JOSEPH MAAG '47 AND DICK FOSTER '53-ARBORETUM EVENT

Joseph Maag ('47), Jorice Maag, Martha Henkes, Dick Foster ('53) and Greg Dyment

Photo taken by Ang H. Park for the Orange County Register

By Donna Bunce
People Watch, The Orange County Register (July 24, 2007)

Joe Maag remembers when the Fullerton Arboretum land was slated to become a parking lot. The Fullerton native, whose family owned a citrus ranch in the area in his younger years, later saw the 26-acre oasis open in 1979 as the Fullerton Arboretum. From the beginning, Joe and his wife, Jorice, worked tirelessly for its success. Joe served as an arboretum commissioner from 1983 to 2006, including three years as president. Jorice, along with fellow conspirator Molly McClanahan, rescued and moved the Victorian home of one of Fullerton's first doctors to the Arboretum, where it was refurbished under their direction and dedicated as Heritage House.

For their efforts, the Maags were honored Saturday night at the Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum's Ninth Annual "Midsummer Night in the Garden" gala. Arboretum Director Greg Dyment presented the Golden Oak Award to them, saying, "Their contributions of time, treasure and expertise through the years have been extraordinary."

The 320 guests, enjoying the "A Night in Old California" theme, gathered at the Arboretum's newly opened Nikkei Heritage Museum under its outdoor pavilion for a champagne reception and silent auction before retiring to Orchard Lawn for a delicious Spanish-themed dinner catered by Parties by Panache. The stunning bright floral centerpieces interspersed with oranges and featuring 2-foot-high wrought iron candelabras only added to the ambience, as did the 15-foot-high giant lunar orbs, representing full moons, around the lawn's perimeter along with large stucco pillars covered in fuchsia bougainvillea.

Friends of the Arboretum President Dick Foster welcomed everyone, introducing past Golden Oak Award recipients Frida Fluck and Mary Ann Blaine, a member of the pioneer Chapman family, who have been so important to the development of the Arboretum. He also recognized gala Chairwoman Marsha Henkes and her committee.

Auctioneer Jim Nye, who made the live auction great fun with his witty repartee, offered everything from a luncheon for eight at Heritage House, compliments of the Maags, to an afternoon sail with drinks and hors d'oeuvres for four on state Sen.Dick Ackerman's 42-foot yacht "Free Ride." Popular Mike Henebry's Big Band returned along with vocalist Ginger Pauley, who, wearing an adorable '40s red-with-white polka dot dress and white gloves, sang "Sentimental Journey," "Goodie Goodie" and "And the Angels Sing," among others.

Aside: With all the charity events I've attended over the years, I always list approximate net proceeds for the event. When I attended this event two years ago, Dyment gave me the proceeds. Unfortunately, he refused to release that figure to me for this effort.
Contact the writer: 949-644-4700, ext. 105 or donna@coastmagazine.com