LAKEPORT — The Little Theater at the Lake County fairground was packed with Soroptimist International of Clear Lake, SICL, members and supporters for a Saturday afternoon of fun and fashion at their major fundraiser, “The Spring Fling; Lake County’s Best,” which this year brought in over $6,000 according to the event organizers.
The crowd gathered at the table just inside the door, where Soroptimist members Sandy Orwig checked in guests and Fawn Williams gave out numbered auction paddles. Sally Munger, a long standing member, sold raffle tickets, and beaded necklaces that sold for $10 each to play the money-raising game of Heads and Tails.
Tina Scott, president of the Soroptimist club said about the fashion show, “We’re going to be learning about Lake County as we watch the fashion show today. It’s not going to be just about fashion… And other groups that are in Lake County, we’re going to learn about them also. It’s not just about Soroptimist (members), it’s about all of us working together.”
Scott led off the Spring Fling as the emcee, with a rousing welcome to the current president Ami Landrum and to the crowd of 120 women and handful of men.
Gary Deas, soon-to-be former Mr. Lake County, said he was one of the few men there because he wanted to help raise money for the SICL. “What better place for Mr. Lake County to be than in a building full of women?” He whispered that he might be part of the fashion show. “Keep it on the down-low,” he said with a sly grin as he walked off to chat up the ladies.
Dance instructors, Larry and Zoe Richardson, dazzled everyone with a preview of “Dancing With the Stars and Stripes,” in which they’ll be dancing with other partners. Larry dipped Zoe in a shockingly low dip, called the Death Drop, and wowed the crowd by twirling her around and around and around, too many times to count. The audience held on to their seats so as not to fall off with dizziness.
A live auction was held by auctioneer Jim Steele, whose bid-calling brought fierce bidding for tickets to “Dancing With the Stars and Stripes.” Funds raised by this auction help to support the Veterans Resource Center, located in Sonoma County, that also helps Lake County.
Diana Schmidt modeled three outfits by Dusty D’s, which during the Camp Fire “gathered extra uniforms from officers from all over California,” said Scott. “This was so they could create new uniforms for the officers from the Butte County Sheriffs Office and Paradise Police Department who lost their homes and were in immediate need of replacement uniforms.”
Model Holly Green wore an impressive donated prom dress used for the Soroptimist Prom Project that helps Lake County youth find prom dresses and accessories at no cost to the prom-goer.
Lakeport Senior Center Meals on Wheels Thrift Store suited up the tall, slim model Gavin Scott, that helps to create a positive first impression on a job interview. Emcee Scott encouraged people to donate suits to “help those who need that extra boost.”
People Services provided two outfits; a sundress modeled by Priscilla and the second modeled by an unidentified person dressed as a fluffy yellow chicken promoting the fund raising ‘Chicken Que’ at the fairgrounds on June 1.
Model Gabby Scott, took to the runway for a community service project. According to Scott, “SICL looks every year for a teen girl between the ages of 13-18 to receive a Violet Richardson Award. Award winners are young women who have hours of volunteering dedicated to making her community a better place for all. This years’ winner was Rainey Vanoven from Clear Lake High School.”
Lisa’s in Clearlake had model Kassie Richards walked the runway twice in outfits that Scott said could update anyone’s closet. Throughout the fashion show, Scott encouraged the crowd to “shop local.”
Eight-year-old model Sophia Claire Gonzalez enthralled the crowd with three outfits made by Crafty Hand Bow-Tique in Lakeport. As a princess, Sophia, walked the runway waving to the crowd in true royal fashion, as well as flitting the runway as a butterfly and a rainbow unicorn.
Garrett Scott modeled a fishing outfit and Dustin Scott modeled a birdwatching outfit, showing off the sport of fishing on Clearlake, known to be the bass capital of the West, said Scott, and birdwatching, since Lake County is deemed an “Important Bird Area” by Audubon California.
The Nest, a program by SICL, brought the most “oohs” and “aaahs” from the crowd as grandmother of little 7-month-old Amir held him as she walked down the runway. His clothes were provided by local thrift shops. Scott told of how “This program helps pregnant women ages 18-25 who might be facing homelessness. They wrap services around these women to help them realize their personal goals and connect them to the community.” Amir’s grandmother was so thrilled with the crowds’ reaction to her grandson that she almost forgot to take him back to his mother.
Deas’ surprise during the fashion show was an added live auction that he kept upping the ante on. First is was a 3-hour pontoon boat trip with Deas, Mr. Lake County, as ship’s captain. Then he upped it to four hours with former Mr. Lake County Larry Richardson as First Mate. Janet Klein from Hidden Valley Lake was top bidder at $460. She decided to take Sally Munger with her, but was undecided if she and Munger were going to take their husbands or make it a “Girls’ Day with two “Mr. Lake County.”
Organizers said the live auctions sprinkled throughout the runway show brought in much needed funds. The Game of Heads and Tails also brought in money as did the donated giant raffle baskets, plus the live auctions and silent auctions.
Officer Jeremy Jensen, a California Highway Patrol officer for 17 years who has been assigned to the Clear Lake CHP office for the last 10 years, also strutted the runway. Scott told why Jensen was in the fashion show; “We wanted to highlight the ‘Best’ in Lake County. We would not be able to have a ‘Best of Show’ without recognizing the officers that put their lives on the line everyday to keep the community safe.”
