By Jeff Johnson, story and photos
For our 2025 holiday party, Ted and Phil kindly offered us their house in the Larchmont neighborhood of Los Angeles. It was a great spot for it. GLS friends we haven’t seen in years showed up, and some people new to GLS. The potluck spread was as varied and interesting as ever.
A new thing this year was a gear exchange table outside in the yard. People brought outdoor equipment they no longer needed and, as hoped, most of it went home with other people.
We had the 17th version of our photo contest. You can see the photos entered, and the favorites by vote of the partygoers, here
The results of the management committee were announced. Jennifer Dooley, Jeff Johnson and Tom Molloy were unanimously re-elected to serve through 2027.
Two awards were given out at the party.
- The GLS Sierran of the Year award went to Tom Molloy. Tom has served on the GLS management committee for years, has been a hike leader for longer than that, and has been producing Conservation Notes for GLS Tracks for at least as long. Any small, voluntary organization is kept afloat by the people who participate with enthusiasm and initiative, and Tom has been one of those people.
- The Most Experienced Newcomer to GLS award went to Leslie Brygart. Leslie is an energetic, long-time Angeles Chapter hike leader who hiked with GLS several times in 2025 and will be leading for us in 2026.
Jen again ran the half and half raffle, taking in $112. Alan won the draw, taking home half, with the other half going to GLS.
After the party, we went for a walk to see holiday lights around the neighborhood. You can see pictures of what we saw HERE.
A note about Nature Friends
Since COVID, GLS has had its December holiday party mostly in places where we could sit outside in the open air, and also have a hike nearby before the party. In 2023 and 2024, we had the party at the Nature Friends LA clubhouse in Sierra Madre, a great place for a party. We were sad when the clubhouse burned in the Eaton Fire, shortly after our 2024 holiday party. But Nature Friends is recovering, still holding events on site, and planning for the future.
