Evening star., 1961-09-20
EXCLUSIVELY YOURS
Prados Entertained by Kennedys
BY BETTY BEALE
Star Staff Writer


Opera stars Roberta Peters
and Jerome Hines:
Il want to say that they
appeared under the sponsor
ship of Arthur Goldberg"
The amusing reference to
the Secretary Of Labor's sue
cesSful Intervention in the
recent Met strike was only
one indication of the charm
ing and relaxed pace that
prevailed at the state dinner
honoring Peruvian President
and Mrs. Prado.
A DROLL COMMENT in
Mr. Kennedy's dinner toast
was still more evidence that
belied the tenSeneSs some
times attributed to him in the
midst Of recent world crises.
Only members of Washing
tons diplomatic and social
sets could fully appreciate the
sly humor involved which had
to do with the post of dean
of the diplomatic corps that
is only attained through
seniority.
I'VE are delighted that
your Ambassador is also here,
occupying a special place in
the life of our city and coun-
try" he said to Mr.. Prado
referring to his old friend
Fernando Berckemeyer who
is No. 2 on the diplomatic
list. st have been looking
forward to your retaining
him long enough to permit
him to succeed the Ambas-
sador of Nicaragua. This is
an honor which he wishes to
have passed from him, but
we expect to see him at every
plane and welcoming the
visiting dignitaries."
AMBASSADOR BERCKE-
MEYER, who probably has
no hopes whatsoever of un-
seating the Nicaragllan Am
bassador, who is appointed
by his brother-in-law, was
considerably tickled by the
remark.
Although there were 80 for
dinner with seven or eight
members of the press COM
ing in afterwards, the formal
affair took on a feeling Of
intimacy once the presi-
Dental party had made its
entrance.
President and Mrs. Prado
arrived at the White House
about 7:54 and were escorted
to the second floor where
their hosts received them.
About $40, preceded by a
color guard of both nations
and heralded by a fanfare
from the Marine Band, the
two couples descended the
stairs.
Mrs. Prado, on the arm of
Mr.. Kennedy, made a strik-
ing picture in a white satin
sheath, a diamond necklace
with big pear-shaped emer-
aids and an upswept coiffure
that piled her brown locks on
top of her head.
MRS. KENNEDY, follow
ing with President Prado,
was extremely chic in a
Chez Ninon gown with full
orange-yellow satin skirt and
fitted black velvet bodice
with straps over the should
ers. The low wide decolletage
in back revealed more of the
healthy even sun tan that
covered her arms and face.
Drop diamond earrings and
a single diamond bracelet
were her only jewelry.
They entered the East
Room to the strains of Hail
to the Chief" were announced
to their waiting guests. and
stood in the door to receive
Martini cocktails, high
balls, Dubonnet and orange
Juice were then served in the
East Room before the COM
pany proceeded into the new
ly painted offwhite state din
ing room. The U-Shaped
table, with the center of the
u beneath Abraham Lincoln'S
picture, was decorated with
bouquets of white and yellow
chrysanthemums d aisies
carnations and tuberoses
The gold service and silver
gilt vases and candelabra
were used as customary.
DINNER MENU
The White House
Tues, September 10, 1861
Salmon Mousse
Tomato and
Cucumber Salad
Tournedos HeloiSe
Roast Potatoes
Green Beans with
Almonds
Assorted Cheeses
Crackers
st. Honore Cake
The seven or eight mem
bers of the press invited il
afterwards and ushered tt
the main floor as soon as thu
dinner guests left the dining
room were taken completed!
by surprise and were yer!
pleased by what happened
next.
PRESIDENT KENNEDY
who was standing in the cor
ridor chatting with some O.
his male guests, no soone1
spied them than he brough
President Prado over ant
introduced each of them tt
his honor guest. In Is year
of covering the White HousI
I have never seen this happel
before. They were then in
vited to mingle with tn,
group and have coffee ant
1iolleIIrS with them in tn