THE CROWD -- b.w. cook

The Belcourt estate of fashionable Mary Sue Witter was the setting for a

midweek champagne reception on behalf of The Islanders.

The gathering was the annual membership confab for the very stylish

Newport association founded by Mary Ann Wells and Mary Lou Hopkins,

taking their name from the landmark shopping plaza in our backyard --

Fashion Island. For many years The Islanders worked for a variety of

charities, shifting their focus annually to spread the assistance. For

the most part, the ladies choose to work for children’s causes.

In recent years, the Islanders have worked and raised money in support of

the Orange County Museum of Art.

“OCMA is the neighbor of Fashion Island,” said Islander Eve Kornyei. “It

is a growing cultural landmark in our city and community, and it needs

our full attention and support to make it grow to serve the needs of both

children and adults in Newport and all of Orange County. We are all very

proud to be associated with the museum and we feel that our efforts are

appreciated and valued.

“And, our reputation as a charity helping children continues as we

support many of the museum’s programs for children.”

The social calendar of the Islanders began in September with its first

monthly luncheon meeting of the winter season. Membership chair, the

pretty blond Cathy Lowden -- looking very chic in a black knit suit with

a scalloped silk Peter Pan collar and a five-strand pearl choker to

complement her big smile -- said, “Our group consistently has about 120

members and we recruit 20 to 30 new women each year.”

Every month through spring, the Islanders gather for lunch to plot new

ways to help the museum and to strengthen their bond.

Witter went all out to welcome the new and returning Islanders to her

gracious home. Catered by Love at First Bite, Huntington Beach, a

marvelous display of delicacies went quite well with the afternoon

champagne.

In the crowd were Islanders’ co-founder Mary Ann Wells, group president

Marsha Orlin, Nancy Burnett, Joyce Cathcart, Terry Callahan, Rosalie

Friedman, Barbara Penrose, Joan Stevens, Laurie Woodruff, Paula Wild,

Anita Watumull and Jo Ann Mix.

The big Islanders fund-raiser for 2000 is set for Feb. 5 at the Newport

Beach Marriott Hotel. Kornyei said the theme for the annual event will be

“Cirque.”

Also enjoying the Witter hospitality was Maxine Czisny, Martha Green,

Elizabeth Hanson, Karen Hardin, Ollie Hill, Virginia Knott-Bender, Pat

Lane, Kim Lazarus, Jeannie Morgan, Dawn O’Rourke, Jody Olsen, Danita

Schencke, Phyllis Shafer, Jennifer Spindler and Mary Thompson.

If you missed the membership reception, your membership inquiry is

welcome. Call Lowden at (949) 760-8030 and get involved working for our

local museum of art. Annual dues are $100. To be a part of the Islanders,

one of Newport-Mesa’s long-standing organizations dedicated to making a

difference right here in our own community.

* B.W. COOK’s column appears every Thursday and Saturday.