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Hearst Castle Preservation Foundation Gala |
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Hearst Castle.
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On October 8-10, 2010, Hearst Castle was filled with the legendary spirit of its heyday for the second annual Hearst Castle Preservation Foundation Benefit Weekend. William Randolph Hearst’s granddaughter, Anne Randolph Hearst McInerney, hosted social and entertainment elites at the fabled San Simeon estate, “La Cuesta Encantada”, for a weekend of feasting, dancing and celebration. The weekend raised funds for the Hearst Castle Preservation Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to the restoration and upkeep of the collections and grounds of this National Historic Landmark.
The Gala Dinner.
On Friday night, guests arrived to a glamorous welcome – a champagne reception on the terrace of the Casa Grande followed by a screening in W.R. Hearst’s private movie theater. Guests were then ushered into the famed Hearst Castle Refectory for a Black Tie Gala dinner. Among the fifty four diners were Anne Hearst McInerney and her husband, author Jay McInerney, who hosted famed funny girl Fran Drescher and her date, musician Gavin Lursson. Sharon Bush, Liliana Cavendish, Cornelia Bregman and interior designer Alex Papachristidis with Scott Nelson ventured to the renowned estate from New York. From Los Angeles came Robert Bloomingdale and his wife Justine, Wasserstein CEO Ellis Jones with Martha McGuinness, Tony Peck with Paula Rice, Jefery and Pamela Levy, Peter and Kacey McCoy, and Louis Fermelia and Shane McCoy Fermelia. Also making the journey to San Simeon were San Franciscans Nion McEvoy with Leslie Berriman, Gregory and Kathy Hampton, Joseph and Edith Tobin, Phillip and Victoria Raiser, Michael and Katrina Berube, Cindra Nicholson with Todd Yancey, Jason Fish with Courtney Benoist, and Amanda Bryan. Local wines from Brewer-Clifton complimented the gourmet feast crafted by Playboy Mansion Executive Chef, William S. Carter. Winery owner Greg Brewer also attended and enjoyed the libations he contributed for the weekend. Guests sat at a single banquet table decorated by LA celebrity florist David Jones at places marked by elegant menu cards designed by Dallas-based stationer Bell’Invito’s Heather Wiese-Alexander who also joined the A-list guests for dinner.
The Neptune Pool.
On Saturday morning, early risers hiked to the shore of the Piedras Blancas to observe the resident Elephant Seal population. Later, the group enjoyed a luncheon at the Hearst Ranch “Senator’s House” built by Senator George Hearst, the grandfather of W. R. Hearst. After lunch, guests were treated to a private tour of the castle led by Museum Director Hoyt Fields and the afternoon culminated with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim in the world famous Neptune Pool. On Saturday night, dressed in their Polynesian best, the group was treated to a “Beach Boy Blast” luau at the Hearst Ranch Dairy Barn with live music from none other than former Beach Boy Al Jardine and his “Endless Summer Band”. Then former America front man, Dewey Bunnell, also joined the band onstage for a surprise set including his own classic, “Horse with No Name”.
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Hosts Jay McInerney and Anne Hearst McInerney.
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Fran Drescher, Gavin Lurssen.
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Katrina Berube, Michael Berube, Kimball McCloud, Paula Rice, Tony Peck.
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Cornelia Bregman, Liliana Cavendish, Anne Hearst McInerney.
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Alison Mazzola, Phillip Raiser, Victoria Raiser.
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Todd Yancey, Cindra Nicholson.
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Jefery Levy, Pamela Levy.
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Daniel Okulitch, Heather Wiese Alexander.
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Remar Sutton, Alison Mazzola.
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Keith Leedom, Sharon Bush, Greg Hampton.
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Alex Papachristidis, Scott Nelson.
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Carolyn Hotchkis, Justine Bloomingdale, Ellis Jones, Martha McGuinness.
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Edith Tobin.
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Joe Tobin, Robert Bloomingdale.
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| Photos: PatrickMcMullan.com |
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