The Crowd

B.W. Cook

Jingle bells were chiming. Santa was ho-ho-hoing. Sleigh bells were heard

in the distance. Reindeer were anxious. And there was not a drop of snow

in sight.

Instead, palm trees swayed gently against a crimson sunset as the 33rd

annual Christmas Carol Ball commenced at 5:52 p.m. to mark the holiday

season with joy for Hoag Hospital.

The ballroom of chic Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach was transformed

for the occasion by dedicated chairwomen Catherine Thyen and Arden

Flamson.

“It’s absolutely spectacular,” offered Thyen, who did everything short of

insisting that the ceiling open to permit a bit of snowfall on the winter

ball.

“The Christmas Carol Ball is one of the most popular 552 Club events and

every year we look forward to celebrating the holiday season together

while showing our tremendous support for Hoag,” added Flamson.

The chairwomen have a long-standing history with Hoag. Their devotion is

widely known in the community. Thyen is a tireless advocate of the

hospital, working countless volunteer jobs to raise funds and awareness.

Her husband, Delane Thyen, is a respected physician at Hoag. For Flamson,

“there is simply not enough that can be done for the hospital,” she says.

Flamson founded the Richard J. Flamson Cancer Screening Center following

the death of her husband. As a breast cancer survivor, Flamson is a major

advocate of Circle 1000 in support of women’s cancer issues at Hoag. So

to be able to come together with good friends at a time of joy is a

holiday gift par none for both women, their families and their support

team, which is vast and equally dedicated to Hoag and health issues in

this community.

Joining Flamson and Thyen in sponsoring the ball, major underwriting

support came from Mary and Jim Bahan, Jim and Patti Edwards, Holly

Hardesty, Nora Hester, Donna and Dave Jones, Rosemarie and Gershard

Schnuerer, Walter and Gerry Schroeder, Richard Sewell, Don and Billye

Snyder, and the Hansel Benvenuti family.

Corporate donors included Union Bank, Newport Harbor Radiology

Associates, Newport Harbor Anesthesia Medical Group, and Newport

Emergency Physicians.

Longtime 552 Club member and entertainer Harry Babbitt charmed the crowd,

leading a series of holiday carols. Couples danced the night away

surrounded by lavish decorations befitting the season.

Filet mignon was served to the full house of 400 guests, and more than

$100,000 was raised for the hospital. The funds will be earmarked for

various priority needs at the facility.

In the elegant Christmas crowd were John and Fran Applegate, Dick and

Jean Bechtel, Frederick Birnberg, Jaime and Dorie Calliouette, David and

Laraine Eggleston, Wally and Lynn Gaynor, Wes and Kerry Hacker, Jim and

Nora Johnson, Robert and Ann Kopel, Bill and Beverly Langston, Robert and

Jean Lucas, Bill and Elaine Parker, Bill and Ronna Shipman, Dave and

Ellyn Snowden, Roger and Darlene Swearingen, Elizabeth Vincent, Billur

Wallerich, and hospital CEO Michael Stephens and his wife, Diane.

The 552 Club supports Hoag all year long with more than 2,200 local

members working to ensure the best quality care possible. Hoag Hospital

is an acute-care, nonprofit hospital with divisions in cancer, heart,

orthopedics and women’s health.

Merry Christmas everyone. May your day be filled with love.B.W. COOK’S

column appears Thursdays and Saturdays.