B.W. COOK -- The Crowd

A car was the star of the social scene recently as Lincoln introduced

its new MK 9 concept coupe to the Newport-Mesa crowd at the Orange County

Museum of Art.

Hundreds of local enthusiasts gathered around the sleek black coupe

with classic red leather interior staged on the outdoor courtyard of the

Newport Beach-based museum. The new luxury model was part of a museum

presentation of “American Modern, 1925-1940: Design for a New Age.”

While the car certainly did not fit in the category of the art show,

it did create a sensation relating to the art of current automotive

design. Lincoln representatives commented that they were inspired by

classic American design of the past century, incorporating elements in

their very forward approach with the new vehicle.

Jim O’Sullivan, Lincoln Group Brand manager, said “To have the West

Coast debut of our new concept at a museum shows Lincoln’s commitment to

the design future of American luxury.”

More than 500 local guests of the museum enjoyed the preview of the

new car designed by Gerry McGovern. Lincoln has recently moved its

national headquarters to Orange County.

* * *

Hamburger king Carl Karcher and Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte were

recently inducted into Mater Dei High School’s Ring of Honor, as the

largest private high school west of Chicago began celebrations for its

50th anniversary year.

A large and supportive contingent of Newport-Mesa citizens attended

the recent ceremony, which also honored Auxiliary Bishop Jaime Soto of

the Orange County Diocese, Bishop Donald Montrose, Sister Jo Ann

Eannareno, prominent local attorney Judy McKenna and former Mater Dei and

NFL coach Dick Coury, who has been credited with creating the grand

tradition of Mater Dei football.

Also honored were Bob Graziano, president and chief operating officer

of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Jo Ellen Allen, director of public

affairs for the Southern California Edison Company.

* * *

Not enough can be said in praise of the dedicated crowd that supports

cystic fibrosis research in Orange County. In particular, Newport’s Sue

Hook deserves a major round of applause for her continuous and unwavering

commitment to helping find a cure for the disease that attacks young

people with equal relentless fervor.

Hook, her husband Dave and a small but generous group including Diane

Stovall, Karen Hall, Charlene Goetz, Debbie Hambright, Dean Gerrie, Mary

Zollman, Gail Isen, David Mount and Violette Burns gathered their

collective good will communitywide to present the 18th annual Cystic

Fibrosis Gala.

This year, the crowd traveled to Anaheim to experience the new Grand

Californian Hotel at Disneyland. Some 340 guests, paying $185 each, and

more through underwriting and auction bidding, raised a most impressive

$351,000 net for the cause. The black-tie evening was presented in honor

of David Mount and family.

Mount is chairman and chief executive of Warner/Elektra/Atlantic

Corporation, and was joined by his wife Sheri and their children for the

honor. Each year the dinner becomes more and more emotional as families

share both their struggles and their losses with one another.

Hook and partners created a very handsome tribute book incorporating

local sponsorship support with memories of children lost to cystic

fibrosis, including Sarah Kanofsky, a much-loved local teenager who lost

her life to the disease following a valiant fight.

The book also included full-page photos of children still fighting the

fight. The heart-wrenching pictures make cystic fibrosis a very real

demon.

Hook says, “We will find a cure. Research is the way. Money funds the

research. We will fund-raise until it is no longer necessary.”

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.