On the Town: Guild brews up witch-themed fashion show
Ladies of the La Providencia Guild tipped their pointy black hats to the bewitching holiday when naming their 69th annual luncheon and fashion show held at the Sheraton Universal Grand Ballroom earlier this month.
More than 350 members and guests embraced “The Good Witches” theme, donning black-and-white frocks, frighteningly embellished headpieces and pearls — truly a ghoul’s best friend.
Proceeds will support the good works of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for the Associates Caregiver Wing and the Associates Sarcoma Program Chair. Funds also come from the guild’s thrift shop located at 3301 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank.
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Working her magic as chair was “Mother Witch” Sue Ann Gordon, who led her committee with a grand sweep of her broom.
Those helping to make the afternoon a hauntingly good time were President Lynn White-Shelby, Second Vice President Deborah Spang, Secretary DeeDee Rowlands as well as Carrie McCoy, scaring up the centerpieces and decor; Jill Kessler, donations; Judy Pierce, opportunity baskets; Glenda Jones, opportunity tickets; Shanna Warren, silent auction; Laureen Endoso and Nancy Lee-Wintering, ad sales; Janet Jack, gratitude notes; and Patricia Taylor, lotto bracelets.
Also waving their wands were Veronica Chavoor and Kris Veatch, reservations; Nancy Wiggins, treasurer; Cindy Birch, vendors; Gordon and Marcela Barretto, invitations; Chavoor and Barretto, program; Ann O’Donnell-Gardner, publicity; as well as Janel Clausen, Donna Salant, Janice Shafer, Malena Tappan, Linda Wilson, Mary Fraser, Beth Bowles and Jamie Eller.
Kudos to Stephen Ciccarelli, director of catering, and his staff for the excellent meal, kicking off with everyone’s favorite creme of roma tomato basil soup and its fluffy puff pastry cap. The main course was Statler breast of chicken, grilled veggies and whipped mashed potato, sweetened with crispy onion rings. A chocolate glazed “taco” shell was filled with whipped cream and a medley of fresh berries and kiwi for dessert.
Special guests from the hospital’s Associates and Affiliates department were Suzanne Lapis, administrator, Pat Maskell, treasurer, Robin Hyland, project coordinator, and Bonnie McClure, chair, as well as Karen Prommer, Children’s Hospital chief risk officer.
VIPs attending included Burbank City Treasurer Debbie Kukta and Burbank Unified School Board members Roberta Reynolds and Charlene Tabet.
Rosemarie Witten, past president, was channeling “Victor/Victoria” as she dressed in a men’s gray suit and slicked back her ebony hair, embellished with a thick white stripe down the center. Her top hat was flecked with flashing lights.
Master of ceremonies was chair Gordon’s son Douglas Howe, who gave testimony of how the doctors at Children’s Hospital saved his son’s life after discovering a heart murmur when he was 4 years old.
Glittering gowns by Lourdes Chavez — in black and white — graced the runway. Carin Holmenas, fashion show producer, knows her audience and added two hunky male models to escort the females. And instead of a black kitty — a standard black poodle padded down the cat walk.
Top prize-winners were Jennifer Kleinman, $250 cash; Maskell, $300 money tree; O’Donnell-Gardner, $500 cash; and Nancy Chiarolla, the grand $1,000 cash.
This reporter was sitting with Judi Gascoigne, Judy Stuart, Carol Kelly, Jean Skinner, Leiani Newman, Sandy Thompson, Bea Wainwright and Patt Scully, who said her neighborhood draws some 200 goblins on Halloween. That’s a scary thought.
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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.