The Valley Line
Brrrr, a Southern California winter seems to be here. I don’t think that last week’s temps even made it up to 70 degree mark. That seems a little unusual for our neck of the woods but one never knows because in two days time the temps could soar to nearly 80.
I loved our rainy Monday morning. It made it easier for me to stay put in my office to get this column done. I wasn’t tempted to go out and poke around the garden to nip off the extra camellia buds so the remaining blooms would be bigger. And if the rain continues it could be an incentive for me to clean out a closet or two which would give me a jump start on just one of my many New Year’s resolutions.
TV channel 4’s weatherman, Fritz Coleman, did say that we should be on raindrop alert throughout the week — I would like that.
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Recently the La Canada Thursday Club held its 56th debutante ball, “Bal Blanc de Noel” with 11 lovely young women being presented to society. The event was held in the grand ballroom of the Omni Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
The Jack Lantz Big Band Orchestra entertained the formally dressed ball guests during the social hour. When the guests entered the ballroom it was aglow with candlelight from the table centerpieces that featured white roses, lilies and hydrangea.
The stage for the debs’ presentations was elegantly framed by tall Roman columns. Sprays of white roses and lilies adorned the columns. The floral décor was created by Ana Martinez of Ana’s Gardens.
Guests were welcomed by Thursday Club President Peggy Hotaling followed by the introduction of each debutante by LCF Mayor Dave Spence. As the mayor spoke, each deb, wearing a beautiful white gown, was escorted by her father to the stage where her accomplishments were read and she made her bow. The deb and her father then proceeded to the podium where she was presented with the traditional camellia charm as her gift from the Thursday Club. She was also given a long-stemmed white rose, which she then presented to her mother.
After the presentation of debs they danced the first waltz with their fathers and the second waltz with their escorts.
At the completion of the ceremony a lovely dinner was served and guests danced throughout the evening, first to standards performed by the Jack Lantz orchestra and later in the evening contemporary hits spun by a local deejay.
The 2007 Les Fleurettes debutantes making their bow to society that evening included:
Kristyn Heather Bockman, daughter of Craig and Lindy Bockman; Colleen Elizabeth Boyd, daughter of William and Susan Boyd; Jensen Carol Higley, daughter of Mark and Dena Higley; Lisa Marie Leyda, daughter of Richard and Ellen Leyda; Helena Duey Malchione, daughter of Robert Malchione and Kate Duey; Meghan Frances Miller, daughter of Craig and Rita Miller; Jenna Nicole Muirhead, daughter of Brian Muirhead and Cathy Cagle; Jordan Marie Platisa, daughter of George and Jody Platisa; Elizabeth Sanfilippo, daughter of Michael and Olga Sanfilippo; Kristen Ellen Stamper, daughter of Dr. Elgan and Carolyn Stamper; and Melissa Lee Van Wagenen, daughter of Felicia and Kenneth Van Wagenen.
JANE NAPIER NEELY has been covering the La Cañada Flintridge social scene for more than 26 years. She can be reached at jnvalleysun@aol.com.