The Valley Line: Luck was a lady during this year’s Community Center Casino Night

Following a number of mornings the Foothills experienced seasonal “May gray,” the annual Memorial Day Fiesta Days parade marched through La Cañada’s business corridor on Monday with great enthusiasm in bright sunshine, nature’s own spotlight.

The Fiesta Days activities began on Friday night with the Community Center’s ever-popular Casino Night fundraiser.

Maureen Bond, the center’s executive director, greeted more than 150 people who turned out to test the whims of “Lady Luck” to play blackjack, craps or roulette. Several also participated in a poker tournament.

As for me, I parked myself at a blackjack table and watched my stack of chips grow higher — Lady Luck was kind to me, for a change.

All of the various tables were jam-packed with eager gamblers who cheered and clapped when they won — it was so much fun to join in with them. Of course, all money raised went to the not-for-profit Community Center to help support the many programs that we residents have been enjoying for decades.

Food to sustain the gamblers in their efforts was prepared by Gourmet A Go Go, owned and operated by Gail Connell. The buffet table was laden with real comfort food, including Caesar salad, macaroni and cheese with various toppings, pulled pork sliders and bacon and tomato sandwiches. The array of desserts were plentiful — the most delicious, in my opinion, being a decadent brownie laden with chocolate chips.

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FOR THE RECORD

6/1, 11:49 a.m.: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the event was catered by Etc. Catering of Montrose. It was catered by Gourmet A Go Go.

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Leland Waters was emcee for the evening. Helping make this such a smooth running event was program director Amanda Balcazar and office assistants Jess Joiner and Liz Mathis, along with the community’s dance instructor, Joanne Burke.

In a special ceremony, Huntington Hospital was named the center’s Sponsor of the Year.

Rancho Las Lomas in Silverado, an Orange County suburb, was the setting for the 50^th birthday party for Christina Ratliff Clayson, who was raised here in LCF.

Celebrating Christina Ratliff Clayson’s 50th birthday is the family, from left, Christina, Jessica Clayson, Ryan Clayson, Phil Clayson, Nina Ratliff and Larry Ratliff. (Courtesy of Jeffrey Carlson)

1984/85 Thursday Club Les Fleurettes debs celebrate Christina Ratliff’s birthday, from left, Betsy Argue Pollon, Christina Ratliff Clayson and Heather Neely Dyer. (Courtesy of Jeffrey Carlson)

Betsy Argue Pollon with husband Joe, help Christina Ratliff celebrate her birthday. (Courtesy of Jeffrey Carlson)

Nearly 100 people came to wish Christina a very happy birthday. Some special guests included two of her Thursday Club Les Fleurettes debutante sisters, Betsy Argue Pollon and my daughter, Heather Neely Dyer. They were debs in 1984/85 with Betsy’s father, the late John C. Argue emceeing the ceremony that was held at the historic Huntington Hotel before it became the Ritz-Carlton and, more recently, the Langham.

Christina and Betsy were 1985 grads of La Cañada High School. Christina and Heather went on to graduate from UC Santa Barbara in 1989 while Betsy graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Besides her many friends, Christina’s parents (and longtime La Cañadans) Nina and Larry Ratliff were there to greet guests too. Sharing in the celebration was Christina’s husband Phil Clayson and their children Ryan and Jessica.

JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada Flintridge social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news of your special event.