The Valley Line: Float association toasts ‘Panda-Monium’ in big fundraiser before decorating begins
The La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Assn. earlier this month held its annual Evening of Wine and Roses party to raise funds for our city’s float “Panda-Monium” that will roll down Pasadena’s famed Colorado Boulevard on Jan. 1.
A special treat for party attendees was the introduction of the recently crowned Tournament of Roses Royal Court. This event, held annually at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club, is one of the court’s first public activities.
Three of this year’s princesses attend La Cañada schools. Georgia Servenka and Julianne Lauenstein are La Cañada High School Spartans and Alexandra Artura, a Pasadena resident, attends Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy.
Comprising the rest of the court are Rose Queen Isabella Marez from La Salle High School, Princesses Lauren Buehner and Sydney Pickering, who both attend Arcadia High School and Princess Savannah Bradley, representing Pasadena High School
The Royal Court was escorted into the party by LCFTRA members Woody Walker, Greg Brown, Don Voss, Mike Cucueco, Charlie Plowman Jr., Len Pieroni and Mike Leininger.
As guests were seated for dinner, they were greeted by Chuck Terhune, president of the association.
State Sen. Anthony Portantino stepped to the lectern to present the organization with a proclamation. Mike Davitt, La Cañada’s mayor, acted as master of ceremonies.
Peggy Hotaling and Nymia Cucueco co-chaired the event. Assisting them were Sue Beatty, Caroline Craven, Alison Davitt, Karen Freed, Mary Gant, Lee Johnson, Mary Ellen Knowles, Ann Neilson, Lorraine Riewe and Nancy Wolhaupter.
A profitable silent auction was held during the event, as was a $1,000 opportunity drawing.
The excitement about our float is building and of course the LCFTRA can use help. Volunteer sign-ups for its 2018 float, “Panda-Monium,” are now open. To reserve your date and shift, sign-ups must be completed online by Dec. 15. After that, sign-ups will be at the float site on an as-needed basis. For more information, visit online to lcftra.org.
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Psst, have you heard about this? Some community members say I’m the gossip columnist or say, “Don’t tell her anything because you will read about it in the paper.”
I love telling your stories, but with your permission, of course. If something is going on in the community — visiting relatives, fabulous trips, philanthropic events, etc., please let me know, because I will be thrilled to share the news.
In that vein, the Pasadena Showcase House of Design will be on view before we know it. Marilyn Anderson, who was the benefit chair for the beautiful estate on Berkshire Avenue a couple of years ago, is this year’s president of Pasadena Showcase House of Design for the Arts. Marilyn and her committee did an outstanding job making the historical estate here in La Cañada so gorgeous.
This year’s house is rumored to be an example of Mediterranean architecture, and I can hardly wait learn of its mystery location and to see it up close. The house is scheduled for viewing next April 22 to May 20. More about the where and other pertinent details later.
JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada Flintridge social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news of your special event.