The roots of the Center celebrate

B.W. COOK

A gathering of generous performing arts patrons celebrated the 16th

anniversary of Founders Plus, an organization dedicated to serving

the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

It was a perfect Sunday afternoon for the party hosted by Newport

Coast’s Leonardo Flores. Some 100 Founders Plus members and their

guests were recipients of the Flores hospitality. Champagne glasses

were raised, tea sandwiches prepared and catered by Creme de la Creme

were shared by Newport’s Lee Allred, Catherine and James Emmi, Eve

Foussard, Jan Landstrom, Charlie and Pat Poss, and Martin and

Florence Klein.

Chaired by Center founder Tom Moon and the very philanthropic Ruth

Ding, the affair was planned as a special tribute to one very

significant Newport citizen:

Elizabeth Colyear Vincent of Harbor Island was lauded at the

afternoon function for her “many services and gifts to the performing

arts community,” said Jan Landstrom, dedicated volunteer and Newport

community booster.

Vincent, attired in a powder blue suit complete with coordinated

blue wide-brimmed hat, accepted the honors with her customary quiet

dignity.

Founders Plus, comprised of original founders of the Center, is a

service organization “dedicated to reaching out to those in the

community who otherwise would not be able to enjoy the educational

and cultural advantages the Center affords,” Landstrom said.

“For the past 16 years, the Founders Plus have distributed over

200,000 unsold tickets to the under served in this community,” she

said.

In addition, Founders Plus supports such programs at the Center as

“Informally Yours,” “Imagination Celebration” and “The Summer at the

Center.”

Host Flores featured two guest artists at the Sunday soiree.

Richard Kinsey and his wife, Susan Montgomery, both with Broadway

resumes, presented a program of light classical music and opera.

Also in the Founders Plus crowd were Felicia Bukaty, Betty Belden

Palmer, Lucille and Albert Adams, Nora and Jim Johnson, Lock Gee,

Keith and Barbara Johannes, Burton Karson, Rich and Anne Keller, and

Mary Robins Philpot. Committee members deserving kudos include Trudy

Bruning, Rosalie Lyske, David Quinlan, Gini Robins and the loveable

Vesta Curry, who was unable to attend the event honoring her friend,

but very much there in spirit.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.