The Valley Line: Thursday Club holiday party salutes New York, Sinatra
At last, Christmas Eve is here. All the little children — and I — are waiting to see if reindeer really know how to fly. I believe in all the magic this season has to offer.
I wish all a very Merry Christmas and special times spent with family and friends.
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It was a combo New York Christmas celebration for the Thursday Club’s holiday party. Not only were they celebrating Manhattan, a city that is decorated to the nth degree for the season but they were also honoring Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday. The late crooner, also known as “Ol’ Blue Eyes,” loved New York City and of course sang about “his kind of town” often.
As guests attending the Thursday Club party entered the historic clubhouse dressed in their holiday finest, songs of Sinatra greeted them. The DJ, Mick Cicolla of Better Music Services, spun the best tunes of this legendary singer.
Jeanie Kay, president of the club, welcomed guests and also served up her own cocktail concoction that she called “Capri Kiss.”
Barbara Self superbly chaired the event. The committee assisting her with all the details included Alison McQuay, Alma Tycer, Barbara Robison, Yvonne Elleri, Linda Pebsworth, Jeanie Kay, Jody Platisa and Judy Cooper.
The dinner served was a nod to Sinatra’s Italian heritage. Appetizers began with caprese skewers, bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms, crostini with ricotta and olive tapenade and an antipasta of assorted cold cuts and cheeses.
The dinner was expansive with choices such as meat lasagna, penne pasta with marinara sauce, stuffed chicken with lemon caper sauce, meatballs, Italian sausage and peppers, rice with peas and mushrooms, asparagus and green peas with olive oil and garlic and marinated artichokes. Dessert was traditional cannoli, cream puffs, and assorted Italian cookies.
The Sinatra tunes played throughout the evening and the dance floor became crowded with enthusiastic dancers.
It was an especially festive holiday party and guests went home with party favors of pretty tins topped with a bow and filled with candy kisses.
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The elegant décor and lavish Christmas decorations at a private club in Pasadena was the setting for the recent Stardusters and Alaroma dinner dance.
The dining table was set with centerpieces of winter evergreens studded with red roses, white daisies and chrysanthemums and garnished with red berries and a silver bow.
Susan and Jim Holland were dance chairs. Presidents Gigi and Jim Schlueter greeted guests as they arrived for the gala event.
Some of those attending the party were Polly and Brent Allen, Fran and Terry Buchanan, Grace and Dave Cashion, Liz and Bob Craven, Francie and Jerry Crichton, Tom and Margaret Dunn, Heather and Carl Emge, Gerri and Carson English, Marlene and Robert Evans, Sue Franzen and Jim Nigra, Judy and Kent Frewing, Janis and Riccardo Gallo, Mary and Daryal Gant, Marion and Paul Greene, Kent and Stefi Kuster, Shirley and David Hickman, Jeanne and Robert Jenkins.
More people on the dance floor were Michael and Virginia Karsch, George Kunkel and Cora Miller, Penny and Jay Lusche, Corkie and Dave MacPherson, Jim Mramor and Edie Askew, Ed and Ginger O’Hara, Lillian and Roy Olofson, Joanne Stebenne and Frank Osmon, Cathy and Pete Palermo, Barbara and Tony Phillips, Bob and Rosemarie Risley, Jeraldine Saunders and Jeffrey Kobes, Margaret and John Schock, Judy and Bob Snyder, Lynne and Joe Thompson, Keith and Michelle Wien, and Maren and John Wynton.
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JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada Flintridge social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news of your special event.