Memories and Hope

From a birthday toast to former President Ronald Reagan to a tribute to his devoted daughter, Maureen, Saturday’s benefit for the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Assn. of Orange County was a night to talk about fond memories and future hopes.

“What do I miss [about my father]?” Maureen Reagan asked the hundreds of association supporters gathered in the ballroom of the Four Seasons hotel in Newport Beach. “I miss his delicious wit--and the quickness of it.”

Reagan, who turned 89 on Sunday, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1994.

Since then, Maureen Reagan has worked tirelessly to raise public awareness about Alzheimer’s, a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain resulting in impaired thinking, memory and behavior.

“Maureen Reagan exemplifies how a family can maintain the dignity and integrity of the individual with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Peter Villegas, honorary co-chairperson with Lori Warmington of the “Evening of Memories” gala. “As the daughter of the most visible Alzheimer’s patient in the world, we honor her for her forthright and candid leadership.”

Reagan told the crowd their job wouldn’t be done until they could honor “[an Alzheimer’s] survivor from the community.”

“We’re going to find a way to prevent this disease before another generation has to suffer as we have,” she added. “And I guarantee this is going to happen.” Also honored for their dedication to helping boost public awareness of the disease were Carl W. Cotman, director of the UCI Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia; community activist Peggy Goldwater Clay; Arlene Craig of the Hutton Foundation; Orange County Supervisor Tom Wilson; and Dr. Jeffrey L. Cummings of UCLA.

During the gala reception, guests cruised an exhibition of paintings created by 27 of Orange County’s 50,000 Alzheimer patients.

They also watched during dinner as youthful photographs of loved ones with the disease were projected, one by one, on the ballroom walls.

“These are our ways of making Alzheimer’s patients part of our evening,” explained Linda Scheck, executive director of the association.

Of Maureen Reagan, Scheck said: “She never lets us forget that we’re doing it all for the patients--whether it’s raising funds for research or bringing services to their families.”

Committee members also included Donald E. Power, gala chairman; Ed Arnold, gala emcee; Julie David; Linda Lewin; Selly Jenny; Virginia Atherton; Susan Berger-Abrams; and Christine Brown. Others were Erika Coniglio; Tammy Crandell; Jacqueline Lehn DuPont; Karla Hammond; Stephen Lopez; Diane Mondini; Barbara Sted; and Cathy Torre Houghton.

Forbidden Treasures Are a Pleasure

Even those who have visited China’s Imperial Palace are raving about the unprecedented display of Qing Dynasty treasures at the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art in Santa Ana.

The breathtaking exhibit--”Secret World of the Forbidden City: Splendors of China’s Imperial Palace”--was launched with a VIP reception Saturday morning for major museum supporters.

Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) treasures organized around themes dealing with the public and private life of its emperors, empresses and court officials are on display.

Among those getting the first peek: Caroline L. Ahmanson of Los Angeles. Ahmanson was honored by the museum at a $1,000-per-couple gala benefit over the weekend at the Four Seasons hotel in Newport Beach that netted $500,000 to help underwrite the exhibit.

“I think this is one of the most exciting collections I have ever seen--an opportunity of a lifetime--and yet I’ve been to China 14 times,” said Ahmanson, widow of philanthropist Howard Ahmanson.

Also getting a preview of such treasures as the music box, cricket cage and bicycle that belonged to Puyi, the Last Emperor, were Adeline and Bob Mah of Huntington Harbour. “We have visited the palace many times but have never seen such unique objects,” said Adeline Mah. “For me, this is an uplifting and nostalgic occasion.”

Welcoming guests were museum president, Peter C. Keller, and museum activist Anne Shih, both of whom worked for several years to help secure the exhibit. “I am very happy for the museum,” Shih said. “This has been a major experience for me. I have learned a lot and made many good friends.”

Said Keller: “Orange County can be proud. An exhibit of this size and magnitude is usually reserved for museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York or the Smithsonian in Washington.” Tonight, Shih and Keller will be among museum leaders who gather to honor Imperial Palace Museum director Yang Xin--one of China’s foremost calligraphers--at a private dinner in the home of Betty Huang of San Juan Capistrano.

“Xin will do a calligraphy demonstration--which will be fascinating,” Keller said. “China is so hot right now. People are looking to China as being a dominant player in the 21st century.”

*

For exhibit information: (714) 567-3600.

Ann Conway can be reached at (714) 966-5952 or by e-mail at ann.conway@latimes.com.