Revelers wELKome in the new year

Members and guests of Burbank Elks Lodge 1497 tipped their hats adieu to 2010 and rang in 2011 in true Hollywood style on New Year’s Eve.

As more than 200 revelers arrived at the organization’s Hollywood Way facility, they were welcomed by a rolled-out red carpet flanked by stars inlayed in the floor a la Hollywood Boulevard that honored the Elks officers including Exalted Ruler Charlene Peale, Esteemed Loyal Knight Howard Rothenbach, Esteemed Lecturing Knight Bob Ramsey and committee members Harvey Ryun, Woody Bixby, Bonnie Holcomb, Kathy Castillo, John G. Holt, Fred DeLange, Ruben Alarmaz, Greg Peale, Randolph Garcia, Enrique Castillo and Dennis Pifer.

The festive evening, presented under the theme “Hooray for Hollywood,” was staged by Ryun, who has made it an annual tradition to take on the coordination duties for the organization’s New Year’s Eve gala. Working with his committee, composed of the Peales, Bixby and Julene Rury, Ryan transformed the lodge’s main room into a balloon and streamer-festooned nightclub reminiscent of the glamorous Tinseltown hot spots of yesteryear.

Following a cocktail reception, DeLange oversaw the delivery of plates filled with filet mignon and shrimp, expertly executed by Teri Bryne and Nancy Smallwood. After dinner, as the clock ticked toward midnight, the dance floor filled as Cross Town Cabbies took to the stage. One of Los Angeles’ classic local bands with a longtime history of studio work and live performances, lead singer and keyboardist Janet Kaye, guitarist Mark Elson, bassist Andy Roth and drummer Ben Rushing had folks working off their dinners to Motown, rock, soul, pop and British invasion hits from the 1960s through the ‘80s.

As the last minute of 2010 slid into history, glasses of champagne were raised, the countdown was dutifully carried out, and kisses and well wishes were exchanged to the obligatory strains of “Auld Lang Syne.” Among those who rang out the old and welcomed the new were Bill Boyd and Tish Sellers, Ken and Bea Wainwright, Bob and Sue Ann Gordon, Bill Swaim and Beverly Jean Davies-Swaim, Dean and Lynn Shelby, Bob and Sandie Tomer, Bob and Judy LaVerde, Bob and Sydney Heins, Walt and Lynne Meares and Chuck and Judy Stuart.

The Burbank Elks Lodge, chartered more than 80 years ago, is one of approximately 2,100 lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks that exist nationwide. A community and charitable organization, members adhere to the credo “Elks Care, Elks Share.” Over the years, local Elks have bestowed their philanthropy on numerous nonprofit organizations and schools in Burbank and the surrounding area.