Vintage Photo Friday - Prom Night

Ellen & Kelly, Beverly Hills Hotel, 1970

Bevery High, Pre-Century City

Cut-Out Polaroid of Ellen in Prom Dress Beverly High Today, Century City Looming in the Background

Today, I'm participating in Prom Night - An Enchanted Evening along with many others.

On a cool May evening in 1970, my date, Kelly picked me up in his 1957 Chevy Bel-Air. It was a two-tone model, aquamarine and white....very cool. I was in band and orchestra because my two best girlfriends, Leah and Shayne wanted me to join. That's where I met Kelly. He was the leader/drum major of the band. Kelly played trumpet, was sweet and truly a nice guy. We met again years later at our 20th high school reunion. He'd become an LAPD officer and was still handsome and genuinely a great guy. If I hadn't just become engaged to the love of my life. Mr. Larry, maybe Kelly and I would have reunited.Kelly took me to the Luau Restaurant in Beverly Hills for a PuPu Platter and some exotic non-alcoholic drinks. The Luau Restaurant was a classic tiki-style Polynesian restaurant in Beverly Hills. One of actress, Lana Turner's husbands owned the place, Steve Crane. By 1970, the glow had worn off somewhat and the place closed a few years later. Going to the Luau, pre-prom was a tradition at Beverly High.

The Exotic Luau Restaurant, Beverly Hills

In those years, they didn't serve dinner at the Prom, just punch and soft-drinks, so there were always pre-parties. After the Luau we went to a pre-prom party at my friend, Dianna's house. Her house was at the intersection of Rexford, Beverly Drive as both those streets feed into Coldwater Canyon. The house is still there, vastly remodeled. A bunch of us carpooled down to the historic Beverly Hills Hotel for the Prom.

Of course, the Crystal Room was magical...all sparkling chandeliers, pink tablecloths and red carpet. I don't remember the band, but I do remember that we had a great time dancing like crazy. After the Prom, my date, Kelly, my best friend, Leah and her date Jamie headed down to Santa Monica Beach to "watch the submarines race." Like I said, it was an enchanted evening.

Other fond memories of Senior year was our trip to that other enchanted place, Disneyland! It was really fun going there with a group!

Kelly, Ellen, Jon, Debbie

resting our tired Disney feet! Disneyland, Canoe Ride

Ellen, 4th from left, back row getting splashed!

Campus Couple, Kelly & Ellen

My senior year at Beverly was a truly wonderful one. I made many good friends that I'm still in touch with. We had lots of laughs, carefree fun and made some big plans for the future. Some of those plans worked out, some didn't. Thanks so much for the memories. I look forward to seeing you all in 2010 for our 40th reunion! Yikes!

More prom pix here.