La Providencia Guild Conjures Up a Scary Fashion Show

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Scaring up a grand time at "The Good Witches Fashion Show and Luncheon" are La Providencia Guild's Fashion Show Chair Sue Ann Gordon, left, and President Lynn White-Shelby. (Photos by Joyce Rudolph)

Ladies of La Providencia Guild tipped their pointy black hats to the bewitching holiday upon us when naming their 69th annual luncheon and fashion show held at the Sheraton Universal Grand Ballroom earlier this month.

 Centerpiece committee members are, from left, Mary Fraser,  Vendor Chair Cindy Birch, Centerpiece Chair Carrie McCoy, Beth Bowles and Jamie Eller.
Centerpiece committee members are, from left, Mary Fraser, Vendor Chair Cindy Birch, Centerpiece Chair Carrie McCoy, Beth Bowles and Jamie Eller.

More than 350 members and guests embraced the “The Good Witches” theme, donning black and white frocks, frighteningly embellished headpieces and pearls — truly a ghoul’s best friend.

The proceeds will support the goods works of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for the Associates Caregiver Wing and the Associates Sarcoma Program Chair. Funds also come from the guild’s thrift shop on Burbank Boulevard.

Working her magic as chair was “Mother Witch” Sue Ann Gordon who led her committee with a grand sweep of her broom. Those helping to make the afternoon a hauntingly good time were President Lynn White-Shelby, Second Vice President Deborah Spang, Secretary DeeDee Rowlands, Carrie McCoy, scaring up the centerpieces and decor; Jill Kessler, donations; Judy Pierce, opportunity baskets; Glenda Jones, opportunity tickets; Shanna Warren, silent auction; Laureen Endoso and Nancy Lee-Wintering, ad sales; Janet Jack, gratitude notes; and Patricia Taylor, lotto bracelets.

 Officials with the Children's Hospital Los Angeles Associates and Affiliates are, from left, Administrator Suzanne Lapis, Treasurer Pat Maskell, Project Coordinator Robin Hyland, Chair Bonnie McClure and Chief Risk Officer Karen Prommer.
Officials with the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Associates and Affiliates are, from left, Administrator Suzanne Lapis, Treasurer Pat Maskell, Project Coordinator Robin Hyland, Chair Bonnie McClure and Chief Risk Officer Karen Prommer.

Also waving their wands were Veronica Chavoor and Kris Veatch, reservations; Nancy Wiggins, treasurer; Cindy Birch, vendors; Gordon and Marcela Barretto, invitations; Chavoor and Barretto, program; and Ann O’Donnell-Gardner, publicity; Janel Clausen, Donna Salant, Janice Shafer, Malena Tappan, Linda Wilson, Mary Fraser, Beth Bowles and Jamie Eller.

Kudos to Director of Catering Stephen Ciccarelli and his staff for the excellent meal kicking off with everyone’s favorite Creme of Roma Tomato Basil Soup and its delectable puff pastry cap followed by Statler Breast of Chicken topped with fruit, grilled veggies and mashed potato sweetened with crispy onion rings. A chocolate glazed “taco” shell was filled with whipped cream and a medley of fresh berries and kiwi for dessert.

Special guests from the hospital’s Associates and Affiliates department were Administrator Suzanne Lapis, Treasurer Pat Maskell, Project Coordinator Robin Hyland and Chair Bonnie McClure and Children’s Hospital Chief Risk Officer Karen Prommer.

 Arriving at the La Providencia Guild fashion show luncheon are School Board Clerk Roberta Reynolds, left, and City Treasurer Debbie Kukta. (Photos by Joyce Rudolph)
Arriving at the La Providencia Guild fashion show luncheon are School Board Clerk Roberta Reynolds, left, and City Treasurer Debbie Kukta. (Photos by Joyce Rudolph)

VIPs attending included Burbank City Treasurer Debbie Kukta and Burbank Unified School Board members Clerk Roberta Reynolds and Charlene Tabet.

Past president Rosemarie Witten was channeling Victor/Victoria dressed in a men’s gray suit with her ebony hair slicked back emphasizing the white stripe down the center. Her top hat was flecked with flashing lights.

Master of ceremonies duty was conducted by chair Gordon’s son Douglas Howe who gave testimony of how the doctors at Children’s Hospital saved his son’s life after discovering a heart murmur when he was 4 years old.

 Patricia Taylor, left, lotto bracelet chair, and Glenda Jones, opportunity basket chair, wear their Halloween finery at the fashion show luncheon. (Photos by Joyce Rudolph)
Patricia Taylor, left, lotto bracelet chair, and Glenda Jones, opportunity basket chair, wear their Halloween finery at the fashion show luncheon. (Photos by Joyce Rudolph)

Glittering gowns by Lourdes Chavez — keeping to the black and white theme — graced the runway. Carin Holmenas, fashion show producer, knows her audience and added two hunky male models to escort the females. And instead of a black cat — a standard black poodle padded down the cat walk.

Top prize-winners were Jennifer Kleinman, $250 cash; Maskell, $300 money tree; O’Donnell-Gardner, $500 cash; and Nancy Chiarolla, the grand $1,000 cash.

This reporter was sitting with Judi Gascoigne, Judy Stuart, Carol Kelly, Jean Skinner, Leiani Newman, Sandy Thompson, Bea Wainwright and Patt Scully, who will be busy giving out candy on Halloween. Her neighborhood draws some 200 goblins. That’s a scary thought!

 Scaring up a grand time at "The Good Witches Fashion Show and Luncheon" are La Providencia Guild's Fashion Show Chair Sue Ann Gordon, left, and President Lynn White-Shelby. (Photos by Joyce Rudolph)
Scaring up a grand time at “The Good Witches Fashion Show and Luncheon” are La Providencia Guild’s Fashion Show Chair Sue Ann Gordon, left, and President Lynn White-Shelby. (Photos by Joyce Rudolph)
 Model wears a style from the Lourdes Chavez collection.
Model wears a style from the Lourdes Chavez collection.
 A detail photograph of La Providencia Guild President Lynn White-Shelby's fascinator headpiece featuring black netting and a faux skull.
A detail photograph of La Providencia Guild President Lynn White-Shelby’s fascinator headpiece featuring black netting and a faux skull.