Joyce Rudolph
Stephanie Edwards, longtime TV host for the Pasadena Tournament of
Roses Parade, is the guest speaker at the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast from 7
to 8:45 a.m. May 2 at the Pickwick Center.
This event, in its 29th year, is co-sponsored by six service clubs --
Master's Men, Noon and Sunrise Rotary clubs, Noon and Sunrise Kiwanis
clubs and the Magnolia Park Optimists.
The prayer breakfast is a local version of the annual Presidential
Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. That event was started in 1952 by
spiritual leaders of the United States Senate and House of
Representatives as a time for rededication to God as individuals and a
nation.
The tradition has spread to state and city groups across the country.
In 1968, Edwards left her Minnesota dairy-farm home and her alma
maters, St. Olaf and the University of Minnesota, to move to Los Angeles.
In the years since, she has had a varied career that includes 15
appearances on the "Tonight Show," has had co-starring roles in three TV
series and two films, numerous TV guest appearances, six years of summer
stock and even a season on the road as piano accompanist.
KABC-TV Channel 7 hired her as co-host with Ralph Story, for his show
"Ralph Story's A.M.," the prototype on which ABC modeled "Good Morning,
America." Four years later, Edwards moved to New York to co-host the
early network show called "A.M. America."
Over the years, she has worked continuously on either public or
commercial TV including hosting for "Leave It To The Women," "Everyday"
and "Medix." She is in her 22nd year as co-host with Bob Eubanks on
KTLA-TV Channel 5's broadcast of the Tournament of Roses Parade.
Tickets for the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast are $15 if purchased in
advance or $16 at the door. For more information, call Glenn Taylor at
845-4781. Tickets are also available at the Burbank Chamber of Commerce,
200 W. Magnolia Blvd., 846-3111.
Optimists support other group's activities
Burbank Noon Optimists will lend volunteer support for upcoming
projects sponsored by fellow organizations.
First is the Optimist Braille Olympics on May 4 at the Braille Youth
Facility, 3540 W. Cahuenga Blvd. in Los Angeles.
The Parade of Athletes starts at 9 a.m., and the day concludes with an
awards ceremony at 3 p.m.
The local Noon Optimists are also planning to support the Optimist
Clubs of Pacific Southwest District El Monte Airport EXPO and Classic Car
Show 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 29 and 30.
For more information, call Bob Ventura at 506-8714. The Noon Optimists
meet at 11:45 a.m. each Thursday at the Anabelle Hotel, 2011 W. Olive
Ave. Lunch is at noon, with speaker following at 12:45 p.m.
Features editor JOYCE RUDOLPH is covering the service clubs beat until
a replacement columnist is found. Send news releases to her by fax at
241-1975 or by e-mail joyce.rudolph@latimes.com.
