The Crowd: Smokes and scholarships: Pair of charity events hit Balboa Bay
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Balboa Bay Club Chairman of the Board of Governors John Wortmann produced and served as master of ceremonies for the 26th annual Gent’s Smoker held Sept. 10 on the bayfront lawn of the iconic club on Coast Highway.
The sold-out evening by the bay welcomed some 200 guests for dinner and auction and raised donations in excess of $160,000 for the Balboa Bay Club Newport-Mesa Student Scholarship Fund.
“An incredible success, the best ever,” said Wortmann, who worked closely with Kory Kramer, Eagle Four Partner and co-host of the event.
Supporting them were donors John Pomer, Oliver Badgio, Jim McGee, Mario Marovic, Craig Barto, Brady Barto, Mark Larson and Daniel Yanni. Stepping up with generous scholarship support were Todd Pickup and Kevin Martin with Joe Moody, and Wortmann’s son John IV and son-in-law Jared Miller. Also among the super-donors were Jon Gerber and Pat Mahoney.
Newport dignitaries lending support included Mayor Lauren Kleiman, Joe Stapleton, Noah Blom and Brian Bowis, founder of the NB Fire Foundation.
The upbeat assemblage dined on Balboa Bay executive chef Ciego Bernal’s dinner service with a first course of frutti di mare shrimp cocktail with oysters and caviar. A surf and turf entrée followed of wagyu New York steak and lobster tail. For dessert, a chocolate cigar, naturally, was served with coffee sponge cake under vanilla ice cream.
A live auction punctuated dinner service and drew major funding for the student scholarships. Sponsors of the night included Clquie Hospitality, Lincoln Salazar of Enthusiast Report, Arturo Fuente, Ketel One, Johnnie Walker, Remy Martin and Daou, among many other fine purveyors of wine, spirits and world-class cigars.
Luncheon with purpose
The Women of Chapman (WOC) held their season kick-off luncheon at the Balboa Bay Club. The gathering welcomed the crowd with Champagne, and ended with an exceptional dessert of dulce de leche.
The WOC programs feature well-known speakers on a wide variety of current topics. “Hollywood; Behind The Camera” captivated the audience.
The sold-out luncheon attracted women from all parts of Orange County who are dedicated to supporting Chapman University, Orange. Launching with just 35 members when WOC was founded in 1971, the group now comprises more than 220 active members led by president Adrienne Brandes.
More than $11 million in grants supporting Chapman University have been raised by WOC members through membership dues and pledges designated for student scholarships along with various programs and capital campaigns across the Chapman campus.
The latest scholarship funds were recently awarded to seniors at Chapman’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. The talented students feted as “Stars of Tomorrow” will be honored at a red carpet movie premier next spring.
