The Valley Line: An Oktoberfest theme welcomes guests to La Cañada float association’s latest happy hour mixer

Nancy and John Wolhaupter of La Cañada Flintridge greeted autumn by hosting an Oktoberfest-themed happy hour for the La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Assn. at their lovely home. It was the last “in-home” Happy Hour of this year in support of the 2018 Rose Parade float, “Panda-Monium.”

The cool evening was perfectly in sync with traditional autumn celebration music, the bunting and the table decorations. About 70 float supporters and enthusiasts enjoyed the beer and barbecued savory wursts provided by the Wolhaupters, along with the varied potluck appetizers and desserts.

Guests included Sue and Chuck Wolhaupter, Maureen Bond, Pam Gossoo, Cindy Crane, Peggy Hotaling, Pat and Otis Hutchins, Adene and Jim Misamore, LCFTRA President Chuck Terhune, Dorothy Rubino, Barbie Eland, Sue Beatty, Sarah Marshall, Andrea and Ken Quan, Nancy and Mike Leininger, Harriet Hammons, Sharlyn French, Lynne and Joe Thompson, Mary and Daryal Gant, Stewart Lee, Gloria and Terry Beyer, Pam Wiedenbeck, Bobbie and Clyde Hemphill, Vance Nelson, Fran and Bill Evans, Ann and Bob Neilson, and Diane and John Landrum.

Also enjoying the Oktoberfest celebration were Eremita Miranda and Larry Andreason, Bob Wallace, Jean and Ron Zink, Charlotte Layland, Tony Riewe, Caroline Craven, Lorraine Riewe, Jenny and Frank Pass, Bev and Tom Feldman, LCF Mayor Mike Davitt and his wife Alison, Jane and Scott Schroeder, Alice Perez, Trish McRae, Marijane Hebert, Bill Pounders, Brett Pounders, Mike Stenstrom, Jacky Hollingsworth and Scott Nelson.

Kudos go to Alison Davitt, who has been a great press person for the organization all this year.

“LCFTRA thanks all its supporters and especially Nancy and John Wolhaupter for their warm and generous hospitality this month,” she said.

Association president Chuck Terhune also reminds community members to consider attending this year’s “An Evening of Wine & Roses set for Sunday, Nov. 5, at 5:30 at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club. Mayor Davitt will be master of ceremonies for the evening. Remember that everyone will be meeting the Rose Queen and Court in one of their first public appearances. The cost is $85, which includes dinner, music and valet parking. To make a reservation and receive more information, visit the website at lcftra.org.

The final Happy Hour of the year will be “under the bridge” during Deco Week on Tuesday, Dec. 26, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Anyone over 21 is invited to attend. Just bring an appetizer to share with friends and fellow supporters of “Panda-Monium.”

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It was quite an exciting evening when the Los Angeles Master Chorale celebrated the opening of its new season in the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Conducting at its 54th season opening was Grant Gershon, artistic director, and Anne Tomlinson, who led the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus.

The program featured Carl Orff’s hugely popular “Carmina Burano” and the concert hall was packed. The performance featured all 100 singers of the L.A. Master Chorale, the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus and three outstanding soloists: soprano So Young Park, baritone Stephen Powell and tenor Nicholas Phan.

Opening the concert program was Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms,” part of a two-year worldwide celebration of Bernstein’s 100th birthday.

Following the Sept. 24 concert, an exuberant opening night feast was held in Disney Hall’s BP Hall, which had been transformed into a medieval tavern for the night to reflect the playful tavern scenes in “Carmina Burana.”

A three-course dinner created by Patina was served family style at long, elegantly draped tables. All proceeds from the dinner support the Master Chorale’s artistic endeavors and educational programs.

Many area singers performed in the L.A. Children’s Chorus as well as Foothills area Master Chorale singers Mark Beason, Leslie Inman, Jimmy Traum and Sal Malaki. The local youths involved in the chorus are: Reese Artura, Ella Cannon, Nitya Chawla, Sophie Chiu, Jacob Cho, Rachel DeMerit, Leigh Epstein, Anika Erickson, Sophi Gilbert, Clara Henriod, Tessa Henriod, Sara Hightower, Clara Kakuk, David Kakuk, Katherine Olsen, Tara Parsa, Shelby Perez, Allison Rayer, Liv Ryssdal, Soren Ryssdal, Esme Salzman, Matilda Scott, Amelia Seropian, Connor SooHoo, Ellie Ahn, Bayla Bash, Violet Bretz, Gwenyth Kim, Eleni Koutsoukos, Catalina Ruiz, Elena Ruiz, Diego Ahmad, Mateo Ahmad, Finn Brakeley, Sydney Brakeley, Safya Burke, Annabelle Cheung, Lucinda Clark, Lauren DuBria, Micah Luna, Julian Madilian, Oliver Madilian, Sasha Madilian, Emily Manookian, Liana Morissey, Gavon Muraoka, Michael Van Citters, Rory Xanders and Oscar Yum.

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