Presidents Honor Founder Toberman

Lucy Toberman, who has launched at least 30 organizations in town in the last 50 years, will be honored today by The Presidents at a luncheon for 36 at Carolyn Singleton’s house in Holmby Hills.

Lucy founded The Presidents on the premise that no one wanted to be president of an organization, but they were all presidents anyway, or presidential timber, and enjoyed sociability. The concept: have a soiree now and then to raise big sums, but do it effortlessly. Funds raised by The Presidents go to the Children’s Bureau, aiding abused children.

For their very first bash, Lucy recalls, members chopped green salad all day for 200 and partied in a Thriftimart warehouse, played bingo and made $20,000. Once they had a paper bag party at Jimmy’s and guests brought $45,000 in paper bags. “A Very Posh Affair” in 1984 at Singleton’s netted $219,000. Now, it’s time to come out of the woodwork and do a do.

Libby Keck is current head president. Peggy Ward is assisting with the luncheon. They’re giving Lucy the freedom to identify the next benefit. To add pizazz, The Presidents are naming 11 new members--Penny Bianchi, Dorothy Clark, Topsie Doheny, Libby Doheny, Allison Luckman, Carolyn Milner, Marjorie Miller, Pauline Naftzger, Jenny Rutt, Nancy Dinsmore and Midge Clark. They’ll match up with some of the movers and shakers, such as Billie Converse, Noorna Eversole, Betty Wilson, Giney Milner, Natalie Robinson, Gerry Frawley, Puff Laverty.

MAY 20TH: Jimmy Stewart turns 80 Friday. But, Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center Foundation rushed in early with the tallest birthday cake, which teetered, but didn’t topple, at the foundation’s Heart of Hollywood salute to Stewart at the Beverly Hilton.

Stewart, of course, is synonymous with Hollywood. And, when the medical center was launched in 1924, the area was in the heart of Hollywoodland. Today it’s the fifth largest independent private hospital in Southern California. And Stewart and his wife, Gloria, are members of Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church. It all fit.

Director George Shaeffer (eight Emmy awards) referred to Stewart’s “extraordinary films” and the fact he is a brigadier general. Mary Martin sang Jimmy an original song--”I like you . . . I like you . . . I love you.” America’s institution Bob Hope delivered lines he said had been written by his chauffeur: “Regan is just jealous that God left that A out of his name.” Of the hospital, Stewart observed, “When it all comes down to health care, we all must be our brother’s keepers--God Bless.”

Prominent in the audience were Robert and Beth Hill (as chairman emeritus and founder of the foundation, he has raised $14 million the last decade); new chairman Rodney W. Rood and his wife, Margaret Ann; Keith W. Renken, vice chairman, and his wife, Joan; and C. Ray Wilson, the medical center’s chairman; Frank E. Ulf, vice president; Florence Malouf, party chairman; Dorothy and Lloyd Bridges, and John Strauss and his wife, Renee. Bob Hope’s wife, Dolores, pretty as a picture, sat at the head table with the Stewarts. More in the crowd: Allene Nungesser, hospital CEO, and Bill Klove, former medical center president.

PLAUDITS: Vilma Pallette received the Spirit of Volunteerism award from the Junior League of Los Angeles at the Riviera Country Club.

She was the first president of the Friends of the Junior Arts Center and received the National Volunteer Award from President Reagan in 1985 for her work as director of volunteer services for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

President Peggy Jo Clark handed over the gavel to Maureen Diekmann. Other new Junior League board members include Judy Horton, vice president; Yolanda Lopez, Mary Frances McGaughey, R. Rebecca Wurzburger, Leslie McDonald, Nickey Sawyer, Robin Nenninger (president-elect), Iris Ingram and Joan McLaughlin.