Meet Helaine Apollo (Helaine chairs the Sunshine Committee. The purpose of the Committee is to offer thanks, congratulations and support for individual members through cards, telephone calls and various good will deeds.)

How long have you lived in Big Bear? 23 years

Tell us a little about why you decided to join the AAUW, how long you’ve been a member and what you like best about it. I like the mission and wanted to meet like-minded women

What kind of work do you do, or what work did you retire from? I worked for Pacific Bell/SBC/AT&T for 27 years. After I retired and moved to Big Bear, I worked for the Forest Service at the Discovery Center

Tell us a little about your hobbies and/or how you like to spend your time. I like to be busy and active. I spend a lot of time hiking with my dog Kai. I also enjoy yoga, Pilates, going to the gym, riding my bike, kayaking, reading, going to the movies, live theater, and going out to eat. In addition to AAUW, I’m a member of Soroptimist. I also deliver Meals on Wheels

Do you have a favorite quote? “Put on your big girl panties and get over it”

 

Meet Annette Stewart (Annette is the President of our BB AAUW chapter)

How long have you lived in Big Bear? I’ve lived in Big Bear for 32 years. We moved here from Ventura. From the ocean to the mountains. Quite a change. My husband was the contract engineer for the City of Ventura then became the City Engineer/Director of Public Works for the City of Big Bear Lake. I was a stay-at-home mom with our sons who were 7 and 4 when we moved here. We first lived in town then after 4 years moved to Erwin Lake. Yes “way out there”!

Tell us a little about why you decided to join the AAUW, how long you’ve been a member and what you like best about it. I joined AAUW in 2014. Former member Karen Oliver told me about AAUW. I was a member of the local Soroptimist for 13 years (president 2003/2004) and had stepped away from it. I missed being involved in the community and the friendships. I jumped right into AAUW with both feet, and in less than a year I was the branch secretary. I got involved in the program committee and I am the current branch president. I like the events and what we offer to women and girls in our community. I can’t even tell you how much the AAUW friendships mean to me.

What kind of work do you do, or what work did you retire from? I am a retired paralegal. I retired when my husband did 11 years ago, but it was too early for me. I felt lost. So I went to beauty college and became a manicurist. There is something to be said about being a manicurist, like bartenders we listen and solve the problems of the world. Just kidding. Again, I enjoyed the friendships I had with my clients.

Tell us a little about your hobbies and/or how you like to spend your time. My hobbies, let’s see. I love crafting – sewing, knitting, making greeting cards – I can go on. I simply enjoy making things and love the end result. I love to cook. I get so much joy seeing how my family and friends react to what I have made for them. I am Hispanic and enjoy making Mexican food, mostly what my family cooked. I have a son that almost sings when he eats my food. If that doesn’t bring joy to someone, nothing will. Oh, I married into a landspeed racing hobby. I am known for doing a great job pushing a race car!

Is there anything else you would like to add that other members may not know about you? I don’t think too many members know that I broke my leg snowboarding. I was in a cast for over 6 months! Oh, AND I’m going to be a grandmother for the first time in April!!!

Do you have a favorite quote? I read this a long time ago and never forgot it – “Each individual woman’s body demands to be accepted on its own terms” Gloria Steinem. I thought about that for a long time and truly felt that in my soul. Not sure if it was in relation to my weight, but if my husband, my sons, and my friends love me for how I am, why try to fix something that is not broken. It’s taken me many years to love who I am.

Meet Laurie Wolfe (Laurie chairs our Public Policy Committee)

How long have you lived in Big Bear? Bought our house in 2000. We came up on weekends and school vacations. Originally from MA/NH Big Bear reminded us of home. Retired in 2015 came up to Big Bear and bought a condo in San Diego. Best of both worlds.

Tell us a little about why you decided to join the AAUW, how long you’ve been a member and what you like best about it.  I was introduced to AAUW by Sara. Love the many activities AAUW has to offer. I am the Public Policy Person, Program Committee and help with Speech Trek. Always willing to lend a hand.

What kind of work do you do, or what work did you retire from?  38 years teaching. Two years as an assistant principal

Tell us a little about your hobbies and/or how you like to spend your time.  I enjoy reading, hiking, kayaking, skiing, snowshoeing and just socializing. New found hobbies: gardening and pickle ball. Love spending time with my husband and daughter. Hope to be able to start traveling again. My husband is a car enthusiast. We are active in the Big Bear Antique Car Club.

Do you have a favorite quote?  A person’s a person, no matter how small. Dr. Seuss

Meet Christie Walker (Our branch Co-VP and Program Director)

How long have you lived in Big Bear? 20 years

Tell us a little about why you decided to join the AAUW, how long you’ve been a member and what you like best about it.  When I was working, I was involved in the Optical Women’s Association that advocated for women in the optical industry. It seemed like a natural progression to join another group that advocates for women, the American Association of University women. Plus, I promised Sara as soon as I retired, I’d join.

What kind of work do you do, or what work did you retire from?  For twenty years, I was an editor/writer/photographer for the optical industry. I retired in 2016. Since then, I started a family business, Urban Adventure Quest, a smartphone-guided scavenger hunt tour company with over 70 locations across the U.S. including right here in Big Bear. My other job is a novelist. I have five novels to my name and one currently in the works. This winter I plan on revamping my author Website, republishing my romantic comedies for Kindle, and finishing my current project, “The Community Garden…more than tomatoes are dying.” Stay tuned!

Tell us a little about your hobbies and/or how you like to spend your time.  Grandchildren are my joy. They come here. I go there. Wherever we are we have a blast. My puppy Rae is my love. She goes where I go. Travel, camping, family and friends round out my life quite nicely.

Meet Perri Melnick

How long have you lived in Big Bear?  2 years full time.  6 years as weekenders.

Tell us a little about why you decided to join the AAUW, how long you’ve been a member and what you like best about it.   I joined AAUW shortly after we moved to Big Bear full time.  Community involvement is important to me and I believe in the mission of AAUW.  I also really wanted to meet and connect with other women in the community.

What kind of work do you do, or what work did you retire from?  I am a corporate and health care regulatory attorney.  My practice is focused on advising small businesses, start-ups, physicians, medical groups, and other health care providers on a broad range of business, transactional, general corporate, licensing and regulatory matters.

Tell us a little about your hobbies and/or how you like to spend your time.  I love to read, ski, hike and spend time with my family (my husband, 12-year-old daughter, 2 senior dogs and new puppy).

Do you have a favorite quote?  I don’t have a favorite but, one I like:    “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

 

 

Meet Debra Tocalino

How long have you lived in Big Bear?  Weekends, Holidays and vacations since February 2014Full Time since August 2020 when I retire

Tell us a little about why you decided to join the AAUW, how long you’ve been a member and what you like best about it.  I decided to join AAUW to meet like minded women in order to make friends and at the behest of my friend, Deanna Melzian.  I thought since I graduated from a college I was not eligible to join; I learned once again to not make assumptions, lol. I joined three or four years ago to support the organization and attend the holiday party when I could.  Since August it has been a challenge to participate due to the pandemic but I am looking forward to the book club, margarita Mondays, hiking and the speech competition.

What kind of work do you do, or what work did you retire from?  I retired after 30 years as a Los Angeles County Public Defender

Tell us a little about your hobbies and/or how you like to spend your time.  I enjoy reading, knitting, attending live theatre, hiking, kayaking, cooking, fine dining, museums, jigsaw puzzles, international travel and ballroom dancing.

Do you have a favorite quote?  “I am too intelligent, too demanding, and too resourceful for anyone to take charge of me entirely. No one knows me or loves me completely.  I have only myself.”  Simone de Beauvoir

 

Meet Elsa Murdoch

How long have you lived in Big Bear?   21 years

Tell us a little about why you decided to join the AAUW, how long you’ve been a member and what you like best about it.     I joined to network with other professional university educated women in the Big Bear area. Unfortunately, the pandemic made some of my networking plans change. I’ve been a member for almost a year and look forward to returning to in-person activities.

What kind of work do you do, or what work did you retire from?     I am a RN with my Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP). I currently teach full time @ Azusa Pacific University in the School of Nursing RN-BSN program. Additionally, I work independently as a subject matter expert in curriculum and course design for Elsevier Publishing. I am a legal nurse consultant and certified healthcare risk manager. I have been a nurse for over 40 years and I love my profession. No plans to retire anytime soon.

Tell us a little about your hobbies and/or how you like to spend your time.    Hobbies include anything outdoors, fishing, camping (Glamping @ my age), hiking, biking, snow shoeing, and skiing. I love to read and cook. I am a foodie that enjoys making meals for family & friends (difficult this past year). I have 2 yellow Labs: Napoli & Winston that I share my home with. I have 4 sons, 4 grandsons, and enjoy my time with the 2 little grandsons (18months, 1 month).

Is there anything else you would like to add that other members may not know about you?  I am originally from Boston and remain a diehard Red Sox fan.

Do you have a favorite quote?  You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. (Mae West)