On the Town: Fun and fashion at Patrons Club
At 106 years of age, Gertrude Ness could not be faulted for deciding to sit this one out — modeling in the annual fashion show of the Patrons Club of Glendale Community College. Honoring the club’s 65th birthday, some 250 faculty, administrative and other staff members gathered for a Castaway Restaurant lunch and the fashion show, sans Gertrude.
On Friday, right before lunch was served, Patrons President Carolyn Payne announced to her audience that this year the club awarded $23,500 toward 30 scholarships and 30 grants-in-aid to deserving students. The fashion show, including the lunch and live and silent auctions, generates the majority of scholarship funds each year. This year’s theme was “Education Through the Years.”
Interim Supt./President Jim Riggs commended the Patrons Club for their efforts in “helping students achieve their goals.” He also recognized Supt./President Emeritus John Davitt, wife Gayle Davitt and Glendale College Foundation Executive Director Lisa Brooks. All have been zealous supporters of the Patrons Club. Brooks announced that the Patrons Club has officially partnered with the foundation to extend the missions of both groups.
Riggs also announced the presence of the College Board of Trustees, including President Armine Hacopian, Vice President Ann Ransford and members Vahe Peroomian and Anita Quinonez Gabrielian.
Dean of Student Affairs Paul Schlossman, advisor and mentor to the club, arrived in his tux. Known as “supermodel,” Schlossman models in the fashion show each year and usually escorts the now-missing Gertrude.
Event Chair Marianne Jennings introduced her committee members, including jill-of-all-trades and Model Coordinator Karen Wharton. Jennings also introduced the live auction with prizes that included a Montrose Travel three-day escape to a variety of possible cities.
But it was the many-itemed silent auction that appeared to draw the most interest from members and guests. A favorite was “Lunch with the Chief.” College Chief of Police Gary Montecuollo donated a lunch at Glendale’s Far Niente Restaurant. The two top bidders were Director of Admissions and Records Michelle Mora and her buddy Heather Glenn, administrative assistant to the vice president of student affairs. The ladies go to lunch with the chief for a mere $100. Montecuollo will pick up the tab.
A contingent of La Crescenta Woman’s Club members also had eyes for silent-auction items. Ginny Bundick, Rita Even and Ellie Pipes appreciated Judy Gorham’s fine handiwork on a $300 child’s quilt, accompanied by the book, “Treasury of Classic Stories,” and a tote bag. The lucky winner was Lainy Cullen, who got the whole works for $90.
A fast-paced fashion show with ensembles by Holiday Hats and Gowns in Montrose and tuxes from Men’s Wearhouse ended the afternoon.
Since 1947, the Patrons Club has raised about $695,000 for student scholarships.
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For 10 years artist Judy Springborn has assembled the work of seven local artists in the patio of her Glendale home. A bevy of pots, plates, pottery and paintings were on display and for sale throughout Saturday.
One artist, Glendale Community College student Gini Keene, had some 300 pieces on display, mostly her porcelain jewelry. One of her ceramic plates showed off her technique, reminiscent of pottery from 10th-century Iran, called “sgraffito,” carving through colored slips to reveal the clay underneath. Keene sold a sushi plate representing that technique for $15.
Springborn’s work, including her whimsical totems for the garden, will also be on sale at the 2012 Holiday Arts & Crafts Boutique at the Creative Arts Center in Burbank from Nov. 30 through Dec. 13.
RUTH SOWBY may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.