The Crowd

B.W. Cook

The century has ended. A new century dawns. It is incumbent upon any

columnist worth his or her salt to wax forth in brave new-age speak. To

offer words of sage wisdom is the calling.

Unfortunately, I don’t have any. You see, with all the hoopla, both

positive and negative, concerning the beginning of the year 2000, this

columnist has learned one simple truth: Each day brings its own reward.

Some are better than others, to be sure.

Some we could all do without. As a reporter covering the “society beat,”

I am privileged to see a great deal of the best in people. Sure, some of

it is pure frosting. What people are wearing and eating, the decor of

their parties, the jewelry they show off, the success they boast about --

these things are curiosities. They speak volumes, at times, about who we

are, what we like, what kind of a community we live in.

More important are the causes that bring people together -- this is the

substance of my beat. And there are many stories in the big city that are

worth ink all year long. One story at a time, one day a time.

I have learned that miracles happen in very small ways each and every

day. And many times these so-called miracles are man-made. People who

care to make a difference can make a difference and do make a difference.

So, let’s not get dramatic about the year 2000. Let’s just do our best.

When the hoopla fades, and hopefully the threats of everything from

terrorism to cataclysm are forgotten, we can proceed with the work that

needs to be done.

As a tribute to some of the citizens of this community who grace this

column from time to time with their presence, their community service,

and yes, for their style that we are all so very curious to know more

about, here are some nonscientific, very personal and judgmental lists of

the best of the best (not necessarily in order) for 1999.

No apologies made, no explanations given.

MONEY THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

1. Renee and Henry Segerstrom

2. Donna and John Crean

3. Judie and George Argyros

4. Patti and Jim Edwards

5. Susan and Henry Samueli

6. Robert and Margaret Sprague

7. Jeanette Segerstrom

8. Brigitte and Donald Bren

9. Joan Irvine Smith

10. David and Jeanne Tappan

STYLE THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

1. Barbara and Jim Glabman

2. Pat and Alan Rypinski

3. Cerise and Larry Feeley

4. Tom and Joyce Tucker

5. Ann and Mike Howard

6. Ronnie and Byron Allumbaugh

7. Lillian Fluor

8. Marion and Roger Palley

9. Elizabeth Vincent

10. Claire Trevor Bren

THE ESTABLISHMENT THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

1. Molly and Leon Lyon

2. Pat and Karl Neisser

3. Irene and Bill Mathews

4. Marilyn and Tom Sutton

5. Sue and Dave Hook

6. Peggy Goldwater and Bob Clay

7. Catherine and Delane Thyen

8. Arden Flamson

9. Marilyn and Tom Nielsen

10. Pat and Dick Allen

THE NEXT GENERATION MAKING A DIFFERENCE

1. Anne and John Wortmann

2. Anton Segerstrom

3. Jennifer and Richard Van Bergh

4. Jaime and Dori Calliouette

5. Jim and Ellyne Warsaw

6. Roberta and Howard Ahmanson

7. Madeline and Jim Swinden

8. Wendy and Curt Lyon

9. Kimberly and Fletcher Jones

10. Joanne and Gary Hunt

LADIES ON THE SOCIAL CIRCUIT MAKING A DIFFERENCE

1. Linda Beale

2. Virginia Knott Bender

3. Maralou Harrington

4. Joan Riach

5. Cleva Howard

6. Barbara Bowie

7. Sandy Sewell

8. Alison Frenzel

9. Gloria Gae Gellman

10. Marsha Anderson

MEN ON THE CIRCUIT MAKING A DIFFERENCE

1. Hans Prager

2. Chuck Martin

3. Irwin Gellman

4. Jerrel Richards

5. Meldrim Burrill

6. Jerry Harrington

7. Roger Kirwan

8. Larry Higby

9. Henry Schielein

10. Jim Doti

COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF SPECIAL DISTINCTION WHOSE ACTIONS HAVE ALWAYS MADE A

DIFFERENCE

1. Joey Bishop

2. Mary Lou and Scott Hornsby

3. Maria Crutcher

4. Elaine Redfield

5. Jim Emmi

6. Gerry and Wally Schroeder

7. Michelle Rohe

8. Bill and Laila Conlin

9. Willa Dean and Gen. William Lyon

10. Lin and Albert Auer

* MOST GLAMOROUS WOMAN: Renee Segerstrom

* BON VIVANT MAN ABOUT TOWN: Jerry Mandel

* BEST-DRESSED WOMAN: Ronnie Allumbaugh

* BEST-DRESSED MAN: Lionel Crotin

* CLASSIEST WOMEN: Nancy Wynne and Zee Allred (a tie)

* FIRST-CLASS GUY: Tom Tierney

* WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR OF 1999: Beverly Ray

* MALE ENTREPRENEUR OF 1999: Henry Samueli

* WOMAN WITH VISION: Twyla Martin

* MAN WITH VISION: Ralph Cicerone

* WOMAN WITH BRAINPOWER: Sheila Sonenshine

* MAN WITH BRAINPOWER: Joel Slutsky

* WOMAN TO WATCH: Sandy Segerstrom Daniels

* MAN TO WATCH: Leigh Steinberg

* PARTY OF THE YEAR: Art of Dining benefiting the Orange County Museum of

Art

* FUND-RAISER OF THE YEAR: Candlelight Concert benefiting the Orange

County Performing Arts Center

* HOST AND HOSTESS OF THE YEAR: Barbara and Mark Johnson for their

extraordinary efforts on behalf of many causes

* WOMAN OF THE YEAR: Donna Crean, for her unbridled generosity and her

unchecked enthusiasm. May she recover fully from her recent cancer

surgery to share at least the next 100 years with the community.

* MAN OF THE YEAR: Henry Segerstrom, for his keen business sense coupled

with extraordinary community leadership.