Flapper gowns. Poodle skirts. Spectacular hats. More than 70 guests at the Henry Mayo Home Tour League's annual membership luncheon and fashion show enjoyed a century-long fashion flashback from Goodwill Southern California on April 15 at Hart Park's Hart Hall.

Designed to encourage membership in the all-volunteer organization, which has hosted the popular Holiday Home Tour in the Santa Clarita Valley on the first Saturday of December since 1981, the event opened with remarks by R oger Seaver, Henry Mayo President and Chief Executive Officer.

"The Home Tour League supports the women's services unit at Henry Mayo and our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, scheduled to open in 2010, is a great extension of that," Seaver said. "I encourage the community to become involved with this group. It's my observation that they not only put on a great event each year, they have a lot of fun."

Guests dined on a light summer lunch that included a wide array of salads, including a tangy lemon-yogurt pasta version, as well as grilled chicken and a macaroon dessert from local caterer Mary Lynne Fry.

After a brief presentation by Donna Chipperfield of the Friends of Hart Park, which donated the hall for the luncheon, Jim Hicken, chair of the Henry Mayo Board of Directors and president and CEO of the Bank of Santa Clarita, was introduced by his wife, Julia, co-president of the Home Tour League.

"I've been on the board of Goodwill Southern California and the hospital for many years now, both of which are very important to the Santa Clarita Valley. The Bank of Santa Clarita is proud to be a sponsor of this event - it's unlike any fashion show you've ever seen," Hicken said.

Bedecked in a lacy vintage gown, Darlene McMillan, a volunteer with Goodwill Southern California for over 30 years, led the audience back in time for a sartorial retrospective of eras ranging from the late 1800s, with its penchant for ornate hats and billowing bustles, to the 1980s, when polyester hit the fashion scene.

All of the clothes, modeled by volunteers, were donated to Goodwill Southern California.

"Imagine a huge conveyor belt with literally tons of clothing. Our volunteers will often spot an item and pull it for our special collection, which includes over 500 articles of clothing dating back to the early 1800s. Many of these outfits came complete with matching accessories, such as shoes and hats," McMillan said.

One accessory drew a gasp from the primarily female audience - a cloth "tether" from the early 1900s, which was hooked between a women's ankles to keep her from taking too wide of a step.

Another popular scene portrayed the bathing suits of that era, complete with knee-length skirt, tights, and navy cap. An elegant black backless evening gown from the 1940s was another highlight.

Becki Basham, Home Tour membership chair, and Julia Hicken, concluded the event with a raffle featuring prizes donated by local vendors, whereupon Hicken reminded the attendees the ultimate purpose of the Home Tour League.

"Funds raised from future home tours will be used to help bring the NICU to Henry Mayo. The 2006 and 2007 tours have raised over $85,000," Hicken said to applause.

For more information about joining the Henry Mayo Holiday Home Tour League, please contact the Henry Mayo Health Foundation at 661-253-8082 or visit www.henrymayo.com.