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(Enlarge) The Shenharra String Trio, of Homeland, plays Dec. 6 for guests at the annual Guilford holiday party, including Adam and Meredith Borden, who share a Christmastime kiss. The gala is held at a different house every year; this year it was Tom and Bari Fores' house in the 4000 block of 
Rugby Road. (Photo by Brendan Cavanaugh)

A December moon sparkled on a light dusting of snow as guests gathered at the home of Bari and Tom Fore, for the 33rd annual Women's Civic League Cocktail Party.

The stone mansion, once the home of Ogden Nash, is evocative of an English castle, with mullioned windows, arches and terraces fit for Tudor royalty. Black and white marble floors gleamed in the hall, reflecting the Christmas tree, which was adorned with silver, blue and aqua ornaments and placed in the sweeping stairway.

At the base of the tree were five wine baskets for the annual raffle to raise money for Sherwood Gardens. The baskets were assembled by Sharon Smith, while the wines were donated by party committee members.

Selling raffle tickets were Lauren Madigan, Margo Bates, Sue Diedrich, Lisa Garten, Joan Royals and the young team of Michael Perry, son of Cathy Boyne and Doug Perry, and Ali Royals, daughter of Joan and Landon Royals.

In the drawing room, The Shenharra String Trio provided lilting melodies. In the dining room, a centerpiece of magnolias, Siberian lilies, tulips, cedar and ginger created by floral designer and Guilford resident Betty Davis sat under the crystal chandelier.

As is custom, guests arrived bearing trays of hors d'oeuvres to be handed off to the catering staff by members of the holiday party greeting committee, including Debbie Dawson, Joyce Forsyth, Carroll Windfelder, Elke Franke, Jane Taeger, Rene Pallace, Joy Munster, Mary Ellen Whitman, Merry Highby, Ann Giroux, Peggy Greenman, Gladys Jaramillo, Phyllis Brown, Lori Gladstone and Dawana Sterrette.

Coats were taken by Annie Riley and Ellie Grossbeck, both 13, and the daughters of committee members Lynda Riley and Mary Rifino.

Giving out name labels and information at the reception table were Joan Friedel, Eva Brill, Liz Trotter, Shirley LaMotte, Kelly Pease, Carver Green and yours truly.

There were two bars, one off the library and another in a tented part of the terrace.

Libations and good cheer were dispensed by a professional bartender as well as the merry Men of Guilford mixologists, including Felix Dawson, Ed Windfelder, "Chick" Chickering, Alan Garten, George Tyler, Burt Ray, Mark Taeger, Dan Pallace, Paul Swensen, Larry LaMotte, Jeff Nelson, Ken Bates, Mike Dennehy, Devereaux Sterrette, Nick Madigan, Paul Smith, Warren Brill, Jo Diedrich, John Highby, Don Greenman, Bill Shinn and Carlos Quinones.

Food included sliced tenderloin, turkey, shrimp, smoked salmon, chicken wings, cured ham, hot crab dip, spinach dip, steak tartare, baked brie, cinnamon-flavored gnocchi, spicy meatballs, bacon-wrapped scallops, salads and sushi, plus chocolates, cookies, baklava, tiny tarts and cakes of every kind.

Guilford's generous chefs had once again outdone themselves.

But sociability was the heart of the evening. We met the Fores' sons, Max, 9, and Alexander, 20, and their guests, Denise and Bruce Iannatuono, Mitchell and Erin Trivas, and Jill and Alan Cohen.

We spotted Maliene Wajer with her daughter, Lydia, and granddaughter, Arabella, as well as Joanna Golden and Chris Montgomery, Sherwood Mansion owners Claire and Lee Miller, and Larry Perl, Baltimore Messenger editor, and his wife, Philinda.

Meredith and Adam Borden, parents of Emma Sophie and Ian, were enjoying an evening out. I was pleased my daughter, Bonnie Pride, and her husband, David, could make it, too.

We chatted with Brian Lawrence, editor of Style magazine (which features in this month's issue a spread on last year's party at Bruce and Lindsay Fleming's home) Brian attended with Karen Bokhram.

Turkish consul Cenap Kiratli and spouse, Zita, visited with Mary and Derya Yavalar (a fellow countryman).

The party ended, as always, with the raffle, as master of ceremonies Ken Bates and party co-host Tom Fore drew the winning tickets. The winners included Dan and Betty Chemers, Kelly and Greg Pease, Liz and Doug Trotter, and my husband, Carlos.

One wonders if Nash might not have been inspired to commemorate this party in a poem. Many thanks to the Fores, who so graciously opened their beautiful home for the occasion a month after moving there from Lutherville, and to the members of various committees members, as well as the attendees.

Carlos and I wish to extend to you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season, and may all of your New Year's dreams come true.

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