Hard to Mask the Fun at Benefit Masque

Mystery was on the menu Saturday night when the La Traviata and Madame Butterfly chapters of the Huntington Harbour guild of the Performing Arts Center staged Masquerade Carnival. The event was held at Le Meridien in Newport Beach.

Guests bid on auction items, competed in a costume contest and danced the night away, stopping occasionally to sample a groaning board of gourmet treats. By the time the confetti and balloons were cleared, the center was $25,000 richer. The affair drew a record 250 guests. Hostess to Spanish senoritas, Keystone Kops, pirates and traditionally dressed guests hiding behind masks was Mary Busche, reservations chairman.

Guest Carolyn Noring and husband Harold spent most of the night puppy-sitting a spaniel up for auction. The almost perfectly behaved puppy found a home with guests Sharon and Ken Walker. The couple bid $275.

Judges selected Don and Jeanie Barnett, who dressed as Jean Harlow and Clark Gable, best couple. Most creative went to “sea goddess” Sandra Clouse, who wore a gold lame gown and matching hat decorated with exotic shells. Husband Robert came as a devil. Sandra said they represented “the devil and the deep blue sea.”

Costume judges were Orange County Supervisor Harriett M. Wieder, a Huntington Harbour resident, and Joanne Boswell, Arts Center guilds chairman.

Isabel Greenwald was event chairwoman. Assisting her were co-chairwomen Alice Zamboni of La Traviata and Carolyn Noring of Madame Butterfly.

Joan Lund is Huntington Harbour guild president. Pat Strehlow is president of La Traviata. Carol Hytopoulos is president of Madame Butterfly. Among those enjoying the festivities were Bobbitt and Bill Williams, Sue and Jack Grossman, Shell and Shelly Grossman, Mar-Mary Buss and George Lippencott, Jane and By Dod, Dolores and Ed Olivarez, Cindy and Jim Harrison, Helen and Lew Oriard, Linda and Peter Shea, Jacqueline and Harry Ross, Dione and Barry Rupp, Jackie and George Demos, Carol and Vic Buccola, Ginger and Joe West, Mim and Ed Strickler, Barbara and Carl Agliozzo, Jodie and Jim Miller, Jacqueline and Louis Abel, Elaine and Julian Zambianco, George and Joanna Chase, and Mike and Shirley Stitzinger.