Hoag executive honored

More than 350 people turned out Wednesday night at the Balboa Bay

Club to honor Michael Stephens, who is retiring after 30 years as

chief executive of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian.

Attendees came from all walks of life and from across the country

to say thank you to Stephens. There were elected officials, hospital

administrators, doctors, nurses, current and former Hoag board

members, business leaders, community leaders and nonprofit agency

leaders and friends.

Stephens was the hospital’s sixth administrator, and he oversaw

most of the hospital’s expansion during his tenure. He led the

hospital in reaching out to an underserved community with the

establishment of Hoag Health Centers in Costa Mesa, Irvine and

Huntington Beach and Share Our Selves and Adult Day Services of

Orange County, to name a few.

A 20-minute video with interviews of Hoag board members, staff,

friends, hospital-industry leaders and family members provided the

audience with insight into Stephens’ motivation. Hospital supporter

Nora Jorgenson’s comments received the biggest laugh when she said

her initial description of Stephens was “well built,” and

characterized his career at the hospital as, “He is the brightest

bulb on the Christmas tree.”

Stephens thanked his wife Diane for her support over the 30 years,

and he spoke with pride of the accomplishments of their daughter,

Kara, and son, Chris. He said his dad taught him that he has a

responsibility to help others, which was much of his motivation for

serving at Hoag Hospital.

Stephens added that he is not leaving the community, just changing

roles.

Congratulations on a life well lived, Mike!

GOING SOCIAL

Besides holding regular club meetings, many service clubs use the

summer months for social outings that usually include spouses and

families.

The Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa is paying a visit today to the

Del Mar Race Track for a day at the races. The Harbor Mesa Lions Club

will watch a performance of “Grease” at the Elizabeth Howard Dinner

Theater in Tustin on Wednesday night, and the Exchange Club of

Newport Harbor will visit the Art-A-Fair in Laguna Beach.

Newport-Balboa and the Costa Mesa Newport Harbor Lions Clubs each

watched an Angels game at Angel Stadium this summer. The Rotary Club

of Newport Irvine has been holding 3rd Friday Social each month at a

local restaurant for members.

And the Rotary Club of Newport Beach Sunrise is holding its annual

fundraiser tonight at Village Crean.

Although clubs are heavily involved in community service, they

also take time to socialize.

BLUES ON THE BAY

On Aug. 3, I wrote about the American Legion’s Blues on the Bay

music festival and gave the wrong date. The correct date for this

great community event is Aug. 27. For ticket information and

performer listings, go to o7www.bluesonthebay.usf7.

If you enjoy music, you need to be there.

WORTH REPEATING

From the Thought for the Day, as provided by Greg Kelley of the

Newport-Mesa-Irvine Interfaith Council:

o7Note how good you feel after you have encouraged someone else.

No other argument is necessary to suggest that you never miss the

opportunity to give encouragement.f7

-- GEORGE ADAMS

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS

SCHEDULED THIS WEEK

How are you giving back to your community? Help your community and

the world through a service club. For many, service club membership

is an extension of our religious beliefs and congregation

affiliation.

You are invited to attend a service club meeting this coming week

to learn more about opportunities for service. Most clubs will buy

your first meal for you as you get acquainted with them.

TUESDAY

7:15 a.m.: The 48-member Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets

at the Five Crowns restaurant for District Governor Bill Peloquin’s

official visit (o7www.newportbeachsunriserotary.orgf7).

Noon: The newly formed Rotary Club of Costa Mesa will be meeting

at The Club House at South Coast Plaza.

6:30 p.m.: The Costa Mesa Newport Harbor Lions Club meets at Costa

Mesa County Club.

WEDNESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club will meet at the

University Athletic Club.

Noon: The 27-member Exchange Club of the Orange Coast meets at the

Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club.

6:15 p.m.: The 46-member Rotary Club of Newport Balboa meets at

the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for craft talks by Wendell Sawyer and

Bob Thayer (o7www.newportbalboa.orgf7).

THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at

Mimi’s Cafe.

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club will meet at the

Holiday Inn (o7www.kiwanis.org/club/costamesaf7); the 50-member

Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach/Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia

Corinthian Yacht Club to hear UC Irvine student leaders from the

award-winning Circle K Club, with highlights of their International

Convention held in North Carolina last month; the 85-member Exchange

Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum to

hear Martin Stuka of the UCLA baseball alumni team; the 90-member

Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the Radisson Hotel

(o7www.nirotary.orgf7).

* COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Saturdays in the Daily Pilot.

Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655

or by e-mail to o7jdeboom@aol.com.

f7