On the Town: Black-tie gala raises money for Huntington
It was dinner and dancing under the stars as 380 supporters celebrated the annual black-tie gala on the grounds of the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in San Marino. On Saturday, after a 10-year hiatus, the Huntington’s mausoleum was used as a backdrop for the 2012 Huntington Ball. The structure, sitting atop a wooded knoll, glowed with hundreds of amber lights and was the background for many a photo shot by pros and non-pros alike.
Event Chairmen and San Marino residents Tim and Lisa Sloan were gracious hosts for members and guests of the Huntington Library’s Society of Fellows. Hors d’oeuvres were liberally passed on silver trays by wait staff. Favorite goodies were the mini Kobe burgers and watermelon and cucumber sangria drops.
Early arrivals from San Marino, only a hop, skip and a jump from the Huntington, were Marge and Sherm Telleen. He’s a former library chairman of the board of overseers and a current board member. Joining them were La Cañada residents Judith and Stan Farrar. Judith is the current chairman of the board of overseers. Both couples didn’t hesitate to pose for pictures with the mausoleum upstaging them in the distance, gleaming brighter as twilight turned to evening.
Another member of the board of overseers was Pasadena resident Alyce Williamson. She arrived resplendent in a sparkly white gown. With her was her daughter-in-law, Dr. Ruth Williamson McNulty and son-in-law Dr. Tom McNulty from La Cañada.
Karla and Steve Domier, friends of the Sloans, were joined by Valerie Casey and Larry Uhl, San Marino neighbors of the Sloans. Fashionably late arrivals for cocktails were Valerie and Pau McAndrews.
More Pasadena residents at the cocktail reception included Carol and Steve Watkins, Robbie and David Zeidberg, Carol and Warner Henry, Nicole and Bill Schleifer, Candace and Cliff Smith, Mona and Randy Shulman, Bonnie and Rick Keating, Kristy and James Peters, Lynn and Doug Brengel, Keira and Simon Rawlinson and Ann and O’Malley Miller. Down from their Napa home for the evening were Janet and Alan Stanford.
Dinner followed with grilled filet of beef and jumbo shrimp scampi as the entrée.
A warm chocolate soufflé cake dessert was well worth waiting for. Decorating the dinner area were Jacob Maarse flower arrangements of orange roses, violet hydrangeas, red lilies and gold Cymbidium orchids, inspired by the vibrant colors of Matisse. Dining was accompanied by music from Wayne Foster Entertainment.
Hard at work behind the scenes were Rosa Langley, annual funds program manager, and Julie Gaeta, from the library’s advance department.
Expected proceeds of $300,000 “will be an incredible asset to the community,” said Tim Sloan. The funds will support research and educational programs at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens. These programs serve scholars, school children and the general public.
RUTH SOWBY may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.