B.W. COOK -- The Crowd

In many communities there are people who become invaluable resources

based on their generous spirit, their constant activism and willingness

to get involved.

In Orange County, Peggy Goldwater Clay is one such person. Her gift of

spirit comes from a mother who set an example for her daughter in the

realm of community service, and of course from her father, former United

States Sen. Barry Goldwater, who was on the line for many things that he

believed in throughout a rough and tumble career of distinguished service

to the community, to the state and to the nation.

Goldwater Clay carries on this tradition here in our midst, and I dare

say that this town and this county would be a great deal less fortunate

without her. And let me add, it is not because of money.

Yes, Newport Beach’s Goldwater Clay family donates to many causes,

supports charities and organizations by attending events, buying tickets

and more. But it is her gift of wanting to be involved, wanting to make a

difference, that makes her special.

Goldwater Clay’s latest project is the Capistrano Pageant. Staged last

week to turn-away crowds in old San Juan Capistrano, the historical

pageant, which is the crowing star of what is known as California

Heritage Week, managed to make a strong six-figure box office tally

covering all costs for the massive production.

Performed by a cast of professional actors and directed by James

Taulli, the show tells the story of the Old Mission incorporating music,

drama and even humor.

“Gosh we need a few good laughs, don’t we?” said Goldwater Clay.

“Our California heritage is really very rich and wonderfully

interesting, and this mission is a living, breathing relic of that past.

We are fortunate that it stands proudly today and this pageant helps to

bring it to life in full and vibrant color,” she added. “It’s one thing

to talk about history, and yet another to actually touch it. We can touch

it here at the Mission.”

A large contingent of Newport-Mesa citizens, along with Orange Coast

dignitaries, supported Goldwater Clay and the project, including most

notably, honorary chairs Joan Irvine Smith and Santa Ana Mayor Miguel

Pulido.The president of the Mission Pageant Foundation is Harvey Smith of

Irvine Cove. Smith, husband of Linda Irvine, also served as executive

producer and writer of the show. Additional support came from Rita Gibby

and Steve Clugston, who chaired the living history portion.

Irvine family members including Russell and Carol Penniman, and

Madeline and Jim Swinden were in the crowd socializing with pageant VIPs

RJ and Gloria Brandes, Newport’s acclaimed Dr. Howard House, Mary

Roosevelt, Noddie Weltner and Lido Isle’s Phyllis Shafer.

San Juan Capistrano’s mayor Collene Campbell was there, along with Mel

Rogers, Linda Isle’s Jack and Belle Lindquist, Roger and Janice Johnson,

Ray and Gloria Osbrink, Bea Sammons, Ross and Linda White-Peters, and

Mike and Laurie Mendenhall, also of Newport Beach.

Other special Newport folks supporting the effort included

philanthropists and art underwriters Peggie and Bob Sprague, Peter and

Gail Ochs, Jim and Catherine Emmi, Michele Roberge, Ruth Ko, Electa

Anderson, Kathy Taylor, John and Mary Barber, George Heed and Martin

Conlin.

Special kudos are extended to Norma Campos Cobb, Robert Hartmann,

Bruce Goodrich, Jim Graves and the entire cast and crew that worked

diligently to ensure the success of the performance.

B.W. COOK’S column appears every Thursday and Saturday.