The Valley Line: 27 young women follow in grand tradition

By Jane Napier Neely

March 21, 2013 12 AM PT

I made a getaway to Santa Barbara to visit my twin sister and her family over the weekend. It was foggy in the mornings but beautiful and sunny in the afternoon, when the sea sparkled.

I took my pooch, Lola, along with me and she had a great time in the surf and sand. The locals call this one beach we go to Hendry’s Beach. Its official name is Arroyo Burro Beach. It only became known as Hendry’s because of a founding Scottish family, whose farm was on the cliffs above. The Hendry family owned the land there from the 1890s to the turn of the 20th century. However, I call it “doggie beach” because that is where everyone brings his or her dogs to see if the surf is up.

My, my I have never seen so many happy tail-waggers in one place before. Although Lola only wanted to saunter along the edge of the water, many dogs were “surfing,” especially the Labs and golden retrievers, who were chasing balls into the foamy waves.

Carrying on a grand tradition, 27 young women made their debut to society at the National Charity League’s 62nd annual Senior Presentation ball held at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena.

The ball, themed “Dancing in the Moonlight,” was a night of excitement as the young women in their white gowns danced the first dance with their fathers, who were so proud of their daughters.

The ball is a culmination of six years of community service for the girls who over those years have completed 8,586 hours of service to various charities in the Glendale area.

Among the debs were 21 La Cañada residents, including Rachel Artime, Courtney Kreditor, Kristine Seuylemezian, Lindsey Trujillo, Erin McCoy, McKenzie Dodge, Louisa Harb, Dana Budzyn, Elizabeth Forgarty, Madelyn Brown, Emily Temple, Gabrielle Fitzpatrick, Kimberly Cotter, Desiree Dahlson, Kelsey George, Samantha Smith, Lauren Barsamian, Kaelin King, Callan Gies, Amy Young and Meghan Knapp.

Other debs making their debut that evening from other cities were Elizabeth Herman, Kimberly Home, Sierra Rhoads, Isabel Hodgson, Rebecca Weitzel and Amber Zadravecz.

Two young women were selected for special recognition that night — Amber Zadravecz received the Golden Oak Leaf Award presented to the Ticktocker who during her six years served the most volunteer hours at the Chapter’s primary philanthropy, Twelve Oaks Retirement Lodge in La Crescenta. Amber gave 627 hours to Twelve Oaks and its residents.

Rebecca Weitzel, who gave a total of 1,302 hours to the chapter’s many philanthropies, received the Senior Achievement Award.

Here are some other social activities our town folk have been up to. Bill Pounders, the new public relations director for the La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Assn., wrote me to say that the group’s first Happy Hour of the year was a big success.

It was held at the LCF home of Doris Samuelson. The gathering was full of enthusiasm in anticipation of the next city float that will roll down Colorado on New Year’s Day. The 2014 parade theme is “Dreams Come True.” Pretty soon we will know what our float will be named.

The next Happy Hour will be held tomorrow night at the home of Rita and Frank Gooch. So think about bringing a tasty hors d’oeuvre to share and come mingle with other float enthusiasts at 1210 Homewood Lane from 6 to 8 p.m.

JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@yahoo.com with news of your special event.