By Lori BODNAR, intern 

Mothers, grandmothers, daughters and granddaughters gathered for a festive tea and luncheon on May 11 celebrating Mother’s Day at the La Crescenta Woman’s Club (LCWC). Around 120 people enjoyed a brunch buffet that offered a variety of tea sandwiches and desserts paired with a hot cup of tea. Patrons were seated 10 to a table, each of which was fashionably decorated with flowers, tea napkins, glass plates with glass teacups, and ornate teapots. There was plenty to enjoy in addition to lunch including a hat contest, a fashion show sponsored by Chico’s of La Cañada, a silent auction, opportunity raffle drawings and free fortune-telling readings for fun.

The LCWC is the second oldest woman’s club in California; it was founded in 1911. The club is dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. It is a nonpartisan, nonsectarian and nonprofit club.  It supports many local programs, including Prom Plus, Montrose Search & Rescue, domestic violence and crime prevention, women’s shelters and Relay for Life. One of the most important aspects of the LCWC is the annual distribution of scholarships. The Mother’s Day tea was a fundraising event for the club’s many charitable activities and scholarships.

Cindy Charles, a club member for about 20 years and one of the co-organizers of the Mother’s Day tea, said, “Our event supports scholarships and philanthropies. Wherever there is a need we try to help fill that. There were about a dozen volunteers at the [tea], and we are incredibly thankful. It takes a village.” 

Carol Huntwork, a LCWC board member, welcomed attendees and led the pledge of allegiance. LCWC Club President Marianne Jennings also greeted the crowd.  Then it was time for the fashion show.

Danette Erickson of the LCWC board said, “Our community really loves fashion shows. The tickets to this event sold out.”

Modeling the fashions from Chico’s were LCWC members Florence Virgallito, Tamara Hughes, Rita Marshall, Emma Lestina, Cindy Charles, Julia Robles and Lisa Malm.

Among those enjoying the show was Vickere Murphy, district representative for state Senator Anthony J. Portantino.

“I love this community and how it works together to accomplish so much,” said Murphy. “The office of the senator is a member of the woman’s club; since the club is a woman’s club, Senator Portantino can’t join himself.”

Laura Friedman, the assemblymember for the 43rd District, also attended the Mother’s Day tea with her daughter. Friedman also judged the hat contest. 

“Whenever I visit the Woman’s Club, I am always moved by the spirited friendship and fellowship,” said Friedman. “Today was certainly no exception. My daughter Rachel and I had a really lovely time. I am proud to be a Woman’s Club member. These events bring people together for the purpose of supporting our neighbors. They foster service and are blessed with such a strong knit community.”

Ellie Pipes, 96, has been a longtime member of the LCWC. She attended the tea with her granddaughter Misty Pipes. 

“I have been in the La Crescenta Woman’s Club for over 50 years,” said Pipes. “It is very [encouraging] to see how many people are here.”

Misty also commented that the Woman’s Club puts on “such fun, nice events such as the Mother’s Day tea.”

Many mothers and their daughters have made the annual tea a tradition. Seventh grader Raquel Sanchez and her mom Jackie Sanchez attended with Raquel’s aunt, Jennifer Genens. Raquel is up-and-coming in the club having also volunteered for the Breakfast with Santa event. For the tea, Raquel made her own hat, complete with stuffed animals enjoying a tea party. The stuffed animals were around the brim of the hat and a tiny doll’s set of tea party china was hot-glued to the top of the hat. She said it took her about an hour and a half to make it. The effort was well worth it, since Raquel won the prize for “Most Animated Hat.”

Another unique hat was found on the head of Vickie Guagliardo who took the prize for “Most Creative.” Guagliardo looked regal in her hat that featured a pink flamingo sitting by a tea set surrounded by pink netting.

“It was my sister’s friend’s daughter who was making hats and she made the hat for me,” said Guagliardo. “I added the pink netting.” 

The “Best Fascinator” was an all-black ensemble worn by Erika Norro. The hat was hot-glued and made by Norro’s mom Jeanne Long, who is 1st VP of the LCWC.

For those interested in what the future held for them, the free services of a fortuneteller were made available. Tamara Kasra and her daughter enjoyed a tarot card reading.

“We loved the tarot card experience,” said Kasra. “My mother is [one of] the coordinators of the event and asked my daughter and me to come. I liked the fashion show as well as the tarot card reading. It was fun to see people who I haven’t seen in years.”

The La Crescenta Woman’s Club invites women 18 and older to become club members. Daytime meetings are the second Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. and evening meetings are at 6:30 p.m. the third Monday of the month held at the historic clubhouse at 4004 La Crescenta Ave. The club meetings will be on hiatus during the summer (June, July, August), although members usually meet for a summer social event or project.

  Lori BODNAR