Muckenthaler Wines Up for Pitch

Friends of the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton dressed in party clothes Monday night for an “Art of Wine” benefit. The black-tie lawn party--catered by five North County restaurants--drew 136 guests at $75 per person, raising $5,000 for construction of an open-air theater on the center’s hilltop grounds.

Master Plans

The Muckenthaler “master plan,” as trustees call the proposed construction, has been five years in the making. According to director Judith Peterson, the museum has raised about half of the estimated $1.2 million needed to complete construction.

“The longer it takes to raise the money, the higher our costs go,” lamented Johnny Dawson, a Fullerton resident and cultural center trustee.

Noting South County’s cultural attractions--including the Orange County Performing Arts Center and South Coast Repertory--Dawson said trustees are focusing fund-raising efforts on North County corporations and businesses.

“We’re saying, ‘Hey, a lot of you folks work up here. Why not take part in the cultural life of this part of the county?’ ”

Lou Kurkjian, for one, thinks Dawson has a point.

“I’m going to try to see if we can do a little more in the North County this year,” said Kurkjian, a vice president of Hughes Aircraft, and longtime Fullerton resident. “This museum is a wonderful asset for the community.”

Party Plans

After checking in on the patio outside the cultural center’s front door, guests followed the stone path to the garden, picking up a glass of Sauvignon Blanc on their way.

To the strains of guitar and saxophone duets, guests browsed copies of 18th-and 19th-Century lithographs and engravings displayed on tables and wood screens. Among the silent auction artworks were architectural renderings, maps, flora and fauna.

“We wanted to do something that would be a little different,” said Beverly Gunter, chairwoman of the event. “This party just kind of evolved.”

Artful Dining

As the first streaks of pink appeared in the western sky, guests headed for the tent enclosing dinner tables and a small stage. Blue and mauve potted hydrangeas served as centerpieces for the aqua-clothed tables. The center of attention, needless to say, was the gourmet food and free-flowing wines.

The meal began with a salmon and dill sauce appetizer provided by the Cat and the Custard Cup restaurant of La Habra. Salad of endive, radicchio and arugula followed, prepared by Il Ghiotto of Fullerton.

Mulberry Street Ristorante of Fullerton dished up cream of mushroom soup, which gave way to a beef loin entree provided by the Cellar Restaurant, also of Fullerton. Brea’s La Vie en Rose prepared pastries for dessert.

The Robert Mondavi Winery donated the wines that complemented the courses, which included Vichon Chevrignon, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. As the appetizer was served, Mondavi’s Eric Hansen briefly described the wines to come.

Also Seen

Among couples hosting dinner tables were Shirley and Harold Muckenthaler (the Center was Harold’s childhood home), Anne and Tom Key, Jane and Jack Parker, Toni and Jim Henley, Pem and Morry Slack and Carolyn and Ray Loe.