100 years of HOPE

I just launched my new website in February of this year (2010) and I had to sift through my thousands of photographs.  I have many to share with you, both old and new but I thought I’d start my new blogginess with a special lady who turns 101 years old today.  Yes… over 100 yrs folks… Her name is Dolores Hope, most commonly known as Mrs. Bob Hope.  I had the privilege of shooting her 100th birthday last year and I thought I’d share those photos with you.  I hear she is keeping her birthday in the down low this year since she had a gazoogle celebration last year.

I came to really appreciate this woman while shooting this event.  In her lifetime she was a professional singer, was married to one of the most famous comedians (Bob Hope), a street was named after her (in her hometown the Bronx), she was named an outstanding Catholic laywoman (she has donated a lot of money to her passion which is the Catholic Church), got a Humanitarian Award for all her charities, travelled with her husband when he entertained the American troops, she’s a great grandmother and has far more numerous honors than I can research.  I don’t think she realizes the amount of kindness and difference she has made so far.

She helped build a church in Toluca Lake (St. Charles) and as one of the most devoted Catholics she celebrated the first part of her birthday there.  Boy, if you knew who was who in the Catholic Church you would know that the priests who celebrated with her were like the rat pack in old Hollywood.

The second part of her birthday celebration took place at her house in Toluca Lake.  Her best friend Mrs. Mako, her son Kelly and her daughter Linda propped her massive yard with kiosks from different eras.  They hired a bunch of actors to dress like each era.  I bet Mrs. Hope would be happy to know they didn’t hire any actors for 2010.  I think she would freak out with some of the current styles today.

Mrs. Hope has this awesome field where they propped cars from different eras.  Here are 2 juxtoposing cars. (I guess they have high hopes of her living up to the era of the Jetsons.)

Lots of food and entertainment.

I don’t think I’ve ever been to a party where there were lots of old Hollywood players and priests in the same room.  I only know the three ladies.  That’s Phyllis Diller, Katherine Crosby and her daughter Mary Crosby (she shot J.R.).

That’s Cardinal McCarrick and Cardinal Mahoney. My sister is a nun and she would just pass out if she knew I took photos of these Catholic bigwigs.  They are like Tom Cruise and John Travolta to her.

A hundred balloons were released that day.  When I turn 100 I think I’d rather ride in a hot air balloon.

Today Mrs. Hope is 101…. I wish we can all download into our minds the journeys this woman has travelled.  I know that if I can accomplish half of what she accomplished I would have had a life well lived.