The Lincoln Ladies

The holidays give us so many ways to celebrate friendships, gratitude and love. On Thursday night, Mary O’Keefe and I attended an open house held down the street from our office at the Der Ohanessian Youth Center and hosted by the Armenian National Committee-Crescenta Valley Chapter and the Center. Guests enjoyed food and drink while catching up on local news and events. Alice Chalian Manoukian took the mic a couple of times during the night acknowledging party guests and greeting them.

On Friday and Saturday nights were other holiday parties that I had the pleasure to attend and, as expected, had a wonderful time.

But there are other events that are held throughout the year that continue the tradition of celebrating friendships – new and old. I’m talking about the Lincoln Elementary School bunco group.

Now, I’m not an “organic” Lincoln parent; my four boys attended Monte Vista Elementary School. But my granddaughter attends Lincoln so, by extension, I’ve been welcomed into the Lincoln family. And a family it is.

On Monday night, I joined the near-monthly get together of Lincoln parents, grandparents, teachers and other supporters in playing bunco. Bunco is a dice game that has players rotating from table to table, depending if they won their round. Players bring food for the potluck and there are plenty of beverages to enjoy. For me, though, it isn’t just the chance to play a game and hope to win a prize; it’s the opportunity to share how our kids are doing in school, how to overcome any obstacles and learn about upcoming events the school is hosting. Even though my granddaughter no longer lives at our house, I still pick her up daily and am connected to her class, teacher and school. The Lincoln ladies give me a chance to feel connected to them – which I treasure.

Though the bunco game ended around 8:30 on Monday night, one parent and I talked about our kids long after the game was over.

Thank you, Lincoln ladies; I look forward to the next chance to yell, “Bunco!”

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Among the many awesome seasonal things found in the Crescenta Valley are the lavish Christmas home displays. CV Weekly wants to share where these displays can be found, so next week we’ll provide some photos and addresses where you can drive by to boost your holiday cheer. I encourage you, too, to send us your suggestions (by Monday afternoon if possible) so we can add to the list.

  robin goldsworthy