Foothill Flavors

A Night to Remember
by Antoinette May

Choices! Choices! They are always so hard for me! Imagine if you will: two parties, both with delightful, provocative themes, both benefits for the causes closest to my heart. How to choose?

The first was the Secret Garden, an annual event presented by the San Andreas Friends of the Library. The very name “secret garden” whispers of enchantment. Besides, libraries, books—that’s my thing! I’m both an avid reading and a working writer.

But then, on the very same night, there was Glitter, Gatsby & Gangsters. Does that sound like fun or what? Added to this was the sponsor: the Calaveras County Arts Council, who in turn sponsor my own annual event, the Gold Rush Writers Conference. You can see how that strikes pretty close to home.

Again, how to choose.

The answer is I couldn’t or didn’t. Charles and I decided to attend them both. The night of June 15 was glorious. Call it Goldilocks weather— not too hot and not to cold.

We went first to the Secret Garden. Shirley Huberty’s Tessa Bella Gardens, a three-acre estate in San Andreas, truly is a captivating garden. Think about it: A pond, a waterfall, fruit and nut trees, flowers, flowers, everywhere.

Though there had been some type of habitation on the grounds since 1856, the place had been sadly neglected by the time Shirley acquired it in 1997. “There was no garden, she says, merely a lawn. The showplace one sees today is the result of Shirley’s decorating sense and botanical genius.

The recent Secret Garden marks her fourth year as hostess to the event. Kathy Martines, president of the San Andreas Friends of the Library, assisted Shirley.

The truly delicious food, appropriately enough, was catered by Garden in the Park in Mountain Ranch. When I

say delicious, I really mean it. How many times have you gone to a catered affair and had roast pork that was so dry it tasted like cardboard? Try Garden in the Park’s, you’re in for a treat. They also served roasted potatoes tossed with rosemary from Shirley’s garden, flavourful mixed vegetables and a crisp and tasty Caesar salad.

The highlight of the event was Ivory and Gold in concert-- Anne and Jeff Barnhart. He is jazz pianist par excellence and she a talented flutist. They both did vocals, playing off the audience with old favorites like “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Memories.” And “Summer Time.”

“S’Wonderful. We didn’t want to leave, but then there was Glitter, Gatsby & Gangsters waiting for us.

The Gatsby venue turned out to be the newly refurbished garden of the Hotel Leger in Mokelumne Hill and its historic jail. The old pokey was a nice (and interesting) place to visit but I wanted to live in the garden. It truly was a fairy land.

And peopled with such fabulous characters! Nearly everyone was in costume. Imagine: gangsters, molls, cops, madams. A guy and his doll, that we talked to, had come all the way from San Francisco.

We arrived as the tables were being cleared and heard nothing but raves for Chuck Swisher, the Leger’s chef. Chuck apparently out did himself with medallions and shrimp with a much discussed sherry sauce that everyone seemed to love.

There was also a salmon and mandarin salad liberally tossed with blue cheese. (I’m happy to report that this has become a staple on the Leger menu. Try it!)

This the third annual Great Gatsby to be masterminded by man- about-Mok, Ed Cline.

In keeping with the Gatsby theme, Ed had concocted a special signature drink. Daisy’s Dangerous Orange Blossom Dare proved very popular that warm summer night. The “secret” recipe

involves gin, sweet and dry vermouth, mixed with orange juice.

As if that weren’t enough Kathey Dietrich baked the ultimate dream dessert, a chocolate caramel macadamia nut torte. Others assisting with the party were Brenda Nasser, Linda Hansen, Pat Miltimore, Sumiko Manitelli and Judy Morgan.

Mary Jane Genochio, executive director of the arts council, could have a second career as an auctioneer. She was funny and quick—very quick. The bidding went up and up and up. Everyone wanted to win a dinner cooked by Ed and Brenda. Having had that pleasure, I’d say it was priceless.

But the total highlight of the evening was the Speakeazy Jazz Orchestra—a nine piece band. It was a grand night for dancing. Charles and I were the last to leave.

In talking later with Ed about the two competing events, he opined that people don’t turn out for a party just because it’s a benefit for a worthy cause. “It has to have a theme that’s really unique. If people don’t think they’ll have fun, they just won’t show.”

Charles and I enjoyed both parties and felt like kids hopping from one to the other. It was a perfect summer night, lots of stars and the great music at both places made it even more special.

Still, the attendance would have been better at both affairs had they not been occurring on the same night.

A word to party planners: go to the Calaveras County Visitors’ Bureau website. They have the only master calendar. Use it.

VITALS: Both the Secret Garden and Glitter, Gatsby & Gangsters will be presented again in June of 2014— let’s hope they’re not on the same night.

Anne Barnhart played the flute at Shirley Huberty’s secret garden in San Andreas.