The Crowd: ‘A day they would never forget’ given area members of the military on Super Bowl Sunday
Super Bowl XVI was more than a national sporting event. The game was a collective sigh of relief from COVID-19 isolation as people came together in groups small and large putting some of the anxiety of the past two years in the rearview mirror. While America and the world are not free of the virus, celebrating Super Bowl, football fan or not, was a national day sending the message that we can live with COVID as our scientists seek the cure and hopefully an end to the scourge.
In that spirit on a local level, Orange County citizens certainly did their part celebrating and reaching out, bringing people together. One special Super Bowl gathering unfolded in Newport Beach as Legion Hall Post 291 opened its bayfront doors on the Newport Harbor welcoming some 500 members of the military and their families to the 11th Super Bowl Super Party thrown by Gary and Julie Crisp. In the lively crowd were some 300 active-duty military coming from Camp Pendleton, along with many veterans of war time engagement, a sacred few dating back to WWII.
“We wanted to give our men and women in uniform a joyous day they would never forget,” said co-host Gary Crisp, adding, “It gives Julie and me so much happiness to see everyone laughing, talking, eating, playing games, and enjoying the day. It is our humble honor to throw this event recognizing the sacrifice and service of our military family.”
And throw a party they did. The Crisp family, owners of Crisp Imaging, Inc. rallied corporate and personal partners including a long list of generous OC donors including R.D. Olson, Kent Valley, Trevor Terrill, Paul Folino, Bill Milligan, Richard and Bryn Debeikes, Lawrence and Nancy Sigler and Paul and June Lange providing an amazing array of activities from video games to Vegas-style gaming, ping-pong, arm-wrestling contests, harbor cruises on electric boats, even massage therapists on stand-by and chiropractors ready to make adjustments.
The Legion barbecued hot dogs and burgers, served pizza, tacos, fried chicken and just about anything the crowd desired. In addition to seven jumbo flat screen TVs broadcasting the game, nonstop entertainment also featured the USC Marching Band, dancing Raiderettes (you remember the LA Raiders?!), magicians, Polynesian fire dancers and a Mexican wrestling exhibition. Unbelievable.
The Crisp family and their printing business teamed with additional local businesses such as Lear Boats, Bank of the West, DeLillo Chevrolet, CBE Solutions, and Balboa Bay Club, to name a few, underwriting the fun. Their largess also provide support benefiting the 5th Marine Regiment/Dana Point Support Group with the mission of reaching out to the 5th MAR Marines and Sailors deployed from and stationed at Camp Pendleton, and their families.
A changing of the guard
A generational change notes the departure of David Grant, ending a 44-year tenure as the GM of South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. Grant, the reserved and humble stalwart leader and member of the founding Segerstrom family, guided much of the growth behind the scenes positioning the center as both a retail giant and legendary community partner impacting commerce, tourism, culture, education, civic, and charitable outreach in the O.C.
Over a near five-decade career, Grant, along with his wife Andrea and their children were among the fortunate area citizens that came of age with a community now considered one of the finest in the nation. Grant’s formidable profile has been filled by Molly Unger coming to South Coast Plaza from Westfield corporate headquarters.
The changing of the corporate guard comes as South Coast Plaza closes its spectacular Year of the Tiger exhibit this weekend honoring the Lunar New Year. The showstopper in Jewel Court is on display through Sunday with its spectacular giant tiger suspended in space, appearing to leap from a waterfall. For more than a decade SCP has been the creative leader in producing breathtaking displays honoring the Lunar New Year. The center partners with Fiesta Floats of Rose Parade fame designing and building the extravagant themes.
Beginning in March, South Coast Plaza will launch another celebration in honor of its 55th anniversary year. The talented Debra Gunn Downing, executive director of marketing, promises fabulous surprises to come.
Glorious spring fashion
Up first, South Coast Plaza will sponsor the talk-of-the-town spring runway fashion show benefiting the Orange County Chapter of Childhelp. The 36th annual “For The Love Of A Child” fashion show and luncheon will unfold March 24 in the grand ballroom of the Balboa Bay Resort, Newport Beach. South Coast Plaza luxury design houses including Bally, Camilla, Intermix, Lafayette 148 New York, Maje, Sandro and Saks Fifth Avenue are among those set to have their models parade the catwalk.
The always glamorous event will be co-chaired by Patti Edwards, Patricia Ford and Gina Van Ocker, with support from a list of devoted committee members including Joyce Simon, Katherine Meredith, Mary Allyn Dexter, Pam Pharris, Diana Miner, Laura Smith, Tami Smith, Joy Estrada, Jennifer Kite, Terri Carson, Linda Burns and Debra Violette.
Very special guest of the day will be actress Cheryl Ladd, best known as one of “Charlie’s Angels.” Ladd will receive the annual “Children’s Friend Award” for her years of dedicated service to the abused and neglected children served by Childhelp.
For more information visit Childhelp.org.
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