The Valley Line: Jack-o’-Lanterns at Descano; Tournament of Roses happy hour party
Thousands of illuminated intricately carved pumpkins lit the path as 250 supporters of Descanso Gardens’ many programs came to preview the unique display called “RISE of the Jack O’ Lanterns” at an elegant party.
Guests first sipped cocktails in the Oak Woodland, Descanso’s first major garden addition in 30 years.
Hope Tschopik Schneider, chair of the event, welcomed guests and presided over the donation paddle raise. She announced that longtime Descanso benefactors Heather Sturt Haaga and Paul Haaga, who were out of town for the gala evening, were matching all $5,000 donations dollar for dollar. After all was said and done, $275,000 was raised at the party.
Following cocktails, guests strolled to the rose garden, where more than 5,000 artist-carved jack o’ lanterns, in a multitude of styles and themes, were on display.
After admiring the amazing pumpkins, guests dined on a feast prepared by Patina Catering.
The dinner was capped off by handmade sweets and dancing commenced in the Rose Pavilion. Guests also were invited to take another stroll through “The RISE” that officially opened to the public on Oct. 3.
The “Only at Descanso” evening was coordinated by the benefit committee that Tschopik Schneider led, including Elizabeth Gleason, Gina Guerra, Amy Lamb, Leah McCrary and Ann Murphy.
The RISE is a unique Southern California experience not to be missed. Tickets for the display must be purchased in advance and are available only at www.therise.org. The RISE will continue through Nov. 2.
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Ellen and Anthony Portantino recently hosted the La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Assn.’s Happy Hour in their La Cañada Boulevard home. As usual, it was a “ready-to-party” crowd. They gathered poolside to nibble on hors d’oeuvres brought by guests and sipped libations generously poured by the Happy Hour bartenders Dick Barley and John Landrum.
Just some of the Happy Hour participants included Tournament president Bill Pounders, LCF Mayor Mike Davitt and his wife Allison, Nancy and Mike Leininger, Fran and Bill Evans, Gale and Tom Caswell, Nancy and Julie Thurston, Don Voss, Laura and Dana Hobart, Joan and Don Williams, Nancy Wyman, Bobbie and Clyde Hemphill, Harriett and Chuck Hughes, Sue Beatty, Lee Johnson, Gloria and Terry Beyer, and Lorie MacKenzie.
Also in the crowd were Liz and Bob Craven, Joe and Lynn Thompson, Jacky Hollingsworth, Councilman Dave Spence, Helen and Dave Gilstrap, Chuck Terhune, Leticia Gonzalez, Maria De Gilliland, Ken Smith, Ardy and Courtney Kassakhian.
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The Oakmont League of Glendale recently held its annual autumn meeting and fashion show at the Oakmont Country Club.
Judy Mendicina, president of the group, called the meeting to order and efficiently took care of “business” before the new fall fashions were shown and presented by “My Fair Lady,” a clothing store in Tarzana. Jon Rick, owner of the shop, humorously delivered the fashion commentary.
Modeling the casual to dressy fashions were club member models including Claudia Cysock, Lynn Dittrick, Ellen Farwell, Nina Ratliff, Barbara McCullough, Sue Kimberlin and Lydia Trout.
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I do love attending the theatre in most of its forms. I must share with you a fabulous play I went to see at the Ahmanson at the Music Center downtown.
“The Trip to Bountiful,” featuring Cicely Tyson, Vanessa Williams and Blair Underwood, is outstanding.
Tyson’s role as the elderly city-bound Carrie Watts who wants to return to her hometown of Bountiful, Texas, earned her a Tony Award in 2013. This choice role, which Tyson plays sublimely, beckoned her back to the stage after a 30-year hiatus.
This predominantly black cast has been perfectly cast. I loved the 1985 film of the same name, which starred Geraldine Page.
Because of my high expectations fostered by the film, I was afraid that the play would not measure up. How wrong I was! This is one of those plays that is legendary and one that a theatre lover can say, “I saw ‘The Trip to Bountiful’ when it was in Los Angeles, how lucky I was.”
The 80-something year-old Tyson is a force to be reckoned with, even though sometimes she hardly speaks above a whisper.
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JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@yahoo.com with news of your special event.