Laurel passing the torch to Gayle at the Fall Mixer, September 18, 2024

Dear Women’s Committee,

“I've got big feet, so filling someone else's big shoes doesn't scare me.” 
        - Caroline Rhea

All kidding aside, I do have some big shoes to fill, assuming the president’s role from Laurel Crary, a dynamo who didn’t let anything stop her from making the Women’s Committee the success that it is today.  I have taken my cues from her, as she has been my “boss,” my mentor, and now my best friend in all the ins and outs of co-chairing the Holiday Home Tour and Marketplace. And, although I have been a resident of Ojai for less than a decade, I feel like it has become home because of the warmth and friendliness of all of you! So, with my big shoes on, here we go . . . !

Fall may signal the beginning of the end of the calendar year, but for the Ojai Festival Women’s Committee, it is the start of a very busy, detail-filled time. Our annual Holiday Home Tour and Marketplace is November 16th and 17th this year, and we are busily getting our four outstanding homes ready for viewing. Our proceeds go to fund the Ojai Music Festival and its BRAVO Education and Community Programs.

Our homes range from the very large to the simple cottage, that is anything but. Our designers are excitedly making plans to decorate each home with exquisite florals that have been the trademark of our tours. We are squeezing time each day to complete the myriad of details that have to be finalized before the tour weekend. We want everything to be perfect for our tried-and-true tour participants, as well as the first-timers who will come back another year if we do it right.

That brings us to your part—If you have been a docent in the past, you know the satisfaction of feeling proud of an organization that can bring about a tour such as ours. It is fun to meet the variety of tour-goers who radiate friendliness and excitement about the upcoming holiday season. And, let's be honest, hanging around a Christmas tree or smelling the spicy scents of a decked-out autumn-themed house, makes us all happy the holiday season has begun. Come be an integral part of a beloved home tour and fulfill a very vital component of the Holiday Home Tour and Marketplace!

Holiday Home Tour & Marketplace

November 16 & 17, 2024

As mentioned above, the Women’s Committee invites you to keep the Holiday Home Tour & Marketplace a part of your annual holiday tradition by becoming a marketplace volunteer or a docent. Since there is no need for cashiers this year (easily checkout directly with vendors!), if you have been a cashier in the past, we encourage you to sign up as a Marketplace support volunteer. 

See the links below to sign up, and note that a few of the Marketplace volunteer slots require some heavy lifting.

As always, forward this message to a friend or two who may be interested in signing up as well!

Visit BRAVO at Ojai Day

BRAVO Booth at Ojai Day, 2023

October 19, 2024

When you're at Ojai Day this weekend, stop by the the Musical Petting Zoo!

Our beloved Music Van volunteers will be helping passers-by play musical instruments and learn all about about BRAVO Education and Community Programs. See you there!

Join us for dinner and to see Yuja Wang and Víkingur Ólafsson (Ojai Festival alum of 2021!) join forces at the Granada Theater in Santa Barbara. Find all the details at the link below.

In our previous issue, we asked you to share your memories of Cheree Edwards, Merrill Williams, Karen Evenden, and Esther Wachtell. The following are our two favorite responses. 

From: Therese Hartmann

To think we will not see these three phenomenal women again, running into them on the streets of Ojai and interacting with them through volunteer work, is a real gut-punch.  Yet, I prefer to remember that they all lived such big lives, each adding a unique flavor to this beautiful little township.   

Karen was a mentor and a neighbor and my last conversation with her was more like a eulogy as I somehow sensed she might not always be here.  She leaned back, clapped her hands and told me how happy I'd made her.  I will carry that memory with me and try to encourage others the way she encouraged me.   

Merrill was beautiful, adventurous and very contemporary in her approach to life.  She asked once to go along with a "satsang" if another one was held.  Satsangs are chanting/singing sessions that definitely veer off the rails for most people.  But not Merrill.  She was open to new experiences, and I so appreciated that about her.   

Cheree, with her bright blue, twinkly eyes and sweet smile, spoke softly but got so much done.  She was wise beyond her years.  She gave so much of her heart in not only her real estate business but also her volunteer work.  Nobody could resist helping when she asked for who could say no to that angel?!? 

They will all be missed but I have to believe that the Ojai night sky will be a bit brighter with the three of them shining down. 

Therese xo 

From: Laurel Crary

"Your purpose is not just the thing you do.  It's the thing that happens to others when you do what you do. 

It's how you make people feel and remember you by doing what you do.  

It's the experience that your energy leaves upon them. 

By mastering your unique gifts, you step into the realm of the infinite possibilities. 

The greatest blessing you can give to humanity is owning your purpose and inspiring other to courageously own theirs."  

How blessed all of us are that each of these remarkable women shared their unique gifts with us and with humanity.  

We have big shoes to fill but the great inspiration from Esther, Karen, Merrill, and Cheree.   

The family and friends of Karen invite you to join in a Celebration of Karen, on October 20, 2024. It was Karen’s wish that we celebrate her life with a party. Karen has touched the lives of so many people in our community. We would love to fill a book with stories and memories of Karen, so if you have time, bring an 8½ x 11 sheet of paper sharing your memories. Donations in her memory can be made to the Ojai Women’s Fund or Mesa.

Join us Sunday, October 20th at 931 Fairview Road, Ojai, from 3 to 5 p.m.

(Carpooling is suggested - parking is limited)

Forward this email to a friend who may be interested in joining the OFWC or attending our events. We are always open to making new friends!