Evening by the Sea supports Heritage Pointe

B.W. COOK

Newport Beach’s Lorraine Hennessey, a former San Diego television

news reporter and the wife of prominent health care executive Tom

Hennessey, chaired the “Evening By The Sea” gala to benefit Heritage

Pointe.

Joining Hennessey in organizing the black-tie fundraiser were

patron co-chairs Betty Sackler and Feryne Margolin, also of Newport

Beach. Heritage Pointe, in Mission Viejo, is an assisted-living

facility designed to care for elderly Jewish residents. The 15th

annual gala and auction raised funds for the resident assistance

program, benefiting seniors with limited or no financial resources.

Laguna Beach residents Henry and Meryl Schimmer were honored at

the gala for their service to the senior community. In addition, Dick

and Estelle Blake of Fullerton were presented with the annual

“Heritage Award.” The Blakes have served for the past eight years on

the Heritage Pointe board of directors.

The dinner and auction at the Balboa Bay Club and Resort in

Newport Beach attracted a cross-section of community support. The

highlight of the live auction was a cruise of South America on the

elegant Crystal Cruise Line.

HONORING THE SHERIFF

The YMCA of Orange County honored Sheriff Michael Corona this week

at the John and Donna Crean “Reach Out” Awards. The 28th annual

dinner and reception was held at the Sutton Place Hotel in Newport

Beach.

KOCE-TV anchor Ed Arnold emceed the evening with purpose and

punch. The Reach Out Awards are the major fundraiser of the year for

the YMCA Community Services branch. Proceeds from the dinner go to

support at-risk youth.

Corona joins a list of distinguished citizens who have supported

the YMCA community Services including Newport’s Marian Bergeson,

Peggy Goldwater Clay, Harris Done and O.C. hamburger tycoon Carl

Karcher and his wife, Margaret.

MOTOWN MAGIC

They called it “A Knight Of Motown Magic”: An annual holiday gala

fundraiser sponsored by the Knights Committee of St. Anne’s School

attracted nearly 500 devoted guests, raising more than $250,000.

Chaired by Jacqueline DuPont-Baum, Christine Buckley and Donna

Shortt, the evening at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Laguna Niguel was a

smashing success. Tom and Monica Parr, board members of the school

board and dedicated supporters of strong community education, were

honored for their long service to school and community. Ed Arnold

also served as emcee and auctioneer for the St. Anne’s evening.

Funds raised will support students with financial need at the

independent Christian school founded in 1992. Newport-Mesa support

for the school came from Carl Nolet, Caroline Suttle, Ken Braun, and

Nina and John Jack Mamie.

Also in the crowd were Chandler Chandler, Angel Burton, Heidi

Machuga, John Moody, Diane Epp and Alison Anawalt.

SOUTH COAST GLOW

The Newport-Mesa public turned out this week for South Coast

Plaza’s 21st annual tree lighting ceremony at Town Center Park in

Costa Mesa.

The All-American Boys Chorus joined Jennifer York of KTLA-TV to

herald the arrival of the holiday season with the lighting of a

90-foot Christmas tree delivered to Costa Mesa from the slopes of Mt.

Shasta. South Coast Plaza adorned the tree with more than 15,000

lights, adding plenty of sparkle for the kickoff of the holiday

season.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.