The Crowd

B.W. Cook

It was more of a warm and gracious family party than a community

fund-raiser. Hoag Hospital honored Patti and Jim Edwards, two of the most

civic-minded people in our community, as its Sweetheart Couple for

Valentine’s Day 2000.

A black-tie dinner dance unfolded this past weekend at The Four Seasons

Hotel, Newport Beach, chaired by Nora and Jim Johnson. Just about

everyone in town came to offer congratulations to Jim and Patti and to

support Hoag Hospital. You might say it was a love fest.

Actually the love fest began in 1977 when the late James Edwards II,

founder of Edwards Theaters, came into Great Western Savings and Loan in

Newport Beach where Patti was working at the time. He had come to discuss

a bank promotion and marketing effort that Patti had created. She needed

his help. Well, she needed some of the Edwards’ collection of antique

cars to be exact. She wanted to use them in a display for an upcoming

media event that she was working on for the bank.

The senior Edwards agreed to loan the automobiles and arranged to have

his son, Jim III, take care of the details. Insiders share the story,

knowing that Jim’s dad picked Patti out for Jim. He knew she was the girl

for his son.

“We became friends first,” confided the happy couple, surrounded by a

very large contingency of friends and associates attending the Hoag

evening. “For the first year, we were just friends,” added Patti. “You

know I was Jim’s fourth engagement, so we needed to be sure.”

Jim confirmed the facts. “Yes, I was engaged three times before and broke

each of them off. They just were not the right girls and I guess I knew

it each time -- in the nick of time.”

Jim and Patti will celebrate 19 years of marriage together. They are the

parents of two teenage children attending local Newport-Mesa schools.

“I guess it’s safe to say that the forth time is the charm,” jested the

lady of the evening, attired in a gorgeous red silk gown flowing to the

floor. As the charming Mr. and Mrs. Edwards danced the first dance to the

music of the Jay Sterling orchestra, a standing ovation electrified the

ballroom as ladies, also in red gowns, filled the dance floor with their

handsome men in black tie, joining the couple for the first dance of the

evening.

The Hoag Sweetheart Ball has become a Valentine’s tradition, bringing

together many loving families who have a strong relationship with the

hospital.

Citizens such as Bob Badham, Terry Callahan, Elizabeth Hanson, Ann

Howard, Marc Kaufman, Joel Manchester, Ann McClean, Ann Raney, Kathy

Rolfes, Dave Snowden, Darlene Sweringen, Robin Turner, Janet Curci Walsh

and Victor Yack served as the 2000 Sweetheart Ball Committee, working

with the wonderful Nora Jorgensen-Johnson and Jim Johnson on the evening.

Their efforts were clearly enjoyed by all in attendance as the Four

Seasons Hotel served an exceptional four-course dinner featuring a

mixed-grill entree and dessert formally presented by a parade of wait

staff on best behavior.

In the crowd were Kevin and Barbara Abbott representing Toshiba America

Medical Systems, Mimi Birnkrant, Eileen Braun with fiance Fred Dannov,

Peter and Sharon Buffa, Tom and Marilyn Sutton of Pacific Life, Beverly

and Dave Carmichael and Bob and Kathi Haskell. Marion and Lulu Halfacre

of Traditional Jewelers were also in the ballroom.

Also in the crowd were Carole and Robert Follman, Jerry and Maralou

Harrington, pretty blond Kathi and Wayne Heck.

Also celebrating with the Edwards family was the sophisticated Ann and

Mike Howard along with Bob and Ann McClean, Marion and Jake Jacobson,

Diana and Brian Murphy, Delane and Catherine Thyen, Hoag chief executive

Michael Stephens with his wife, Diane, Doug Zusman, Elizabeth Vincent,

Walter and Elizabeth Hanson, Jim and Karen Greenfield, Robert and

Jacquelyn Dillman, Jim and Catherine Emmi, and the Hansel Benvenutis.

The Sweetheart Ball is one of the highlights of Hoag Heart Month, and the

funds raised help to provide the financial backing necessary to support

Hoag’s ever-improving care for cardiac patients. Recently, the Hoag Heart

Institute was awarded the 5-star rating for both coronary bypass surgery

and cardiac intervention procedures.

Support from the Edwards family and so many other dedicated locals has

made all the difference. Now that’s real heart.

* BMW. COOK’S column appears Thursdays and Saturdays.