For the first time in recent memory, today’s headlines played a major role in the entries winning the Video Club’s Annual Short Video Contest. Winners were chosen by the vote of all members and guests in attendance at the Fifteenth Annual Goldie Awards Banquet, a gala event held on Tuesday evening, July 7, 2026 in Clubhouse 7.
As shown above, Nancy Klann’s “Why?” and Joe Brown’s “A Trip Cut Short” tied for First Place out of seven entries. Third-Place went to Suzanne Savlov’s “Pierce.” No Second-Place trophy was given. All entries were original videos by club members, no more than 4 minutes in length.
“Why?” shares the videographer’s response to an unwelcome war in Iran as it unfolds on her TV. “A Trip Cut Short” shares a beautifully-filmed sight-seeing tour, which began in Southeast Asia but was truncated when war pre-empted a planned visit to the Middle East. On a very different note, “Pierce” follows an adorable toddler as he grows into a pre-schooler, one birthday at a time.
Other entries in the contest, all receiving Honorable Mention, were “My Father’s President” by Eli Silberberger, “Cheryl’s 8 Years in the Desert” by John Peters, Jr., “Developmental Opportunity” by Jonathan Williams, and “Magic Carpet Tour” by Fran Conroy.
FOLLOW THIS LINK TO VIEW AND/OR DOWNLOAD 60 FUN PHOTOS FROM THE BANQUET.
Most of the event photos were taken by President Jonathan Williams, who observes, “Please enjoy the portraits and event pictures…Â Â And please share the pictures with others…. A particular thank you to Jim Rohrs and Dave Wells for helping to set up the portrait area and take pictures…. And if anyone wants prints – our friends at the Camera Club are ready to help.”
MORE PHOTOS TO COME IN THIS WEBSITE POST ! ! !
During the Banquet, special recognition was given to the Video Lab Supervisors and other club volunteers.
SUPERVISORS: Jim Rohrs, Executive Coordinator; Lisa Aoki; Gayle Clark; Lili Green; Bob Kulpa; Chris Mayer; Dinash Patel; and Cam Phan.
TOM NASH STUDIO TEAM: Jack Crawbuck, Cinematographer & Senior Editor; Suzanne Savlov, Executive Producer; and David Wells, Technology & Software Coordinator.
OTHERS HONORED WERE: JoAnn Post, Club Hospitality; Joe Brown, Short Film Showcase Producer; John Peters, Jr., Globe Liaison; Lucy Parker, Webmaster; and Lili Green, Videogram Editor.
Recognition also went to the Goldies Banquet Volunteers.
Gayle Clark, Video Contest Chair; Nancy Klann, Banquet Coordinator; Fran Conroy, Banquet Emcee; Carolyn Allen; Joe Brown; Phillip Hodgkins; John Peters, Jr.; Jim Rohrs; Suzanne Savlov; Jonathan Williams — and the 19 Restaurant, Catering.
Video Club of Laguna Woods
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jonathan Williams, President
John Peters, Jr., Vice President
Bob Kulpa, Treasurer
Carolyn Allen, Secretary
The Annual Short Video Contest and Goldie Awards Banquet are normally held in the winter and early spring (to coincide with the Hollywood Academy Awards), but were delayed this year because of the December vehicle accident which closed the Video Lab for several months and greatly disrupted the Video Club’s operations. This year, the Goldie Awards Banquet replaced the club’s Annual Summer BBQ.
WHY “THE GOLDIES”?
The name “Goldies” for the statuettes awarded in our Annual Contest was introduced by our then-President, the late Steve Carman, who held a contest in 2019 to select a name. “Goldies” was suggested by the late Stephanie Brasher, referring both to the Golden Rain Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, our club’s benefactor, and to ourselves — the “golden oldies”!
JOIN THE VIDEO CLUB — WHERE STORIES COME TO LIFE — AND BE PART OF THE FUN!
videocluboflagunawoods.com 
Leave a comment