Mothers, daughters go beach and ballroom

The 20th annual mother-daughter luncheon and fashion show produced by the Newport Beach chapter of the National Charity League Juniors turned out to be both a beach bash and formal ballroom event.

The Balboa Bay Club & Resort provided both beach and ballroom for the festive afternoon that welcomed area sixth-graders and their moms.

It all began on the beach, where a wonderful pink-and white-stripped tent was erected facing the main channel of Newport Harbor. An auction featuring some 250 fabulous donated items gathered by auction co-chairs Carolyn Mangano and Judith Wattson and their hardworking committee went up for bid.

The theme was “Just Another Day In Paradise,” and it surely was just that. The tasteful and artistic decorating committee created the look and feel of an old-fashioned children’s candy parlor. Ribboned apothecary jars overflowed with candy, candy and more candy.

The youthful theme was carried over into the ballroom decorated in ice pink, bows, ribbons and flowers. Even the choice of luncheon was designed with whimsy. The customary ladies luncheon salad was replaced by “Cheeseburgers in Paradise” and ice cream Dippin’ Dots for the young ladies. Charity League president Holly Anderson joined event chair Janice Markley in welcoming the enormous crowd that included some 300 young girls who are present, past and possibly future participants in league programs.

Following dinner, the massive fashion show, presented in conjunction with Saks Fifth Avenue, hit the runway. The lively show included plenty of high-fives from the models passing by the lineup of attentive young girls in their traditional place along the runway. Saks general manager Gretchen Pace was on hand to thank the crowd and invited everyone back to South Coast Plaza to use the $50 Saks gift certificates given to the mothers as a thank-you from the store.

“For 20 years NCL Juniors has been committed to fostering healthy mother-daughter relationships while being dedicated to community service,” Holly Anderson said, adding: “This year all monies raised will support the chapter’s charities including Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, the Harry and Grace Steele Children’s Center at Orange Coast College and the High Hopes Head Injury Program.”

More than 540 guests helped raise more than $100,000 in auction proceeds and underwriting alone. The final tally is expected to be significantly greater.

Supporting the event were Corrine Schroeder, Ellen Wheeler, Lesly Knight, Michelle Roth, Susan Beall, Lani Gritsch, Diane Connelly, Ondria Kernan, Krista Jajonie, Catherine Pittman, Stephanie Rados, Lorraine Gyulay, Deanna Hanour, Molly Calder, Shawn Harris and Debbie Jarecki. Also deserving kudos are Lori Junkins, Lea Beasley, Maureen Madigan, Corey Bakkila, Cindy Brahs, Jennifer Lefebvre, Molly Davin, Darcie Schott, Stacy Kofoed and Suzan Anderson. Masters of ceremony with style were Angi Evans and Kelly Stewart.