On the Town: Providence St. Joseph Medical Center Guild hosts New York fling
A whopping Glendale contingent went to “New York, New York” without having to buy a plane ticket. Actually, the New York theme wove through the annual fashion show and luncheon of the Providence St. Joseph Medical Center Guild.
The event on Saturday attracted more than 450 supporters at 44 tables, each table sporting an orchid centerpiece, scattered on each side of the models’ runway. The glittering venue was the Sheraton Universal Hotel’s Grand Ballroom.
For 67 years this hardy band of guild members has supported and raised funds for the medical center. Since 1982, the guild has raised $6.5 million, according to Chief Executive Michael A. Rembis. Luncheon proceeds will help meet the guild’s $500,000 pledge to the Hyce and Howard Hill Neuroscience Institute. Half of those funds have already been raised from the luncheon’s $100-per-person ticket price. Funds from the guild’s gift gallery will also help meet the pledge. The guild recently completed a $1-million pledge to the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center.
Glendale residents spotted at the silent auction and opportunity prize tables included guild board member Vicki Jackson, guild member Wanda Bistagne, and Marcy Kalish. Louise Peebles was one of the early arrivals with her sister, Toluca Lake resident Linda Hawkins.
La Cañada Flintridge residents included Connie Alamdari.
But more was going on besides bidding and filling up prize sacks with tickets. A favorite sack overflowing with tickets would give the winner a designer purse, matching scarf and gold-toned flower brooch. It was the fashion boutique that attracted hundreds of shoppers. They had plenty of time. The boutique was open before, during and after the luncheon. Venders donated a portion of their proceeds toward the guild’s pledge.
At the program’s opening, guild President Patt Scully introduced her luncheon leaders, Director Barbara O’Kane and Co-Director Donna Mahoney.
Other leaders were busy behind the scenes. They included Glendale resident and financial director of fundraising Maureen Walsh, and press maven and a Guild Past President Terry Campbell. Also making her presence felt was Maria Balke, who was in charge of the $10,000 grand-prize drawing available for $100 a ticket. At 80 years old, Balke never lets her years slow her down. Those in the know shared the expense at the tables with each of 10 tablemates tossing $10 into the kitty to share the bounty.
After master of ceremonies and crooner Douglas Roegiers entertained his large audience, lunch of breast of chicken piccata was served and the fashion show began. Besides the svelte young women who strutted the catwalk, celebrity physicians from the Medical Center also strutted their stuff to the tune of New York-themed music. They were dressed in the latest of Lourdes Chavez Collection fashions. Doctor-models were Robert E. Feinfield, Rex Hoffman, Raul Mena, David Sato, Steven Schmones, George P. Teitelbaum, Shahan Yacoubian and Stephen V. Yacoubian. Fashion producer was Carin Holmenas.
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“The Man Who Came to Dinner” opened with a flourish at Saturday’s matinee show at the Glendale Centre Theatre. This classic drew an enthusiastic crowd of dozens of theater goers looking forward to the old standards often presented at the theater. The play, written by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, drew big laughs, many of which were directed toward star Andrew Prine as “The Man” himself who came to dinner and almost never left.
Glendale GD Chapter members of Philanthropic Educational Organization were out on force. They included current President Elsie Anderson, Immediate Past President Val Moorhead and Past President of the California Donna Ziel. All are Glendale residents.
“The Man Who Came to Dinner” will run through May 11.
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RUTH SOWBY may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.