Oh, What a Night!
The Wonderland Gala is over. All in all, it was a smashing success. The interior of Oscar’s Restaurant on the Island was decorated with huge playing cards hanging from the roof beams, and small vases with red roses dotted the tables with clever centerpieces created from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.
There were a couple of ‘Alices’, including Vallarta Garden Club President, Sunny Rossi, and volunteer Janet Simmons Doyle. The wicked Red Queen also attended more than once – I don’t know yet how many heads were lopped off personally by Georgia Darehshori! There were lots of Mad Hatters, but first prize would have to go to my tablemate, Mory Thomas. It was like dining with Johnny Depp!
Guests gathered on the lawn for cocktails, schmoozing, and listening to Delilah Beaucoup sing. It was lovely to see so many old friends again. Bob Price and Ricardo came from the Botanical Garden – their big fundraiser is next month, and Monaco will provide the music. Bob was delighted to meet Daniel Celis and to know his guests at the Peacock Gala will love the band. We danced to some Pink Floyd and Toto.
The food was delicious, with over-the-top desserts and plenty of choices. I was kicking myself for eating so much real food; I hardly had space for the array of petits fours and three kinds of ice cream. I’ll do better next year!
Former Garden Club President, David Muck, is back at Molino de Agua, with partner Cole, after spending winters in Santa Fe and freezing. Welcome back, you two!
Brian Bott and husband Glen Zoteck were resplendent in cream-colored suits. The evening marked Brian’s and my third or fourth anniversary of meeting; neither of us can put an exact year on it! Suffice it to say, our friendship has blossomed and means so much to both of us.
The funniest moment of the evening came when Tricia Lyman and I saw each other and what we were wearing. We both burst out laughing – if I didn’t know better, I would swear we both shopped for our dresses at the same store. Just like our birthdays – exactly one month apart – hers on October 9th, so she has had more time on earth to develop her good taste!
The most beautiful point of the evening came with Kimberley Bennett. She has her Cuban back. Their story is long and, as love stories go, the more complicated the situation, the deeper the love seems to grow: They could be poster children! With monumental challenges that aren’t mine to share, however, I can say this – I never thought I would see him again. To hug him last night was such a blessing. He said, in English, ”I remember you.” My heart was in my throat, and all I could do was cry from his joy.
The slippery slide down the rabbit hole dropped all of us side by side in our Wonderland of Vallarta Community, From Here.
