Diplomacy Was in Order at Reception for Envoys

Be assured that a knowledge of the forms and courtesies of protocol requires more than simply knowing how to ask one’s diplomatic dinner partner to pass the sweet-and-sour pork.

In the event that a reigning monarch, a head of state, a prince, potentate, pasha or grand panjandrum should visit the city, San Diego is ready to receive the dignitaries with decorum.

To prove the point, the city’s recently named chiefs of protocol, Anne Evans and Jeanne Lawrence, joined with Mayor Maureen O’Connor on Thursday to receive both the San Diego consular corps and many of the consuls assigned to Los Angeles.

According to protocol director Cheryl Ayers, the lavish reception at the private Evans Garage automotive museum honored the consular corps and introduced the recently created Office of Protocol. The globe-spanning congregation of consuls (among the nations represented were Barbados, the United Kingdom, Liberia, Malaysia, Mexico, Australia, Honduras and Sweden) was, in fact, greeted warmly by a very generous chunk of the Establishment.

In Attendance

Among the 450 guests were bankers Kim Fletcher and Gordon Luce (during the early years of the Reagan Administration, Luce served a tour as assistant U. S. ambassador to the United Nations); arts figures Jack O’Brien and Hugh Davies; Tijuana socialites Sirak and Afife Baloyan; pro football player Eric Sievers and Councilwoman Abbe Wolfsheimer and former Councilman Bill Cleator (Cleator has been recognized in diplomatic circles since he gave Queen Elizabeth II a friendly pat on the back).

Evans, O’Connor and Lawrence manned the receiving line in accordance with the general principles laid down at the Congress of Vienna--Evans greeted each guest and made an introduction to the mayor, who offered an official welcome and then turned the individual over to Lawrence for a final greeting.

O’Connor offered words of high praise for Evans and Lawrence: “Having them is tremendous. They’re a dynamic duo. An Office of Protocol is just what this city has needed for a long time.”

Even though the fifth annual Deans’ Ball given Saturday by the University of San Diego was titled “Fantasy of Broadway,” a nice sense of diplomacy ruled it, as well.

Moving away from the tradition established at the first and subsequent balls, the deans of the university’s five schools shifted the emphasis from themselves to a list of prominent San Diegans who, as volunteers, have provided extensive service and support to USD.

The evening, which was conducted with some formality, started by the pool at the San Diego Hilton, with a champagne reception for the 400 guests. The crowd included many USD alumni, who have attained significant positions in the city and county. Author Hughes, the school’s president, said proceeds from the event will be channeled to the five deans for faculty research and development and for scholarships.

“This ball is an effort on our part to include broader and broader constituencies in the social events of the university, many of which are fund-raisers, because all of the units of the university are represented tonight, Hughes said. “Our interest is in increasing the interrelationship among our constituencies.”

Welcoming Message

These constituencies mingled amicably in the deepening dusk until they were called to reassemble in the ballroom, where they were welcomed by ball chairman Betty Tharp and served an elaborate dinner that included consomme en croute and poached salmon. The arrival of the baked Alaska dessert coincided with the inauguration of the formal proceedings.

The law school honored both banker and alumnus Robert Adelizzi and a quartet of alumni who have made it to the judicial bench. In this group were Municipal Judge Robert J. Cooney (the very first graduate of the USD law school); Superior Court Judge Carlos A. Cazares; Judge Patricia D. Benke of the California Court of Appeal, Fourth District, and U.S. District Judge Judith N. Keep.

Plaques were also awarded to Marion Hubbard by the Philip Y. Hahn School of Nursing; to Alison Tibbetts and to Betsy and Douglas Manchester by the School of Education; to Sally Thornton by the College of Arts and Sciences, and to Liam McGee by the School of Business. This business accomplished, deans Carol Baker, James Burns, Edward DeRoche, Grant Morris and Janet Rodgers got down to the business of enjoying their very own Deans’ Ball by stepping out to the Steven Spencer Orchestra.

CORONADO--A week so colored by protocol had to end with something regal, which it did when Margaret Maund was named Queen of the 42nd annual Mardi Gras Ball attended by 350 on Saturday in the Hotel del Coronado ballroom.

Since Mardi Gras, the “Fat Tuesday” celebration that presages Lent in New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro, Venice and elsewhere, occurred in February, the ball seemed to arrive just a bit late.

But timing is less important to the sponsoring Juniors of Social Service Auxiliary than style, and the ball has been observed over the years in a fashion that imitates the traditional Mardi Gras galas of New Orleans. Royalty is de rigueur at such events, and this year, Queen Maund found herself ruling over a band of bobby soxers at “Moments to Remember,” a 1950s themed that alternated between the calmer offerings of the Gene Hartwell Orchestra and the Elvis-era rhythms of Joe Cool and the Rumblers.

As always, the event benefited Camp Oliver in Descanso, which has hosted San Diego children at summer camp since 1950. Ball co-chairmen Deborah Considine and Jackie Lepper said that “Moments to Remember” would raise about $35,000 for the camp; some of the funds are used to provide camperships for disadvantaged youngsters.

“Long after this night is over, the children of Camp Oliver will appreciate the Mardi Gras Ball,” Lepper said.