Sellout Crowd Has a Ball for Orangewood

It could have been called the Orange Crush during the social hour, as the sellout crowd of more than 600 guests--politicians (winners and losers alike), builders and developers--mingled shoulder to shoulder.

But they called it the Orange Blossom Ball, a $200-a-plate benefit for the Orangewood Foundation Saturday night at the Irvine Hilton and Towers.

According to co-chairman Willa Dean Lyon, wife of foundation board chairman William Lyon, proceeds exceeded the projected goal of $100,000.

The funds will support Orangewood, a joint public-private venture to house abused and abandoned children. The new structure, dedicated last November in Orange, replaced the aged and overcrowded Albert Sitton Home.

During dinner, co-chairman Elizabeth Tierney spoke of her involvement with the home.

“Even though Tom (her husband) and I were invited to tour the facility, we didn’t have to be sold,” Tierney said. “My first job out of college was being a juvenile probation officer. I later worked in foster home placement. I’ve seen the other side--the lack of caring.”

Before introducing entertainer Jack Jones, program emcee Boyd Harvey of KNX radio told the crowd of his acquaintance with Orangewood “several years ago.”

Harvey said: “When I learned that it would take $7 million or $8 million to build a new home for the children, I said it would never fly. But then, I didn’t know people like Gen. William Lyon and Kathryn Thompson. It moved, and, boy, did it fly.”

Foundation executive director Bill Steiner, having been involved in a series of fund-raisers for Orangewood in recent months--which he said netted $120,000--sighed at the thought of some rest after the gala. “It’s been almost a nonstop effort since spring.

“We thought that once the home was built, the interest in abused children might wane a bit. (But) we are doing better than ever in terms of community support, as evidenced by this crowd tonight.”

The crowd enjoyed an elaborate meal, including a scallop, lobster and crab salad; medallions of veal with orange and green peppercorn sauce and a dessert of Seville orange ice cream with raspberry coulis and golden raspberries.

According to Tierney, Jones’ appearance was underwritten by Mike Curb, who last week won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor. Jones, white-haired but looking fit, didn’t stray too far from songs he was known for 25 years ago. His repertoire included his two Grammy winners, “Lollipops and Roses” and “Wives and Lovers.”

At one point, when the orchestra and Jones hit an off chord, to the point where the music stopped, Jones, who had arrived that afternoon from Los Angeles with his wife, Kim, and their dog, looked at the band quizzically and was heard to mumble, “So much for quick rehearsals.” Unruffled, he continued singing.

Dancing resumed after the hourlong performance.

More than 600 women from 10 guilds (and 43 chapters) of the Orange County Performing Arts Center attended the second annual Celebration ’86 “Opening Night” luncheon fashion show Friday at the Anaheim Hilton and Towers.

At 600, they still represented only a fraction of the 4,000 volunteers who in the last eight years have helped raise $2 million for the nearly completed Center. Proceeds from Friday’s luncheon helped raise $14,000 more.

Patricia Rowley, current chairman of the guilds’ board of directors, announced the formation of two new PAJ. (Performing Arts Juniors) groups--for children and grandchildren of guild members or major benefactors. “That brings our Performing Arts Junior chapters to six,” Rowley said, “making a total of 49 chapters (in all) in the guild system. We see them (PAJs) as our future audience.”

She added the reminder that “there are only 114 days left before the dream (the Center’s opening) becomes a reality. It’s what we’ve been waiting for all these years.”

Luncheon Introductions

Scanning the audience, Rowley acknowledged Georgia Spooner, who founded the Center guild system in 1978, and two former guild chairmen, Betty Belden and Carole Wilken. Wilken, who chaired the Irvine guild for two years, was appointed to the Center’s board of directors last April.

Rowley introduced the 1986-1987 guild board chairman, JoAnn Boswell, who founded the Mozart chapter in Laguna. Boswell, Shari Esayian and Lee Anne Leithem chaired the day’s event.

Boswell told members to circle their calendars for Oct. 4, when “the Center is honoring all of the guilds at the theater, and Leontyne Price will be the performing artist.”

The show, narrated by Fashion Island fashion coordinator Kitty Leslie and produced by Carlton Burnett, opened dramatically. Ramp models paraded in glittery evening attire as professional dancers did various renditions of the tango in the background. It was almost 10 minutes before Leslie appeared and kidded, “I bet you thought this show wouldn’t have a commentary.”

Leslie carried out the theme “opening night” by wearing glamorous evening attire herself. “The (Center) opening is the greatest cultural event ever in Orange County,” she said, adding that “it will also give us a chance to really get dressed up.”

Roses for Leslie

Fashion Island director Barbara Roppolo, in an impromptu gesture, presented a bouquet of roses to Leslie. Roppolo called it a “salute and thank you,” adding that “opening the fashion office 18 months ago was one of the smartest things we’ve (the Irvine Co.) ever done.”

Guild member Barbara Terry moved through the crowd, taking orders for a red sweat shirt imprinted with the Center logo studded with rhinestones--an item that may or may not be for sale in the new Center gift shop. The shop, according to outgoing publicity chairman Mary Johnson, will be professionally managed but staffed by volunteers. Among other items for sale, Johnson said, will be “top-quality items” including cookbooks, calendars of performance events and jewelry such as gold cuff links and pins in the already familiar “C” within a rectangle design.