Page 136 - S2S Magazine Preview - Draft V16 - updated

Carrousel and Carrafella Valentine Soiree’

Celebrating our Carrafellas is an annual opportunity to show our appreciation for the love and support they
shower us with throughout the year. During our 2023 Carrousel and Carrafella Valentine Soiree’, we also
celebrated the love our St. Louis Chapter has shared for 37 years in Carrousels, Incorporated.

According to Google, a
Valentine is defined as a
sweetheart or very special

friend, and a Soiree’ is a
gathering, typically in a private
space for conversation and
music. Our 2023 celebration

proved to be the epitome of
those Google definitions.
Once again, the St. Louis
Frontenac Hilton was the chosen venue for our gathering. Themed with candles, red hearts, and roses,

chairperson, Carrousel Cheryl Young, and committee members, Carrousels Victoria Buck, Sandra Murdock,
Staci Oliver and Karen Watkins did an awesome job of creating an atmosphere of love!

The mood was set as everyone grooved to the smooth sounds of saxophonist Greg Lewis

Jr. accompanied by Ramon Grinston on keyboard. A proud East St. Louis native and
1983 graduate of East St. Louis Lincoln Senior High School, Greg was a member of the
legendary and world renowned Lincoln Senior High School Jazz Band that performed at
our 27th Annual National Convention,

“Circus Maximus” in 1992.

Together, everyone enjoyed a delicious luncheon buffet with
a variety of desserts and bottomless mimosas. Following

a special tribute to the Carrafellas, everyone toasted
the abundance of love shared within our chapter. The
Carrousels then presented their Carrafellas with heart-
shaped boxes of chocolates and a Valentine card enclosed

with a surprise gift card. Chuck Gooden spoke on behalf
of the Carrafellas, thanking the Carrousels for a wonderful
afternoon. The event culminated with everyone enjoying the smooth
sounds of the dynamic duo.

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