THE CROWD:

It was very green this week at The Balboa Bay Club & Resort.

BBC Governor Catherine Thyen hosted her annual Irish Night in honor of St. Patty’s Day. Thyen, wife of respected retired physician De Lane Thyen, is a major force in Newport charitable circles.

She has been instrumental over the past decade in supporting the Bay Club’s annual 1221 Scholarship Fund, which bestows awards upon deserving high school seniors headed for college graduating from the Newport-Mesa school system.

Over the recent past she has also been a pivotal force raising funds for Hoag Hospital’s expansion and the creation of the Women’s Health Center.

Thyen’s Irish dinner began as the crowd arrived in Henry’s Bistro to the music of a duo of Irish musicians.

Enormous steins of black and tan Irish beer were served as BBC waiters passed delicious crab cakes and other tempting appetizers.

Henry’s Bistro was decorated by BBC executive Aaron Trent and staff turning the normally tropical themed dining room into a shamrock palace. There was not a shimmering four-leaf clover left in Orange County to be certain.

Thyen gathered close friends for the annual festivities including Matt Hunt, retired deputy chief of the Los Angeles Police Department and his wife, Kathleen.

The evening officially began with Hunt’s invocation delivered with true Irish warmth. Also on hand for the celebration was Finbar Hill who serves as the Honorary Consul of Ireland for Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Hill is also Chief of Protocol for the Los Angeles Consular Corps. He was joined by his wife, Carmel, sharing Irish tales, songs and tributes.

As Hill and Hunt spoke, the first course was served; a large crispy potato pancake topped with smoked salmon, sour cream and capers. It was a meal in itself, but was followed by an Irish pea soup with whiskey baked country ham and of course the traditional corned beef and boiled beef entrée served in an enormous charger with potatoes, carrots, cabbage and plenty of fresh horseradish.

Newport’s Susan Ficker took the microphone and began to entertain the crowd with her lovely soprano voice singing Irish melodies including “It’s a Long Long Way to Tipperary,” which had the crowd joining in.

Thyen joined Hill and Hunt at the podium welcoming the guests including Jane and Sean Browne, Tom O’Keeffe, Stephanie Heneghan, Jody Billings, Eileen Weatherbee, and Don and Susan Lawrenz.

Also supporting Thyen’s Irish night in Newport were Bruce and June Charles, Paula and Jim Mata, Jo Anna Lowrey and Chuck Yesson, Warren and Kathy Taylor, Traute Huycke, Sam Anderson, Anne and John Wortmann, Carol and Henry Schielein, Marilyn and David Wooten, and the beautiful Loretta Haugen.

The evening of friendship was punctuated with plenty of Irish music and a few tall tales. Best of all, Hill, Hunt and others interspersed the night with a selection of heartfelt Irish prayers.

St. Patrick’s Day has become an American social holiday that defines more the art of drinking than the importance of man helping his fellow man.

Patrick was elevated to sainthood for his miraculous deeds assisting the Irish people, including the mythology surrounding his efforts in removing the over population of snakes from the Irish landscape.

That aside, the best part of the night, in addition to the gracious smile of Catherine Thyen and the amazing potato pancake topped with smoked salmon, was the sharing of an Irish prayer that went like this:

“May love and laughter light your days

And warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours

Wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world

With joy that long endures.

May all life’s passing seasons

Bring the best to you and yours.”

Now that’s a real St. Patrick’s Day blessing.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.