The Twelfth-Night Tradition Goes On

Twelfth Night. Epiphany. Twelve days after Christmas. Jan. 6.

It means the same. And the traditionalists were celebrating. For Warner and Carol Henry, we’re talking serious traditionalists. They carry on the Twelfth Night party his parents, the late Warner and Frances Henry, began 37 years ago at their home in Hancock Park.

The Henrys veered only slightly from tradition this year. Since Twelfth Night was a Sunday, and the California Club where they hold the party is closed that night, they moved their private party for 150 to Saturday.

“I’ve always wanted to be a queen,” said Laney Techentin, after she found the pea (wrapped in aluminum foil) in her chocolate dessert. “I promise to do my very best.”

It was Geoffrey Beaumont of Corona del Mar, another longtime friend of the Henrys, who found the bean in his vanilla dessert and stood up for his coronation as king.

Relinquishing last year’s courtly crowns were Shirley Laughran and Robert Brookes. Another former queen, Ruth Shannon of Whittier with husband Ed, arrived with three handsome papier-mache kings draped in adornments and carrying gifts to the baby Jesus. They were prominently placed on the grand piano.

Among the jolly crowd were former queens Susan Crowell and husband Don, and Cheryl Baker and husband Bob. Former kings were Terry Gloege with wife Joann, Robert Carpenter with Janice, and Drew Fagan, Carol Henry’s brother, with wife Carla.

Other guests: Angus and Lucy Ann McBain, George and Gretchen Gibbs, Bud and Anne Samson (of Houston), Preston and Maureen Hotchkis, and Chris and Lois Madison, who were off to Puerto Vallarta with the Henrys for a few days of sun and surf.

MORE TWELFTH: Les Dames de Champagne, International Hostesses, kept New Year’s resolutions and awarded their annual “Founder’s Host of the Year Award” to filmmaker Ken Burns, creator, producer and director of PBS’ “The Civil War.”

Party chairman Rosemarie Stack and her leading man, husband Robert, producer of “Unsolved Mysteries,” flew from Puerto Vallarta in time to welcome guests for the black-tie dinner-dance at the Regent Beverly Wilshire, and join Wanda and Bill Holzhauser (she’s Les Dames’ founder) in the fun.

Accepting his award, Burns stressed safekeeping of historical heritage. For the occasion, Kanzanjian jewelers created an American eagle of crystal with gold beak and talons.

Pat Longo’s minstrels with harmonica and piano captured the nostalgic mood with “Ashokan Farewell,” the Civil War film’s haunting theme. They later edged into full-brass “Dixie” and “Yankee Doodle.”

At party center was Francine Maroney, Les Dames president, paying tribute to Outstanding Member honoree Harriet Luckman. There, too: Michael Novarese, George and Marilyn Brumder, Cynthia Gardner, Ed and Nadine Carson, Betty and Kenneth Morgan, Toni Webb and Dorothy Dumke. Marilyn and Harry Lewis hosted the pre-cocktail party.

In other Twelfth Night festivities, Ruth and Hutton Wilkinson invited friends for cocktails, and Lotsie and Fielder Webster, after their gigantic New Year’s Day buffet in Pasadena, were in relaxation heaven in Palm Springs.

SCRIPTOR: The antithesis of study takes over the Scriptor Award dinner Jan. 26 in the high-vaulted, stained-glass Doheny Memorial Library at USC.

Screenwriter and author of “Awakenings” Steven Zaillian will be honored by Friends of the USC Libraries for the best realization of a book as film. Chairman Sue Femino promises lots of unique surprises.

KUDOS: J. E. (Ted) Stibbards, with a Ph.D. in hospital administration, has been named president and CEO of Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles . . . .

Archbishop Roger Mahony hosts the second annual Archbishop’s Awards Dinner Feb. 1 chaired by Pam Mullin. To be honored are Thomas T. Pike, Robert A. Smith and Helen Smith . . . .

Dr. Dudley S. Danoff has been installed as the 14th president of the Western States region of the American Friends of the Hebrew University . . . .

Builder/developer Ernest Auerbach receives the University of Judaism’s Eternal Light Award at a tribute Jan. 23 at the Beverly Hilton . . . .

The L. A. chapter of the American Institute of Architects takes over the Union Station concourse for a black-tie dinner-dance Saturday to install president Ronald A. Altoon. Last month it presented its first Presidential Commemorative Award to Dr. Jonas Salk, developer of the Salk polio vaccine . . . .

Variety Children’s Charities in Palm Springs saluted Gene Autry and his “Golden Days of Hollywood Westerns” with hoopla arranged by Beverly and Buddy Rogers.

“THE WASH:” Asian Pacific American Friends of Center Theatre Group (through its Pacific Cultural Fund 2000), underwrites development of Asian Pacific American artists with a play-reading series, sponsorship of theater interns and support for playwrights.

Wednesday evening Friends host a preview of “The Wash” by Philip Kan Gotanda at the Mark Taper Forum (it opens Thursday). Benefit co-chairs are Dr. Ronald Akashi, Sakaye Aratani, Adolfo R. Cruz, Christopher Kim, Kyungja Oh, Ronald N. Ohata and Carolyn M. Yee.

SURPRISE: Karen O’Conner of Malibu became so emotional at the 33rd “Voices of Christmas” benefit at the Regent Beverly Wilshire that she asked doctors Nicolas Diaco and Carter Newton, who had saved the life of her husband, William, in heart surgery at Saint John’s Hospital, to stand and revealed she would give a donation of $75,000.

The party organizers had estimated a net of $75,000. Now they have $150,000. The Voices event was founded in memory of Michael Burke, son of composer/arranger Sonny Burke. Since 1952, the Michael Burke Foundation has purchased more than $1 million in equipment for Saint John’s.