TOC - Love is in the Air

By: Diane Harding

This October 19, 2017, two Outdoor Circle members, Alex Ress and Clare Connors, will celebrate the 15th Anniversary of "the day we met."   Their story personifies the legacy and strength of the Outdoor Circle, through family and commitment.

On that day, 15 years ago, TOC held its annual gala fundraiser at the Moana Hotel.  The theme of the event that year was "Hunks for Trunks," and the attendees were able to bid on several young men with varying backgrounds and skill sets.  

Clare, whose mother is Betsy Connors, long-time Outdoor Circle member, and past TOC president, had recently returned to Hawaii after law school, and was clerking for Federal Judge David Ezra.

Alex, whose mother is Paula Ress, also a long-time Outdoor Circle member, and TOC Board member, was a pilot in Hawaii.

Neither Clare nor Alex knew each other, but each of them, responded to their mothers' request to participate, and agreed to attend.  As one of the 'hunks', Alex offered flying lessons, and as the bids increased, so did the number of times he said he would circle the winner's house.  

After some intense bidding, Clare won the bid for $425.00.  She not only won the flying lesson and the house "buzzings", but she also won the pilot's heart.  

They went on to be married, and today, are both very active members of LKOC, as are their children, Fiona and Connor.  

The Connors-Ress "partnership", now spanning multiple generations, exemplifies the spirit of TOC.

This October 19th will find them together again at the Moana Hotel, in celebration of that first meeting, just as it has each year since 2002.