Very Merry Celebrations : In the Capital, Gov. Wilson plays host. In L.A., Huntington Library Friends Hall becomes a wonderland.

Gov. Pete Wilson and his wife, Gayle, hosted a holiday celebration Tuesday evening at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento’s Historic Old Town. Invited were Administration appointees and special friends. To keep the kiddies contented, the Wilsons provided an adult-supervised “Children’s Corner” with activities, snacks and favors.

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TRADITIONS: Masses of twinkling Christmas trees and graceful swags of boughs and garlands transformed the Huntington Library Friends Hall into a wonderland for the city’s most traditional of parties--the Christmas party honoring the members of the Society of Fellows. But, the most traditional of this party’s customs, the Chasen’s chicken pot pie, might have lost popularity, although not with loyal devotees. When diners were offered a choice of selections this year, almost half opted for the Nova Scotia salmon.

Party chairwoman Nancy Call ordered chicken pot pie for herself: “But, I thought we should offer a choice,” she said. Everyone got the to-die-for carrot souffle. Ronnie Clint of Chasen’s was bustling everywhere, giving waiters special directions for courses beginning with the Senegalese soup with fresh apple and cheese toast. Florist Stanley Kersten handled the beauty of the night with miniature Christmas trees.

The dance floor, with Ray Moshay at play, was never empty, except when the candle-carrying Pasadena City College Singers serenaded. Prominent in the crowd were Huntington Trustees Chairman Bob Erburu and his wife, Lois; Huntington Overseers President Judge David Thomas and his wife, Peggy; Huntington President Bob and Nadine Skotheim; ball chairwoman Nancy and husband Dr. Dick Call; Fred and Kathleen Allen; George and Mary Lou Boone; Doug and Eunice Goodan; Marion and Earle Jorgensen; Jean Smith and Ross Barrett; Si and Virginia Ramo; Stanton and Ernestine Avery; Russell and Jeanne Smith; Dr. James and Joan Caillouette; Harry and Betsy Hathaway; Jo and Robert Kroger; Jackie and Hoyt Leisure; Charles and Nancy Munger, and Vida and Wally Fassler.

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KUDOS: Nearby, at the Ritz-Carlton, Huntington, florist Jacob Maarse was honored at the Pasadena Symphony gala ball and auction. Maarse was born in Holland and came to the United States in 1952. He took a Greyhound bus to San Francisco to visit his uncle then continued to Los Angeles, where he earned his living working with flowers. In the 1960s, he opened his own shop near the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and kept it open late at night, serving coffee to concert-goers. Georgie Van de Kamp introduced him to the symphony board, and he’s been a generous donor since. His wife, Clara, was by his side at the gala and auction.

Another highlight of the evening was the bidding war between Richard Seaver and Robert Van Tuyle (with cheering from the audience) for a chance to conduct the orchestra. Both won. Seaver gave the conducting stint to Helen Pashgian, and Robert to his wife, Nancy. The party gross will be close to $200,000.

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MORE ELEGANCE: Black tie and silver prevailed at the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s 25th anniversary gala at the Hotel InterContinental. Ginny Mancini was honorary co-chairwoman with her husband, Henry, who was out of town. By tradition, orchestra members performed, with Iona Brown conducting. Magda Waingrow was saluted as the group’s longest subscriber. Helping boost the net to about $100,000 was Russell Keeley, bidding on the necklace his wife, Carlotta, wore in the auction. More there: Judith and Ron Rosen, Richard and Jan Colburn, and Carol and Warner Henry. . . .

Friends of Music of the USC School of Music reveled at the Biltmore over the weekend at their Charles Dickens Dinner, celebrating the 75th birthday of the late Leonard Bernstein. Alexander Bernstein accepted the accolade for his father. Cecilia Peck stepped in for the pre-dinner toast when her father, Gregory Peck, was unable to come. Joyce Sprafka chaired the evening for scholarships.

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EYE’S THE THING: The Luminaires Juniors of the Doheny Eye Institute put $85 Ray Bans in every gift bag at their “Sunset Boulevard” benefit, emphasizing that the $120,000 they netted will go to eye research. “It’s the most we’ve ever raised,” said Victoria Rogers, co-chairwoman with Callie Irvin and Karen Dalby. The trio and president Katie Darnell put on their dark glasses-- tres Hollywood.

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PAST PERFECT: More than 300 joined Laura and Vittorio Moltedo’s holiday cocktail pop wonderland reception at Bottega Veneta on Rodeo Drive. The event celebrated CHIPS (Colleagues Helpers in Philanthropic Service). Prizes included Bottega Veneta Marco Polo luggage ensembles, won by Barbara Thompson and Cynthia Connolly, and two round-trip tickets to Venice, Italy, won by Marjory Miller. In the crowd were Justine and Robert Bloomingdale, Jenny Jones Rutt and Carla Kirkeby. . . .

The Eisenhower Medical Center’s Stork Club Gala in Rancho Mirage honored Jackie and Gene Autry, with Millie Gonyea chairing.

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KEEPING UP: Rockwell Chairman and CEO Donald R. Beall was honored at the Junior Achievement of Southern California’s Spirit of Achievement gala at the Regent Beverly Wilshire. Nearly 500 guests attended the event, which grossed $240,000. Beall said Rockwell will contribute $750,000 to be divided among the New American Schools Development Corp., United Negro College Fund and two L.A. education programs . . . Conservationist Roger Payne and the Evergreen Group accepted kudos from the Alexander Graham Bell Assn. for the Deaf and the Los Angeles Maritime Museum at a dinner chaired by Lee Anderson at the San Pedro World Cruise Center . . . Gretchen Wayne, Toni La Cava Wayne and Joyce Green chaired the John Wayne Cancer Institute dinner for benefactors at Jimmy’s . . . More than 600 shopped at the 26th annual Christmas Boutique hosted by Pasadena Day Nursery Guild at the home of benefit chairwoman Nancy Jezina. Guild President Cindy Wenzlau expects $38,000 in profits . . . Century City Hospital Associate Administrator Sonja Hagel was lauded at a luncheon for her relief efforts for Croatia and Bosnia.