The Valley Line

Just a week ago we were sloshing through a downpour of rain. This weekend it was like spring with warm days and beautiful blue skies. With the sun shining so brightly, plant surprises are popping up in the most unexpected places. Smack-dab in the middle of my front lawn I spotted a small purple flower. When I went to investigate I discovered a clump of wood violets with fragrant flowers that somehow had just blown in and taken root.

My, the sweet aroma of those tiny blooms took me back to my childhood. In the Craftsman-style home that I grew up in, we had a natural rock pedestal birdbath in the front yard. At its base was a circular planting of wood violets that I always looked forward to picking and carrying into the house. I even had a favorite vase that I would put them in.

Just like in the days of old, this week I plucked the delicate flowers from their slender stems and brought them into the house. Of course that old violet vase is long gone so the best I could do was put them into (Mother Nature forgive me) a bartender’s shot glass and they are sitting right beside me at my desk. Every now and then I stop my typing to pick them up to sniff their fragrant essence.

I won’t be worrying about them getting tipsy in that shot glass because in an old Roman tradition the color of a purple amethyst will prevent drunkenness. The only one that will be getting drunk is yours truly from inhaling their sweet scent.

OK, OK. Hold on just a little bit longer. There was so much community social news during holiday time that I still want to recognize organizations and people who sent me things to report.

The La Cañada Flintridge Orthopaedic Guild celebrated the holidays with a Christmas Luncheon held at the lovely home of Liz Argue. The hospitality committee, including Joan Cleven, Dawn Rothfield and Carlotta De Francisco.

Maria Aguilar, international children’s program coordinator at the Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital, was a guest of honor.

Guild members brought Christmas gifts for children of the Valley Orthopaedic Clinic in Calexico. The Calexico Clinic, founded in the early 1960s by Dr. Lowman and his wife, is now served by Los Angeles-based medical professionals who work one weekend a month at the clinic, at times seeing over 200 patients on a weekend. Maria, along with Guild members Linda Labrie, Caryl Petit, and Margot Siess, drove down to the clinic to deliver the gifts.

The Guild recently held their first meeting of the new year at the home of Mary Lou Morrison. The Guild’s annual past-president’s luncheon was held after the meeting.

Members of Las Candelas held its annual “Guest Day,” with a whole lot more glitter to it because the club is celebrating its 55th anniversary. Cathy Keen was the hostess as the meeting was held in her home.

Special guests included Debbie McElderry, Jan Ashford, Suzanne Rebal, Brooke Moore, Kathleen Powers, Lynn Brandstater, Shirley Johnstone, Pamela Carney, Ann Marie Smith, Lola Archer and Margarite Conner.

Karen Whyte, president of Las Candelas, introduced the guest speakers. Addressing the group were Lynn Brandstater, CEO of Verdugo Mental Health and Kathleen Powers, the current Glendale Healthy Kid’s president.

Whyte also lit 55 tall candles on a beautifully embellished three-tiered cake in celebration of this momentous anniversary.

Las Candelas has given the community a wonderful legacy to build on. The women of the guild first began their work by helping emotionally disturbed children at Camarillo Hospital. They continued their work to the Children’s ward at L.A. County Hospital and now to the residential and educational facilities at Hathaway-Sycamores and Hillsides in Pasadena. The ladies continue to share their time, energy and talents with some of the most vulnerable children in the area. They have sponsored an internship and camper ships at Verdugo Mental Health Center.

Last June, the 2007 graduating class of Hillsides Educational Center here in La Cañada presented a certificate of appreciation to Las Candelas for their kindness, generosity and support.

Recognition was given at the recent meeting to the women of Las Candelas who have given 25-55 years of service to the youth of the community.

JANE NAPIER NEELY has been covering the La Cañada social scene for over 26 years and can be reached at jnvallysun@aol.com