A Little Midday Music

The event: “An Afternoon With Shirley Jones,” a luncheon and concert staged by the Chapter and Las Reinas Auxiliary of the Assistance League of Newport-Mesa. Held Thursday at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, the luncheon raised funds for league programs to help disadvantaged children in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach.

“Carousel” and other classics: Jones entertained the crowd of about 500 by singing highlights from her long stage and film career, including the musicals that made her famous: “Carousel,” “The Music Man” and “Oklahoma!” Younger members of the audience still think of her as the matriarch of the popular ‘70s sitcom “The Partridge Family.”

“She has quite a history, and she’s the consummate entertainer,” said Penny Reveley, event chairwoman. “This is the first year we’ve had a major performer at our luncheon. It’s a musical afternoon.”

League of their own: Based in Costa Mesa, the Assistance League of Newport-Mesa has more than 600 members and five supporting auxiliaries. Las Reinas (Spanish for “the queens”) was founded in 1964 and has 55 members. “We call them the mature ladies. They’ve been around,” joked Betty Harline, president of the Newport-Mesa league chapter.

Las Reinas supports the league’s four programs for needy children: the Children’s Dental Health Center, day-care scholarships, Operation School Bell (which provides school clothing for local students from low-income families) and Kids on the Block educational puppet shows.

Quote: “Our dental program treats more than 2,000 children a year who are referred to us by the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. Some of these young kids need root canals. They’ve never seen a toothbrush,” Harline said.

Bottom line: The luncheon was expected to net $40,000 for the Assistance League’s children’s programs.

Faces: Kathy Harvey, Las Reinas chairwoman; Donna Crean; Jean Lucas; Barbara Roberts; Jean Loomis; Edith Bird; Carol Cowden; Corinne Black; Ann Marie Alford; Chris Morgan; Barbara Ballinger; and Susan Hauck.

What’s ahead: Hearts in Bloom, a fashion show staged by Assisteens, the Assistance League of Newport-Mesa’s auxiliary for teenagers, will be April 24 at Bloomingdale’s in Newport Beach. Call (949) 645-6929.