- Resident Story
Resident Story Joan Drinkwater
Joan has had an impressive career. For years, she was the owner of 4 clothing stores called The Caribbean Shops. They were located in Palm Springs, Scottsdale, Laguna Beach, and La Jolla. The La Jolla shop was located in the “Green Dragon Colony” and later relocated to Girard Avenue and renamed the Nutmeg Tree.
Getting to Know Joan Drinkwater
Joan was with the American Red Cross, Club Division overseas in the early post period. The Red Cross set up a program to provide clubs overseas comparable to the USO clubs in the States. The aim was to provide a “back home” atmosphere with “real American girls” in charge. After training in Washington, D.C., she embarked on an army troop ship in a convoy. She served under the Red Cross Club in England and Germany.
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”
~Elizabeth Andrew
She Became The First…
Joan has a daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren. Joan adopted her daughter, Perry Noble, from an orphanage in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. After returning to the United States Joan contacted a senator, who sponsored the petition for an adoption here is the United States. At this time, President Johnson signed a private bill that allowed Joan to become the first single parent to be permitted to adopt a child here in the United States.
Volunteer Work…
For the past ten years, she and two other volunteers planned and organized the La Jolla Concerts By the Sea – wonderful volunteer work, indeed. Her hobbies include tennis, bridge, and reading. She is a vital member of The Chateau La Jolla Retirement Community.
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