History of February Social Events

Puget Sound Chapter’s February social event was started in 1970 with the first-ever chapter Valentine’s Party. The event was held at the Sea-First Bank Building with entertainment provided by the Seattle Sea-Chordsmen, members of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. (SPEBSQSA). A Punch List article was quick to note this organization had a name longer than ASHRAE!

The Seattle Sea-Chordmsen provided entertainment at the first two February social events in 1970 and 1971.

Chapter “Sweethearts Night” February 1973

The second Valentine’s Party (1972) provided an encore performance by the Sea-Chordsmen. In 1973 musical entertainment was provided by the Sweet Adelines, a nationally known ladies chorus. In 1974, KOMO-TV newscaster Rod Chandler presented his film A Journey to Changing Russia.

Many socials in the 70s and 80s simply consisted of cocktails, dinner, and dancing. However, notable guest speakers included Jean Enersen, KING-TV 11 PM news co-anchor (1976) and University of Washington professor Angelo Pellegrini (1979) who spoke on “Wine in American Life”. It was noted in the Punch List that Dr. Pellegrini was one of the first to urge Americans to accept wine as the appropriate dinner beverage (thus making him an appropriate speaker for the ASHRAE dinner event).

February socials have also consisted of tours including Ste. Michelle Winery (1985), Seattle Aquarium (1988), and the Museum of Flight (1993). Other social events have included a dinner cruise on The Spirit of Puget Sound at Pier 70 (1991, 92). Mystery Café “Set Your Dial to Murder” (1995), and the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train (1996).

In 2007, the chapter elected to use the annual social meeting time as a volunteer opportunity by helping the Mountains-to-Sound Greenway pot plants for future reforestation efforts. This was an extremely successful event with a large turnout of Puget Sound Chapter members and families. This new tradition will be continued in 2008 with a volunteer day at the Washington Park Arboretum, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Saturday, February 23.

Jeff Sloan inspects the work of Chapter President Tim Burns at the 2007 Puget Sound Chapter February Social Volunteer Activity. A new tradition that will be repeated this year at the Washington Park Arboretum on February 23.