The Valley Line: Rose Queen is guest at wine-sipping fundraiser
Hundreds of costumed children made their way to my doorstep last Thursday night for Halloween treats. I ran out of the goodies earlier than expected so this witch had to shut off the lights and pretend she wasn’t at home.
I thought when dawn came I would be seeing candy wrappers blowing across my lawn. Instead, the only remnant that the marauding candy horde left in its wake was a beautiful red feather that had once belonged to somebody with an exotic crimson boa — it was a sweet reminder of All Hallow’s Eve.
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The La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Assn. held its annual event themed “An Evening of Wine and Roses” on Sunday evening at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club.
There were more than 150 people who came to meet newly crowned Rose Queen Ana Acosta and her court, which includes two La Cañada High School students —Katherine Lipp and Elizabeth Wolf. The Rose Queen is a student at Pasadena Polytechnic School.
The other four princesses on the court include Sarah Hansen, who attends Pasadena City College; Kayla Johnson-Granberry, a Pasadena High School student; Jamie Kwong, of La Salle High School and Elyssia Widjaja, a San Marino High School student.
Escorts for the court included LCF Tournament of Roses members Mike Leininger, Mike Cucueco, Dave Spence, Bob Craven, Chuck Terhune, Joe Thompson and Otis Hutchins.
Chairs for the evening were Sue Beatty, Nynia Cucueco, Corkie McPherson and Peggy Hotaling.
Ann Neilson, president of the float association, welcomed guests to the evening that raised funds for our float.
Emcee for the evening was Kelly Mack, former KNBC news anchor who now has her own interior and garden business.
It was a lovely evening of sipping wines, tasting hors d’oeuvres and supporting the city’s 2014 float, “Dog Gone.”
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Five Dominican sisters who teach at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and were wearing their habits were the stars of the 39th Annual Harry Johansing Scholarship Golf Tournament and dinner, “Bet on the Sisters,” at Oakmont Country Club a couple of weeks ago.
At cocktail time, golfers and guest sipped cocktails and watched as the Sisters competed in a classic putt-off.
Golf committee chair Craig Shewfelt welcomed guests, informing them that the Johansing Endowed Scholarship Fund is the largest scholarship endowment at the school.
The night ended with awards for tournament players, jewelry and cash raffles, as well as paddle pledges.
“This event is very close to my heart, as I know there are many amazing girls who wouldn’t be able to afford a Sacred Heart education without our help,” said Charlotte Saydah, special events manager at the private school.
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Thursday Club members and guests were trying to outwit Lady Luck a couple of Saturday nights ago when they met at the clubhouse for a casino night fundraiser.
Lorie MacKenzie, dressed as a cat, chaired the event with Gracella Gibbs, who wore an attractive spider web hat. They welcomed nearly 100 people to the clubhouse.
The party spilled out of the main building into the patio with its babbling fountain. Roulette, craps, blackjack and bingo tables were luring people to come play. At the end of the night, people won a host of fun prizes that ranged from a $100 certificate from Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Pasadena to baskets of wine selections.
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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.