The Valley Line: Social groups gather for dining, dancing and holiday cheer
Holiday celebrations are heralding the joy of the season, when we gather with friends and family. It is a time for festive decorations, fine foods and opportunities to dress in our finest clothes.
Nearly 70 guests, gentlemen in black tie and ladies in lovely gowns or palazzo pants attended the recent party organized for members of the Stardusters/Alaroma dance clubs.
A chic private club in Pasadena was the destination for this happy occasion. Guests enjoyed fine dining and dancing to tunes provided by the Breakaway band. The band created a Latin version of the year’s theme song, “Let’s Fall in Love,” in honor of club president Gloria de Olarte, who is from Columbia. She was escorted by her husband, Art Rothberg. Dance chairs were Susan and Jim Holland.
The Jacob Maarse Florists created dining table arrangements with fresh Christmas greens, accented with reds.
Among those attending the dinner-dance along with de Olarte, Rothberg and the Hollands were Polly and Brent Allen, Bob and Martha Brumfield, Fran and Terry Buchanan, Joan Campbell and John Hall, Liz and Bob Craven, Francie and Jerry Crichton, Gerri and Carson English, Marlene and Bob Evans, Sue Franzen and Jim Nigra, Janis and Riccardo Gallo, Marion and Paul Greene, Kitty and Jack Gurash, and Pat and Dennis Hetherington,
More enjoying this special evening were Jeanne and Bob Jenkins, Virginia and Michael Karsch, Kent and Stefi Kuster, Diane and John Landrum, Kathie and Rocco Liberio, Henry and Janet Minami, Jim Mramor and Edie Askew, Ginger and Ed O’Hara, Lillian and Roy Olofson, Pete and Cathy Palermo, Willis and Marilyn Petschow, Barbara and Tony Phillips, Rosemary and Bob Risley, Jeraldine Saunders and Stuart Bird-Wilson, Gigi and Jim Schlueter, Margot and Ed Simpson, Judy and Bob Snyder, Maren and John Wynton.
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It was a magical evening at the La Cañada Thursday Club when it had its annual holiday dinner party.
For some, the evening began with a first stop at the Descanso area home of member Nancy Wagner to view her locally famous, elaborate toy train that runs through a snowy village. The train setup fills nearly an entire room and is so much fun to watch.
After seeing the toy train in action, guests moved on to the clubhouse. The dining room looked so festive with tables set with white cloths accented with silver urns filled with red poinsettias surrounded at the base with colorful, shiny Christmas tree ornaments.
During the cocktail hour, crab and artichoke tarts, and tomato basil mozzarella sticks were passed.
A tasty dinner began with a green salad with mandarin oranges and candied pecans, followed by the entrée of pork tenderloin over mashed potatoes and roasted root vegetables. Dinner was capped by a chocolate peppermint stick sundae.
A deejay provided music, and the dance floor was put into good use by guests who enjoyed showing off their best moves.
The guest list for this party included Bev Albright, Dick Grippi, Vita Avanesian, Bob and Louise Beggs, Tom and Gale Caswell, Sharon Combs, Michael Thompson, Gene Wilcott , Gracella Gibbs, John and Cara Green, Dotty Greenawalt, Orchid Donnelly, Sandy Engler, Mary Ann Fell, Yvonne Elleri, Eric and Virginia Ford, Ray and Marcie Haug, Rich and Elizabeth Keller, Tom and Clay Kempson, Aline Kuhnle, Anita Khodadian, Tracy Lee and Tom Higa, Gene and Rosemarie Lossone, Lorie MacKenzie, David Moffett, David and Sheri Morton, Jessie and Asa Muedell, Ronald and Karen Millman, Ken and Kris Mueller, Robert and LoMari O’Brien, Bob and Kim Ortiz, Stan and Linda Pepsworth.
Also attending were Leonard and Brenda Pieroni, Marilyn Pieroni, Ruth Pinkel and Ted Jordan, Jim and Pat Ryan, Barry and Cathy Sedlik, Barbara Self and Walt Lewis, Julie Shaull and Tim McQuay, Nelda Stender, Nancy Thurston, Julie Thurston, Carter and Yvonne Tutwiler, Alma Tycer, Nancy Wagner, Pete and Lisa Whan, John and Carol Wickersham, Paul and Patti Wickersham, Jon and Jane Workman, John and Maren Wynton, Michele Montillor and David Nelson.
JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada Flintridge social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news of your special event.