On the Town: Civic League memories range from poignant to comedic
Glendale Women’s Civic League marked its 70th birthday with members telling stories about the past during a luncheon on Thursday at the Glendale Elks Lodge.
President Lyn Foster led a short business meeting before everyone enjoyed a tasty lunch of meatballs over penne pasta, sautéed zucchini and cauliflower, green salad and garlic bread topped off by a decadent whipped cream cake for dessert.
Louise Peebles introduced three past presidents who kept members and guests giggling at their stories — embellished or not, we will never know.
Mary Margaret Smith served three terms as president. She brought to the party a collection of newspaper articles and photographs that were on display. She quipped that she identified the era of the photos by her hair styles and clothing.
Smith reminded members the group has its own birthday song and she read a couple of verses.
“It’s our 70th anniversary, a very special date. The Women’s Civic League of Glendale has cause to celebrate. Seventy years, our members have given service far and wide for promoting our objectives — civic duty, civic pride,” Smith said.
Ruth Moore served two terms, from 1998 to 2000 and again from 2005 to 2006. She admitted that she and Smith had played leap frog for many years, taking on the presidency because no one else would.
One of the funniest things Moore remembered was when a police dog and its handler came to a meeting to demonstrate its skills during the program. The Elks had just purchased a pool table and the janitor wouldn’t let anyone who wasn’t a member get near it. After the handler led the dog through several commands, he told it to lay down and the dog obediently jumped up on the pool table and went to sleep.
“I was responsible for the program and I thought my heart was going to pop right out of my chest,” she said, drawing lots of laughs.
Charlene Carnachan was president from 2001 to 2002. She recalled that early on league members would take turns attending the City Council meetings and then report back to the league about what had taken place. That service ended when meetings started to be broadcast over cable TV.
When the women’s movement began in the 1970s and ‘80s, Carnachan said that in the membership booklets the women’s names changed from husbands’ first names to the women’s first names.
“And I noticed that that change happened the year that Mary Margaret Smith served her first term as president and she was part of that decision to change,” Carnachan said.
While she didn’t have any funny stories to tell, Carnachan said she has enjoyed the programs the league has offered over the years including talks presented by mayors, the fire chief and police chief as well as the chance to ask them questions. The league has also given time to local candidates to share their platforms during programs.
Carnachan remembered that several years ago, membership dropped off and it became difficult to get members to serve as officers, so she thought the league was headed for disbanding.
“But all of a sudden, things changed and I was wrong because at our meetings over several months there were new members,” she said. “They brought their enthusiasm and energy to the group and immediately started stepping in and accepting responsibility and here we are today. So happy 70th birthday.”
Millie Jordan served as president from 2003 to 2005. She recalled two major events that happened during her tenure. The first was having to move the league’s meeting location when the Elks needed to change the meeting day. It was difficult finding a location that would also provide a luncheon for meetings. After several months, the Elks invited the group back, which made members very happy.
The second major thing was having guest speaker Rick Caruso come to talk about his plans to build the Americana at Brand.
“He showed us slides and told us all about what he wanted to do to build the Americana,” Jordan said. “We were impressed and really liked what he said and shortly after that, they started to build it.”
Awards were also presented during the anniversary celebration.
Elaine Smith received Honorary Life Member. Chick Benveniste was unable to attend due to illness, but she received Woman of the Day.
Glendale Mayor Paula Devine presented a commendation from the City Council to President Foster.
Members toasted their anniversary with champagne and sparkling apple cider and posed for a group photo.
Campbell Center’s Bowl-A-Thon turns 25
The Campbell Center is celebrating the 25th year of its Bowl-A-Thon slated for Nov. 6 at Pickwick Lanes in Burbank.
The event brings together bowlers and bowling teams from Glendale, Burbank, La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, Los Feliz and surrounding communities for an afternoon of sports and fundraising. Proceeds help continue the programs and services the center provides to developmentally disabled clients.
Clients will bowl alongside supporters divided into 24 bowling teams, and they will compete in a spirit of camaraderie and goodwill for several awards, including first-place team trophy.
Sponsorships ranging from $750 to $300 are still available, as are spaces for teams. Teams of four bowlers are $125 each. Donors can also sponsor clients’ participation at $35 each, enabling them to take part in the day’s activities.
Donations of any amount from those who are not able to attend are welcome and will go a long way in helping to underwrite costs associated with the production of the event.
Deadline for event sponsorship and registration is Oct. 21. For more information, contact Rita Tomassian-Hopkins at (818) 242-2434, Ext. 312 or by email at rita@thecampbell.org. For event sponsorships, donations, client sponsorship and team reservations online, go to TheCampbell.org, click the “Events” tab on the home page banner and follow the instructions.
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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.