Colleagues Get First Dibs on First Lady
When First Lady Nancy Reagan comes home to Los Angeles in January, she’ll be in social demand, but The Colleagues, the fund-raising group she has been associated with for more than two decades, has first dibs. She’ll be honored at their own special “love-in” on Valentine’s Day in the Crystal Room of the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Tickets will be limited to 400. Adolfo, Mrs. Reagan’s favorite designer, has promised to appear and show his couture to benefit Childrens Institute International and abused children. Longtime pals and confidantes Marion Jorgenson, Erlenne Sprague, Betsy Bloomingdale, Betty Wilson, Gloria Stewart, Mary Jane Wick (in residence in Bel-Air for the summer) and Virginia Milner are influential in the affair.
KROGER MEMORIAL: To commemorate the life and work of Mrs. William Paul Kroger (Ruth Davis), who died this year, Hollygrove dedicated a large brick barbecue this week. It’s intended to be a memorial and an enhancement of summer celebrations for the abused and neglected children who live at Hollygrove. (The Kroger Bel-Air home is the one that was purchased for the Reagans’ anticipated return to Los Angeles.)
Mrs. Kroger became an active voice in Hollygrove in 1946 when it was a home for orphans. She was president of the board of directors and instrumental in opening the institution to abused children.
Hollygrove’s president, Richard Hotaling, led the tributes. Among those attending were Jo and Bob Kroger (Mrs. Kroger’s son), and Joan Bushee and Cynthia Pallette, honorary board members who served with her. The dedication followed the Hollygrove Olympic Parade, hosted by Channel 2 sportscaster Gil Stratton. Ensuing now are several days of sports competition for the youngsters.
SOCIAL CIRCUIT: Parties in the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and on the infield are rampant with the opening of Del Mar Race Track this week.
Six hundred are expected today for the Social Service Auxiliary of San Diego’s 36th annual outing for the Bayside Settlement House. Kay Rippee is chairman and Pat Menke co-chair.
Today also is one of three designated Charity Days at Del Mar. The other two are Junior League Day on Aug. 15 and Las Patronas Day on Sept. 8. Revenues from these three days will be distributed by Del Mar Charities Inc., a separate nonprofit corporation administered by a board composed of business and civic leaders.
Monday at the private Del Mar Turf Club, Country Friends host 500 members and guests. The Friends distribute more than $300,000 annually, and according to race day chairman June K. Fleck, proceeds will go to the San Diego Service Center for the Blind.
Saturday evening the Starlight Foundation stages a fund-raiser on the infield to raise money to grant wishes for terminally ill children. Later, members will dine and dance in Rancho Santa Fe at Edmund and Bernice Gann’s Cedar Hills Farm. Judy McCarron, wife of jockey Chris McCarron, is chairman.
Friday, Tri-City Hospital Auxiliary will corral 1,000 members and guests for a benefit headed by Kathleen Teclaw of Oceanside; proceeds go to nursing scholarships.
PINK AND PINK: Pink tablecloths, carnations, pink everything is the order for the Coronet Debutante Ball Announcement Luncheon on Aug. 6 at the Bel-Air Country Club. The 24 Coronet debutantes will be introduced and attend with their mothers. Loretta Lindholm is luncheon chairman. Among those welcoming will be Peggy Snow, ball director; Marcia Colwell, Arlene Lott (president of the Coronet Debutante Ball Board) and Barbara English.
CONSERVANCY: The Los Angeles Conservancy is the nonprofit group dedicated to the preservation of urban heritage, specifically our classic film theaters. The Conservancy is hosting “Last Remaining Seats II,” a series of events at the sumptuous movie palaces that reflect Hollywood’s golden years. This week supporters were at the Orpheum to see Harold Lloyd in “Safety Last.” Wednesday the series moves to the Rialto Theater in South Pasadena for Jean Harlow in “Bombshell.” On Aug. 10, they go to the Mayan Theater, 2044 S. Hill St., for “That Night in Rio,” and Aug. 17, they’ll be at the Wiltern Theatre, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., for “Footlight Parade,” directed by Busby Berkeley.
Last year’s series was sold out. But the Conservancy, (213) 623-2489, is pushing memberships. If available, tickets are $12 at the door for nonmembers, $10 for members.
UPCOMING: Members and guests of the Fantasticks!, the Los Angeles Theatre Center’s premiere support group, celebrate the group’s second anniversary with a reception tonight at Stock Exchange, before the special preview of Nikolai Gogol’s “The Inspector General.” Actress Julie Harris is honorary chair, and Bobbie and Larry Liebenbaum of Brentwood are involved. . . .
Michael Schwartz, owner of Galerie Michael, will auction off art works by Picasso, David Hockney and others Aug. 9 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The auction is produced by Spare Change Project (a volunteer group of publicists, advertising executives and producers) to benefit the homeless and Family Assistance Program of Hollywood. . . .
Mme. Sylvia Wu and June Haver MacMurray head the Imperial Dynasty Dinner on Aug. 17 at Madame Wu’s Garden in Santa Monica. The affair honors Jody Jacobs upon the publication of her first novel, “The Right Circles.” It’s also a benefit for the College of Communications and Fine Arts of Loyola Marymount University. Dale and Charles Snodgrass and Sachi and Lawrence Irwin are dinner co-chairs, and among those taking tables are Fiorenza Courtright and Alyce Williamson. . . .
The evening before George I. Rosenthal, Westwood Marquis Hotel & Gardens’ president, and Jacques P. Camus, vice president, host a garden cocktail party honoring the author and benefiting Para los Ninos.
