A Sumptuous ‘Cruise’ on Land to Aid Hospital

The ports o’ call were Hawaii, Monte Carlo, Marseilles and the Italian Riviera. And although the voyage was brief, guests aboard the “cruise” enjoyed three sumptuous buffets, international musical entertainment and gaming, continental style.

It was the Welcome Aboard benefit sponsored by the Associates of Saddleback Hospital, which raised an estimated $20,000 Saturday night at the Palm Terrace retirement complex in Laguna Hills.

With men in black tie and women sporting summery pastels, 500 donors and Palm Terrace residents drifted among dancing, gaming in the “Monte Carlo” room and sampling the Epicurean delights.

“I told everyone not to eat for two days before this event,” said Carol Radzins, the hospital’s director of development.

Indeed, the appetizer table, piled with jumbo shrimp and crab legs, was only the beginning: A Polynesian buffet by the swimming pool offered roast suckling pig and a volcano-like arrangement of fruit; a “that’sa Italian” culinary extravaganza sparkled with two dozen antipasti, as well as Cornish game hens, lamb chops, jumbo shrimp and London broil. The Parisian cafe-style repast was laden with cold saddle of veal, poached salmon, pate, rabbit and sweetbreads.

All the while there was music. Mariachis serenaded guests at the entrance. A Polynesian show was staged pool-side, and the Ansel Hill Band accompanied dancers on the “Italian Riviera.”

Randee Dalzell, executive director of the Palm Terrace facility, nodded approvingly as residents, some in their 80s, mingled with younger guests.

“We offered to donate the facility and the food because we want to be--and we are--part of the community. Tonight our residents open their home for this benefit,” Dalzell said.

Proceeds will go toward a licensed rehabilitation center at Saddleback Hospital and Health Center, Saddleback Foundation President Al Hally said.

The Associates group, which has raised more than $800,000 toward the hospital’s $40-million expansion, has committed itself to “bring in $600,000 for our new rehabilitation center, and this event is dedicated to that program,” Hally said.

Steve Geidt, assistant hospital administrator, said the center would aim to give a full range of services “for brain injury and stroke clients, without keeping them hospitalized all the time.” Surveying gamblers in the make-believe casino, he added: “For this cause, I’m happy to see people lose!”

Associates member Marie Callender (yes, the Marie Callender) shrugged as she turned away from the dice table: “I didn’t come here to win. We have a lot going for us at Saddleback Hospital and we need to support it.”

Associates committee members for the benefit included Rose Berg, Tasile Carter, Lee and John Dudley, Dora and Norman Freestone, Gigi and Irving Helfert. Others were Nell and Joe Laschober, Skip and Johnnie Vance, Ethel and Frank Vavroch, Lewis Wood, and Associates President Rex Perkins.