Occupation: Donna runs a local catering business, Ooh de Lolli Kitchen Works and Fine Edibles, that serves ice pops and other goodies at pop-up bakeries and catered events.
What are some things you like to do in your free time? I really love to travel. The small trips I take are always related to food in some way. A favorite trip of mine to take is to Sonoma County to go on food adventures with a friend of mine who lives there. She’s always inviting me out to try what’s trending in the food world. Most things are specific to the region. I’ve been to a cattle ranch and tasted goat milk ice cream, buffalo milk ice cream, and experienced different styles of cooking meats.
Have any of your food adventures inspired your own work with food? I’m always working on something new, and traveling definitely adds to the creative process. Right now I’m passionate about using alternatives to wheat in flours for the pop-up bakery.
What’s one of your favorite movies of all time, and why? When I was young, I was obsessed with Franco Zeffirelli’s “Romeo and Juliet.” The cinematography and music captured the barriers and the desire so incredibly well, and it was beautifully done.
How and when did you get involved with Filmorks? Jefferson Beavers invited me to apply to become a board member. I frequented the film festival, the Oscar shorts, as well as the Friday screenings. Seems a likely fit to be asked to volunteer, right? I served on the board for a while, and I worked on youth outreach.
What is your typical volunteer experience like at Filmworks? Oh, I like to hang out at the bar. It’s a party experience. I like to engage with people, and it’s also food related! Working alongside Justus Bier-Stanberry doing the signature cocktails, it’s always a fun and collaborative effort.
What types of movies would you like Filmworks to show more of? French films are a favorite of mine, but I just love the experience of being at the movies. Whenever I travel, I look for small independent film houses. There is always a more intimate feel with smaller audiences.
What film are you excited to see next in theaters? “The Wife” with Glenn Close. It was released in August, but heck … maybe it’ll pop up in Fresno?
Filmworks thanks our October 2018 volunteers: Teule Bell, Nené Casares, Tina Fernandes Botts, Soledad Gonzalez Mora, Kathryn Johnsen, Richard Markley, Ann McGowan, Conde McGowan, Ashley Mejia, Dotty Mora, Donna Mott, Loan Nguyen, Luis Ojeda, Nancy Price
Filmworks thanks our September 2018 volunteers: Gloria Burrola, Nené Casares, John Dunning, Soledad Gonzalez Mora, Judy Haber, Karen Hammer, Rebecca Horwitz, Richard Markley, Monica Marks, Ashley Mejia, Donna Mott, Steve Ohanesian, Nancy Price, Diego Santiago-Ruiz, Lorraine Tomerlin