She’s been seeing red for years

It’s no secret that Opal Kessinger’s favorite color is red. Perhaps

it’s the vibrant red flowers on her table. Or maybe it’s the red

sport coat she wears every day as a John Wayne Airport volunteer. And

it must be the memories she holds dear to her heart of former boss

Gene Autry, who was reportedly even more passionate about the color

than she is.

The Singing Cowboy has ridden off into the red sunset, but

Kessinger still enjoys watching commentators Rex Hudler and Steve

Physioc broadcast Angels baseball on television nearly every day.

She’s also well read. After retiring from Anaheim Public Library

in 1987, she was hired back and wrote its 100-year commemorative

history. She still works in the Friends of the Library Bookstore at

the Newport Beach Public Library and she’s working on coordinating a

Red Hat Society.

Kessinger also volunteers as a clerk at election precincts; on the

auxiliary board at the Seaview Lutheran Plaza retirement home, where

she gives birthday parties and does other nice things for its

tenants; for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, as a breast cancer

survivor; for the Corona del Mar Centennial History Committee; and as

a helmsman for the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum.

The Daily Pilot’s Jeff Benson sat down with Kessinger to discuss

the Corona del Mar resident’s responsibilities.

How long have you lived in Corona del Mar?

This house was built in 1948, but I moved here in 1988 after I

retired. We’ve got one of the only cottages still left. They’re

making big mansions next to here, but this house isn’t going to build

up or anything. It’s been very, very interesting to study the history

of Corona del Mar. It all began in 1904, when George Hart bought this

area.

How are things progressing on the Centennial Celebration?

I worked on the time capsule this afternoon. I just put in my two

cents about what I think should be in it. I can’t say what’ll be in

it just yet, but the capsule will be at Marguerite Avenue and Coast

Highway Oct. 14 through Oct. 17.

You’ve done an awful lot of volunteer work. What did you do for a

living?

I moved here from Iowa, where I was a schoolteacher for 20 years.

I was also a school librarian for seven years and a public librarian

for 17 years.

In 1988 and 1989, I was on the grand jury of Orange County, which

means I was selected as one of 19 people for the whole year to see if

there was enough evidence to bring some cases to trial. I was

selected again in 1993 and 1994, so I served two terms.

That was one of the best experiences because we studied the entire

county. We’d write up reports on what the county’s doing and we’d

visit county offices. It’s like getting a master’s degree in local

government. It’s paid, but you more or less volunteer your time.

I was also a tour guide for Anaheim Stadium for seven years. One

year, I was selected as “Employee of the Year” for the entire

stadium. I told people the history of the stadium and the history of

the Angels. We’d tell most of our history in the dugout, but

sometimes we’d walk down the foul line to the bullpen and tell them

stories, like how the umpires liked to put mud on the balls. People

liked to go into the locker room.

We weren’t allowed to run up to the players and make ourselves

known, but if the players approached you, that’s acceptable. There’s

protocol you have to follow.

Do you still follow the team?

Oh yes. I’m a big fan and I watch every game. I’ll tell you, I

wish they’d listen to me. As soon as the other team changes pitchers,

the Angels begin to hit. I wish I had kept track of every time they

put in a relief pitcher and Anaheim won the game.

But I think you become an Angel fan when you meet Gene Autry.

Did you wear that red coat while you worked at the stadium?

No. I work in an ambassador program at John Wayne Airport. I’ve

been an ambassador for seven years, since 1998. I was one of the

originals. I get as [many] as 60 questions in four hours from people

asking about the airport. I know because I counted. People like to

ask where they can get something to eat or where the bathroom is. We

help people with where to go, even though things are marked.

We all wear red coats and buttons that say, “May I Help You?” If

the customers have any questions, we’ll assist them to make their

stay easier.

How much does that button mean to you?

It’s my whole premise of life -- to help anyone who might need

assistance in any way I can. I’m always helping somebody and I try to

make it my object to help people.

Is there anything you haven’t done that you’d still like to

accomplish?

I’d like to belong to a storytelling guild. I don’t write, but I

have put on close to 200 programs where I’d portray women in history.

I’d prefer to present programs and just to be noted as a storyteller.