Conservancy Ball Highlights Trans-Catalina Trail
Guests at the 14th Annual Catalina Island Conservancy Ball in the Avalon Casino Ballroom on Saturday, May 4, enjoyed an evening of music, fine-dining, dancing, and fun including some surprises as they celebrated the opening of the Trans-Catalina Trail. Themed “Take a Hike.” About 340 guests turned out in their formal-wear—including a few who took the theme to heart and added hiking boots to their fashion ensemble!
“The Conservancy is thrilled about the opportunities for recreational access that the new trail opens up,” Ann Muscat, President and CEO of the Conservancy, and host of the evening told the crowd. “We hope that you, your families and your friends will take a hike, and experience first-hand Catalina’s many beautiful canyons, valleys and vista.”
Prior to the doors of the Casino opening for the Ball, a Pre-Ball Sponsor party was hosted by Blanny Avalon Hagenah, a great-granddaughter of William and Ada Wrigley, at her spectacular Avalon home Castillo del Mar. Built in 1932 for Frank Sanborn and his family of Mexico’s Sanborn Hermanos Department Store, the stunning 7-level cliff side retreat was recently restored and is once again a bright and happy Avalon landmark. The home features interior charm, historic Catalina architecture, and dramatic patios that overlook the turquoise waters of Avalon Bay.
About 6 p.m., guests began entering the Casino Ball Room. After a delicious dinner, they were treated to a film which welcomed them to join Kevin Ryan, Conservancy Trails Coordinator and his hiking partner Christina Bertaud, on a trek along the newly opened Trans-Catalina Trail.
The new film, produced by photographer/videographer Marc Muench, captures the 37.2-mile trail which stretches from remote Starlight Beach on the Island’s West End to the Renton Mine Trailhead in Avalon. In the film, the pair traverses Parsons Landing to Hermit Gulch Campground, and along the way, meet researchers, hikers, and campers in Catalina’s interior. The film’s surprise ending featured Ryan and Bertaud sprinting from Hermit Gulch through Avalon and into the Casino. Then, when the screen when dark, the real pair came bounding onto the dance floor to the beat of African drums.
In a seamless transition, the drumming continued and all Ball goers were handed African drums. Within minutes, guests became a rhythmical drumming orchestra, conducted by the members of Drum Café California, a motivational group specializing in interactive drumming.
The fun continued late into the night as the crowd danced to standards and old-fashioned rock ’n roll as interpreted by the Pete Jacobs Band.
The fun décor concocted for “Take a Hike” featured miniature tents on many of the tables, courtesy of REI; lanterns, trail signs, decorative rocks and maps of the Trail.
During the auction portion of the evening, Catalina Island Fox ambassador Ne Shun Tachi, the Conservancy’s “Little Girl of Hope,” circulated throughout the room escorted by Julie King, Conservancy Senior Wildlife Biologist. Catalina’s fox population crashed from about 1,300 individuals in 1999 due to an outbreak of the distemper virus. Quick action by the Catalina Island Fox Recovery Project over the past decade has brought the current fox population to an estimated 784.
Muscat thanked her Ball Co-Chairs, Jim Brown, Blanny Avalon Hagenah, Jane Trevor Fetter and George Pla – all members of the Conservancy’s Board of Trustees – and all the staff and volunteers who had helped to make the evening a success.
Other major Ball Sponsors included Jane Trevor Fetter and Thompson Fetter; Geoff and Alison Rusack; Debi and Norris Bishton of Noarus Auto Group; Dorn and Victoria Dean; Richard and Marie Knowles; Maria Pellegrini; Ada Blanche Wrigley Schreiner; Capital Guardian Trust Company, Catalina Island Yacht Club; and Mari and Patrick McAlister.
As always, 100% net proceeds from the Ball will go to support the conservation, education and recreation programs of the Conservancy.
Posted by Bob Rhein on May 13th, 2009 | Posted in Avalon Events, Catalina Island Conservancy, Island Update, hiking |
