Treasure hunt, fundraiser on Newport Bay

Summer in Newport calls for charity on the water. The Pacific Symphony Orchestra’s Young Professionals support group, known as Overture, held its second Balboa Scavenger Hunt on the bay.

The hunt on water began with a champagne reception fronted by co-chairs of the event Shana Fife and Chris Trela held in collaboration with the Balboa Performing Arts Theater. Five teams consisting of 40 participants then set out in electric boats, following clues to the great discovery.

A major event sponsor was Lear-Baylor, creators of an electric vessel making its debut on the harbor this year. Created and manufactured by Shanda Lear-Baylor, daughter of Learjet founder Bill Lear, and her husband Terry Baylor, the new Lear 204 is being praised for its design and engineering excellence. One of the scavenger teams was on board a Lear 204 and included participants Mary Lonich, Shana Bannert, Joslyn Gray, Tiffany Johnson, Jeff Johnson, Deirdre O’Neill, Cameron Gray and skipper Shanda Lear-Baylor.

Winners of the hunt were Kenny Rudolph, Shari Gunn, Missy Lukin, Bob Swartzel, Michelle Sayer and Kathy and Charles Kelly. The event raised $1,000 for student scholarship attendance of Pacific Symphony Orchestra events.

In other Pacific Symphony Orchestra news, honors were bestowed upon generous music supporters in Orange County at the recent orchestra board chairman’s luncheon. Mastro’s Steakhouse, Costa Mesa, was the setting for the gathering led by orchestra board Chairman John Stahr. Special recognition was paid to John and Sandy Daniels, Doug Simao and Kate Peters, Bob Becker, Jim Medvitz, Janice Johnson, Mary Muth and Vesta Curry. Also lauded was Pacific Symphony Orchestra music director Carl St. Clair, who was abroad, along with members of the orchestra and staff including Robert Becker and Jim Medvitz. On hand for the lunch ceremony was John Forsyte, president of Pacific Symphony Orchestra, welcoming VIP guests and congratulating the distinguished honorees.