THE CROWD -- B.W. Cook

The Junior League of Orange County sponsored a spectacular Christmas

Company 2001 this week at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.

Opening night for the 26th annual Junior League fund-raiser attracted an

enormous outpouring of community support, which was followed by several

days of festive shopping, dining and experiencing the holiday spirit

through lectures, presentations and demonstrations.

Mary Kelly Selover, a noted designer, graced the opening night

festivities and then spoke at a luncheon the next day. Major donors

included Mr. and Mrs. David Colton, and Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hartman.

Dedicated supporters were Mr. and Mrs. Dan Macuga, Mrs. and Mrs. Carl

Curtis, and Mr. and Mrs. Mike Pigors.

The annual Christmas Company event is the major fund-raiser for the

Junior League of Orange County, supporting a variety of charitable

endeavors throughout the year.

* * *

Dr. Howard House, founder of the House Institute for hearing and

related medical needs, hosted the 12th annual Bob Hope-Dr. Howard House

Golf Tournament at the Pelican Hill Golf Course in Newport Coast. Local

dynamo Gloria Osbrink served as tournament director with a golf committee

that included her talented comedic son, Jim Bentley, and his show biz pal

Mickey Jones.

The pair entertained the crowd after the tournament, providing an

evening of big-time laughter to conclude a successful day on the greens.

Osbrink, who leads the Orange County Associates of the House Institute,

has a committee of 96 volunteers who provided able assistance in

organizing this year’s golf tournament. The group helped to underwrite

the tournament dinner, which raised $120,000 for research and educational

activities at the House Institute.

* * *

44 Women for Children hosted a fall family festival recently that they

called “Rocktoberfest,” no relation to the Rock Harbor Christian Church

event this weekend.

Corona del Mar’s Regina Manian, the event co-chairwoman, reported that

more than 500 local guests spent the day in the park at Oak Canyon in

Anaheim to be with their families and to help raise funds for the 44

Women for Children Peer Counselor Fund.

As the Ferris wheel spun and the tilt-a-whirl gave plenty of kids

near-cases of indigestion, patrons sampled barbecued chicken and tri-tip

steak in between showing their personal best on a rock climbing wall or

participating in a fishing contest or a pumpkin-decorating challenge.

The Manian family sponsored the day in conjunction with the Samueli

Foundation. 44 Women for Children is a support wing of the Orangewood

Children’s Foundation, with the mission of helping to provide the best

possible care to children housed at Orangewood, the county’s emergency

shelter for abused and neglected children.

* * *

Roger’s Gardens in Newport Beach was the site of a premier holiday

evening under the twinkling lights that benefited the students of the

Orange County High School of the Arts. Hundreds of revelers converged

upon the gardens of Roger’s for a first peek at the spectacular holiday

display that has become a local tradition, attracting visitors from all

over Southern California.

Parents and friends of the Orange County High School of the Arts

enjoyed a light supper and a glass of chardonnay while strolling the

Roger’s grounds. Students put on a number of performances throughout the

night, featuring music, dance and dramatic readings.

The school group Fanfare worked closely with representatives of

Roger’s Gardens to organize the entertainment. Karen Elliott Stentz and

Sandra McGovern co-chaired the evening with support from Shari Esayian,

Nola Schneer, Janet Ray, Cindy Boragno and Patti Stern, to name only a

few.

The underwriting sponsors included Regal Rents, Beaulieu Vineyards,

Caspari, Creme de la Creme, Five Crowns and What’s Cooking Bistro. In

addition to funds raised by organizers, Roger’s Gardens donated 10% of

proceeds from evening purchases to the school.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.