Winds Sink Sunday Boat Parade? Knot!

You can’t keep a good parade down.

Gusty winds tried to make bath toys of the 50-boat parade on Huntington Harbour waterways over the weekend.

But boosters of the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committees, sponsors of the parade that launches their annual Cruise of Lights fund-raiser, kept things on an even keel.

“Our night captains and lieutenants kept everyone in line,” said boat parade chairwoman Linda Jorgenson. “They did the best anyone could ask.”

On Sunday, Jorgenson--and about 200 other supporters of the Philharmonic--congregated at the Huntington Harbour Yacht Club for a trophy-awards brunch.

Boat parade sweepstakes winners were Pete Valvov, Butch Suddarth and Gregg Esakoff, who decorated their yacht, Kahuna, in a Carribean-style salute to the parade’s World of Harmony theme. During the parade, the Kahuna’s cannons fired colored smoke and “pirates” waved to onlookers.

“It was fantastic,” Jorgenson said.

Also enjoying the festivities was parade grand marshal John Foote. “The best thing about being grand marshal is hanging out with past grand marshals,” said Foote, who attended the brunch with his wife, Joan. “They are a great bunch of guys.”

Tickets are almost sold out for the Dec. 15-22 Cruise of Lights, the public boat tours of Huntington Harbour’s holiday-lit waterways. “Our weekends are sold out, but Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays have good availability,” said Sandy Mauceli, chairwoman of the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committees. Tickets are $8.50 for adults and $5 for children.

“The cruise is about the price of a movie,” Mauceli said. “And you end up with so many fabulous Christmas memories.”

Proceeds from the cruises are donated to the Orange County Philharmonic Society for its music education programs for youth. Joy Connors is Cruise of Lights chairwoman.

Candlelight Concert: The committee thought of everything--mistletoe and chocolates on departure, crystal champagne flutes for keepsakes, silver Mylar balloon canopies over each table, even a private reception with the Whiffenpoofs (for underwriters).

No wonder the Performing Arts Center’s Candlelight Concert is Orange County’s favorite holiday benefit.

More than 500 guests crowded the ballroom at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine on Sunday night to drink fine wines, dine on gourmet fare--petit filet wrapped in filo with boursin cheese and fresh berry Napoleons--and hear the 14-member Whiffenpoofs choir from Yale University.

Proceeds were estimated at $100,000, according to Ciel Woodman, the center’s chairwoman of special events.

During the festivities, center president Thomas Kendrick thanked the guests, telling them they were a “family committed to the arts in all seasons.”

Times are hard for the arts, Kendrick noted. “But we have no doubt, recession or no recession, our center will for the seventh consecutive year be in the black. Thank you so much.”

Committee members included Deeann Baldwin, Joan Beall, Hinda Beral, Karen Betson, Arden Flamson, Martha Fluor, Terry Goldfarb Lee, Pat Poss, Jo Ellen Qualls, Mary Jean Simpkins, Catherine Thyen and Carol Wilken.

Also among the guests were Marilyn and Tom Nielsen; Dr. Walter Henry and his wife, Maria del Carmen Calvo (whose playful tugging at the Mylar balloons over her table started a fad at the posh affair--pretty soon everybody was doing it); Gavin and Ninetta Herbert, and Charles and Nora Hester.