By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY – Staff Writer

The Women’s Club of Lake Arrowhead met for their August meeting at RB’s Steak House in Cedar Glen. Each month they choose a different location to gather, exploring the various mountain locales.

The club generates funds by volunteering at the Mountain Thrift Shop in Blue Jay, which is run by numerous nonprofit groups on the mountain, which then divide the profits generated by the number of volunteer hours each group donates.  Each of those nonprofit groups then donates their funds to their chosen programs. The Women’s Club likes to support the arts, youth and scholarships.

As entertainment for the August meeting, the Lake Arrowhead School of Dance had several of their dancers come to perform the “Favorite Son” routine from The Will Rogers Follies. Arrowhead Arts Association’s Chryl Russell introduced dance teacher Kate Chadwick and Sharon McCormick to the club members before they went out to the patio for the performance. The dancers performed on the front patio deck of the restaurant.

The red, white and blue velvet costumes were beautiful and the dancers were a delight to watch. There were 10 girls and one boy in the routine. The dancers were Amelia O’Brien, Charlotte Hopper, Evan Valdez, Molly Galbreath, Emily Galbreath, Karlie Robertson, Madison Cummins, Julia Bobadilla, Ryelee Malone, Sarah La Bounta and Emerson Knight.

Because it has been summer, the performers have had some time off. But, under the tutelage of teacher Kate Chadwick, the dancers had four special rehearsals and costume fittings and learned the complex routine. The audience was amazed at all the swift movements of legs, arms, bodies and heads, all in perfect unison. A roar of approval and applause came from the members of the Women’s Club.

President Polly Sauer presented a $1,000 check to Sharon McCormick, the director of the Lake Arrowhead Classical Ballet Company, while Chryl Russell looked on.

After the exciting performance, President Polly Sauer presented Lake Arrowhead School of Dance Director Sharon McCormick with a check for $1,000 to support the Lake Arrowhead Classical Ballet Company’s performances of “The Nutcracker” ballet. The shows will be performed Dec. 1 at 7:00 pm, Dec. 2 at 2:30 and 7:00pm, with a matinee on Dec. 3 at 2:30 pm. at the San Manuel Performing Arts Theater in San Bernardino. The auditions for “The Nutcracker” were held in June and dance rehearsals begin just after Labor Day.

The Nutcracker dancers annually go to various Rim schools to perform for the students, in costume, which is followed by a question-and-answer session between the students and the dancers. It brings a different element of experiences and learning to the students. In past years, the students were favorably impressed that students of their age are able to perform so beautifully.

The Lake Arrowhead School of Dance opened on Monday, Aug. 21 for the fall season of lessons.  Dance classes are held in Lake Arrowhead Village on the lower level, in the dance studio in Suite 140 for ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary and hip-hop classes.

Classes are available for dancers of all ages through adult. Dancers can register at the dance studio, at the Studio Boutique store, which is next door to the dance studio, or see all the class descriptions online at www.lakearrowheadschoolofdance.com. The spring recital is always a fun show to watch, showcasing all the variety of dance students.

The Women’s Club of Lake Arrowhead was chartered 97 years ago and has been benefiting the mountain communities over all those decades. They had over 40 members attending this August meeting, introducing two new members.

To learn more about the Women’s Club or to get an invitation to attend one of their meetings, email them at [email protected], contact Polly Sauer or see their Facebook page: Women’s Club of Lake Arrowhead.