On the Town: Chapters unite at annual Founders’ Day luncheon
Friendship, music and prizes added up to a wonderful luncheon for some 160 members and guests attending the Founders’ Day celebration of the Philanthropic Educational Organization held recently at Oakmont Country Club.
Members are part of the Glendale Reciprocity Bureau, which is made up of 13 chapters, each identified by two initials, with the exception of chapters KD-KO and CJ-JI, which denote two chapters that have combined.
The group was founded in 1869 by seven young women at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Its purpose is to support the educational advancement of women.
Students can apply for financial help through loans, scholarships and grants. They also can attend Cottey College in Missouri, which is owned by the sisterhood.
The group will celebrate its 150th anniversary next year.
Since its founding, the organization has grown to nearly a quarter of a million members in chapters throughout the United States and Canada, with headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa.
The theme for the Glendale luncheon was “Celebrating Our Star,” and the star is the symbol of the organization that is on the pin each member receives upon admission to the group.
Giving the official welcome was Marianne Cameron, reciprocity president who is a member of Chapter KD-KO. Barbara Adams, of Chapter IH, gave the invocation. Beautiful voices of the local Verdugo Hills Chorus filled the dining room prior to lunch.
The highlight of the event was a video of two members from Illinois Chapter IM, who were dressed in period fashion. One member took the role of a founder who was telling her daughter about the history of the organization.
Following lunch, Robin Collins, of Chapter VS, recognized those attending who have logged more than 50 years as members. They included Jan Ashford, of Chapter AH, with 56 years; Emily Whytock, FF, 55 years; Ann Mitchell Quinn, GD, 58 years; Mary Galleher, IH, 55 years; Anne Peplow and Sue Ann Tate, KD-KO, each with 56 years; Coralee Gausman, MZ, 56 years; and Becky Gelhaar, OM, 55 years.
Two lucky prize winners were Joan Sapper, of Chapter VS, who took home an armload of books she can read to her granddaughter Shayda Bahrami; and Peggy Cooley, of Chapter KD-KO, who won a set of handmade bears.
Crescenta Valley High student wins speech contest
The Crescenta-Cañada Lions Club held its annual speaker contest earlier this month. The topic given to the students this year was “Integrity and Civility Play What Role in Today’s Society.”
The winner was Kevin Park from Crescenta Valley High School. He will advance to the zone level contest that will begin at 9:45 a.m on March 3 at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, Council Room “B”. Doors will close at 10 a.m. The winner of the zone level will advance to the region level contest, then the district level contest followed by the area level contest. The final state level contest will be in June, and the prize will be $20,000 in scholarships.
For more information, call Connie Janson at (818) 730-8243.
Stationary bike race benefits Campbell Center
It was so popular last year, the Campbell Center is bringing back the second annual stationary bike-race fundraiser on Sunday at Hoover High School, 651 Glenwood Road, Glendale .
Registration will start at 8:30 a.m. The event offers friendly competition and great music provided by a DJ and also raises funds for the center’s programs and services that benefit adults with developmental disabilities.
“We were so gratified by the response and participation we received at our first event,” said Jodi Deranja, event chair and member of the Campbell Foundation board of directors. “So, naturally, we’re bringing it back for those who missed their chance to be part of it the first time around.”
For more information, call Deranja at (310) 310-9006 or visit thecampbell.org.
JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.