The Valley Line: La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses happy hour
As the old saying goes, let’s let those sleeping dogs lie. My pooch, Lola, was all set with her new short haircut for the hot weather that was supposed to come with the onset of the dog days of summer. What a surprise for the two of us, we had June gloom weather and my little dog just wanted to stay in bed and cuddle next to me to stay warm.
This past week was pretty quiet, socially speaking. That happens every August, when many locals are still vacationing out of town, getting in that last little bit of summer hoorah because school will be starting up soon. In La Cañada, the public schools will welcome back students on Tuesday, Aug. 20, earlier than in previous years. So perhaps we’ll see an uptick in social events shortly thereafter.
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Cheryl and Brent Rider have been hosting Cheryl’s college roommate from Rider University in New Jersey, Andrea Ferraro, and her friend Cheryl Ryan, here in our fair hamlet. (Brent Rider is not related to the university that shares his name.)
Ferraro and Ryan flew from New Jersey to San Francisco for this new adventure. They did all the tourist spots in the beautiful city by the bay and were exhausted after the fourth day. They then rented a car and did a slow mosey down the California coast to La Cañada.
The Riders surprised Ferraro on her birthday with a small gathering of friends for dinner at Cucina Rustica in Montrose. Over the years, Ferraro, who has come to visit the Riders each year, has met several of their friends, so it made for a fun little birthday party with cake, candles, singing of the birthday song, and very good company.
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Wendy and Phil Wyatt were the hosts of the recent La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Assn. Happy Hour at their Oakwood Avenue home.
Guests, with their hors d’oeuvre creations in hand, gathered in the Wyatts’ beautiful back yard. It was like entering a tropical paradise with a tucked-away grotto, a rushing waterfall and inviting pool.
Front and center in the yard was the artist’s rendering of what will become LCF’s float entry in the 2014 New Year’s Day Rose Parade, “Dog Gone.” According to the float wizards, work is coming right along as the float’s under structure gets welded etc. The float promises to be a delightful and amusing offering. This year’s parade theme is “Dreams Come True.” Of course all float supporters hope that our dreams will come true and the float will be an award winner — just like our entry was last year.
Many of the guests wanted to have their photos taken by the colorful artist’s rendering and the float associations director of publicity, Bill Pounders, was happy to oblige them.
The gathering of parade supporters included Pat and Otis Hutchins, Donna Franklin, David Granish and Julia Cameron, Vera and Garth Gragg, Dave Spence with his sons Andy and Steve, Stewart and Gloria Lee, Martha and Tom Burns, Gloria and Terry Beyer, Pete and Cathy Palermo, Laverne Hench, Bob and Joyce Covey, Rose Linda Gonzales, Steve and Heather Park, Nancy Wyman, David Hildreth and Adrine Issavy, Mary and Daryal Gant, Sue Beatty, Page Whyte, Cindi McIntosh-Behr, Joey Mitchell, Jim and Adene Misamore, Sarah and Mayfield Marshall, Larry and Alicia McVicker, and Dick Grippi.
Other members and supporters attending the mixer included Bud and Pamela Carney, Bob and Liz Craven, Caroline Craven, Duane and May Batenhorst, Brenda Gant and Jeff Hughes, Kaitzer and Joe Puglia, Jeanne and Jim Wallace, Don and Rose Manning, Tim Rahtz, Jenny Pass, Peggy Hotaling, Lisa and Jon Curtis, Eileen St. Amand, Gloria Winkley, Joyce Ruygrok, Pam Wiedenbeck, Alex Keledjian, Doug Albright, Kitty Barr, Joel and Darleen Peterson, Mary Lou and Erik Fiske, Tom and Gale Caswell, Clyde and Bobbie Hemphill, Diane and John Landrum, Mary Brown and Kieran McKay.
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JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@yahoo.com with news of your special event.