Rustling Up Funds for Cancer

The event: “Boots on the Beach,” Orange County’s inaugural Cattle Baron’s Ball to benefit the American Cancer Society. Saturday’s gala for about 1,000 people--the biggest hoedown local cowpokes could recall--took place at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort in Newport Beach.

Bigger than Texas: Guests partied under a tent the size of four football fields that had been transformed into a wild western town, complete with saloons, rickety storefronts, bales of hay and chuck wagons.

The urban cowboys showed up in their best western attire: 10-gallon hats, suede jackets and vests, fancy boots and denim. They gambled at casino tables, played midway games and danced to two country-western bands.

Grub included three kinds of chili as well as lobster tacos and tri-tip.

Guests also backed their favorite swine in pig races, betting on Kevin Bacon, Piggy Sue and other porcine contenders. “This event is incredible because we don’t have a history--we’re making history,” said event co-chairwoman Bobbitt Williams.

A Lone Star tradition: The Cattle Baron’s Ball has been a tradition for 26 years in Dallas.

“Remember the TV show ‘Dallas’? The Ewings were always going to the Cattle Baron’s Ball,” said Carol Wilken, chairwoman of the 125-member Cattle Baron’s League formed to stage the ball in Orange County.

The ball has been such a success in Dallas that the American Cancer Society began encouraging other communities to have their own--going so far as to issue a manual of guidelines.

Bill Wood, former board chairman of the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, was the first to propose bringing the ball to Orange County. “I felt there was room in this county for an event that was fun and a little different,” he said.

A cause for all: Proceeds from the ball will be used for cancer research, treatment and programs.

Cancer is a cause important to many ball-goers. Event co-chairwoman Barbara Steinberg of Coto de Caza lost her husband to the disease 10 years ago and was herself diagnosed with breast cancer in December. “I’m in remission now,” she said. “Because of the American Cancer Society’s wonderful programs, treatment and research, I’ll be fine.”

Quote: “The American Cancer Society provides low-cost and no-cost mammograms . . . hospital equipment in the home and rides to and from treatment,” Steinberg said. “It offers all kinds of wonderful, hands-on programs that make a difference in people’s lives.”

Bottom line: Net proceeds from the ball were more than $500,000.

Faces: Doug and Sandi Jackson; Craig and Faye Jones; Bob and Adeline Yen Mah; Betty Belden Palmer; Stacy Brower; Nina Rattner; Ron Rubino; Anne Nutt; Sharon Paisley; Susan Johnson; Karel McEachern; Joyce Lowder; Bob Waller; Patricia Lane; Tana Sherwood; and Sharon Moore.

What’s ahead: The local chapter is looking for volunteers to participate in its annual Daffodil Days campaign beginning Jan 2. (949) 261-9446.