Service Clubs
Edward Headington
If there is one theme that resonates throughout our lives, community
and nation, it is service to others. Apart from love and friendship,
labor is the greatest gift we can give to one another. And laboring for
others through service clubs is what Tocqueville was hinting at almost
two centuries ago as to the secret to our country’s greatness.
I come to this column with a great love for our city, as a
third-generation Burbanker, and with a family history in serving others.
My late grandfather Ed was active in both the Elks and Masonic lodges
here in town. Although most remember him as the jocular chef of the
Blarney Stone, he also served the community through his leadership in
both organizations.
As a young man, he instilled in me a strong appreciation for service
clubs and I was soon active in DeMolay International. Later as an adult,
I would join the Masons, Elks and Moose. I might also add that I met my
future wife while a DeMolay and she a member of Job’s Daughters.
But the greatest opportunity for me to learn more about our local
service clubs came when I served as the Burbank field representative for
former Assemblyman Scott Wildman. I attended club meetings, went to the
events, and was able to include many of them in the Community Block Party
I helped put together. In due course, I came to meet and know many of the
outstanding members like Sunder Ramani, Marsha Jackson, Marva Murphy,
Janet Diel, and many, many more.
We have a wonderful tradition of service here in Burbank and I aim to
highlight not only upcoming events for the clubs, but also note some of
the efforts they make to keep Burbank alive and strong. I look forward to
meeting those of you I do not already know and rekindling old friendships
with those I do. I hope you find this column warm and insightful. I am,
as they say, at your service.
Clubs coordinate Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast
Last week’s annual Burbank Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at the Pickwick
Center was a showcase of support and cooperation among six of our service
clubs -- the Master’s Men, Noon and Sunrise Rotary, Noon and Sunrise
Kiwanis and the Magnolia Park Optimists. Although a local version of the
Presidential Prayer Breakfast that began in the 1950s, it has been an
annual event here for 29 years.
Darrell Taylor was chairman, Richard Kasper of Master’s Men performed
the welcome and invocation and Gordon Bowers was master of ceremonies.
Dignitaries supporting the breakfast were Mayor David Laurell,
Councilmembers Marsha Ramos and David Golonski and County Supervisor
Michael Antonovich.
“Prayer breakfasts are a great opportunity for [service clubs] to
reflect on our spirituality and rededicate ourselves,” said Glenn Taylor,
president of the Burbank Master’s Men. “It’s great to see such a good
turnout.”
Masonic Mother’s Day Tea
Burbank Masonic Lodge 406 is having its Ladies Mother’s Day Tea at 6
p.m. Thursday at the Burbank Masonic Center. Food, fine tea, music,
prizes and more are included in the $12 charge and only women are
welcome. For ticket information, contact Elizabeth Avetisian at 841-8310.
Burbank Lodge 406 of the Free and Accepted Masons meet at 7:30 p.m.
every Thursday at the Burbank Masonic Center, 406 Irving Drive. For
membership information, contact Norm Furman at 848-3750.
Y’s Men Pancake Breakfast
The Burbank Family YMCA Y’s Men Service Club is having its annual
pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Tickets are
available at the door for $3, and proceeds go to the youth of the Burbank
YMCA. For ticket information, contact 841-8551.
Burbank Family YMCA Y’s Men Service Club meets at 6 p.m. on the first
and third Tuesday at the Burbank YMCA, 321 E. Magnolia Blvd. For
membership information, contact Denny Grossman at 841-0387.
EDWARD HEADINGTON’s service club column runs alternating Wednesdays.
Reach him by e-mail at eheadington@msn.com, fax at 688-8005, or mail at
P.O. Box 10489, Burbank, CA 91510.