The Guild hosted its 21st Retiree’s Luncheon on Sunday, May 16th, at the Sportman’s Lodge in Studio City. Nearly 300 invitees and guests enjoyed cocktails on the lawn, followed by a luncheon in the Empire Ballroom of Hawaiian Chicken, Grilled Salmon or Pasta, with Bill Freeman and His Orchestra providing the jazz and swing score.

There were plenty of hugs, handshakes, backslapping and networking, as old friendships were renewed and war stories exchanged. Board members present included Diane Adler, David Bruskin, Lisa Churgin, Bill Elias, Alan Heim, Kevin D. Ross, Karen Rasch and Mary Prange.

Bill Elias offered the invocation and recognized Executive Director Ron Kutak, Assistant Executive Director Cathy Repola and past president Donn Cambern.

Elias then gave surprise recognition to picture editor Sid Gottlieb and his wife, Dorothy, who celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in June. Sid, by the way, turns 100 in November and still does a mean turn on the dance floor! Donn Cambern and wife, Pat, were also noted on their 54th anniversary.

Lisa Churgin got a big laugh from the crowd when she took the microphone and announced “how wonderful it was to see so many old faces,” dialogue which was immediately replaced by “wonderful, familiar faces.”

Lisa then brought the group up to speed on Guild business, announcing the recent acquisition of new space in New York and the buyout of the Sunset Blvd. headquarters building.

All of the retirees were thanked for attending this very special event. Everyone looked forward to seeing each other again next year.

Michael Kunkes

The annual Eastern Region Retirees Luncheon was held in New York on May 10th. The 2004 luncheon reached its highest
attendance yet, with more than 180 attendees. Gallagher’s Steak House had to open another section of the restaurant to handle the overflow crowd. As always, the chatter among old friends and co-workers was cheerful and plentiful.

This year’s featured speaker was Geraldine Lerner, who addressed the retirees and their guests with a few stories. Geraldine is a charter member of Local 771, a co-founder of the union, as well as being one of the first women to be inducted into the local. She started in editing when her husband, Joseph Lerner, worked for the U.S. Army during World War II, being assigned to the Signal Corps. Geraldine began as an apprentice with the Corps, working in Astoria, Queens.

After the war, she was working at 1600 Broadway when she was invited to a meeting with about 10 other people. It was at that meeting that the union was born. As a union member, Geraldine was able to earn a standard wage for her work. In 1949, Geraldine and her husband would go on to make, “The Fight That Never Ends,” the first African-American motion
picture made in New York City.

Geraldine also has the distinction of being the first editor to edit using magnetic sound. Also, you may have heard of a former assistant of hers - Dede Allen.

Maddy Shirazi gave us an update on the History Project. Sandra Fong-Ging asked the Guild Board Members and the office staff to stand and be recognized.

With the business completed, we went back to our conversations, which continued until it was time to leave the restaurant. So, we just continued conversing on the sidewalk.

Damian Begley
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