It was a big night for Jeremy Deming, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Maria Valley (B&GC), and Kathryn Scott, marketing manager.
The B&GC held its Annual Celebrity Waiters Night on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Santa Maria Country Club, and raised more than $40,000 to support the club’s many programs.
Celebrity waiters like Mayor Alice Patino, County Supervisor Peter Adam and Michelle Shipman served dinner to about 175 people. Tickets were $50. Diners expressed appreciation for service by their tips that went, of course, into the club’s coffers.
The fun of this event is the décor. Various groups decorate their tables with sometimes extravagant trappings. Creativity runs rampant.
Rabobank’s Angelica Gutierrez and Cecilia Moreno were in charge of decorating Rabobank’s table with an agricultural theme. They had fresh blackberries picked that morning at Gutierrez’s father’s ranch. The centerpiece was a basket of veggies. Boxes of mixed berries, tiny bottles of tequila, and blue cowbells that said “Rabobank” were favors at each place setting.
Heritage Oaks Bank did a stunning green and gold Mardi Gras table. Tom Martinez’s table featured pumpkins of all sizes. Several tables went the practical route and contrived centerpieces out of school supplies that were later given to the club.
Mexican Ladies Social Club members told me that they are gearing up for their annual Black & White Ball to be held on Saturday evening, Oct. 10, at the Elks Lodge. The event also benefits the B&GC.
Gloria Diffenderfer, Mexican Ladies Social Club president, and member Josie Baldiviez, told me that over the years, the club has been able to donate more than $200,000 to the B&GC.
Their table won the prize for most creative table decoration. It was, of course, a symphony in black and white. They even had alternating black and white seat covers. Everyone at the table wore black and white. Talk about color coordination.
Doris Lahr, Etta Waterfield, Brooks Wise, and Bert and Blanche Fugate were among the guests.
One of the characteristics of this event is the incredible lineup of live auction items. Among the treasures were: a trip to Chicago for a White Sox game that included airfare and hotel accommodations; a basketball signed by the Lakers; a mini-vacation in Newport Beach; a trip to Disneyland, and dinner for eight at the home of hostess extraordinaire, Dottie Lyons. My goodness, that auction teemed with temptation.
Philharmonic Wine and Roses
After the first Santa Maria Philharmonic concert of the season, on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Santa Maria High’s Ethel Pope auditorium, ticket holders and orchestra members were invited to a wine and dessert reception at the nearby Santa Maria Inn.
Judy and Hardy Hearn (she is a board member) hosted the reception, which was truly lovely. We gathered in the softly lit Santa Maria room, enhanced with floral arrangements, for wine, coffee, brownies, and cookies. It had the ambience and feel of a literary salon.
The very gracious conductor, John Farrer, was on hand as was the concert’s young, uber-talented guest violinist Alexi Kenney. It’s so much fun to meet and greet the artists, especially in such a pleasant setting.
Dr. Robert and Louise Hammond, Jay and Ann Hardy, Mary Lou Los, and Dr. Richard and Ruth Ann Ontell were among those enjoying the Hearns’ hospitality.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Oct 1-8, 2015.