Muses Celebrate Highlights of 25 Years

Twenty-five years ago, 22 spirited women led by Harriet Luckman, wife of the renowned architect Charles Luckman, took a name from Greek mythology, The Muses, and dedicated themselves to supporting the California Museum of Science and Industry. Among the founders were Catherine Edgerton, Mattie Kinsey and Katherine Loker, all of whom have buildings or areas at the museum marked with their names. And more were names synonymous with Los Angeles’ museum growth: Lila Ash, Marie Canaday, Lela Cardoza, Alice Davis, Dorothy Dumke, Louise Eason, Ann Loebbecke and Judith Murphy.

Over a glittery luncheon beneath the elegant Venetian chandeliers of the Crystal Ballroom at the Beverly Hills Hotel, several hundred watched as Lee Hogan Cass, Broadway vice president and fashion executive and a former Muse Woman of the Year, remembered highlights of the group’s involvements, and coupled the scenes with a fashion show which saluted young California designers Rosemary Brantley, Mark Eisen, Joan Martin, David Dart and Eletra Casadei.

Said Don Muchmore, executive vice president of the California Museum Foundation and executive director of the museum: “As an organization, you have been our leadership group, and for that we are grateful.” Then, he recounted the story of a TRW executive who gave an ample donation in appreciation, saying, “My three boys took your science workshops. One’s a Ph.D, another’s a doctor, all are working in fields of science--I’m proud of them.”

The Muses annually salute a Woman of the Year. Another in attendance, Mildred Lillie, is the presiding justice of the Court of Appeals for the State of California.

Margaret Thompson, whose son, Stuart, took the science workshops and is a professor of neurology, chairs the group. Olga Erteszek and Dorothy Dumke were accepting accolades for the fun afternoon from a crowd including Muses Maria Hodgson, Mary Hogan, Bette Rodeno, Francine Collins, Virginia Richardson and Leona Robb.

More in on the day were Mary Davis, Betty Williams, Adrienne Underwood, Nadine Marten, Margo O’Connell, Dorothy Nethercutt, Rosemary Westmeyer, Anne Soucek, Beryl Danielson, Arlette Crandall, Virginia Holley, Frani Ridder and Ruth Meyer.

NEW FRIENDS: The recently established Friends of the Dance Gallery Library will launch a membership campaign with a cocktail reception Dec. 10 at the Hollywood Bowl Museum. Pledging their time and energy to the steering committee are Carolyn Paris and June Carson, both founders of the Dance Gallery; Ruth Clark Lert of San Francisco, a dance materials archivist whose collection forms the cornerstone of the library; Nick Cellini, fine arts librarian for the Beverly Hills Public Library; Katheryn Carr, manager of the Los Angeles Public Library’s western region; Gordon Hollis, a rare book expert; Naima Prevots, a dance ethnologist; and Tracy Bechtold, a public relations executive.

Their goals: fund-raising and the recruiting of rare and wonderful volunteers who reflect the caliber of the collection. Their cocktail party will include a book-signing of Naima Prevots’ “Dancing in the Sun: Hollywood Choreographers 1915-1937.”

DELLA ROBBIAS: The nationwide sale of Boys Republic Della Robbia holiday wreaths opened this week as students at the Chino campus, staff and temporary helpers began assembling the coveted wreaths for Christmas doors. The sale is the chief fund-raising program at Boys Republic, founded in 1907 as a home and school for disadvantaged boys. The wreaths can be ordered by writing Boys Republic, Chino, 91709, or by telephoning (818) 964-2391 or (714) 591-9122.

KUDOS: Dr. Spencer K. Koerner has been elected president of the American Lung Assn. of Los Angeles County. . . . Walter P. Coombs has been re-elected president of the Emphysema Foundation.

PAST PERFECT: When Sally Conn got the flu, Kathleen McCarthy carried on alone at the luncheon the other noon at the Los Angeles Country Club. Special guest Anthony Newley was there at the request of Barbara Barnoski, Blue and White Ball chairman, to salute the committee planning the affair next spring at the Century Plaza for Marymount High School.

In the crowd were Sister Colette McManus, Marymount principal, who paid tribute to the faculty, including athletic coach Christopher Utz and Dareth Newley, Mimi O’Keefe, Rusty Chandler, Joan Ransohoff, Joan Quinn, Jayne Sullivan and Eileen Leonard-Vensel. Alice Avery, Class of ‘34, sent those charming patron letters.

HARK, CHRISTMAS!: The holiday calendar brims. St. John’s Heart Institute supporters join in a season highlight, “The Voices of Christmas” dinner dance Dec. 9 in the Grand Ballroom of the Beverly Wilshire. The professional and amateur singers sponsored by the Michael Burke Foundation will provide the Yuletide entertainment. Les Brown will play for dancing. Effervescent Leigh Davis of Pacific Palisades chairs the black-tie, $150-per-ticket affair with the help of Burke Foundation president Robert Breckner of Brentwood. “Voices” was formed in 1953 in memory of Michael Burke, son of composer and arranger Sonny Burke and his wife, Dotty.

CIRCLE IN HOLLY: The Bachelors stage their annual Stag Dinner Thursday at Chasens. . . .

Smith College Club of Pasadena hosts its annual Christmas party and greenery sale to benefit scholarships next Sunday. Brenda Banta Williams is chairing, with Sarah Majers, Martha Williams and Ginnie Paige, president. . . .

Angels Attic in Santa Monica will adorn its cottage with Yuletide dressing at a Victorian Christmas sale Dec. 9. The tea is at 3 p.m. (donation $8.50). . . .

The Spastic Children’s League celebrates a White Christmas at its 42nd annual Candy Cane Ball Dec. 12 at the Century Plaza. Manny Harmon’s Orchestra plays for the black-tie affair. . . .

Claudette Parnell of Beverly Hills and Coro Yuja and Dianne Fagan head the Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Daniel Freeman Marina Hospital Guild joint Christmas Tree Ball Saturday at Filmland Center in Culver City. The star-studded night is a major fund-raiser.

CIRCLE IN IVY: The Braille Institute Auxiliary has its “Christmas Expectations” luncheon Thursday at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Rozella Knox, president, and Elvera Kuenkel, chairman, hope to garner lots to purchase “Expectations Books” (embossed in Braille) for blind children. . . .

Thirteen alumnae chapters of Delta Delta Delta of Southern California join for “Let It Snow,” their 41st Sleighbell Luncheon Tuesday at the Beverly Hilton. Holly Mitchell Presents does the fashion show; Citrus College Chorale sings carols. . . .

Mayfield Senior School stages its well-known Christmas luncheon and boutique Thursday. . . .

“A Dickens of an Afternoon” heralds the season for Opera Guild of Southern California Saturday at the Beverly Wilshire. Caroling led by David Romano of the Dickens Quartet will be featured with tenors Miguel Rios and Gary Bachlund, concert pianist Raul Herrera and a tribute to Peter Hemmings, general director of the Los Angeles Music Center Opera.

ESCALATION: The Assistance League of Southern California sponsors its 25th annual Christmas Faire Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1370 N. St. Andrews Place. The wassail bowl will offer warm mulled wine as visitors browse, according to Marge Kollner, chairman of the Gift Shop Auxiliary, and Sue Masania. . . .

The designs of Nolan Miller will add luster to the “Magic of Fashion” luncheon hosted by the Los Angeles Chapter of Childhelp USA (which fights child abuse) Dec. 8 at the Beverly Hilton’s International Ballroom. Lee Spar of Hidden Hills is beginning her term as president, following two years service by Dolly Granatelli of Calabasas. . . .

Robert and Constance Abell will be honored by the Lita Dershewitz Chapter of City of Hope today at the Beverly Hilton. Abell heads the oldest family-owned auction company on the West Coast, the A. N. Abell Auction Co., and is a much-appreciated auctioneer at benefits. John P. Bland and David L. Abell are co-chairs.

NEWLY FORMED: Helen Kingery has invitations out for a luncheon Wednesday to introduce the newly formed Women for Jeffrey Auxiliary. President and founder Alyce Morris hosts the affair. Mrs. Morris established the Jeffrey Foundation in 1972, opening a day-care center for handicapped children and naming if for her 9-year-old son, Jeffrey, who was terminally ill with muscular dystrophy and died later at 16. The new auxiliary will raise funds for day care.