On the Town: Friends, fans give departing exec a sendoff
Glendale Health Kids Executive Director Camille Levee had her first send-off party with some of her Glendale fans on Sunday. Levee is departing her post for another executive director job in Payson, Arizona.
The party took place at the Arcadia home of Jewel Price, Dean of Student Services at Glendale Community College.
Guests signed a card for Levee and had the opportunity to write “best advice” for making new friends — as if Levee needs any advice in that area.
Among those in attendance were good friends from WOW, the group Levee began last year after recently being widowed. The acronym stands for Widows on Wine (or Water).
WOW members present were Price, Rahla Lindsey, Talin Mangioglu, Margaret Kaufman, Donna Hekler and yours truly.
Levee’s next send-off will be tomorrow (May 24) at the Wine Cave in Montrose.
Who wouldn’t want a shot at a million dollars? At the Hathaway-Sycamores “Shot-at-a-Million” Golf Classic on Friday, 10 lucky golfers were finalists eligible for the big money. All you had to do, once qualified, was make a hole-in-one. At the Angeles National Golf Club in Sunland, 130 golfers teed-up to try. Co-chairmen of the tournament were Mark Jewell and Brad Freer (he played 30 holes in “The Longest Day of Golf” category).
Instead of hitting the links, others were more interested in partying at the clubhouse. There were more than 200 guests at the 19th Hole Party held on the patio overlooking the course. The late afternoon party was full of five-star food and drink, entertainment and silent-auction items. The favorite raffle prizes were trips for two to New York and Maui. Bill Wegner won the New York prize, while Bob Lang won Maui.
Guests had a bird’s-eye view of those golfers trying to sink a hole in one and become an instant millionaire. Before a chance at the big money, a single qualifying shot at 165 yards took place. Gary Koshak from Castaic teed-off on the patio tee. The shot, according to Koshak, “was horrible. I didn’t put it on the green. I overshot it.” That meant Koshak was out of the money.
In the money, in terms of event proceeds, was Hathaway-Sycamores. President and CEO Bill Martone estimated that the day would bring in $140,000. Martone said that a golf event-fundraiser for Hathaway-Sycamores has been held for 16 years.
KCBS news and traffic reporter Whitney Dolan kept everyone in the know through her smooth emceeing at the party. On the CBS Morning Show from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., Dolan includes a “People to Watch” segment. Currently, she has featured four Hathaway-Sycamores stories. “This organization does great things in the community,” said Dolan.
Spotted at the party was a Glendale contingent including insurance maven Rick Dinger and wife Heather Dinger. Rick didn’t play this year, since he and Heather just got back from a trip to Hawaii. “I’ll play next year,” assured Dinger.
Players from La Cañada Flintridge were golf-twosome Mike Malone and Charles Kenny. When asked how they played, Kenney said, “Great! Well, actually we have no idea.” Malone’s wife, Cynthia Malone, was more partial to the party.
Also attending from La Cañada Flintridge was Marikay Cuthill, a friend of Tournament Co-chairman Freer. Cuthill was seen bidding on a Jacob Maarse custom flower arrangement in the silent auction. The arrangement was donated by Linda and Bob Willett. Its retail value was $200. Another favorite in the silent auction was donated by Pasadena’s Noir Food and Wine. It was a tasting dinner for eight with eight courses and eight wines. The retail value of the dinner and wines was $1,000. There were plenty of bidders for this prize.
The $140,000 in event proceeds will help Hathaway-Sycamores deliver critical mental health services to the more than 7,000 children and families served by the organization each year.
No one walked away with the $1 million.
RUTH SOWBY may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.