The Crowd: Decorative Arts Society helps charitable groups

The amazing Decorative Arts Society gathered yet again to welcome the talented landscape historian and author Allyson Hayward to Newport Beach.

The erudite Hayward jetted in from her East Coast headquarters to be hosted by Lynda and Peter Shea at a cocktail and dinner party in their shingle-style waterfront residence on Beacon Bay. The sunset affair attracted dedicated Arts Society patrons, including Sandra and Don Ayres, Hyla and Richard Bertea, Cecelia and Bruce Nott, and Board Chairwoman Elana Donovan welcoming the crowd.

Carole Steele, Brenda Eastman, Carolyn Garrett, Mary Anna Jeppe, Bonnie McClellan and Sharon Henwood, all on hand to make the evening a warm welcome for Hayward, chatted with guests sharing facts and history on America’s most renown private gardens.

Catering for the upbeat reception was handled by the superb kitchen known simply as Fork, Knife & Spoon Catering.

The following day Hayward addressed the society and their guests at a sold-out lecture in Fashion Island at Edwards Big Newport Cinemas. This was the final presentation for the Decorative Arts Society’s 2010-11 series of six programs. Funds collected during the season will be distributed among four charitable groups: Casa Teresa, Laura’s House, Mariposa and Women Helping Women.

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The Carousel of Possible Dreams, a fundraiser for the Festival of Children, raised an impressive $54,631, supporting two Orange County programs built around children’s equine therapy programs.

The Shea Center and Mustard Seed Ranch operate programs for kids and horses that have received attention for their success in assisting at-risk youth of all kinds. On hand for the event were Festival of Children founder Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, KCAL/KCBS reporter Michele Gile, of Corona del Mar, and Dana Butler-Moburg, executive director of the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center.

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The Cabaret Chapter of the Guilds of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts is planning a spring fling May 21 at Club Euro, Fountain Valley. The evening will be created around a casino theme with music, dancing, and dinner. The party is open to the public. Tickets begin at $25. For more information, contact Diane Johnson at [email protected].

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Science Under the Stars benefited the UC Irvine School of Medicine recently, as some 500 generous guests came together on the future site of the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute for a dinner gala that featured a ceremonial groundbreaking for the institute.

The sold-out evening was chaired by David Pyott and Jim Mazzo, featuring entertainment provided by Kingston Technology president John Tu and his band Known as JT & California Dreamin’.

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Chapman University drew a large crowd of support last week as the university in Orange celebrated its 150th anniversary May 6.

An enormous open house marked the occasion for the sixth oldest university in California. Festivities included classes open to the public, an art walk, children’s activities, live performances all over campus and a major evening fireworks show accompanied by a picnic dinner of hot dogs, chips and lemonade courtesy of Chapman.

Joining Chapman President James Doti was Rep. Loretta Sanchez, a Chapman alumna, and city of Orange Mayor Carolyn Cavecche for a presentation of an enormous birthday cake made to resemble the university’s Memorial Hall. A large contingent of Newport-Mesa support was on hand for the celebration.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays. B.W. Cook is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.