B.W. COOK -- The Crowd

The Newport Harbor Auxiliary of Children’s Home Society of California

welcomed elegantly attired guests in the holiday mood to the 44th

Debutante Ball on the Orange Coast. Mrs. Finley Lowe Taylor, president of

the auxiliary, greeted the arriving crush at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in

Laguna Niguel for an evening marking a coming-of-age ceremony for 16

outstanding young women in the community who were being recognized for

their service to others.

Founded in 1891, Children’s Home Society of California is the oldest

and largest nonprofit child welfare agency in the state. “The programs of

this organization are based on the conviction that every child has the

basic right to a secure home, loving parents and full opportunity for

healthy development,” Taylor said.

To this end, the society has developed -- during more than a century

of work -- programs targeting child care, family support, shelter care,

foster family care, group home care and adoption.

Taylor was joined by ball co-chairs Kathleen E. Moohr and Setsuko

Krickl in spreading the glad tidings and positive message of the

organization as the debutantes, their escorts and families arrived for

the sunset reception that began an evening of memories mixed with high

hopes for the future for the young women.

An exquisite white on green floral theme created by Chris Lindsay

transformed the Ritz ballroom into a winter white wonderland in bloom.

The debutante committee responsible for this year’s lavish event included

Leslie Cies, Debbie Meeker, Martha Elliott, Kim Weeks, Teresa Degelmann,

Robin Canright, Linda Hughes, Lori Lacy, Yuriko Yno, Pamela Horowitz,

Barbara Cline, Patty Collins, Teri Elliot and Marilyn Read.

Others deserving kudos are Barbara Cline, Carol Herrel and Melinda

Patton, who are members of the executive board of the Children’s Home

Society.

As Barry Cole and his Sounds of Music Orchestra filled the ballroom

with music, the presentation of debutantes was handled with aplomb by

master of ceremonies John J. Moohr. Each young woman passed under a

rose-encrusted archway escorted by fathers, mothers and close family

friends.

The room was filled with high emotion, thunderous applause and more

than a few tears as the accomplishments, goals and service records of the

16 young women were read aloud for all the world to hear. A formal St.

James bow signaled entrance into society, and the mood of Cole’s

orchestra shifted from low key to high energy.

A four-course, white-gloved service dinner of veal foulade, stuffed

spinach and feuillete of forest mushroom and lemon meringue tart was

served by Ritz staff as the party moved into high gear and the dance

floor overflowed with high kicks.

Event patrons included the families of Andrew Cies, Kris Elftmann,

Edward Stavum Kriz and Charles S. Wheeler III. Others supporting the

event were the families of Matthew Alcone, Dan Hanson, Alois Krickl, John

J. Moohr and Per Trebler, as well as Nancy Engle Van Otten, to name only

a few.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.

CUTLINE:

Top row, from left: Siobhan Bradley, Rebecca Agnew, Taylor Govaars,

Elizabeth Walker and Christina Francis.

Middle row, from left: Jennifer Barto, Brittany Fredensburg, Margaret

Harty, Erin Herrel, Cameron Patton and Janene Chrispens.

Bottom row, from left: Leslie Hopkins, Melanie McHone, Katy Lewis,

Melissa Lanna and Jennifer Bowie.