On the Town: “Love Boat” lady sails into the library
Our own “Love Boat” expert Jeraldine Saunders is making news again, this time on dry land. Saunders, with fellow Glendale resident and writer Sheila Farrell Murray, has just published a book about Saunders’ life as a cruise director and model.
The women were front and center Aug. 28, signing copies of “The Love Boat Lady” at the Glendale Central Library. For her special friends, Saunders personalized the book with a kiss and a lipstick print.
Friends from Glendale on hand included fashion designer Irene Edwards Blore, who is a long-time associate of Saunders. Kathy and Bill Lefkovits also dropped by to pick up their copy of the book, autographed by Saunders and Murray.
In front of an audience of friends, relatives, neighbors and the merely curious, Saunders recounted her history on- and off-deck. Besides being the first woman to hold the position as cruise director, she has been a runway model for Oleg Cassini, Mr. Blackwell and others.
Saunders is also a nationally syndicated horoscope columnist and author of two best-selling books on hypoglycemia, though she does not suffer from the condition.
The popular ABC series, “The Love Boat,” airing from 1977 to 1986, was based on Saunders’ book, “The Love Boats.”
Saunders is currently in negotiations to mount a musical in Las Vegas based on “The Love Boats.” The musical will also pull from Murray’s book.
According to Murray, writing her book was no walk on the aft deck.
“It was trying to herd cats,” she said, “Jeraldine would go from decade to decade. I thank God for cut-and-paste.”
“The Love Boat Lady” is available at any Glendale library.
The evening ended with actor-singer Jeffery Kobes singing “The Love Boat” theme song.
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Hungry Glendalians flocked to Mori Teppan Grill Aug. 28 on behalf of the Glendale Assn. for the Retarded. Regular dinners benefiting the association are held monthly at Glendale’s popular restaurants. A percentage of proceeds is donated by each restaurant owner. Mori’s owner, Morris Mori, will donate 15% of his food profits.
Hungry Glendale residents who wanted to eat out for charity included association VIPs Executive Director Sandy Doughty, Foundation Director Rita T. Hopkins, Foundation Board Secretary Brian Navis and Services Board President Eric Hamilton.
Foundation board member Jory Potts brought her whole family — husband, David Potts, and daughters Shelby and Sable Potts. Accompanying Sable Potts was friend James Antaplyan.
More Glendale residents in attendance included Liz Mirzaian and Marion and Paul Greene.
Dinner proceeds will support the association’s special-needs clients in group homes. Services provided by the Glendale Assn. for the Retarded allow clients to work. Jobs include organizing tools for companies and placing donations in swag bags for celebrities at the Academy Awards.
The association’s next dinner will be at Scarantino’s Italian Restaurant on Sept. 25.
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RUTH SOWBY may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.