Candace Jordan (middle) with Hef, Patti McGuire, Marilou Hamill and Debra Jensen

CoutURe: Partying with Hef at the Mansion
by Candace Jordan

If you were an attendee at Glamourcon 48 recently held in LA, you’d see that the Playboy mystique still thrives and flourishes.

Over 40 Playmates, dozens of calendar pinups, and plenty of cyber models gathered together in the Hilton Ballroom for Glamourcon 48, which is the largest pin-up art and glamour convention in the country. Going strong now for 14 years, Bob Schultz is the mastermind behind this unique concept. The first Glamourcon had only one Playboy Playmate in attendance, Susie Owens (2/88), and boy has it come a long way baby! There were row upon row of gorgeous women signing autographs and taking photos with fans. Many of the Playmates even brought their daughters—future Playmates in training perhaps?! It was so much fun to see all of the girls again. And I must admit some looked better than others, but once a Playmate, always a Playmate.


scene from Glamourcon 2009

Dolores DelMonte (3/54) and Arline Hunter (8/54) evoked memories from the early years of Playboy. While at the mansion we met Hef’s latest girlfriend, Crystal Harris, who will be the December Playmate. Six of us were invited to the mansion for Friday’s movie night. The lucky group included Patti McGuire Connors, Debra Jensen (1/78), Sondra Theodore (1977), Dolores DelMonte, Allison Reynolds Berlinger, Denise Michelle (4/76), Mary Lou Hamill, who is married to Luke Skywalker, Mark Hamill, and Leann Moen. The movie for this night was “Basic Instinct” with Sharon Stone on blu-ray.


Candace (middle) with Patti McGuire Connors and Sylvie Garant on Sirius radio

Robert Culp, from “I Spy” fame, was there looking older but still sharp and “All the Way Ray”. The Rifleman’s “Mark McCain” and Johnny Crawford, also stayed for the film. My friend Patti and I talked to the girls and took some pics with Hef , then took a tour of his photo gallery on the 2nd floor. I saw the iconic images of the first centerfold of Marilyn Monroe as well as pics of all of his past and present girlfriends including every celeb who has ever stepped foot inside the mansion’s doors. There was even a photo of Hef and me rollerskating during the 25th Playmate reunion party! A lot of the girls had brought items for Hef to sign and he was a real dear to all of us.


UR CoutURe contributor Candace Jordan with the legendary Hugh Hefner

Many fans and friends showed up—some came from as far away as England, such as Simon Thorpe, the great portraitist. Playmate Julie Woodson (4/73) took a 30-hour train trip from Hutchinson, KS just to be there. Patti, Sylvie Garant and I were interviewed on Sirius Radio about what it was like during the Golden Age of Playmates—the 1970s. We had lots of stories to tell, and it was a fun show. It was a great weekend with old and new friends but as Dorothy said, “There’s no place like home!” - C.J.