The pandemic lockdown has curtailed our $5 breakfasts of good hot food, social mixing in our refurbished club- house, enjoyment of in-person speakers, and our fabulous July Fourth Breakfast led by Roy Dohner that serves 500 each year while honoring our military. It has also postponed our lively Oktoberfest led by Eric Eckes. But we managed to have some strong events via Zoom for August through October.
After an outstanding presentation about Dana Point progress by Orange Country 5th District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett in August. the September meeting helped us get to know four city council candidates who are running for seats
in Districts 4 and 5. We live in the 1st District. District 1, 2 and 3 are served by council mem- bers Joe Muller, Richard Viczorek and Jamey Federico respectively. District 4 candidates Mike Frost and Gary Newkirk and District 5 candi- dates Benjamin Bebee and Michael Villar did just fine via Zoom! Treated as one group, Frost, Newkirk, Bebee, and Villar told what they would do for our city if they were running in our districts. All candidates participated, came well prepared, presented well, took our questions and gave us a prospective that was new and fresh.
In October, Zoom brought us all five candidates running for Water Commissioner of our South Coast Water District: Rick Erkeneff, Doug Erdman, Wayne Rayfield, Scott Goldman and Markus Lenger. This was especially interesting because future water is so important to residents of Southern California. All five discussed their qualifications, the proposed $120,000,000 desalinization plant and the likely elimination of at-large elections. This fascinating meeting, with differing points of view, was the first one we have recorded. Ask John Yocca for the link to view if you missed the presentation. Our recent Survey of Preferred Activities showed preference for an excursion to an exceptional destination, such as the Reagan Library, when pandemic restrictions are lifted. This is an activity that the entire community could join. In the meantime, we are considering the sponsorship of a 1950s type adventure such as a caravan to an old-fashioned drive- in movie. Drive ins are experiencing packed attendance lately. Each of the three open drive ins, about 70 miles north of us, could be an adventure to get out of the house and visit a different area. A car caravan would make it extra fun and kids would enjoy it too. If you think this could be a good or poor idea, please send me an email at gruenig1@gmail.com.
—C.W. Gruenig
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