ON THE TOWN:

Members of the Assistance League of Glendale have luncheons on the second Wednesday of every month for seniors in Glendale and the surrounding communities. The April 8 luncheon marked the annual Spring Fashion Show, featuring thrifty ensembles from the group’s Thrift Alley. Some 70 seniors started lining up for the lunch and program as early as 10 a.m. and paid a whopping $2 “suggested donation” for the privilege.

Assistance League models who took a turn on the runway were Thrift Alley Chairwoman Karen Millman, Evelyn Werklund, Merry Franzen, Betty Musacco, Mary Margaret Smith and Rita Burns. After the fashion show, the models doffed their duds for kitchen duty.

Glendale seniors enjoying the fashion show and delicious Dinah’s Fried Chicken were frequent attendees Ann Arrobio and Pauline Richardson. At one table a spirited discussion took place over which senior lunch was the best bargain. It was agreed that although the five-day-a-week lunch in Griffith Park is the cheapest at $1.75, the “elite” luncheon and place to be is Glendale’s Adult Recreation Center for $2.50 — themed decorations and craft activities included.

A quick visit to Thrift Alley revealed a half-off sale on blouses, shirts, sweaters and jackets as part of “Wacky Wednesday.” Also in the offing were free opportunity tickets for a brimming Easter basket.

Assistance League members are looking forward to their annual “Shabby Tea” on Tuesday.

The Cabrini Literary Guild honored student winners of its annual Writing Awards program during its luncheon meeting Thursday at the Oakmont Country Club in Glendale. Students who applied for the awards are from various Catholic schools in the Los Angeles Archdiocese.

Placing in the fiction category were winners Anish Parekh, first place, from 12th grade at St. Francis High School; Ashley Ravelo in second place, from 12th grade at La Salle High School; and Victoria Vargas in third place, from the 12th grade also at La Salle High. Nonfiction category winners, all from Mayfield Senior School, are Celeste Zumwalt in first place, 10th grade; Grace Ashford in second place, 11th grade; and Kim Combs in third place, 10th grade. First-place winners in each category receive $500. Second-place winners receive $300, and third-place winners receive $200.

Brenda Lantieri is the Writing Awards director. Judges were Sheila Landsman, Sister Regina Palamara and Carol Di Matteo.

Guild officers applauding the winners included President Joan Sandon, First Vice President Wanda Bistagne, Second Vice President Marie Urrutia; secretaries Jane MacIver and Sarah de la Torre; Treasurer Helen Misik; Press Chairwoman Mary Wight; Parliamentarian Jan Kubani; Amenities Chairwoman Maureen Walsh and General Curator Ann Hermann.

Guild members from Glendale included Second Vice President-elect Debra Leonard, Jean Zaik, mom Irene Zaik and sisters Stellita and Clara Johnson (also retired sisters of the Archdiocese).

The awards luncheon ended after the two first-place winners read their winning compositions to an appreciative audience.

The guild organizes an annual event to raise funds for the Writing Awards as well as donations made to many local philanthropies, including Catholic Charities loaves and Fishes and Salvation Army’s Meals on Wheels.

The Glendale-Foothill Division of the California Retired Teachers’ Assn. met April 6 at the Elks Lodge for a social half-hour and lunch. President Bea Wojtyla welcomed attendees and opened the meeting.

First on the program — some 80 members and their guests sang “Happy Birthday” to Gertrude Ness, who will be 103 on April 22.

“I was raised on a farm in northern Minnesota. I grew up with fresh vegetables. Everything was homemade,” Ness said when asked the secret to her longevity.

In 1944 Ness, nicknamed “Gertie the Riveter,” riveted the underneath bomb bay doors on B-17 aircraft bombers. A year later, she began a more than 20-year career with the Glendale Unified School District as a teacher and director of Children’s Centers (nursery schools).

Glendale residents turning out to congratulate Ness were daughter Jo Ness, Mary Margaret Smith, Shirleymae Ricketts, Loys Bonner, Joyce Brace, Mary Rose Grim, Patti Mack, Priscilla Garcia, Fran Worcester and Cheryl Mason.

The program featured Polynesian dances by Na Kupuna Hula Ladies from the Joslyn Adult Center in Burbank. Retired Teachers Assn. member Martha Hankins was part of the seven-member dance troupe. After performing a solo, Hankins received a standing ovation from her fellow retired teachers.

The Glendale-Foothill Division of the California Retired Teachers Assn. will have the annual scholarship luncheon meeting June 1.

 RUTH SOWBY may be reached at ruthsowby@msn.com.