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Early on in its history, Long Beach Opera, originally Long Beach Grand Opera, found the “grand” too ceremonious and increasingly scaled back to experimental, in-your-face intimacy.

She lamented that the home did not have some kind of ceremonious sendoff — final tours for architecture students, a celebratory cocktail hour, donation of materials for architectural studies — before it was torn down.

“Plate holders stood by the fireplace, filled with dishes and plates; knives, forks and spoons were arranged for immediate use; in short, everything was ready for the entertainment of a ceremonious party.”

Isabella then celebrated the recovery milestone with a hearty and ceremonious ringing of the bell, also posing with her radiotherapy mask.

The custom, which feels both ceremonious and nostalgic, can be a powerful refuge from the chaos of the outside world, business owners say.