The Crowd:

Dover Shores’ elegant platinum blond Scandinavian hostess Rita Sprinkel represented husband, Reed, and a dining room full of fans and friends for her 33rd annual Scandinavian Guest Maitre d’ Night Dinner at The Balboa Bay Club & Resort.

“I have been doing this since 1975,” said Sprinkel, adding, “I can’t believe so many years have passed by.”

The Nordic beauty came to California as a model and actress and was drawn south from Hollywood to the Newport scene, where she met her husband, a construction mogul who has paved most of the roads in Southern California.

The pair have shared a glamorous life together on land and on sea, often entertaining on their yacht, but every year Rita goes into the kitchen at The Balboa Bay Club working with the chef to create an outstanding buffet presentation of her native delicacies.

The dinner traditionally begins with Rita’s yellow split-pea soup, which is superb. Norwegian meatballs are a must, paired with assorted herring, grav lax and assorted Norwegian salmon.

The shrimp with dill sauce is an all-time favorite. If that is not enough, a marinated pork roast dressed with prunes and apricots is paired with braised red cabbage, roasted red potatoes and Lingonberry sauce.

The crowd toasted with Aquavit and sang Swedish songs of fellowship. A wonderful and unique evening on the Orange Riviera was enjoyed by Lyman and Joan Scheel, David and Berit Alderfer, Astrid Bergford, Eva Kramer, and Ben and Barbara Harris.

USC came to Lido Isle last weekend as residents Karen and Andrew Littlefair hosted a Sunday afternoon get-together introducing friends of the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences to Dean Howard Gillman.

USC alumni joined parents of current students and prospective students for a personal visit with Gillman, a 17-year USC faculty member who was recently named Associate Vice Provost for Research Advancement.

Gillman has been closely involved in the U.S.-China Institute with hands-on action concerning reforms to ensure ethical practices in medical research involving human subjects.

In addition to being appointed to the position of Dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences this year, Gillman also holds the Anna H. Bing Dean’s Chair at the USC College.

Guests converged on the Littlefair residence sharing USC memories and enjoying with rapt attention Gillman’s talk followed by a lively Q & A session.