COPE Open House in Alamogordo, New Mexico

Thursday, October 12, 2017

The Center Of Protective Environment (COPE) held an Open House for the residents of Otero and Lincoln Counties in Alamogordo, New Mexico on Thursday, October 12, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00PM. Delicious refreshments were provided by the COPE Board of Directors as well as tours of the new improved offices of the organization.

The Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce orchestrated a ribbon cutting ceremony with COPE Executive Director Kay Gomolak handily wielding the scissors.

Mayor Richard Boss read a proclamation issued by the city to COPE. Kay gave an interesting short history of the organization of how it started and how it arrived to this point.

Glenda Mendoza, board member

Board Members Linda Carr and Judy Pingle. Judy was the original founder of COPE

Board Member Carla Kerr

Teresa Ham, Producer and Director of the COPE annual fundraiser concert with Executive Director Kay Gomolak

President Jerold Wiley of the COPE Board of Directors

Rebecca Williams is secretary of the Ruidoso Satellite office of COPE

Angela Randall, Volunteer Coordinator of Thrive in Alamogordo

COPE Board Vice President Carol Teweleit talking with current COPE Secretary/past President Sheila Harrison

An attendee talking with City Commissioner Nadia Sikes

Kim Boss makes a point to her husband, Mayor Boss, while Reverend James Forney looks on

COPE Board Member and Treasurer Reverend James Forney

The ever lovely Teresa Ham

Executive Director Kay Gomolak cutting the ribbon

Kay receives a plant and a certificate from the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce

Kay relating the history of COPE to the group

Judy Pingel, COPE founder, adds her thoughts and information on COPE

Kay's daughter from Las Cruces, NM also photographed the event

Alamogordo Mayor Richard Boss reading the Official Proclamation

Kay, receiving the Proclamation from Mayor Boss

Everyone held hands as Reverend Forney prayed for the continued success of COPE

Carla with the Alamogordo Daily News writer and photographer Tara Melton

This was a lovely event and well attended by the citizens of Alamogordo. The food was plentiful and delicious. Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for the event photos.

This is all I have to say for now.

COPE Christmas Party in Alamogordo, New Mexico

Friday, December 9, 2016

Board members and employees of the Center Of Protective Environment (COPE) gathered for a dinner and Chinese Auction at Carino's Restaurant in Alamogordo, NM. This is one of the few times during the year that everyone gets to meet and converse with all the people in the organization and it is a great way to make new friends.

For those of you unaware, COPE is an organization formed to give assistance to spouses and children suffering abuse. COPE provides Emergency Shelter, Crisis Intervention, Legal and Medical Advocacy, Counseling and Support Groups, Children's Programs, Community Education, Information and Referral, Emergency Clothing and Household Items. They have a 24 Hour Crisis Hotline 575-437-2673 in Alamogordo and 866-350-2673 in Ruidoso.

Executive Director Kay Gomolak gave a brief overview of the year and we ate dinner and visited. Then we began the Chinese Auction game. In this version, an item can be stolen three times. Everyone seemed to have a grand time. I know the conversation at our table was most interesting.

COPE Attorney Michael Keedy and his beautiful wife, Susan

Kay Gomolak, Executive Director of COPE, table hopping and talking with Molly and Susan

Perry Lawson, Community Education and Outreach Director of COPE, and Judy Pingle, board member

Carla Kerr, board member of COPE and husband, Douglas

Kay Gomolak, Esteemed Executive Director of COPE

Former COPE attorney Molly Kicklighter

She can't decide which one to pick

Molly on the right and they are both obviously amused at something

Yvonne Sours, Cope board member inspects her package

What a beautiful cross. Hope she got to keep it.

Perry got a Crown Royal set (but not for long)

He is seriously contemplating his gift

Cute pose

Looks like Ingrid Fowler (newest COPE Board Member) got a RumChata package

Carla Kerr got a Scentsy candle, but not for long

Carla picked one for her husband, Doug and it is a frame filled with scratch offs

She got a lovely bottle of Cabernet Savignon with those magazines

Party attendees visiting

Carla, having lost another gift, contemplating which other to choose

Looks like Kay got the champagne

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for taking the great pictures. If he missed someone, we do apologize, but his stander-upper is not well so he just shot from where he sat.

This is all I have to say for now.

COPE Benefit Concert and Silent Auction in Alamogordo, New Mexico

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Everyone was in a festive mood as the COPE (Center of Protective Environment) Benefit began with a Silent Auction set up in Patron's Hall next to the Flickinger Center for Performing Arts. The auction was beautifully arranged by Judy Pingel, Carol Teweleit and Perry Lawson. Businesses and individuals really came through for the Silent Auction donating fantastic items which were well bid on and brought in over $2000 for COPE.

Kay Gomolak, Executive Director of COPE, and all COPE Board members worked very hard contacting people for donations and sponsorships and it definitely paid off with approximately $22,000 donated which will benefit the ability of COPE to give assistance to those who come for help.

Teresa Ham donated her expertise in assembling and directing the benefit concert "To Broadway and Beyond" at the Flickinger. Alamogordo is indeed fortunate to have so many talented people living in the area and they donated their time and talent along with hours of rehearsals to provide a class A show.

The Academy of Ballet dancers outdid themselves in three terrific numbers, "Broadway Melody", "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and "Sing, Sing, Sing". Alamogordo is most fortunate to have such an outstanding dance academy producing excellent dancers and the results were quite apparent Saturday night.

There wasn't a bad number in the eighteen acts and my husband, Doug and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. I happen to be partial to the saxophone so the Saxophone Quartet: "Darn Saxy" was really special to me.

This was also attended by members of New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of the Red Hat Society of which I am Queen Ladybird. The girls won items at the Silent Auction and from all I could hear after the concert, were delighted they came.

L to R: Friend Polly with Vice Queen Donna Williams and Queen Ladybird aka Carla Kerr of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of the Red Hat Society visiting in Patron Hall before the concert.

VQ Donna

Judy Pingel in background making sure everything is properly set up for the Silent Auction

The always jovial Judy Pingel, COPE Board member and Chair of  the Strategic Fund Raising Committee

Carol Teweleit, Vice President of  COPE Board checking out auction items

Kay Gomolak, Executive Director of COPE

Carla and Kay happily in discussion

COPE Board President Jerold Wiley and VP Carol eyeing the auction items

Benefit Concert Director Teresa Ham

L to R: Carla, Safi Lee Hornett with friend at the Silent Auction

Attendee Joy Kosinski bidding on an item in the Silent Auction

Red Hatters Trudy Reese, Jan Jennings, VP Donna, Gail Swineford and Carla

Carla with Michael Hillis Mowery, Owner of White Sands Bistro

COPE Executive Director Kay Gomolak opening the show

"Broadway Melody" beautifully danced by members of the Academy of Ballet (The Jack Hymen Orchestra 1938)

"Mango Tree" from Zac Brown Band, sung by Mike Julian and Joni Castello

"Marry Me a Little" from Company, sung by Ryan Wallway to Mariah Hernandez

"Astonishing" from Little Women, sung by Elaina Orwoll

"Then You Can Take Me To the Fair" from Camelot, sung by Kasi Bryant, Ryan Wallway, Michael Rodges and Mark Bryant

Mark Bryant and Kasi Bryant

"Beauty and the Beast," Kasi Bryant and Ryan Wallaway, from Broadway Loves Celine Dion

"Popular" from Wicked, Marley Ham as Galinda and Addie Martinez as Elphaba from the Emerald City

"The Rose" Bette Midler, Frank Montoya, Piano solo/ or "Somewhere over the Rainbow" 1934 Wizard of Oz

Saxophone Quartet: "Darn Saxy" medley of classic jazz featuring Joseph Gonzales-Alto, Tony Lopez-lead Alto/soprano, Julianne Hall-Tenor and Jim Mack-baritone

"Fascinating Rhythm" Kasi Bryant, from the Ella Fitzgerald's Jazz Collection

"Boulevard of Broken Dreams" Music: Nat King Cole, appeared first in 1934 film Moulin Rouge. Danced by Academy of Ballet dancers

"I Am Woman" from Smokey Joe's Cafe, Kasi Bryant and Julie Bryant  Gents: Michael Rodgers, Mark Bryant

"Sing, Sing, Sing", Music: Benny Goodman, Shows: Dancin' in 1978 and Fosse in 1999 danced by members of the Academy of Ballet

"A Girl Worth Fighting For" from movie Mulan. Elaina Orwoll, Mark Bryant, Michael Rodgers and Ryan Wallway

"No Time at All" from Pippin, Julie Bryant, vocal, Michael Carrillo as Pippin. Backup singers: Kasi, Ryan Michael, and Mike J, Elaina

Thanks and kuddos to Teresa Ham, Director, Kasi Bryant, Co-Director, Jacob Powers, Stage Manager, Michael Carrillo, Technical Assistant and Kelly Lynch, Lighting, Sound and Moderator, each and everyone of the singers and dancers, the Flickinger Center for Performing Arts for hosting the COPE Benefit, the businesses and individuals who donated money and items for the Silent Auction, the COPE Board and Kay Gomolak for their enthusiasm in making this happen so successfully and to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for the great pictures.

This is all I have to say for now.