The La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Jan. 26, held its 105th Installation and Awards Gala at the LCF Country Club.
After almost two weeks of intermittent rainstorms, the skies that night were crystal clear, but the air was on the chilly side. The jewel box display of downtown Los Angeles’ sparkling lights, as viewed from the club’s hilltop perch, was dramatic.
Guests were encouraged to wear semi-formal attire that gave the night’s gathering some elegance.
Before the event was called to order, guests sipped beverages, chatted about neighborhood news and sampled a variety of passed appetizers.
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Pat Anderson, president and chief executive of the chamber, assisted by her incredible staff, June Beemer and Starr Frazier, are to be commended for their work organizing the affair.
Dr. Rion Zimmerman, chairman of the chamber’s board, stepped to the rostrum to officially open the meeting. He introduced the Rev. Kyle Sears, senior minister of La Cañada Congregational Church to give the invocation. Sears was followed by Jon Curtis, mayor of LCF, who led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The big announcement of the evening was the introduction of the 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge court and the crowning of the 2017 Miss La Cañada. The crown was given to Sarah Ann Settles. Serving as princesses on her court are Julie Lauenstein, Sara Kahn, Reagan Meyers and Holly Stoner.
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Sarah Ann Settles, center, smiles big after being named the 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge, flanked by court members Reagan Meyer and Holly Stoner at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club for the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce and Community Association installation dinner, awards ceremony and the naming/crowning of Miss La Canada Flintridge on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge is Sarah Ann Settles. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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La Cañada Flintridge Mayor John Curtis leads the 2017 Chamber of Commerce officers and directors in their oath at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017.
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The 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge Court of Holly Stoner, Julie Lauenstein, Sara Kahn, Sarah Ann Settles, and Reagan Meyer, before the crowning of Miss La Cañada Flintridge at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club for the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce and Community Association installation dinner, awards ceremony and the naming/crowning of Miss La Canada Flintridge on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge is Sarah Ann Settles. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge Sarah Ann Settles laughs as she is crowned by 2016 Miss La Cañada Flintridge Katy Paynterat the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club for the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce and Community Association installation dinner, awards ceremony and the naming/crowning of Miss La Canada Flintridge on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge is Sarah Ann Settles. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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The top intern for 2016 Conner Thomas, who did his internship at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, is congratulated by LCUSD Superintendent Wendy Sinnette at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club for the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce and Community Association installation dinner, awards ceremony and the naming/crowning of Miss La Canada Flintridge on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge is Sarah Ann Settles. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Chamber volunteer of the year Jennifer Hronek receives a community service award at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club for the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce and Community Association installation dinner, awards ceremony and the naming/crowning of Miss La Canada Flintridge on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge is Sarah Ann Settles. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Nick Karapetian receives a community service award at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club for the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce and Community Association installation dinner, awards ceremony and the naming/crowning of Miss La Canada Flintridge on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge is Sarah Ann Settles. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Caroline Craven smiles after receiving the community spirit award at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club for the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce and Community Association installation dinner, awards ceremony and the naming/crowning of Miss La Canada Flintridge on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge is Sarah Ann Settles. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Sister Carolyn McCormack smiles after receiving the educator of the year award at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club for the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce and Community Association installation dinner, awards ceremony and the naming/crowning of Miss La Canada Flintridge on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge is Sarah Ann Settles. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Zach Jennings smiles after receing the entrepreneur of the year award at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club for the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce and Community Association installation dinner, awards ceremony and the naming/crowning of Miss La Canada Flintridge on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge is Sarah Ann Settles. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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John Sun receives the home-based business achievement award at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club for the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce and Community Association installation dinner, awards ceremony and the naming/crowning of Miss La Canada Flintridge on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge is Sarah Ann Settles. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Mike Leininger, prepresenting the La Cañada Kiwanis Club, smiles as he walks away with the organization of the year award at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club for the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce and Community Association installation dinner, awards ceremony and the naming/crowning of Miss La Canada Flintridge on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge is Sarah Ann Settles. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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2016 Miss La Cañada Flintridge Katy Paynter thanks the chamber for herself and the court for the past year at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club for the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce and Community Association installation dinner, awards ceremony and the naming/crowning of Miss La Canada Flintridge on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge is Sarah Ann Settles. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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A moment before the announcement of the 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge, the court with Sara Kahn, Julie Lauenstein, Reagan Meyer, Sarah Ann Settles, and Holly Stoner all stand in front of the 2016 court at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club for the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce and Community Association installation dinner, awards ceremony and the naming/crowning of Miss La Canada Flintridge on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge is Sarah Ann Settles. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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The ballroom at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club for the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce and Community Association installation dinner, awards ceremony and the naming/crowning of Miss La Canada Flintridge on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The 2017 Miss La Cañada Flintridge is Sarah Ann Settles. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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The veiw of the skyline of Los Angeles from the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club after the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce and Community Association installation dinner, awards ceremony and the naming/crowning of Miss La Canada Flintridge on Thursday, January 26, 2017. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
Sarah, a junior at La Cañada High, is the daughter of Jim and Carol Settles.
Before the introduction of the new court, the court of Miss LCF 2016 were introduced and, Katy Paynter, Miss LCF 2016, stepped to the microphone to share her experiences of the year. Joining her was her court Jessy Sitarmya, Sloan Elmassian, Kara Bradley and Heather Connolly.
Jack Malian, owner of Cañada Jewelry and Gifts, along with Hagop Abajian designed and manufactured the tiaras the court wears during the year to the many functions they attend. They also present each new coming court members with a Pandora bracelet with a miniature tiara crown attached.
There were special thanks given to the Miss LCF judges Steve Hronek, Katherine Markgraf, Erik Ovanespour, Orlando Sanchez and Linda Taix-Paccone.
The chamber recognized 11 members who have reached a milestone in the community. Honored were La Cañada Flintridge Congregational Church, which has been in the community for 120 years; Flintridge Riding Club, 95 years; Foothill Municipal Water District, 65 years; La Cañada Flintridge Country Club, 55 years; Berge’s Sandwiches, Ralphs Fresh Fare and Bridgestone Firestone, all of which have operated in La Cañada for 45 years; Min’s Kitchen, 40 years; and La Cañada Books and Toys, 25 years.
Special recognition was given to Barbara Marshall, who’s chairing the upcoming Fiesta Days events for the eighth year. The theme for this year’s Fiesta Days will be “The Sky is Not the Limit.” The Jet Propulsion Laboratory has been named Grand Marshal for this year’s parade.
Adding more to the suspense of the evening was the introduction of the candidates of the Summer Intern Scholarship program and the announcement of this year’s top intern. The student taking top honors was Connor Thomas, who interned with USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. Connor was rewarded not only the $1,200 that each of the students received, but an additional check in the amount of $800. The other employers and students participating in the program were Allen Lund Co., Luke Stefan; Citizens Business Bank, Jane Kim; city of La Cañada Flintridge, Jason Del Fierro; Community Center of LCF, Kristin Blencowe; and YMCA of the Foothills, Daniel Oh and Kate Park.
The chamber’s Ambassador of the Year Award went to Jeanne Wallace. Unfortunately just a week earlier, Jeanne suffered a stroke. As of this writing we understand she is making good recovery progress. Accepting her award on her behalf were her husband Jim and their daughter Karen Young. The second place Ambassador award went to Harriet Hammons, followed by Barbie Eland, who captured third place in the friendly competition among the chamber’s ambassadors to rack up points for attending functions and representing the organization to members.
The accolades and awards went on throughout the evening. Receiving the Business of the Year was the Allen Lund Co.; Chamber Volunteer award was Jennifer Hronek; Nick Karapetian received the Community Service; Caroline Craven was recognized for her Community Spirit; Sister Carolyn McCormack, president of Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, was named Educator of the Year; Zac Jennings and Eric Lin of School “X”, Entrepreneur of the Year; John Sun of Budget Blinds received the award of Home Based Business Achievement; Organization of the Year went to La Cañada Kiwanis Club and was accepted by Mike Leininger, club president. Adam Liebelt of H & H Bath & Safety was named Volunteer of the Year.
Mayor Curtis introduced and installed the officers of the chamber for 2017. Dr. Rion Zimmerman is chairman of the board. Serving with him are Steve Hronek, Lynne Graves, Nick Sarkisian, Pam Stumbaugh, Pat Liddell, Gary Stibal, Katherine Markgraf, Karl Johnson and Kim Beattie.
Zimmerman, in a phone interview on Friday, said the LCF Chamber’s primary mission this year “is to build a strong and interactive bridge between the city and its residents.
“This past year was incredibly productive for the Chamber,” he added. “I am extremely proud of how hard our board of directors worked to achieve the aggressive goals we outlined at the beginning of the year. As a community, we came together both online and off to make a meaningful difference for this place that we hold so dear.”
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JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada Flintridge social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news of your special event.
