The Crowd:

There is perhaps no better story to share on New Year’s Eve than one that is all about hope for a better future. Last week, before Christmas, 322 guests from southern California converged upon the Newport Harbor at dusk to board “The Eternity,” one of the spectacular cruise vessels operated by Electra Cruises. Among the guests were 57 children, all associated with a group that has become nationally recognized as The Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Thanks to the generosity of Electra Cruise owners Randy and Linda Guinther, who provided the boat, the food and the beverages at no charge, and 17 of their dedicated crew members who volunteered their time to entertain the children and their families, it was a spirited and joyful evening.

Heather Guinther, daughter of the owners, was on board working alongside the crew, serving chicken fingers, French fries and macaroni and cheese to the delight of the young passengers.

Joining the Guinthers in sponsoring the evening were dedicated Newport Beach citizens Dave and Jan New, who have been involved with Make-A-Wish for years, and have given of their time and financial resources to make the Christmas cruise possible. Dave New is the owner of Basin Marine, and he and Jan New along with their son Derek New and his girlfriend, Kalee Foreman, bought gifts for all the children on board.

The gifts were not handed out by the New family, but rather by the big guy in the red suit and the white beard who did not board the cruise with everyone else at the Lido dock at dusk.

Santa did not come down the chimney because the Electra does not have one.

Rather, in the middle of the main channel of the Newport Harbor, a Harbor Patrol vessel with lights flashing came up alongside the Electra as the giant cruise ship slowed to a halt, allowing Santa to jump aboard followed by Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and a contingent of high-ranking law enforcement.

It must be mentioned that the success of this event is also due in great part to the participation of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and in particular the Newport Harbor Patrol, which is a division of the Sheriff’s staff.

Front and center with Hutchens was the super dedicated Lt. Harbor Master Mark Long, who spoke passionately about his role in keeping the harbor safe and secure, and volunteering for special duties such as the Make-A-Wish cruise.