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Soroptimist table theme lunch draws 300 guests to MRPS Hall
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Dolores Cardoza hosted the “And, the winner is!” Academy Awards table at Monday’s luncheon with her guests taking on the roles of actors and actresses. Belinda Cardoza, left, acted as “Hedda Hopper” and next to her was Angelique Cardoza playing the part of “Ugly Betty.” Eddie Cardoza, III, at right, was playing the part of “Sean Conrey.” Johnnie Howard down the left row played an impressive “Anna Nicole Smith” and second down the right side was Sally German, acting out the part of Sally Fields as the “Flying Nun,” with her daughter Michele Davis, with microphone in hand, as “Mopra,” for the event. Everyone had a fun part and they all took their winning “Emmy” awards home with them. - photo by GLENN KAHL
Thirty luncheon tables – all with different themes – greeted some 300 guests this week to the Manteca Soroptimist Club’s annual fund raising luncheon at the MRPS Hall.

The $25 a plate tickets didn’t seem to discourage those who make a yearly effort to support the service club’s mission to provide scholarships for high school senior girls and deserving women in the community as well as help fund the teen crisis counseling center.

Dolores Cardoza had crafted her Academy Awards’ table that was entitled, “And, the winner is…..”  Her 16 guests all took on the roles of different actors and actresses.  When the luncheon was over they were each  given a replica of their own personal “Emmy” award.

Belinda Cardoza sat at the end of the table in the role of “Hedda Hopper,” the contentious newspaper columnist of the ‘30s and ‘40s who had a running feud with Louella Parsons.  Across from Belinda was another Cardoza – her son Eddie III – who played the part of “Sean Connery.”

Other Hollywood notables were Ethel Mertz, Anna Nicole Smith, Tom Selleck, Minnie Pearl, Scarlet O’Hara – from “Gone with the Wind” – Hilo Hattie, The Flying Nun Sally Field, Zsa Zsa Gabor, -- married nine times and divorced seven times – one was annulled.

Oprah Winfrey played by Michele Davis actually as “Mopra” and Harpo Marx were also at Cardoza’s  table along with Lucille Ball.

Manteca Mayor Willie Weatherford took on a task of refilling drinks with iced tea at the luncheon and caterer Tommy Joyce of the Airport Café didn’t miss talking to many of his Soroptimist friends whom he serves at their weekly luncheon meetings.

Joyce even purchased one of the club’s raffle tickets – hearing his number called a short time later for one of the club’s many prizes.

Retired St. Paul’s United Methodist Church pastor Phil Hall received the grand prize ring donated by Jan Brown of the former Allen’s Jewelry near the end of the luncheon.  Returning to his table he graciously presented it to his wife Marge who had been sitting next to him.