So beautiful! So delicious! So congenial!
How else to describe the extraordinary Palm Court Holiday Candlelight Tour held in a historic neighborhood near the Santa Maria Inn?
Three wonderful period (circa 1930) homes, loaded with spectacular Christmas décor, were the focus of this tour, which is also a progressive dinner.
Imagine French 75 cocktails (champagne and cognac) with gourmet hors d’oeuvres in one setting, illuminated by candles and twinkling lights.
Then, in another festive milieu, a main course of beef bourguignon, haricots verts avec shallot sauce, polenta, and wonderful crusty bread.
Move to a third locale, beset with five-foot Santas, for eggnog with cognac and whipped cream, pistachio and cranberry cookies, sherry cake, triple-ginger cookies with pumpkin mousse, and cream cheese fudge.
Ah, talk about celebrating Christmas gastronomically and aesthetically.
Three different groups of 10 began the evening at one of three homes, hosted by Lynn and Richard Fernbaugh; Jim and Kelly White O’Neill; or Robert and Sandra Dickerson.
After the first course at one house, the tour groups went on to a second home (across the street or around the corner) for the main course, and then to a third home for dessert.
I know what you’re thinking: Isn’t that a lot of work?
I would think so.
The logistics involved in coordinating and planning this flawless and stunning event left me breathless with admiration.
Somebody, please explain to me how you keep your kitchens so sparkling clean and so organized amid this stellar entertainment coup. Were these three kitchens with their magnificent high-end stoves an outpost of Martha Stewart Central?
Speaking of entertainment, the Fernbaughs had a guitarist and singer in their pool room.
The Dickersons had a trio (singer, keyboard, and guitar). Jim and Kelly O’Neill went a different route and invited neighbors Larry (yes, Hiz Honor the Mayor) Lavagnino and wife Donna to provide entertainment via tales of Palm Court’s history.
The extremely knowledgeable (historically speaking) attorney Dick Weldon was also on hand to provide historical details of Santa Maria. Weldon brought along a perfectly preserved toy from his childhood (boy, would I like to sell that on eBay!) along with a bunch of giant, easy-to-read photos and charts of Santa Maria of yore.
The ubiquitous Roy Reed expertly bartended at the O’Neills.
The first Palm Court Holiday Candlelight Tour was held last year. On Sunday evening, Dec. 11, the second such tour took place.
The brainchild of attorney Sandra Dickerson, co-owner of “Your People Professionals,” the tour is hosted by three couples who live in the historic neighborhood near the Santa Maria Inn.
Three tours were auctioned off. The first was at United Way’s annual fundraiser. For the second year in a row, Jim Diani was high bidder. UW’s CEO Eddie Taylor was on hand with this group.
Another tour was made available at PCPA’s annual gala. The PCPA Foundation’s executive director Gillian Andrews led this tour.
The third tour was sold at the Discovery Museum’s Bippity Boppity Boo Ball. Lisa Murray was the winner. Kelly White O’Neill is the museum’s honcho.
Sandra Dickerson is president of UW’s board, and Robert Dickerson is on the PCPA Foundation’s board.
Lynn Fernbaugh works with Sandra Dickerson at Your People Professionals. You can see the connections that made this event happen.
One could only savor a savory evening.
Want to hobnob with Helen? Contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Dec 15-22, 2011.