Decorative, creative, and extravagant tables filled the Riverbank Community Center for the Second Annual Holiday Luncheon hosted by the Riverbank Federated Women’s Club on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Tickets were $20 per person which included lunch and entertainment. The club sponsors two scholarships for Riverbank High School seniors.
Cindy Ingle and Phyllis Reeves were co-chairpersons that organized the event for the second year.
Girl Scout ambassadors, Emma Austin and Krupa Modi from Troop #3787 out of Modesto greeted guests before entering the luncheon. Every guest had a ticket with their name on it that was dropped into a basket for a door prize donated by Mulberry Lane in the McHenry Village.
There were approximately 120 people attending the event, with 13 decorated tables, and a table that was set up for the girl scouts that volunteered.
Diana McGinnis, President of the Riverbank Federated Women’s Club, started the luncheon by recognizing several women in the audience including Darlene Barber-Martinez, Citizen of the Year for 2013, Leanne Jones Cruz, councilmember, and Jeanine Tucker, councilmember.
Each table has a host and is creatively decorated with specific details for their theme and a treat is provided for each guest at the table.
Mary Banda with the Riverbank Historical Society hosted a table that was very decorative with candles and hand soap in a Christmas bag with a note that said “We Wash you a Merry Christmas” for every guest at the table.
Marie Shubin, Treasurer of the Riverbank Federated Women’s Club and Mary Wolgamot hosted an M&M themed table that had a chocolate treat for each of their guests. The idea for the M&M table was created when they decided to use the first initial of their first names.
Several tables had a Christmas theme just in time to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
According to Reeves, the Riverbank Federated Women’s Club started in the 1960’s and is a community service group. The club has donated benches at the tennis courts, plants at the amphitheater at RHS and a water fountain on the school softball field.
“We also donated the piano and furnished the refrigerator and kitchen utensils at the community center,” stated Reeves. “We volunteer as a club to help the Rotary Club during the Cheese and Wine Festival.”
Reeves also expressed that money has been donated to the city to help with events like the Easter egg hunt, Pajamarama, Halloween Hay Ride and they donate to the Science tech trek program.
During the holidays the club has made craft items for the people at local rest homes and they have knitted baby hats for newborn babies at local hospitals.
“There is over 40years of service work in our town by the Riverbank Federated Women’s Club,” stated Reeves.
The following merchants donated prizes for the festive event: Home Depot, Target, Starbucks, Cold Stone Creamery, La Parrilla Mexican restaurant, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Rodin Farms, Farmer Boys, Round Table, Designs by Karen, O’Brien’s Market, Landon’s Men’s Wear, Planet Beach Tanning Salon, Tammy Nails, El Rosal, Les Schwab Tires, Grand China, Boyette’s #34, Pizza Plus, Morris Nursery, Nifty Drive-in, Valadez Jewelers, DeAngelos Jewelry, Barbara’s Beauty Salon, and Looney Bin.
Saputo Foods and A.P. Ciccarelli Farms gave a monetary donation.
Tony Angoletta, store manager for Save Mart Supermarkets donated holiday cookies for the luncheon.
Arnold Hoff Catering out of Escalon served some barbecued chicken and tri-tip along with potatoes, green beans, and salad.
Annette Hutton from Oakdale entertained the attendees with a few musical numbers on the piano to round out the festive gathering.
