Washington DC: The Mangalorean Assn. of Washington DC/Maryland/Virginia celebrated its 30th Anniversary & Christmas in a grand manner on December 7, 2019, at the banquet hall of Tandoori Nights of Fairfax, VA. It was a grand celebration with nearly 150 guests in attendance. The Mangalorean community came from far and near to witness and enjoy the unique event and made the most of it.
As members and guests came in, the registration team of Renita Fernandes and Wilma Andrade, handed over the gift bags containing the beautifully designed mementos of the 30th Anniversary of the Association, the personalized Christmas cards and Program booklet to each family.
The MC duo, Clint Almeida and Merlyn Mathias kicked off the show with a warm welcome.
As the guests settled down with their appetizers and cocktails, the children performed a Musical Nativity Play which engaged the crowd. The script was written, choreographed, rehearsed and meticulously executed under the leadership of Juliet Vas with the help of other committee members.
It was a joy to watch the children dress up nicely for their roles and the audience cheered them on playing their part! All the performers and the background choir team led by Clint Almeida did an outstanding job.
The President, V James Dante, then extended a warm welcome to everyone on behalf of his committee. He said that the occasion is so important that all the Presidents of the association from the time it was founded in 1989 to date have been brought together in one place for the first time in the history of the association. He also welcomed the guest of honor, Dr. Austin D’Souza who flew in from Chicago to attend the event and all the delegates, the Presidents of IACA and the Goan DC Association.
The Felicitation (of presidents and guests of honor) Lead couple, Vice President Savio Fernandes and Treasurer Renita Fernandes, took the stage, narrated the felicitation process and conducted the felicitation of all the Presidents of the association, followed by Dr. Austin D’Souza and the Presidents of IACA and Goan DC Association.
The Presidents of the Association were felicitated with bouquets and plaques by current and past committee members and their spouses. Dr. Austin Prabhu from Chicago was felicitated by the executive committee members with a bouquet, plaque, and a shawl. Then the Presidents of IACA and Goan DC Association were felicitated by past committee members with bouquets and Certificates of Appreciation.
It was then time for the much-awaited Santa Claus. Santa arrived promptly to background music, with his carriage full of gifts. He was cheered by all, both the young and the old. He entertained everyone with his wit and humor and distributed individually wrapped gifts brought by parents for their children and took pictures with the children. Immediately following Santa’s exit, it was time for a sing-a-long of Christmas Carols. The choir team led the sing-song.
Before the guests got on to the dance floor, the president, V James Dante delivered a brief vote of thanks. Apart from expressing his gratitude to everyone present for attending the event, he went on to thank the Presidents and the dignitaries and delegates on behalf of the committee. He offered his thanks to Dr. Ajit Britto of Britto Orthodontics who donated towards the event and Lovee & Jerome Faison for sponsoring the Alexas for the raffle.
He also offered his personal thanks to all his committee members and their families for the support they have extended in all the events of the year 2019. Then he invited the past President Jacinta Mascarenhas to say the grace before meals.
With the President’s thanks in the bag, some headed out to enjoy the lavishly laid out buffet dinner, dance enthusiasts preferred to rock the floor with great music number from DJ couple John Lee and Carol Figueira.
The raffles were drawn during dinner and the prizes announced and of course, there was a photograph for the ages of all the Presidents of the Association huddled together. The dining and dancing was interspersed with spot games conducted by the MCs. The grand event wound up close to midnight with the crowd wanting more and an encore – Their hearts happy, stomachs full, and with many many new friendships formed.
A lot of preparation went into the event; the key players were as follows:
Nativity Play: Juliet Vas (Lead), Merlyn Mathias, Clint Almeida.
Christmas Carols: Clint Almeida
Design of Banners, Mementos and Felicitation Plaques: Reynel Castellino, V James Dante
Memento Ordering/Packing: V James Dante, Merlyn Mathias, Wilma Tauro, Julia Dante
Event Venue Booking: Julia Dante, Savio Fernandes, Renita Fernandes, V James Dante
Event Hall and Stage Decorations: Yolanda’s Decorations, Julia Dante
Registration and Memento Distribution: Renita Fernandes, Wilma Andrade
Masters of Ceremony: Clint Almeida, Merlyn Mathias
Felicitation Leads: Savio Fernandes & Renita Fernandes
Program Booklet: Wilma Tauro
DJs: John Lee & Carol Figueira
Overall Coordination: V James Dante
Reported by: V James Dante, President, Mangalorean Association of DC/MD/VA
Connect with the association via facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mangaloreandcmdva
and for more details, visit their website at http://www.mangaloreanassociation.org
