Library Revelers Toast Benefactors

At the first Huntington Library Christmas party some years ago, tables in the galleries were bedecked with holly, and members of the Society of Fellows sat beneath the paintings by Gilbert Stuart and Turner.

Definite drawing cards. The popular affair, held in honor of donors, grew to tent proportions. This year, party chairwomen Marion Jorgensen and Joan Caillouette decided to charge $250 per couple to cover costs in this time of belt-tightening. As things went, some dropped out, and the black-tie dinner and dance emerged a manageable size--350. At least that is what guests said as they rocked to Ray Moshay’s music under the white tent trimmed with pine branches and tiny white lights.

“Room for dancing,” said Cynthia and Henry Yost as such prominents as Frances Brody and Martin Manulis, Nancy and Richard Call and Suzanne and Donald Crowell swirled. Others dancing: Joan and John Hotchkis, Jeff and Isabel Arnett, David and Holly Davis, Brad and Kelsey Hall, Stuart and Carrie Ketchum, Mary and Malcolm McDuffie, George and Nancy Moss, Stephen and Kay Onderdonk, Erlenne and Norman Sprague and Flora Thornton and Eric Small.

The traditional chicken potpies arrived steaming at tables decorated with tiny Christmas tree centerpieces and gold lame tablecloths. Pea soup had been the first course, and Jean and Russell Smith, Alice Avery and Gordon and Liz Anderson pronounced it yummy.

Library trustees chairman Stanton Avery told revelers: “The Huntington is a real-life display of the things that make life worthwhile. It represents the bright, the beautiful and the hopeful side of life--this is what we must save for our children.”

In the crowd were Jean Smith (Mrs. William French Smith), Marge and Richard Stegemeier, Maggie and George Jagels, Stuart and Carita Kadison, Merle and June Banta, Dan and Mia Frost, Pamela and Shannon Clyune, Anne and Robert Wycoff, Sally and William Wenzlau, John and Andrea Van de Kamp, Joan and David Traitel, Kingston and Veva McKee and Jo Ann and Julian Ganz.

RUSCHA: Edward and Danna Ruscha arrived quite late for the reception for major donors and artists preceding the opening of “Edward Ruscha” at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Bunker Hill. But MOCA director Richard Koshalek was waiting with an elite crowd that offered rafts of compliments on the exhibition, which includes 75 paintings and focuses on the 1980s.

Pat and Chris Riley, Douglas Cramer, Eli and Edie Broad, Jane and Marc Nathanson and Bob and Linda Gersh are among those who loaned paintings for the show.

Collectors Donna and Bob Tuttle arrived early, then went home to decorate their Christmas tree; they said they had an appointment the next day to see a Ruscha painting.

A tricky wind all but blew the first-nighters into the party area, where Somerset was serving shrimp in ginger sauce, ceviche and roast pork. Artists Robert Graham, David Hockney, DeWaine Valentine and Christopher Williams were there with exhibition underwriters Paul, Georges, Armand and Maurice Marciano and guests Geri and Richard Brawerman, Betye Burton, David Byrne, Marcia Weisman, Laila and Thurston Twigg-Smith, Don and Barbara Rickles, Elizabeth Koshalek, Gilbert Friesen.

STAG: The Bachelors (founded in 1905 by a group of unmarried gentlemen seeking to repay their social obligations by hosting a lavish cotillion) held their annual Christmas Stag Dinner at Chasen’s to welcome new members. Chairs were Art Rasmussen and Dave Sargeant.

KISSES: “I certainly hope you all kissed your love when you walked under the mistletoe tonight,” said Tori Keegan, chairwoman of the Juniors of the Social Service Auxiliary Candlelight Ball. The mistletoe hung in huge clumps under pine branch arches in the Biltmore’s Crystal Ballroom.

Hugs and kisses came in all sorts. Alice Avery, the honored guest (wearing Oscar de la Renta blue chiffon pinned with a jewel-studded wreath), received busses from her son Doug and his wife, Diane Avery, and from granddaughter Trina Shattuck and her husband, Mac, from Newport Beach.

In the receiving line were Juniors president Chris Newman and her husband, Richard, and Tori and James Keegan. Guests included Carolyn and Maurice DeWald, Melina and Terrence Casey, Kitty and John Gurash, Donna and Martin Melone, Susan and Robert Baggott and Pat and Simon Lorne.

The invocation was particularly appropriate: “Candlelight mutes the harshness of everyday life--may there be a flame of light to help the poor, homeless and hungry.” Proceeds from the evening go to Regis House, a community center with locations in East and West Los Angeles. It encourages family life by aiding the young, elderly, troubled and homeless.

THE DICKENS: Soon-to-retire USC President James Zumberge, renowned for his banjo-strumming talents, took to the piano at the USC Friends of Music Charles Dickens Dinner at the Biltmore. After 450 guests were plumped up with filet mignon (ushered in by male choristers singing “The Roast Beef of Old England”), they eased back to view the decor--red velvet bows--and sing along to Zumberge’s renditions of “Adeste Fideles” and “White Christmas.”

The night’s honoree, the lovable grouch Walter Matthau, became the lovable maestro. On stage, he gave the downbeat for the Mozart Menuetto from the 17th Divertimento performed by an all-women USC orchestra. Cellist Lynn Harrell rendered an eloquent tribute to Matthau, too. The party, headed by Betty Rose, benefited music scholarships.

DEBS: Presented at the Coronet Debutante Ball at the Beverly Hilton: Misses Lori Akian, Charise Angone, Monica Antola, Melissa Antonini, Joanna Behr, Kathryn Cooper, Cara DiBona, Elke Enkeboll, Katherine Harahan, Holly Hatch, Melissa Johnson, Kristina Kerner, Theadonna Kurtz, Lara Lathrop, Christina Leonetti, Jennifer Pinckert, Kimberly Rudy, Rachel Shaffer and Jill Wilson.