The Valley Line: It’s burger night in support of the float
The big Labor Day celebration that always marks the transition from summer to fall has just flown by us.
In the old days, the men and women of fashion had to put away their white clothes and shoes until the next June. Here in Southern California, the old rules don’t seem to apply as stringently.
All the beautiful wool fashions in the rich, earthy colors of autumn that the East Coast people are donning just don’t work here when it is in the 80s — and even 90s — until the end of October.
Like it or not, the traditional summer has folded up its tent.
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More than 70 people braved 103-degree heat to participate in the La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association’s annual Hamburger Night on the last Friday of August.
I was about to melt into a big puddle when the Sarah and Mayfield Marshall, the evening’s hosts, beckoned me to come sip a cool one at the bar set up under a great shady tree.
With the incredible heat wave that had things sizzling for several days, refreshments were on everyone’s minds and the bar was a wonderful place to start a plethora of interesting conversations.
Sarah and Mayfield’s huge backyard was the perfect setting for the round white tables covered in red cloths. People came to sit a spell and then table-hopped to say hello to other friends and neighbors who came in support of the building of our city’s 2012 float entry — “If pigs could fly.”
Long tables were set up with the huge array of hors d’oeuvres that guests made for the evening’s festivities. Another table was set up with an amazing display of desserts to select from after the main course of freshly grilled burgers.
The master chefs flipping the burgers were Dustin Crumb and Jim Geoghegan. The mouth-watering sides to add to each burger plate included yummies such as two kinds of potato salad, two different recipes of baked beans, garden-fresh sliced tomatoes, relishes and other etceteras.
Enjoying the food, ambience, and mingling were Peggy Poundstone and Jim Phillips, David Moffett, Roberta and Len Stimpson, Pat Anderson, Liz and Bob Craven, Dottie Ecker, Nancy Wyman, Bobbie and Clyde Hemphill, Kathy Burns, Peggy Hotaling, Penelope Verner, Fran and Bill Evans, Barbara Dennerline, Pat Foltyn, Eremita Miranda and Larry Andreason, Jean and Ron Zink, Barbara and Leon Arnold, Sherrill and Jim Carbonetti, Claire Slaughter, Sue Beatty, Betty Jones, Jean and Don Spomer, Art Johnson, and Bev and Doug Albright.
Also enjoying the get-together were Elsie Hughes, Harriett and Chuck Hughes, Pam Wiedenbeck, David Granish and Julie Cameron, Marlene Warschilka, Adene and Jim Misamore, Margie and Tony Riewe, Joey and Dave Mitchell, Gloria and Stewart Lee, Diane and John Landrum, Sharlyn French, Lee and Merv Johnson, Joyce and Bob Covey, Irene and Carl Christensen, Darleen and Joel Peterson, John Burrows and Joan and Chuck McGee.
The next T of R Happy Hour will be at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23, at the home of Jean and Don Spomer, 1005 White Deer Drive, La Cañada. Anyone over 18 is welcome to attend, no reservation is required, and those bringing a guest will receive a free drink ticket. Just bring a hors d’oeuvre to share, buy your beverage of choice at a nominal cost, and help support our 2012 Rose Parade float.
JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada social scene. She can be reached at jnvalleysun@aol.com.