Santa Maria’s Minerva Club held its traditional Opening Day luncheon Oct. 2, attracting some 90 members and guest to the event at the Santa Maria Country Club.
Founded in 1894 by a group of prominent pioneer women, Minerva is one of the oldest continuously operating clubs in California.
The club has monthly programs from October until the end of May, when it goes on hiatus for the summer.
Minerva’s influence throughout the community is widespread and longstanding. The club’s membership includes many individuals who are prominent in civic and nonprofit activities, such as Mayor Alice Patino and former City Manager Jason Stillwell, who attended the opening event
Club co-president Ethel Donati welcomed guests. A retired RN, Donati is on the board of the Marian Medical Center Foundation. Among other members present were Virginia Souza, founder of the Natural History Museum; Shelley Klein, the executive director of the Historical Society; and Bea Goyette, president of one of the Altrusa clubs.
Minerva members are also represented in the arts: Eileen Hervey is on the board of the Santa Maria Philharmonic Board; Clare Terrill is active in the local Civic Theater; and Diane Beebe and Suzanne Levy are on the board of the PCPA Foundation.
The afternoon included a gift basket raffle and a Happy Birthday chorus for Grace Jarvis, who recently turned 102 years old.