The Crowd

B.W. Cook

Only in Newport Beach could one attend a luau in November. Well, it

wasn’t actually a full-blown luau, just a cocktail reception with a

tropical twist.

Roy’s of Newport Beach was the setting for the recent gathering of

support for the Orange County Performing Arts Center. They came to honor

Pat Rypinksi and Dotti Stillwell, producers of the upcoming Candlelight

Concert, the Center’s very important annual holiday event and

fund-raiser.

“Candlelight” has become about the most glamorous and unique evening on

the social calendar for the entire year. Big dollars are raised. Big egos

are seated carefully at swank tables on the stage of The Center,

transformed into places far and away in the imagination and mind’s eye.

In years past, producers have created sublime winter fantasies. If one

closed ones eyes, it might have been Christmas in St. Petersburg circa

1900 -- before the revolution, of course.

Other events were daring and contemporary.

This season, Lido Isle resident Rypinski, a woman of considerable taste

and style (she also owns the fabulous antique shop Gardenia in San Juan

Capistrano), is creating her own show with the help of movie set designer

Jim Mees of Paramount Studios. We shall reveal no details. Suffice it to

say, attendees are in for a treat. Meanwhile, Randy Schoch, Roy’s boss,

welcomed the local crowd for a midweek romp with an island accent.

Gorgeous Cerise Feeley welcomed guests at the door as leis of orchids

were placed around beautiful necks such as Barbara and Alex Bowie of Big

Canyon. Barbara Bowie recently opened her own fitness salon, called

Newport Fitness in Costa Mesa, to combat the degeneration caused by her

own multiple sclerosis.

“Exercise has worked wonders for me,” reports Bowie adding, “It can be

beneficial to so many people. Stop procrastinating and get over to

Newport Fitness and change your life.”

Best-looking couple Ronnie and Byron Alumbaugh, staunch Center

supporters, were in the crowd with Nancy and Jim Baldwin, Barbara

(looking 30, maybe even 29) and Jim Glabman, and Maralou and Jerry

Harrington. Maralou Harrington reports that her dad Meldrim Burrill,

94.5, and one of the all-time great gents in the community, is recovering

from recent health problems and doing very well.

“You don’t bounce back quite as fast at almost 95,”Harrington said.

“Nothing can slow dad down, though. He’ll be out and about soon.” We wish

him all the best this Thanksgiving week.

*

Meanwhile, across the plaza at Fashion Island, another celebration took

place recently honoring dedicated community members and business leaders

Marion and Lula Halfacre, owners of the posh Traditional Jewelers.

In recognition of 20 years in the Newport community, Traditional Jewelers

threw a first-class open house to show off their newly remodeled and

expanded jewelry emporium featuring exclusive designer gem counters and a

watch display that is unparalleled.

Following the peek at the newly decorated store featuring hand-painted

ceiling murals in the style of Michelangelo, guests were driven by

limousine to the Newport Harbor to board the Yacht Electra for a harbor

dinner cruise. The evening was also hosted by Cartier and Vanity Fair

magazine, in honor of the Halfacres. * B.W. COOK’S column appears

Thursdays and Saturdays.