For Nancy Reagan, the Welcome Mat’s Out

“The important thing is that every woman should have an annual mammogram. That’s the message I want to get out. . . .

“I was prepared to tell Raisa about our (the United States’) drug problem, because the first ladies of other countries had found it relevant to their own societies.”

--”My Turn,”by Nancy Reagan

Let the rest of the country carry on about the declining popularity of Nancy Reagan. Orange County is welcoming her with open arms.

On March 28 at the Four Seasons Hotel, the former First Lady will speak about her experience with cancer at a brunch staged by Circle 1000, a support group of Hoag Cancer Center. On April 18 at the Irvine Hilton, she will talk about drug prevention before members and guests of the Past Presidents’ Society of the Assessment and Treatment Services Center.

“I’m coming to Orange County because I care deeply about those with cancer and I care deeply about keeping our young people away from drugs,” says Mrs. Reagan, who will speak gratis at both events. “When you first hear the word ‘cancer’ in connection with yourself, your heart stops.

“So many thoughts flood your mind. . . . I was fortunate--my cancer was caught at a very early stage and was able to be treated without need for radiation or chemotherapy.”

With regard to drugs, Mrs. Reagan says she has always believed that the solution to the drug problem is education. “We must start with our children at young ages and teach them about the evils of drug abuse, so that by the time they reach an age where they are exposed to drugs, they’ll know to stay away.”

Some right hands didn’t know what some left hands were doing when the speaking engagements were planned. “When ATSC set up their engagement, they didn’t realize we were going to feature Mrs. Reagan in March,” says Sandy Sewell of Newport Beach, founder of Circle 1000. “But I don’t think it’s going to hurt attendance at either event. At ours, she’ll talk about cancer. At theirs, she’ll talk about drug prevention.”

More press-shy than ever since her tell-all book, “My Turn,” and the scalding criticism of her trip to Japan with former President Reagan, she has refused an interview with Newport Beach 714, a glossy tabloid that promotes charity events on its covers.

“But she’s sending 714 a color picture,” Sewell says. “That will be nice publicity. We’re thrilled.”

Usually, the tabloid puts members of the benefit committee on its covers. But Sewell and fellow cancer patients such as Ginny Ueberroth, Rita Teller, Pat Cox and Suzanne Pierce will be tucked inside for the Reagan issue.

“We don’t mind,” Sewell says. “The important thing is that Nancy Reagan’s picture will tell people that no matter who you are, you run the risk of getting cancer.”

As for the recent hype about Mrs. Reagan’s declining popularity, Sewell says she doubts it will affect attendance. “This is Orange County! We love her. If anything, the negative publicity has aroused people’s curiosity. They say to themselves: ‘She can’t be that bad! I want to see for myself.’ ”

Developer William Lyon and his wife Willa Dean are honorary co-chairs of the dinner that will showcase Mrs. Reagan at the Hilton. Willa Dean made the inquiry that led to Mrs. Reagan agreeing to the appearance. (You may recall that the Lyons were hosts of the Reagans two years ago when they staged a fund-raising luncheon in their Coto de Caza home for the Reagan Library.)

“Before the dinner, people who have bought tables for 10 will get to attend a private reception with Mrs. Reagan,” says Lynda Shea, a committee member. (The ticket price is currently $250 per person. But that may change, Shea says.) Orange County Sheriff Brad Gates is also expected to speak at the black-tie affair. The Assessment and Treatment Services Center offers free counseling to youthful law offenders and their families.

Tidbits: Benno C. Schmidt, president of Yale University, will meet with members of the Yale Club of Orange County at John Dominis restaurant in Newport Beach on Monday night. And while local “Yalies” claim to be every bit as conservative as their famous alum, President George Bush, club president William Chin says with a laugh: “There’s no way anybody could call me a WASP.” . . . The cocktail party to end all cocktail parties that was to be held at Amen Wardy’s new Beverly Hills store Feb. 8 has been postponed. Seems the new marble-paved boutique’s sprinkler system has put a damper on things. “The city said it wasn’t adequate to handle the demands of a retail operation,” Wardy says, “so we have to add more sprinklers, then wait for approval.” The new date? Somewhere between Feb. 8 and Feb. 16, Wardy thinks .