and Hedy Anduha then sang two songs, Save the Lance Dance for Me and Love Me Tender. The final group that performed was Na’ Kupunawahine O’Cerritos, who danced two hulas to Blue Hawaii and Ku’u Papale Lauhala.
After all the entertainment groups had performed, the Loke Manetta and the Raffle Committee began drawing the winning tickets till all the prizes were delivered to winners.
The Annual Potluck Picnic came to an end with members and guests holding hands and forming a circle as they sang Hawai’i Aloha and Aloha O’e that showed their fellowship and Aloha Spirit. As part of the Aloha Spirit, everyone helped to clean the picnic area and went home with fond memories of all the entertainment that club members and others performed and the ono potluck food that everyone brought and shared.
Persons interested in joining Da’ Hawaii Seniors Club, and experiencing the Aloha Spirit at meetings, can contact Membership VP Myrna Matsuno at 310-538-2148 for more information.
