The Great Gatsby Gala—hosted by the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society on Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Radisson—positively delighted guests with a mix of creative decorations, xylophone and guitar music in the atrium, and a musical welcome (Jim Enos at the piano) with chilled sparkling wine in the foyer.
Doesn’t that sound like the makings of a fun time?
The effervescent Diane Beebe greeted guests, many clad in the suggested ’20s and ’30s era attire, while Debra Hood and Linda Barth made last-minute adjustments to the silent auction tables and centerpieces, and Dr. Lynne Garrett circled the area to ensure things were going well.
Dino Donati (the owner of the Grocery “the price is right” Outlet) and his team were responsible for the wonderful period backdrops in the ballroom and the cardboard facsimile of a ’30s roadster that was parked in the bar.
People scrambled to “get in” the roadster (fitted with chairs) and have their photos taken by friends. Among these were Dr. Robert and Louise Hammond, Barbara Karamitsos, and Nancy Johnson, who posed together amid great frivolity.
During dinner, Jed Beebe (board president) presented Johnson with a bouquet of flowers and a glass trophy, acknowledging her as a Legacy Award Honoree. Nancy is a civic activist who has had a finger in many a nonprofit pie. She is also an advocate for the arts and, I learned, a flautist who once played with the SLO Symphony.
Robert and Sandra Dickerson, Charlie and Judy Markline, and Dennis McGaughhey, were among the revelers. Jim and Kelly White O’Neill, I hope I see you again soon.
The evening was capped by robust dancing to the music of a DJ. I could not resist doing the Charleston, wobbly knees be damned, and all the zippy numbers that followed.
About 140 were at this event. Tickets were $100, and included excellent wines with dinner.
Bo Prescott, event coordinator extraordinaire, it was an absolutely fantabulous evening. Or, in the words of the late Cole Porter, “what a swell party” it was.
Party at the inn
If you dropped by the Kent Room of the Santa Maria Inn on Sunday evening, Oct. 28, you would have seen members and guests of Rotary South dressed as prominent people from the 1920s and ’30s.
Rotary South schedules its annual fundraiser around Halloween, so that members and guests can indulge their desire to be someone else.
Pat Haley was a sensational Harpo Marx. Bill Thompson’s name tag said “Albert Einstein.” Cynthia Ellis was a perky Billie Holliday.
Georgia Shore (former general manager for the Sun) arrived as a super- sophisticated Gloria Swanson, accompanied by her dashing paramour, Joseph Kennedy (aka Richard Neblett). There were two Ernest Hemingways and more than one Frida Kahlo.
Kathy Boysen was a ’30s chanteuse (she actually sang throughout the evening) and her spouse, City Councilman Jack Boysen, came as the husband of a ’30s chanteuse.
David and Lisa Long, Ken and Diane Parker, and Diane Balay were among the revelers. Frank Ortiz looked very happy as an Al Capone type, while wife Scottie came (I think) as his “moll.”
The $40 tickets included a buffet of heavy appetizers and a no-host bar (after a glass of complimentary sparkling wine). Between 55 and 60 congregated in the inn’s Kent Room for this cocktail party and wine raffle.
Fun at the crab feed
I have never been to a crab feed before. I can see how one could become addicted. Law Enforcement for the Special Olympics sponsored its annual fundraiser on Nov. 2, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Veterans Memorial Center. About 230 came to chow down.
Wine, beer, and soda were available at a hosted bar. Tickets were $40, and if you didn’t get your money’s worth, it was your fault. There was lots and lots of food passed around by a seeming army of willing helpers.
The band Rock Odyssey played throughout the evening and, of course, there was dancing. City Councilmember Dr. Michael Moats and his wife, Susan, were at the Noontime Kiwanis table, along with Dr. Roland Miller. Other community activists out and about were Marisol Cruz, Paul Klock, and Doug Dougherty.
Retired law enforcement officer Howard Coolidge, who helped tend bar, has been involved with this from the get-go, about 10 years ago.
All in all, dear readers, this was a notable November, wouldn’t you say?
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you can reach her at column151@gmail.com.
This article appears in Nov 29 – Dec 6, 2018.