OUR LAGUNA:Honoring service in style

The first Legacy Ball netted about $25,000 for the programs and services to benefit Laguna Beach seniors and their families.

A sell-out crowd of 250 guests attended the ball, held Jan. 26 at Seven Degrees, at which Harry Lawrence and Virginia Schott were honored for their contributions to the community.

“The concept of the ball was to recognize one man and one woman who have left a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes,” said event chair Councilwoman Elizabeth Schneider, who served as mistress of ceremonies for the program.

“Virginia Schott was nominated by any number of seniors. I have worked with Virginia for six years and I have come to love her.”

Schott was a pioneer in the pursuit of a senior center. In the early ‘70s, she was part of a group that met and began the Council on Aging, which led to the creation of the Laguna Beach Seniors [Inc.].

The group first leased space in the old post office and then in Legion Hall. Over the years, the membership declined and in 1999, they decided they had to build their own facility. Schneider has been an ardent supporter of their goal, which is nearing fruition.

“We owe our success to Virginia,” Schneider said,

Capital Campaign co-chairs Darrcy Loveland Bickel and Ann Quilter announced the goal of $2.5 million is close to being reached, although there are still naming opportunities in the facility as proposed.

Schneider presented a “key” to the city to Schott.

“It’s thrilling,” Schott said.

She received a standing ovation, as did Lawrence, who needed no introduction. He was honored for his involvement with the Chamber of Commerce, the Laguna Playhouse, Main Beach, South Coast Medical Center, the Festival of Arts and the Laguna Art Museum, not to mention helping to establish the forerunner of Opera Pacific and the Beautification Council.

“I am astounded at what the seniors have done,” Lawrence said. “And I am thrilled to see us once again in tuxedos and nice dresses, the way we used to do it.”

Guests at the ball were invited to dress “retro,” which was interpreted as the 1920s to yesterday.

City Clerk Martha Anderson wowed everyone in a ‘20s-style sweater and headband that epitomized the glamour of the first half of the 20th century.

“As usual, she stole the show from us all,” said Schneider.

Sande St. John topped her outfit with an ostrich feather hat she made in homage to legendary Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper, whose famous collection of headgear is challenged only by Laguna’s Vesta Curry.

Chris Loidolt’s dropped-waist, lace dress was reminiscent of the 1920s. Lee Winocur Field wore a drop-dead, gorgeous Chanel dinner pants suit, circa 1944.

School Board member Theresa O’Hare looked right-on, dancing to early rock-and-roll in a white leather mini-skirt and white go-go boots, with lots of long hair. Quilter reprised an evening gown she wore in the 1960s to the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Daughter Emily wore one of her mother’s dresses.

Some of the women just opted for gorgeous: Mayor Toni Iseman was stunning in a short black dress and a shrug. Lu Campbell brightened the night in a white top and gold skirt. Louise Buckley was lovely in lilac.

But it wasn’t only the women who got into the spirit of the event.

Ernie Schnieder wore a white dinner jacket, popularized by Hollywood. Ditto Charles Quilter.

Curt Bartsch, seated at Michelle and Councilman Kelly Boyd’s table, wore a letterman-type jacket honoring the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking forever the color bar in major league baseball. Now, there’s a legacy.

Roy “Andy” Anderson, who has been known to wear a kilt to formal parties, wore a more casual outfit, accessorized with an Anderson tartan tie.

Councilwoman Schneider, who walks tall but stands short, had to move from behind the rostrum so ball guests could see her make the presentations to the honorees; thank sponsors, including Seven Degrees, which picked up the tab for the use of the facility, drinks and dinner; dance sponsors Doctors Ambulance Service, Attentive Homecare, Griffin Structures Inc.; and Dr. and Mrs. Eugene Levin.

She also introduced Legacy Ball Committee members Buckley, Steve Dotoratos, Michelle Clark, Maggie Hempen, Kay Kearney, Bonnie MacMillan, Elaine Merz, Anne Morris, Ginny Skelton, Pauline Walpin and Francine Scinto, who donated a week’s stay in a luxury resort condominium in Kauai for an opportunity prize; and dignitaries.

Among the dignitaries: Diane and Assemblyman Chuck De Vore, who last year nominated Schneider as the 70th District Woman of the Year. “It was really easy to pick her with the leadership she had shown in the landslide,” he said.

The local notables included just about everybody at the ball. Sponsors of tables included Athens Group, Buckley and Walpin, the Quilters, including Chris; Darrcy and Duane Bickel; the Boyds; the Schneiders; Anne and Mike Morris, the Fields; the Scintos and Macmillan.

City Hall was represented by council members Cheryl Kinsman and Jane Egly, Assistant City Manager John Pietig, and Planning Commissioners Norm Grossman, Linda Dietrich and Bob Chapman.

The evening began with a cocktail reception and silent auction. Auction items included a gourmet Italian dinner in Nancy and Jim Kreder’s home and dinner for four in one’s own home prepared by Mozambique Master Chef Alfonso Contrisciani; gift certificates from Black Iris, C.J. Rose Fashion Boutique, Gallery of Wearable Art, Laguna Handbags, Peppertree Lane, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Sweetwater Hand Car Wash, Café Zoolu; and the Yard, Claes, Five Crowns, and Salerno restaurants; as well as tickets to an opening at the Laguna Playhouse; two horseback riding lessons at Ortega Equestrian Center, and jewelry from the private collections of Schneider and Skelton.

General donors to the event included Paul and Cindy Prewitt, Linda and Jeff Jahraus, Sam Goldstein, James Conrad, Harold Bennet, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Spencer, Constance Lee, Genevra E. Arct, Hilde Kenely, Howard and Mildred Nevonen and Skipper Lynn.