Costa Mesa trio earns Scout’s honor

B.W. COOK

Three of Newport-Mesa’s most active charitable women -- Peggy

Goldwater Clay, Julie Jacobson and Ronna Shipman -- were honored as

Orange County’s 2005 “Women of Distinction” by the Girl Scout Council

of Orange County. The recent luncheon at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine

attracted some 250 patrons in support of the Girl Scouts.

Organizer Gail Ellis-Olds reported that $35,000 was raised, which

will benefit “Girl Scouts at Project Hope,” an outreach program for

girls whose families are homeless.

All three honored guests shared experiences that enriched their

lives while in the Girl Scouts.

Goldwater Clay became a Scout in Washington, D.C., while her late

father Barry Goldwater served in the U.S. Senate.

“I begged my mother to let me join the Brownies so I could wear

the beautiful uniform, beanie hat and especially the little gold

pin,” she said.

Shipman has dedicated her professional life to community service,

crediting the Scouts for inspiring her.

Finally, Jacobson was awarded the council’s “Living Treasure”

award for her significant contributions to the program over 34 years

of active service. She became involved when her daughters joined and

has played a major role on the Girl Scouts’ board of directors for

many years.

The luncheon featured a special presentation by three 9-year-old

Brownies, representing Costa Mesa Troop 111. The young ladies --

Madeline Jones, Mikayla Gruenbeck and Jennifer Jones -- received a

standing ovation as they accepted the “President’s Volunteer Award,”

bestowed this year to Scouts who perform 50 to 80 hours of community

service.

Also honored was Elizabeth Erratt, 17, a local Girl Scout invited

to Washington, D.C., to receive a Congressional Award Gold Medal for

her community service work with Orange County children.

The upbeat gathering was chaired by Corona del Mar’s Ann Crane

with assistance from Jacquin D. Anastasio, Teresa Bent, Sophie Cripe

and Suzanne Huffmon Esber. Also deserving credit were committee

members Martha Fluor, Victoria Heidelman, Ginger Kleerup, Karen

Johnson, Christine Shingleton and Newport’s very philanthropic

Elizabeth Stahr.

Spotted in the crowd were other local “movers and shakers” Marian

Bergeson, Betty Mower Potalivo, Catherine Thyen, Lucy Santana, Mary

Hornbuckle, Linda Elftmann and Jill Bolton.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.