Claremont community members mingled with glasses in hand Sunday at the seventh annual “Mi Casa es Su Casa” charity event benefiting the Claremont Community Foundation and Claremont Educational Foundation.

Hosted at Hotel Casa 425, around 170 Claremonters savored a variety of foods, prestigious wines, spirits and beers as they strolled through the courtyard to the sounds of the Brandon Bernstein Trio.

The event offered a little something for everyone with eats from Spaggi’s, Loving Hut, Viva Madrid and Hotel Casa 425 as well as libations from Dale Bros. Brewery, Claremont Craft Ales, VOM FASS, Plume Ridge and Chacewater Winery just to name a few.

VOM FASS Claremont and their staff concocted several unique cocktails featuring their signature spirits. The Hemingway Absinthe cocktail made with Libertine 72 Absinthe was a favorite among guests. 

No doubt, the highlight of the evening was the raffle emceed by Ken Corhan. With 14 prize packages including such items as dinner theater for two at the Candlelight Pavilion, a $350 gift certificate to The Diamond Center, a J. Augur design handbag and a night for two at a Newport Beach boutique hotel, guests opened their hearts and their wallets to contribute to the cause.

“The raffle sold out, we had a terrific, great group of people, “ says Mr. Chute. “A special thanks to Andrew Behnke and the hotel for their generous support.”

Mr. Behnke’s generosity did indeed pay off and not just for the event organizers. The general manager of the DoubleTree hotel left the event winning three of the 14 raffle prizes: a Dale Bros. Brewery basket, a Date Night package and a night at the theatre.

Other winners included Michelle Mitchell, recipient of the J. Auger handbag, and Linda Scott, winner of The Diamond Center’s $350 gift certificate. “I’ve never won anything before,” she said.

The Grand Prize, a night for two at Newport Beach Hotel including complimentary continental breakfast and use of the hotel’s bicycles and beach toys, went home with Tim Tipping.

“I can’t take it, but my wife will,” Mr. Tipping’s said. “She’s had a busy weekend with Sycamore Celebrates on Friday and the Folk Festival yesterday. She’ll be thrilled!”

—Angela Bailey

news@claremont-courier.com