DATE: Friday, November 14, 1997             TAG: 9711120103

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: THUMBS UP! 

SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   78 lines

HOLIDAY WONDERLAND TOPS THIS CHAIRPERSON'S LONG LIST OF EFFORTS

GLADYS WILFORE has plotted and planned for more years than she'll admit. And now, she's not keeping quiet about her latest endeavors.

As the chairperson of the first Chesapeake Holiday Wonderland, a fund-raiser to benefit Chesapeake General Hospital's Cancer Treatment Center, Wilfore wants everyone to know about the Nov. 19-22 event that highlights traditions around the world.

``Although over the years, each project and committee has always been dear to my heart, this is truly one of the most special and most far-reaching events because almost everyone has a friend or family member who has been affected by cancer,'' Wilfore said.

About 200 volunteers, 20 committees and more than two years of plans will turn the Chesapeake Golf Clubhouse into a winter fantasy world with a snow palace, Ye Old Christmas Shop for adults and a Reindeer Shop where children can do their secret holiday shopping for a dollar a gift.

A formal, grand illumination reception will kick off the next several days of events.

``It's not I, but we, meaning the people of Chesapeake who have pulled together,'' Wilfore said. ``Businesses, organizations and individuals have contributed donations and services to make the Holiday Wonderland a most fabulous and generous occasion.''

Wilfore's background and skills for coordinating the gala event began in the 1950s when she and her husband, Wayland ``Doc'' Wilfore who was in the Navy, moved to Chesapeake.

``We planned to settle here temporarily but soon we were so involved in school and community activities that we never found time to move,'' said Wilfore, whose five children attended Indian River schools.

Involvement is one of the key words in describing the woman who over the next 40 years participated in everything from baseball to hospital activities.

When their sons wanted to play baseball, Doc Wilfore founded the Indian River Little League organization, and she helped with the paperwork, registrations, tryouts and fund-raisers.

As their children progressed through school, Wilfore was a substitute teacher, and she served on numerous PTA boards sometimes two at the same time. She also coached the Indian River High School cheerleaders for 11 years and founded the Indian River High School chess club.

``I retired from cheerleading when I could no longer do cartwheels. But I've always loved being with teens, and there's good in everyone even if you have to look real hard sometimes,'' said Wilfore, who now monitors the in-house suspension session at Indian River High School.

When she was busy raising her own teen-agers, Wilfore still found time to join the Chesapeake General Hospital Auxiliary. She helped coordinate the first Auxiliary Ball, and later chaired the event for three years.

Her resume includes years of service with the Woman's Division of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, the Civic Chorus and the Pilot Club of Chesapeake. Currently, Wilfore serves on the Chesapeake Planning Commission, and the Consortium for Arts and History.

To relax and recharge, Wilfore likes computer games, fast walking especially for fund-raising causes like the United Way and time with her eight grandchildren. To cope with the death of her husband two years ago, Wilfore said she turned her time of sadness into an even busier schedule.

As a member of the Planning Commission, she seriously studies proposals and investigates plans before making recommendations. And she always goes to the site. She once tramped through a swampy Northwest River Park area as her guide cut a trail with a machete.

And after the Holiday Wonderland, Wilfore already has thoughts about her next involvement.

``Everything has to come in its own time,'' Wilfore said. ``And it is time for an Art Center in Chesapeake.'' MEMO: For more information about the Chesapeake Holiday Wonderland, call

546-6314. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON

Gladys Wilfore, chairperson of the first Chesapeake Holiday

Wonderland, a fund-raiser to benefit Chesapeake General Hospital's

Cancer Treatment Center, shows off a Christmas tree skirt that will

be on sale Nov. 19-22.

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