By Mary Anne McCarthy
A societal marathon began this past weekend, first with the
wedding of Cory and Katie Roebuck in the gardens of Bonfante Theme
Park on Friday, Sept. 3. Many of you prospective brides are
whining,
”
I didn’t check that venue out. I didn’t know they do
weddings.
”
They do now!
By Mary Anne McCarthy
A societal marathon began this past weekend, first with the wedding of Cory and Katie Roebuck in the gardens of Bonfante Theme Park on Friday, Sept. 3. Many of you prospective brides are whining, “I didn’t check that venue out. I didn’t know they do weddings.” They do now! Cory just happens to be the Manager of Operations at Bonfante and being a true corporate man volunteered to have the first wedding in the gardens (I think he had a prospective bride in mind at the time). Katie, his bride, was a performer at Paramount’s Great America when they met. Spectacular and unique are the words to describe the ceremony in the lower gardens accompanied by Dan Levitan on the harp (I couldn’t believe they had the good fortune to have the principal harpist from the San Jose Symphony playing for their ceremony!) My only suggestion to brides … no more Taco Bell canon. There are other classical pieces. Good taste prevailed with the choice to feature the gorgeous voice of their friend Casie Walker singing John Denver’s “Annie’s Song.” Look for Walker singing with the South Valley Symphony soon if I have my way (Casie apprenticed with the Santa Fe Opera before they put the roof on the building). Local Linda Estill provided both the park and the bride and groom expert wedding coordinating with a minimum of interference although I almost lost my new orange pumps to her during an interview. Estill describes the park as “One of the best places to have a wedding … the staff is phenomenal … the venue is breathtaking!” After the wonderfully meaningful, but reasonably timed ceremony, the guests were treated to two open rides.
Thousands of white, twinkling lights greeted the guests as they entered the reception area in the middle of the park. Barb Granter, Vice President of Bonfante Gardens, and Rod Rankin, Sr., Vice President and General Manager of Paramount’s Great America were in attendance enjoying the vision Michael Bonfante set forth years ago. Trevor Wilson, of the park’s marketing department could hardly contain his excitement . Magnificent … a magical evening with gracious hosts and guests and Ken and Barbie at the sweetheart table! Loving sister of the groom, Kay Robuck, a recent Culinary Institute of the Arts, Hyde Park graduate, crafted a scrumptious white fondant cake with unique layers of red velvet with cream cheese icing, chocolate with raspberry, and white cake with apricot filling. Can we lure you away from West Palm Beach’s Café Boulud, Kay? Beautiful wedding, Cory and Katie. Blessings.
An ending … Friday’s celebration lead to Saturday’s mourning of the loss of our Uncle Nick. Nick loved parties, social gatherings, and talking politics. When the nurse in the hospital attempted to evaluate his faculties she asked him who the President was. Nick, a die-hard Democrat responded, “Bush … but not for long!” Nick survived a kamikaze attack on his battle ship during WWII, then went on to help defend and protect Japanese farmers in the San Joaquin Valley during remuneration procedures. Nick was 87 years old this year. Live life well, attend parties and attend to the party, champion just causes and you too will be missed as much as Uncle Nick.
Tears of sadness turned to tears of laughter as Saturday night broke loose with free-range grape picking and pounds of paella at the home vineyard of Todd and Alexia Johnson of San Martin. Scaled down to a smaller picking party this year (2003 saw 350+ guests) the Johnsons hosted many soon-to-be vintners eager to get some hands-on experience with the wine making process. One hard worker was Tony Kingman. Kareena Kingman, Tony’s wife, noticed her husband’s love of the vine and quipped, “He was the happiest bucket worker ever!” Manuel Jurado, or “Paella Man”, also appearing as a San Jose Police Officer during the week, oversaw the making of paella in the largest pan I have ever seen. I’m not sure that I ever made it to a vine to pick but Alexia assured the women we were there to drink, eat, and sit by the pool. I obliged. Paella Man told me many of his fellow Spaniards at the party had stopped by to lend their expertise on the saffron flavored dish. Later, guests were invited to attend the barrel sampling of last year’s harvest in the garage/barrel room. Todd confided to my husband he thought it might be over-oaked. That was enough to almost set my husband to tears thinking about his first stand of grapes that were consumed by the free range mocking birds in our vineyard. Ours will not see any oak this year.
Another balmy evening and the feeling that life is good in the South County rose up in our glasses of cabernet. Someone came up with the idea of forming a local, small vintner’s group. We haven’t named the organization yet but if you have a few vines (either just planted or well established) and want to join our little consortium write to my e-mail address and we’ll invite you to share an over-oaked glass of wine and who knows … maybe some paella.
Ciao for now.
Have an event coming up or a hot tip for Mary Anne? E-mail it to hi*********@************ch.com
