Hugs, Kisses for a Dedicated Volunteer

“I just don’t know anyone in the volunteer world who is more respected than Lorna,” said businessman David Carpenter. He was speaking of Lorna Reed, honored by 370 guests at the USC / Norris Cancer Center and Hospital’s “A Decade of Love” dinner-dance at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington.

USC President Steven Sample, USC trustee Linda Dean Maudlin and Norris administrator Peter Shostak all paid tribute.

Joining in the evening was Reed’s husband, Chuck. At one point their three daughters and their husbands--Megan and David Bowen, Kathleen and Al Bonde, and Diane and John Semcken--were in on the hugs and kisses.

Nancy Hoffman is president of the Norris Auxiliary, founded by Reed 10 years ago. The benefit, chaired by Diane Higer, will net nearly $80,000 for the new Genetic Counseling Program at the cancer center.

A breast cancer survivor for 6 1/2 years, Lorna Reed has been a member of the USC trustees since 1982. Recently, the Breast Research Center at Norris was named in honor of both Reeds.

Among friends attending were Dr. Christy Russell and her husband, Jeffrey Acke; Jack and Janice Boswell; Dr. Peter Jones (director of Norris) and his wife, Veronica; Charles and Regina Leimbach; Dr. James and Joan Caillouette; Dr. Gordon and Alice Griggs; and Frank and Rary Simmons.

Norris is one of only 27 cancer centers in the nation to be designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.

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Special: President Henry Riggs of Harvey Mudd College hosted a California Club dinner to honor Dr. Norman Sprague Jr., who has established a professorship in life science at the college. Sam Tannenbaum is the first recipient.

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For Ellsworth: MOCA Director Richard Koshalek gathered a small group for luncheon at Michael’s in Santa Monica to honor Ellsworth Kelly in celebration of the opening of his retrospective at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

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ICONS: The UCLA Center on Aging will honor its founder, David H. Solomon, guru of aging studies, at a tribute dinner tonight at the Beverly Hilton’s International Ballroom. The center will present its first-ever ICON Award to George C. Page (founder of the George C. Page Museum of La Brea Discoveries), age 95, and Pascal (artist and sculptor), age 82.

Art Linkletter is booked to be master of ceremonies. Jayne Meadows and Steve Allen will star and the Doctors of Swing will play for dancing.

Juli Reding Hutner is dinner chairman, assisted by Sheila Allen, Arnold Barco, Eva Elkins, Roberta Haft, Elizabeth Ives, Carol Mancino and Jaclyn Rosenberg.

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Events: To launch the celebration for the California Arboretum Foundation’s 50th anniversary, the arboretum unveils a “Thank You” board on the grounds Thursday morning . . . The Music Center Spotlight Awards (the annual arts competition for high school students sponsored by the Fraternity of Friends)will be kicked off Friday at a reception at the Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills, says Spotlight executive producer Walter Grauman. Bank of America has underwritten the $45,000 in awards to be given April 8 at a gala dinner to be chaired by Peggy Parker Grauman, Anne Johnson and Patty Wilson . . . The ARCS (Achievement Awards for College Scientists)will salute Rhonda Fleming Mann on Saturday evening at the gala “An Evening of Memories at the Cocoanut Grove.”

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And More: Trustees of the Pacific Asia Museum preview the museum’s new “Gossamer Threads and Golden Dragons” exhibition of Chinese textiles Tuesday evening . . . Diane Keaton will be honored by Town and Gown of USC at its annual scholarship luncheon March 18 at the Beverly Hilton. President Alli Solum will announce 171 Town and Gown tuition scholarship recipients at the Escada fashion affair.

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Distinguished Trio: Las Madrinas feted three “Distinguished Las Madrinas Honorees”--Susan Hull, Mildred Mudd and Alyce Williamson--at a champagne celebration at the San Marino home of Otis and Deborah Booth.

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Kudos: Palm Springs gallery owner Gregg Juarez has presented Pepperdine University with $1 million. The downstairs gallery of its Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art will be named in his honor . . . The Bob Chandler Foundation gala headed by Patti Smith raised more than $125,000 for camperships for children with cancer at Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times . . . Jack Lowrance and Richard Gaz honored French designer Jacques Garcia at a dinner.

Elsewhere on the Social Circuit

Chris Murray, Pasadena Symphony board member, will be sitting down to a Mexican dinner for eight prepared by symphony conductor Jorge Mester, who’s said to be a virtuoso chef. She was the successful bidder at the symphony’s baroque ball, “A Night in Venice.” The affair grossed nearly $250,000. Many of the guests--including Pasadena artist Peter Adams and his wife, Elaine, and John and Suzanne Adams--wore 18th century masquerade costumes. Doug Kahn bid successfully on the 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 donated by longtime symphony supporter Ida Hull Crotty.