Book of Verse for the Holiday Season
While we’re about to give thanks for little things, thousands of Los Angeles volunteers are riding on a surge of enthusiasm and putting the wreaths in Christmas.
Gala balls, Christmas concerts, house tours, fashion shows, luncheons and parties, large and small, intimate and expansive, crowd the calendar. And, if you haven’t got a party to go to, well, you can give one or put a twig on the front door and smile at the postman.
In the holiday spirit, people are talking about Mardee de Wetter’s beautifully bound book of sensitive poems, “The Sandwriter,” which has just been published. The San Marino resident and wife of business executive Peter de Wetter has written poetry since childhood, she says, “when I used to dictate poems to my mother.”
The collection is filled with her illustrations and poignant philosophy, the kind of book to be picked up, put down and re-savored while listening to the logs crackle in the fireplace.
With Christmas in mind, docents are selling it at the Huntington Library. Meanwhile, she’s at work on her third novel.
The Women’s Committee of the Pasadena Symphony members are swathed in scarfs and beating the chill by darting hither and yon putting finishing touches on their impressive “Holiday Look-In Home Tour” benefit Dec. 7 and 8.
Chairman Marian Brown and Jane Caughey and Pat McNamara have selected the four homes to be decorated for the holidays by floral designers this year, and they have some fine ones:
One is the imposing federal colonial belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Ben Reiling Jr., decorated by Edward Turrentine. Jacob Maarse will add Christmas flair. Another is Louise Dougherty’s town house and garden (interior designer Sylvia Mandigo) with Liz Merrill the floral designer. The Mediterranean San Gabriel Valley home and carriage house of the David Dicksons will be coordinated by Walter Hubert of Silver Birches Interiors, and the New Orleans Victorian of Charles Lievsay and Don Smith built in 1890 will be transformed with holiday elan by Milo Bixby.
The stop-off during the tour for refreshments will be the gardens of the George D. Jagels in San Marino.
Among the diligent benefit devotees are Ethel and Dick Graham, Connie and Andy Madsen, Betty and Bill Rockwell, Marilyn Warren, Carol Bressler, Mary Loy Patton, Agnes Pape, Susan Carlson, Helen Tuthill (president), Constance Zahorik, Mildred Wardlow, Virginia Moran and Marguerite Jehle.
Vivid red and green bows cover the Daniel Freeman Hospital Auxiliary’s invitation for its 34th annual Christmas Tree Ball Dec. 7 at the Sheraton Grande. Dinner, dancing, all of it black-tie.
What’s Christmas without music?
The Los Angeles Pops Orchestra will play a Gala Christmas Concert featuring Vic Damone and the USC Chorus Dec. 1. Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Liff are underwriting the concert in the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton.
Black-tie dinner, dancing and concert are concocted by the Keynote 88 Committee and party planners Mmes. John I. Moore and Happy I. Franklin. Mrs. S. J. Gaido is reservations chairman. Tickets are $150 per person.
The annual festive “Voices of Christmas,” a black-tie major fund-raiser with singers performing Christmas carols conducted by Les Brown and his Band of Renown, is Dec. 11.
Proceeds from the Beverly Wilshire party will benefit the cardiovascular department at St. John’s Hospital and Health Center.
Event Chairman Margot Armbruster is working with her husband, Mark Armbruster, with Dr. David Follette and Dr. Stephen Berens, board members, and with Robert Breckner, foundation president. Call Mrs. Armbruster (213) 459-5779 for tickets.
The ninth annual Merry Mart for Marlborough School is around the corner. Holiday finery will festoon the school Dec. 5 to 8, ending with the traditional family Wassail Party on Dec. 8.
Promising fragrant Christmas trees, wreaths, handmade gifts and delicious baked goods are Judith Needham, chairman and her merrymakers--Bambi Arnold, Felicia Bradley, Judy Citron, Corkie Clark, Cynthia Cotton, Louisa Craig, Martha Crockwell, Scottie Davis, Reca Gerchik, Carole Gibson, Shirley Harahan, Jackie Hill, Mindy Jones, Susan Judd, Joyce Kasmar, Anna Mae Kass, Jade Papageorge, Aileen Preonas, Linda Randgaard, Christine Sellman, Carole Terry and Jocelyn Wazzan.
Linda Larson Hartwick is president of the Marlborough Alumnae Council. Suzanne Peck and Nancy Peck Birdwell are seeking “Angel” donors.
The new actives of the Volunteer League have been invited to a Christmas party Dec. 4 at the home of Mrs. Byron Hayes in Toluca Lake. Members will bring non-perishable food to share with the needy.
The San Diego Museum of Art hosts an old-fashioned holiday party Dec. 14 for members, their children and relatives. Mrs. Bennett Wright is chairman, assisted by Mrs. Robert P. Sedlock Jr. The man from up north is supposed to make a surprise visit.
“Mingle, jingle and jazz.” That’s promised when the Cultural Foundation and the Cultural Society host “Winterfest ‘85,” a festival of trees and lights in the main court of the Topanga Plaza in Canoga Park Saturday.
Tickets are $50 per person for the fun, festive buffet and special desserts catered by Don Paul and Sue Burmeister.
Members and their invited guests will have the opportunity to review the 40 trees entered into competition while mimes, jugglers and magicians perform.
Mrs. Harvey Goldstein heads the party. Mrs. Harry Usher is Winterfest ’85 chairman and Mrs. Timothy Viole, president of the Cultural Society, is telling guests not to worry about the calories, because they can dance the night away.
Lynn Deutch LTD on Melrose Place has that fabulous bottoms-up goblet designed by Achille Castiglioni for Danese. The innovative concept in crystal has won a place in New York’s Cooper-Hewett Museum.
The philanthropic Doll League Charity Club, Inc., celebrates its 50th anniversary next Sunday afternoon with a cocktail dance in the California Ballroom of the Viscount Hotel. Accolades, champagne and good music by the Bill Hadnot Band will be in abundance.
Miss Jessie Mae Brown will be mistress of ceremonies. Her two sisters, Mrs. Fannie DeMann and the late Marion Wilson, were charter members and past presidents.
Former members and Silhouettes, the auxiliary group, will attend.
Mrs. Evelyn Brayboy is general chairman. Mrs. Rena Marlowe Hughes is president.
The Los Angeles Israel Bond Organization will honor Michael Litvak at its Man of the Year dinner this evening in the Los Angeles Room of the Century Plaza.
Gen. Ariel Sharon will speak. Jerry Weintraub is chairman, assisted by Esther Cohen, Sandra Moss and Carl M. Rheuban.
The Anne Banning Auxiliary of the Assistance League of Southern California hosts its annual Christmas fashion show luncheon to benefit Operation School Bell Dec. 15 at the Beverly Hilton, according to Mrs. Shelby Conti.
Operation School Bell outfits schoolchildren whose families are too poor to buy shoes and clothing for them. The 1984 Christmas luncheon provided funds to clothe more than 2,200 children, thus giving them the opportunity to attend school with dignity and respect for themselves.
