Community: Luncheon is a sweet touch of Italy
It was a sweet afternoon all around for guests of the Providence St. Joseph Medical Center Guild.
The annual spring luncheon fashion show was appropriately themed “La Dolce Vita,” which is Italian for “The Sweet Life” and proved to be just that for those who flocked to the beautiful Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton Universal Hotel in mid-April.
Social hour allowed guild supporters to peruse silent-auction items and purchase opportunity tickets or indulge in adding a little sparkle to one’s wardrobe or jewelry box.
President Ollie Vick invited everyone to “sit back and enjoy the wonderful afternoon,” before thanking co-directors Kathleen Marsden and Julie McArdle as well as adviser Donna Mahoney and the event committee.
“Many of you come every year, and we truly appreciate it!” Marsden said.
Nick Testa, chief medical officer of the medical center, thanked the guild, saying, “Your contribution means the world to this institution.”
This is the guild’s major fundraising event, and members have pledged to raise $500,000 for the new Cusumano Family Outpatient Center, located on the first floor of the medical center for the treatment of a broad range of neurological conditions.
Lucinda Miedema produced the fashion show and integrated wonderfully the three designers Lourdes Chavez Couture, Elisabeth Saba Custom Knits and Berek NY. The scrumptious colors and breezy lines were reminders that summer is on its way. In between style sets, tenor Nick Palance sang several romantic Italian favorites.
Following the invocation by Sister Blanca Satles, Sister of Providence liaison with the guild, Garth Kemp, ABC weatherman, took to the stage to perform his master of ceremonies duties. Each year, the guild welcomes Kemp to its holiday luncheon and showers him with gifts for kids through his Spark of Love Toy Drive.
“I guess this is payback for all the toys the guild gives me,” Kemp quipped about being emcee.
Several of the medical center’s doctors were celebrity models and strolled down the catwalk looking dapper in their dark suits. They included David Sato, Robert Feinfield, George Teitelbaum, Jeoug Lee, George Orloff, Shahan Yacoubian, Stephan Yacoubian, Mark Mikhael, Justin Cahn and Boyd Flinders.
The biggest surprise was the four-legged canine model, Romeo, a fluffy white Pyrenees, on a leash held by the medical center’s chief Testa. Romeo’s proud owner, Ann Valladares, said he is training to become a service dog at Providence St. Joseph and Holy Cross.
Congratulations to “amazing” Grace Mylroie Patz for finding everyone a great place to sit. She’s a marvel at 101!
Cash winners of the day were Gretchen Wayne, $1,000; Nancy Chistian, $500; and Carol Murphy, $250. Joy Cantrell, a dietary manager at the medical center, didn’t make the luncheon, but purchased the ticket that was pulled for the $10,000 grand prize. Bet she’s smiling.
Glendale residents in the crowd were Lynda Burns, chair of the Glendale Commission on the Status of Women, Providence board member Maureen Walsh Paul and Mary Wight and Mary Rose Grim.
New members are always welcome. Perks include making new friends, attending luncheon meetings with inspiring guest speakers and volunteering in the beautiful boutique gift shop in the medical center lobby. For information, call the guild office at (818) 847-4624.
--
JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.