Their master builder was Mark Hemming and it was the most elegant home in the Valley. About a year ago, it was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Risjad of Jakarta; Mark was again retained to make some renovations. The Risjad family has three other homes, one of which is in Bel Aire, near Los Angeles. You probably know that Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia, and long ago it was a part of the Dutch East Indies and their famous trading route.
Their representative, Jason Djang, was present with his new bride Holly. “The name ‘Claxton’ is a temporary name,” he said. “They are hoping to turn it into a winery and event center. They are busy people and not here very often, but are scheduled to arrive tomorrow.” It was fun visiting with the people whose original dream created this magnificent edifice, and the Harmons said they have now built a Tuscan Villa high on a hill above Los Olivos. Their neighbors are Dr. and Mrs. Doug Herthel.
Among the many interesting things to see, was the heart-warming photography of Amy May. She is also an instructor at the Therapeutic Riding Center, and she had photographed the children and horses with great empathy and understanding. That sweetheart, Linda Gordon, is the president of the board, and with the help of many loving hands had put together a giant silent auction that must have contributed a substantial amount to this great cause.
The abundance of auction items fairly shouted, “We love you!” Many generous people attended and we recognized some from a recent local Republican fundraiser. Some people bought tickets even though they would not be attending.
Barbara Porcher, of the National Charity League, told us, “Eighteen mothers and daughters volunteered to help with this event. They did everything from directing the parking to serving the hors d’oeuvres. Members Mark and Sherry Hemming and their daughters have cleaned stalls and fed the Therapeutic Riding horses every Sunday morning for 10 years!”
Present among the early guests we found Bud and Joan McCoy and John and Ruth O’Neill, Bill and Barbara Merry. The evening’s party was centered around the beautiful swimming pool, which had little jets of water creating designs on the surface of the turquoise blue water. As the evening went on, Karla Zuehlke put her hand in the water to see if the pool was heated. When she found that it wasn’t, I think that Neal canceled his plans for a demonstration of the backstroke.
A beautifully flavored chicken dinner was presented by chef Alfonso Curti of Trattoria Uliveto and the wine was donated by D’Alfonso-Curran Winery. Guests were entertained by the music of Ron Miller and the Full Gallop Band.
Among the many guests we spotted: Drs. Bob and Mary Ann Evans, Todd, Tracey, Travis Burnett and Katy Fisher, Art and Ava Polan, Tom and Donna Small, Susan Hopman, Sam Burke, Jedd and Merilee Conley, Joe and Heather McCollum, Ron and Debbie Roark and, of course, the Serritslev clan – Duane, Susie Kevin and Robin who happens to be Therapeutic Riding’s executive director. The Hames family arrived with Billy, Kathi, Katie and Aaron. Also attending were Jack and Joan Koers, Jane Overbaugh, Jerry and Joan Doren, Jack and Pat Hoffman, Jan and Jody Rome, Rona Barrett and her writer husband, whose pen name is Daniel McNeet. There were dozens more dear people, and High Sky Ranch reserved an entire table for 10.