Wattles 20th Anniversary Gala a Huge Success
Just a week before the Summer Solstice, Hollywood Heritage members and supporters donned their 1920’s period finery and descended on Wattles Mansion and Gardens to celebrate the organization’s 20 years of restoration and preservation on the historic site. The sun, the moon and the stars aligned to create perfect conditions. The sun beamed, the house sparkled, the gardens were beautiful, the music was lively, the food was delicious, the period cars gleamed, the Silent Auction proved irresistible to many, and delighted laughter filled the air.
As over 250 guests entered the house they were given a souvenir button featuring the face of Gurdon W. Wattles, the original owner. In the living room Dean Mora’s Modern Rythmists set the party pace with swingin’ dance music from the 1920s and ’30s, while surprise entertainers LA Harmonics barbershop quartet provided strolling entertainment. The library was home to displays of: "before" and "after" shots of restoration work; a monitor showing a DVD, produced for the event, that chronicled the history of the mansion and the condition of the house and gardens from 20 years ago and; a display of Wattles’ memorabilia. The sloping front lawn was a perfect backdrop for a collection of vintage cars. A very successful silent auction was set up inside the dining room, with every item being sold. Sally McKibbin, the silent auction chairperson, deserves a 21-gun salute for her many efforts. In the formal Spanish garden were the food stations and bar with a constant revolving selection of tasty treats provided by Scott Tessler of Silver Spoons Catering, Inc.
The first 150 or so guests to arrive gathered on the steps of the Spanish Garden for the ‘class picture’ with ‘Special Guest’ Gurdon Wattles (center front), a life-sized photo-replica of Mr. Wattles as he looked around the time the house was built (c.1907). He obligingly posed with various couples later on.
After the group photo, Hollywood Heritage president Kay Tornborg introduced Honorary Mayor of Hollywood Johnny Grant, who did his usual masterful job with Honors and Intros. After reading a Citation to Steve Sylvester, Wattles Exective Director, from Councilman LaBonge’s office and the Mayor’s Proclamation regarding the entire event, he introduced the Chair of the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Margie Reese and, of course, Co-Founders Marion Gibbons and Fran Offenhauser (from the original group of five). Thanks also went to Michelle Fleanor, Field Deputy for Councilman Tom LaBonge.
If you look closely at the class photo, which was taken by Oscar-winning filmmaker, photographer, and graphic artist Arnold Schwartzman (a Hollywood Heritage board member), you can also see Art Laboe, with his assistant Denise Voyles, Marjorie Fasman (without brother, and Hollywood Heritage board member, Bud Lesser, who had a conflict that day), Ann Savage, Betty Lasky, Suzanne Vidor Parry, board members Anne and Aaron Epstein, Libby Simon, John Clifford, Robert Nudelman, Steve Osborn, Randy Haberkamp, Fran Offenhauser, Natalie Shivers, Phil Dockter (who also provided some of the beautiful cars on the front lawn) and Kent Adamson. Arriving after the photo were Christopher Lloyd, John Oddy (so helpful with our two Getty Preserve L.A. grants), Mr. and Mrs. Richard Brill, their daughter and granddaughter and their guests, George Dunning and Bob Marino. With the arrival of the Brill party there were once again three generations of the Wattles family on the site...Betty and Dick Brill were married there, many years ago, and she will gladly tell you about the glorious change in the property since Hollywood Heritage first came to it in 1983.
As darkness descended on the mansion the guests grouped chairs together to enjoy the Silent Society’s outdoor screening of the The Cruise of the Jasper B. Randy Haberkamp and Jere Guldin provided an excellent presentation that also included short subjects with piano accompaniment by Dean Mora.
As the happy attendees began filtering out of the mansion a universal refrain could be heard repeated over and over again: "What a swell party it was!"
Hollywood Heritage extends a heartfelt and much-deserved gracious Thank You to all the businesses and individuals that made our 20th Anniversary Restoration Celebration such great success. It could not have happen without your commitment and participation!
Wattles Mansion and Gardens
20th Anniversary Restoration
Celebration Committee
Keith Anderson
Philip Collins
Phil Dockter
Joel M. Fisher
Randy Haberkamp
Sally McKibbin
Sue Slutzky
Mary Sullivan
Steve Sylvester
Kay Tornborg
Our Event Volunteers:
Mary Beth Brophy
Glenn Dismuke
Amy Higgins
George Kiel
Jerry McKibbin
Mike McKibbin
Betty Petitt
Jo-Jeanne Rapier
Arnold Schwartzman
Libby Simon
Mary Sullivan
Peter Weber
Mary Zickefoose
Entertainment by:
L.A. Harmonics
Maxwell DeMille
Dean Mora’s Modern Rythmists
Richard Halpern
Special thanks to all the vendors that supplied goods and/or services to help make our event possible:
Anderson Party Rents
Anne & Aaron Epstein
Hollywood Famous Florists
Allan Stark and Maddalena Vineyards
Premiere Valet Services, Inc
Silver Spoons Catering
Yale Film and Video
Many thanks to the following for their generous donations
to our
Silent Auction:
Academy of Magical Arts, Inc.
The Argyle Hotel
Broadway L.A.
Buena Vista Theatres, Inc.
Tom Burke
Angela Cartwright
Cat & Fiddle Restaurant & Pub
Chateau Marmont
Disneyland Resorts
Phil Dockter
Farfalla
Dr. Joel M. Fisher
Dave Greim
Paul Grimm
Randy Haberkamp
Hollywood Heritage Museum
Mari Huggins
Hyatt West Hollywood
Mann Theatres
Steven Richard Osborn
Pacific Theatres
Palermo Ristorante Italiano
Renaissance Hollywood Hotel
The Renaissance Restaurant
Allan Stark and Maddalena Vineyards
John Sanders/Mary Sullivan
Arnold Schwartzman
Libby Simon
Steve Sylvester
Wattle Creek Winery,
Christopher & Kristine Williams
Nina Van Tassel
Universal Studios Hollywood
vermont
Yamashiro Restaurant
We thank the owners of the classic cars displayed:
Keith and Tracy Anderson
Phil Dockter
Walker Edminston
Troy Javaher
Paul Maher