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Published on 09/29/1999 All articles from this issue

Hidden Villa's 'Humanitarian' dinner sets record attendance with 480 visitors

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By Carolyn Barnes

Special to the Town Crier

The fourth annual Josephine and Frank Duveneck Humanitarian Awards Dinner broke two records on Sept. 18. More than 480 people attended, marking the biggest crowd in one place at one time in Hidden Villa's history, and their contributions raised $130,000 for Hidden Villa's educational and environmental programs.

"The dinner proceeds go a long way toward underwriting what we do to make our programs available to all.

"What is so important at Hidden Villa is that scholarships bring children here who otherwise would never have such experiences," Executive Director Judith Steiner told dinner guests.

Autumn scents and harvested vegetables and fruits from the farm gardens welcomed attendees on a balmy Saturday night. They rode in vintage cars to the pre-dinner reception and art exhibit in the 1930s main Duveneck House, and then promenaded back to a giant tent by the Visitor's Center for the dinner and ceremony honoring five community leaders whose values exemplify those of Hidden Villa founders Josephine and Frank Duveneck.

Christy Holloway of Stanford, John and Tashia Morgridge of Portola Valley, and the Rev. Cecil Williams and his wife Janice Mirikitani of San Francisco all received kudos for their inspirational community building and environmental awareness.

John Morgridge, CEO of Cisco Systems, summed up most attendees' appreciation of Hidden Villa by recalling his own childhood gardening experiences.

"Green beans and how fast and easy they are to grow is what I liked best," Morgridge said, recalling his parents' World War II victory garden, which they shared with their neighbors.

Karen Ross and Eleanor Watanabe chaired the event committee, and both will continue in their roles for the Josephine and Frank Duveneck Humanitarian Awards Dinner in September, 2000.

Corporate chairwoman was Ann Livermore, president and CEO of Enterprise Computing, a Hewlett-Packard Company.

Honorary chairman for the evening was Martin Seane. Jay Harris, publisher of the San Jose Mercury News, presented the awards.

At the close of the festive evening, Carl King, chairman of Hidden Villa's Board of Trustees, reminded guests that the large number in attendance would have pleased both Josephine and Frank Duveneck. They were known for their overflowing dinner tables and unreserved welcome to all people and all community groups.

Steiner also stressed Hidden Villa's inclusive philosophy. "Hidden Villa touches people in ways they never forget.

In fact, about 20 percent of our current staff first came here as children or students. Many of you here tonight have been personally touched in ways that keep you involved over many years.

"That is really the magic of Hidden Villa - a place of special natural beauty combined with a vision of a world at peace in all ways," she said.