Santa Lucia Chapter Members at the “Kitchen Dedication” held on November 22.

On November 22nd, the Santa Lucia Chapter held a “Kitchen Dedication” reception at the First Mayor’s House in Salinas. The First Mayor’s House is special to the chapter as one of the descendants of the first mayor, Mabel Harvey Griffin, was the chapter’s regent in the 1950’s.

Through the years, the chapter has held occasional meetings at the historic house, and it is always the setting for the installation of new chapter officers.  When the First Mayor’s House directors turned the cookhouse into a center to host educational meetings and events, it became apparent that a kitchenette with a sink, counters and cupboards was desperately needed. Santa Lucia Chapter Regent, Mary Kelly, spearheaded a community effort to make this project happen!  Through her efforts, the local high school wood shop teacher and his young son made the cabinets, and local businesses donated a sink and hot water heater.  Thanks to the efforts of chapter member Jane Vallejo and her family, plumbing and electricity were arranged and installed.  It “took a village,” but brought the community together to give this historic site a functional kitchen for educational meetings.

The reception was attended by volunteers, project donors, the First Mayor’s House volunteers, and Santa Lucia Chapter members, all in the spirit of Thanksgiving for this generous community.