On the Town: Emblem Club struts its fashion sense

By David Laurell

July 17, 2013 12 AM PT

The Burbank Emblem Club gathered for its annual summer luncheon and fashion show earlier this month.

Staged under the theme “Lazy Daze of Summer” at the Elks Lodge on Hollywood Way, club members and guests were welcomed by the event’s chairwoman, Elaine Paonessa.

Following lunch, attendees were treated to a fashion show emceed by John Rick, coordinated by My Fair Lady of Tarzana and featuring Emblem Club members as models. Escorted by Randy Garcia and Howard Rothenbach, the show’s fashion models included Peggy Foltz, Bobbi Palmatary, Corinne Gonzales, Ramona Higgins, Connie Rush and Joanne Vallone.

The Burbank Emblem Club, chapter 86, is part of the Supreme Emblem Club of the United States of America. Chartered in 1942 to assist the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Burbank Lodge No. 1497, the organization raises funds and performs community and charitable services for numerous state, regional and local organizations including the Salvation Army Burbank Corps, Family Promise, Burbank Temporary Aid Center and the California Hearing Dog Program.

The club also provides scholarships for teachers of the hearing-impaired, along with scholarships for high school students in Burbank.

—

This past week saw Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy and more than 100 members and supporters of the Burbank Historical Society gather at downtown’s Story Tavern as the watering hole’s owners, Ted, Diane and Brian Slaught hosted their second annual fundraiser for the society.

Welcomed by the society’s founder, Mary Jane Strickland, and current president, Sue Baldaseroni, supporters enjoyed an early evening of food, drinks, entertainment and the chance to walk away with some great items offered though silent and live auctions.

The Story Tavern sits in the location where Story Hardware, owned and operated by Burbank’s first mayor, Thomas Story, once stood.

Last week’s fundraiser saw supporters make a $25-per-person donation to participate in the event that raised funds for the work of the society, which was founded in 1973 to collect and preserve the rich history of the community.

Today, the society operates the Gordon R. Howard Museum, which includes an 1887 Victorian house, vintage vehicles and memorabilia and historical artifacts pertaining to the city’s rich history in aerospace, film production and multi-media.

Among those who made the fundraiser a success by their work or presence were Gary Sutliff, Sandy Dennis, Mike Dennis, Lorraine White, Betty Penrod, Penny Rivera, Don Baldaseroni, Barbara Bartman, Jack Blasius, Carey and Dianna Briggs, Craig Bullock, Dave Filson, Mari Pititto, Tony Rivera, Les and Elaine Rosenberg, Don White, Joyce Rudolph, Barry and Angela Burnett, Barry Gussow, Karen Volpei, Bob and Sharon Muravez and numerous members of the Road Kings.

For more information about the Burbank Historical Society, visit https://www.burbankhistoricalsoc.org.

DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.