The Crowd:

They called it “Harvesting Hope.” And more than 350 Orange County residents converged on Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach to do just that on behalf of the Olive Crest kids. The title was a harbinger of what would become one of Newport’s most extravagant spring wine festivals, as some of California’s most outstanding vintners filled the ballroom of Big Canyon County Club with tasting stations.

Chaired by Debbie Ferrée, who was joined by honorary Chairman Mike Donnelly, the wine event expects to raise $242,000 net. The success of the fundraiser was due in large part to the support of Ralph’s Grocery Co. Donnelly serves as president of Ralph’s, and was joined by a large contingent of Ralph’s executives, including Kendra Doyel, Mike Blackwell, Paul Lammert, Frank Rizzi, Mike Servold, Dana Zurcher, Dan De La Rosa, John Sparkenbach and Russ Logue. Philanthropic Big Canyon member Dale Anderson and his wife, Marsha, hosted the evening on behalf of Olive Crest. The Andersons joined Olive Crest Chief Executive Donald Verleur in welcoming the crowd, which included Steve and Suzanne Bernardy, Stuart and Katie Bernstein, David and Diana Casey, Cathy Dorman, Dave and Wendy Grosse, Rich and Phyllis Morrow, and Bruce and Kelli Wyatt. Also supporting the wine tasting evening were Mickie Sharp-Villanueva, Cindi and Norm Morales, Mike Grant, Dan Brussell, Jenn Avritt, and David and Marcy McKenna. Auctioneer Chuck Dryer was on hand to sell a fabulous array of donated items with proceeds helping raise the tally for Olive Crest kids.

More than 50,000 abused and neglected children have been assisted by Olive Crest since 1973. The organization believes that working to strengthen the family unit is one of the most important ways to help children at risk. Today, Olive Crest serves nearly 1,000 children and families throughout all of California, Nevada and the Pacific Northwest. For more information, call (800) 550-2445 or visit www.olivecrest.org.

Less than one month ago I called Lana Chandler to invite her to lunch. She answered the phone in her usual upbeat and high energy mode and declined the invitation. She told me she was swamped with work and helping her daughter Ashley manage some choices at UC Davis, where she had just been offered an additional scholarship to join the women’s varsity swim team. Ashley, a graduate of Corona del Mar High School and star water polo player, has been a member of the Davis girls’ water polo squad and will be entering her senior year. Lana was enormously proud of her daughter and totally involved in her life. She reveled in sharing Ashley’s progress and accomplishments. Her voice filled with joy at the very mention of her child’s name.

For more than a year Lana, a single mother, divorced years ago from Bruce Chandler, yachtsman and member of the Los Angeles Chandler family, the former owners and publishers of the Los Angeles Times, had been fighting cancer with valiant and steadfast resolve. Intensely private, she chose not to share her plight with many friends, associates and even family members as she refused to give in to the disease, or to burden others with the knowledge of its devastation. Instead, Lana carried on and pursued her career in the community as a publicist for charitable and profitable enterprises along with being a freelance writer to local publications. She was proud of her business success representing such platinum enterprises as Tiffany & Co., and important charities including Olive Crest, UC Irvine Brain Imaging Center, Laura’s House, Angelitos de Oro, SPIN, the Santa Ana Zoo, and Age Well Senior Services.

Lana passed away Saturday morning at home in Newport Beach with Ashley by her side. Somewhat poignantly, the Daily Pilot arrived Saturday featuring a story on the recent fundraiser for Age Well Senior Services, which Lana had represented. Lana confided in society photographer Ann Chatillon following the Age Well Senior Services event that she was going to retire.

Born on her family’s farm in New Harmony, Ind., Lana was the daughter of Cyryl and Bessie May Newman. Despite living most of her adult life in Newport Beach, working among high-profile people, Lana never lost her down-to-earth human touch. She was wholesome and treated everyone she knew with the same level of respect and dignity regardless of their position or bank balance. She married well, but it was not a Cinderella story. Privately, despite the challenges of her life, Lana never shared any regrets about her married life because her daughter was her ultimate blessing.

A past president and fashion show chairwoman of the Sophisticates of ATSC, a long-standing member of the Orange County Indiana Hoosiers Club and a devoted member of Chapman’s Fashionable Women, Lana was front and center supporting numerous local causes especially those that benefited children or senior citizens.

In the end, there would be no lunch. She didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for her or to shed a tear. Lana wanted to be remembered as a bright light, a positive force and a happy, loving person. Lana’s last request was that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to SPIN. To contact SPIN, go to www.spinoc.org. Friends will gather between 2 and 5 p.m. Friday at the Newport Beach residence of Bill and Liz Tutton for a celebration of life. Call (949) 759-0326.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.