The sound of generous givers

B.W. COOK

It was a night of fabulous fashion, food and fun as Pelican Point

hostess Sally Crockett and her husband Randy Crockett welcomed the

social crush through the elegant portal of their Mediterranean

coastal estate. The affair was thrown on behalf of the Sound of Music

Guild in support of The Orange County Performing Arts Center.

Sally Crockett, one of the most fashionable women on the Orange

Riviera, is something of a later-day Pearl Mesta. She hired the most

amazing catering company, a personal favorite she discovered in

Pasadena called The Kitchen for Exploring Food. They go to the max,

not only preparing exotic and delicious fare, but also displaying the

food as art.

On this night at the Crockett manse, which was exquisitely

decorated by the lady of the manor, Veuve Clicquot champagne poured

like water. A martini bar provided ample spirits for a crowd that

really needed nothing to liven it up.

More than a hundred well-dressed patrons of the performing arts,

including Eve Kornyei, Beth Hart, Tracy Martin, Jennifer Condas,

Pamela Lowry, Paula Macko, Irene Tomkinson, Danni Good, Patty Lance

and Marsha Orlin, rallied to raise funds for the center.

A highlight of the evening was a holiday fashion show present by

Nordstrom’s at South Coast Plaza. Also supporting the guild were

Patsy Marshall, Carol Dalton, Paula Carpon, Kimberly Feinberg, Diane

Miller, Donna Longo and Kelly Hague.

Orangewood Providing Assistance Love and Support held a fall

gathering under the roof of the new Sutra Lounge, on behalf of the

Orangewood Children’s Foundation. Triangle Square in Costa Mesa was

the hip destination for the Gen X crowd, as more than 200

Newport-Mesa young, single professionals shared the evening, paying

$40 apiece to help kids. The event raised $11,000.

The annual holiday boutique and luncheon for Childhelp USA

unfolded recently at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, attracting more than

500 guests and raising more than $60,000. Cathie Caporaso and Julie

Whittington welcomed Childhelp USA donors, members and guests,

including Cleo Bluth, Carol Packard, Nancy Whitlock, Susan Whitlock,

Patty Farmer and Gisela Doniguian to the festive party that has

become a welcome tradition in Orange County.

Organizers fondly named the event, “Through the Eyes of A Child,”

in keeping with the spirit of childhood Christmas memories. The magic

of the early seasonal party was also shared by Joy Whitlock,

Katherine Meredith, Gemma Wolf, Susan Goldsmith, Jana Shuler, Diana

Miner and Eileen Saul.

Santa will join the talented students from the Orange County High

School of the Arts tomorrow in the Jewel Court at South Coast Plaza.

The annual event helps to kick off the holiday season in style with a

first chance for kids to witness the arrival of the big guy in the

red suit.

Students will perform, and bring “the magic of Christmas” to life,

reports South Coast Plaza’s Beverly Morgan. She ought to know

inasmuch as Santa is a CPF -- close personal friend, that is. It all

happens at 2 p.m. by the wishing tree.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.