Christmas at the Ritz supports Chapman

B.W. COOK

The Fashionables in support of Chapman University threw the Christmas

lunch of the season at the Ritz Restaurant, Newport Beach. The 17th

annual holiday extravaganza, which has appropriately come to be known

as “Christmas at the Ritz,” attracted an overflow crowd of the Orange

County “who’s who.”

Spirits were very high, with many of the patrons exchanging warm

personal holiday good wishes with longtime friends who have come

together year after year to start the holiday season at this most

fashionable luncheon. Chaired by society doyenne Donna Bunce,

resplendent in holiday red and ruffles, the crowd arrived at the Ritz

portico to be greeted by Bunce, Chapman President Jim Doti and his

wife, Lynne, Fashionables President Adrienne Brennan and

distinguished Chapman board leaders Ambassador George and Julia

Argyros.

Oh, there was one more person in the welcome lineup. Some greeted

him as St. Nick, some hugged Santa Claus, and others were all too

willing to confess that they had been naughty all year but still

wanted to present their “list.”

“Christmas at the Ritz” began with a cocktail reception on the

patio as honorary chairs Paul and Daranne Folino, Chuck and Twyla

Martin and Hadi and Barbara Makarechian mingled with friends and

donors including June and Ross Wankier, Tom and Joan Riach, Sandra

Brodie, and Donald and DeeDee Sodaro.

“I think this is the most beautiful holiday luncheon I have ever

attended,” said blond bombshell insurance mogul Jean Macino of

Bayshores. “The women are dressed so elegantly, the men are so

handsome, and the restaurant is decorated to put us all in the

perfect holiday spirit.

“If the folks back home in North Carolina could see this luncheon,

boy would they be shocked,” Macino added with a twinkle.

Newport Beach is a long way from North Carolina, but what matters

most, regardless of where you are, is how you treat your family,

friends and members of your community. Make no mistake, the

Fashionables definitely live up to their name, with an added dose of

glitz and glamour, but more importantly, they are a group of close

friends that care for one another and are sincerely dedicated to

raising money to support Chapman University.

As the traditional luncheon at the Ritz was served by the very

capable staff of new owner Fred Glusman, models paraded the dining

rooms showing off fabulous fashions from South Coast Plaza.

The annual opportunity drawing, one of the most lavish giveaways

of the year, bestowed prizes -- including fine jewelry from David

Webb of Beverly Hills, spa treatments at the Montage Resort in Laguna

Beach, a Neiman Marcus shopping spree and a three-night luxurious

stay at the Carlyle Hotel in New York City -- upon surprised patrons.

Exchanging holiday good wishes in the crowd were Charlene Prager,

Dino and Leslie Cancellieri, Sandra Beigel, Sue Hook, Pat and Dick

Allen, Nancy Burnett, and Jim and Nora Johnson. Also supporting

Chapman were Ben Cagle, Vesta Curry, Elizabeth Vincent, and

representing South Coast Plaza, the dynamic Debra-Gunn Downing.

Jim Doti joined Bunce and Brennan addressing the holiday

gathering and thanking them for their financial support. For many

years, under the leadership of the late Mary Lou Hopkins Hornsby and

founder Mildred Mead, the Fashionables dedicated their fundraising

efforts to the building of the “All Faith’s Chapel” on the University

campus. Jim Doti announced that the structure, now named the Wallace

All Faith’s Chapel, was well on its way to completion and would be

finished and welcoming the community in the very near future.

Applause in the dining room led to the announcement that the

Fashionables are presently raising funds to support the new School of

Film and Television, and that the ladies have decided to increase

their pledge from $250,000 to $500,000. The gift will help make

possible the “Fashionables Rotunda Boardroom,” which will facilitate

events featuring filmmakers from the Hollywood community.

Others deserving mention for their support of Chapman University

and the Fashionables are Alison McCormick, Nancy Wynne, Linda and Ron

Beale, Ann Van Ausdeln, and Sandi Jackson.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.