Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Meade
Cecelia Seaman: Chairperson
Cecelia has lived all of her adult life in various places around Washington State: Leavenworth, Seattle, Aberdeen, McCleary and South Bend. “My dad was a Navy man, and we also lived in Nova Scotia and other Canadian places when I was young.” She loves travel, especially in the Caribbean, and goes to Jamaica whenever she possibly can. She also enjoys volunteering and is on the board of Sunday Afternoon Live. “I have learned so much as part of this group,” she shares. “It is a good feeling to work with the others on the board to make our great shows happen.”
Virginia Carlson- Chairperson Emeritus
A retired educator who finds fulfillment in volunteering. Virginia says, “I’m passionate to help provide pleasant times and memories for the local population, especially the seniors who find it difficult to leave the community to find social interaction and attend quality live entertainment.” “It has been a pleasure to share a common goal with a strongly motivated group as together ‘we develop food for the soul of our community,’ and I’m very grateful to everyone who has helped make the dream of Sunday Afternoon Live become a reality.”
Adella Hougan ~Treasurer
“I can’t sing, but I love to listen. Listening to music, and knowing Virginia (Carlson), are the reasons I became involved with Sunday Afternoon Live. Even being awakened from a sound sleep at 2:30 in the morning by someone inquiring about buying tickets-yes, that has actually happened!-hasn’t been able to dampen my enthusiasm for this great organization,” Adella states. When her husband Ed and she moved to South Bend 17 years ago, they felt they had had found the place where we wanted to make their retirement home, and they have never regretted putting down their roots in this small, caring community.
Beryl Adams: Member
Beryl was a member of the Women’s Army Corps and served in England and France during World War II. After her discharge, she worked for the Rural Electrification Association (REA) in Washington, D.C. and Spokane. When her husband was hired to manage the Pacific County Public Utility District, they moved to Raymond. She states, “Sunday Afternoon Live offers an important entertainment event for the community, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
Ann Mergens: Member
Currently a freelance writer, a sometime columnist, and a reporter for a weekly county newspaper, Ann’s love affair with words began when she received her first library card-she was 18 months old! “Since then,” she jokes, “I’ll read the dictionary or phone book if nothing else is available.” Retired from the county juvenile court, she didn’t find a rocking chair waiting. She continues to work for “small newspapers and great editors” she’s frequented since high school. She prefers doing features, but loves writing children’s books, poetry-”and publicizing Sunday Afternoon Live, or course!”
Effa La’Vonne – Member
She relates that during her senior year of high school, her dad brought the family through Raymond on their way to North Pole, Alaska. She told herself then that someday she would come back to live in the area and “23 years later, my dream came true!” Effa has moved to Northern Idaho so she can be closer to her aging parents but still is very active member of Sunday Afternoon Live thru technology.
Marilyn Stephens- Secretary
The newest member of our board, Marilyn (Doots) Stephens has been a patron of Sunday Afternoon Live since the very early days when gathering to hear music at local churches. A lifelong Raymond resident and retired laboratory technician Marilyn finds fulfillment in volunteering through her church and following her grandchildren’s activities. The arts are close to home for Marilyn. A lover of music, and painting (Scandinavian Tole) Marilyn enjoys all things creative and often uses her husband Roy’s woodworking as media for her painting. Of her invitation to join the board Marilyn says, “The decision was an easy one, I have the highest regard for the organization and all they have accomplished, I am honored to be asked and look forward to contributing in any way I can”.
