FAUSA Highlights Magazine Updated

Santa Fe Getaway and Annual Meeting 2022
Santa Fe was the location of the 2022
Annual Meeting and Getaway,
organized by a new Getaway team
Rick Chizmadia (video of the
Getaway), Marilee Watts, Linda
Harvan and Liz Janson with Santa Fe
helpers Wendy Russell and Patricia
Lawrence. A record 57 in-person
attendees toured the downtown area
and held the annual business meeting
and Saturday evening gala at the
Eldorado Hotel. Five virtual attendees
participated via Zoom for the
Saturday events. Jennifer Padfield put
together a digital Annual Report sent
to all members; printed copies were
available for attendees. Wendy
Russell prepared handouts of places
to eat and shop in the central Santa
Fe area.
The Thursday evening welcome event
was held at a funky venue next door
to the Eldorado Hotel. The duet, Rom
Romanovsky and Hillary Schacht,
entertained us with fiddle music while
we caught up with one another and
enjoyed a dinner buffet.
Friday morning we all piled into open
air trolleys for a tour of the downtown
and historic Santa Fe area. The group
gathered in front of the Basilica for
group photos, then meandered over
to the New Mexico History Museum
for docent-led tours. A large group
participated in the optional tour that
Louise Greeley-Copley organized of
her aunt and uncle’s 200 year old
adobe home, gallery and artists
studios (also available on Sunday
afternoon). Originally a trading post
stop for local tribes and the Pecos
Mission, the home also served as a
field hospital during the civil war. It has
been the home of Gallery ZIPP for
over 50 years.
A wine tasting from the New Mexico
vintner, Gruet Winery, was held at their
Santa Fe tasting room Friday evening.
Four different ‘pours’ were offered as
well as a buffet dinner. The beautiful
autumn weather held, and many
attendees enjoyed the outdoor patio
and heaters for this cozy evening.
Such fun was had that anonymous
donors sponsored an additional hour
of the evening at the tasting room.
Following a sit down breakfast at the
Eldorado Hotel, Dr. Corrine Oqua Pi
Povi Sanchez, PhD, of San Ildefonso
Pueblo spoke to the entire group.
Tewa Women United’s Executive
Director, she holds a doctorate in
Justice Studies from Arizona State
University. Before the FAUSA Annual
Meeting began, guests and many male
members left for a photo scavenger
hunt organized and led by Eric Janson.
With some internet problems due to
the hotel’s connectivity, the Annual
Meeting was shared with several
members via Zoom. Board members
and others made their annual reports,
and certificates of appreciation were
awarded to those FAUSA members
who made significant contributions
during 2022. FAWCO President, Emily
van Eerten recorded a video
message, and the FAWCO
Foundation Treasurer, Kathy DeBest,
gave a presentation about their
organizations at the Annual Meeting
Saturday morning. The 2023 Getaway
location and dates were announced:
Nashville, TN, Sept. 28-Oct. 1. Janet
Darrow’s generous contribution went
towards under-writing the AV
expenses.
Saturday evening’s Route-66 themed
gala dinner and auctions were a
highlight of the Getaway. Many
auction items were displayed in the
foyer of the dinner area, after having
been available on the OneCause
auction platform for several weeks. A
DJ provided music, and many had a
blast having photos taken at the photo
booth. Margaret McCue’s Route 66
fun quiz was on each table, and
winners took home Queen Mary 2
‘swag’ that Leslie Nelson received
from Cunard. Several husbands
modeled handbags and accessories!
Due to ongoing internet issues, the
evening was not shared on Zoom.
Murray Frick was our outstanding
auctioneer, and Rick Chizmadia once
again led a very successful raise the
thermometer campaign. A record
amount was raised for FAUSA
through these activities and the quilt
auction. You can read more about the
results in the Philanthropy report. The
quilt (made by Chris Czyszczewski)
was won by Kathy Limbaugh.
We all enjoyed being together again
in 2022 in Santa Fe and look forward
to our next Getaway in Nashville in
September 2023.
16