A feisty promoter

Peggy Fort is a force to be reckoned with. The president of

California Marketing Concepts, Fort is behind Corona del Mar’s coming

centennial celebrations next year. Last year, she volunteered to do

the marketing and publicity for the first Newport Beach Relay for

Life. She’s been involved in the Christmas Boat Parade. She’s run

marathons.

The list can go on.

Fort slowed down and took a few moments with the Pilot’s Lolita

Harper to answer questions about the centennial.

This is quite an undertaking but like so many of the things you

are involved with, you seem to have a great passion for it. What is

it about this event that really grabbed you?

Well, first of all, when I was little I remember our country’s

bicentennial celebration and the impact that it had on me at the time

as a young child. Then, there was the millennium. Both milestones

made me realize that our history is such important thing to celebrate

collectively because it reflects so much on our present life and our

future. I believe that there aren’t enough good milestones in life to

celebrate like this as a community. We all live in a very special

place and I feel very fortunate to be in this position. The story of

how Corona del Mar and the city of Newport Beach developed is a

fascinating one. There is so much pride and heritage in our

community. Then, once the committee started coming together earlier

this year, I was just so inspired by all of the wonderful people that

I was meeting along the way who wanted to be a part of making this

whole thing happen.

What is the hardest part of your role in this celebration?

With managing such a big committee, one of the biggest challenges

is making sure that we stay focused and that we hit internal

deadlines and follow our timeline without any major roadblocks.

Initially, the committee’s enthusiasm and wonderful ideas were almost

too overwhelming. But, we are really organized now. It’s really

starting to come together beautifully.

The time capsule sounds like a really fun idea. What kind of

things have you received, or what are you hoping to receive?

Yes, the time capsule will bring the entire community together in

a very special and fun way. The Historic Subcommittee is currently

working on all kinds of creative ideas. We will be encouraging the

community to submit ideas, antiques, heirlooms, photos or special

items that they would like have included in it. We also are looking

to work with the schools and do a children’s centennial art contest.

Then, early next year we will be unveiling an exciting community

fundraising campaign which will allow people the opportunity to be a

part of the actual time capsule through the purchase of bronze

nameplate bricks. I think if people feel like they are actually a

part of something special like this, it will really generate

centennial spirit that will continue to grow throughout the year. It

will also cross promote all of the centennial special events.

In researching the history of Corona del Mar is there one person,

event, location or story you have come across that really sticks in

your head? What is it?

So far, I think Mary Everett Burton’s story of growing up in

Corona del Mar in the early 1900s pretty much says it all -- in her

words. Luvena Hayton, has been so wonderful in distributing the late

Burton’s memoirs titled, “Happy House: Early Days in Corona del Mar.”

In addition to Luvena, Bill Hendricks from Sherman Library & Gardens

and Opal Kissinger have really touched me too with their wonderful

stories. I have not had the pleasure of meeting Judge Robert Gardner

yet but, I will. I’m sure more stories will develop as we get closer

to the Centennial and the community gets more involved.

How are you coming on acquiring a site for the time capsule and

monument? Can we look forward to it, there on the corner of Ocean

Boulevard and Larkspur Lane, overlooking Corona del Mar State Beach?

I certainly hope so. The committee feels that this would be a

wonderful location for the time capsule and we are looking into to it

as a proposed site with the City and the neighborhood. The idea with

this proposed location is to enhance the community in a very special

way which honors the history of our community and our most valuable

natural resource -- our ocean. The committee will be initiating a

neighborhood get together next month to discuss the concept first

because we want to make sure that the community likes this spot.

Then, we will be going through the formal process of getting the

approval of the [Parks, Beach and Recreation] Commission and the

Newport Beach City Council.

You are not only the director of the entire centennial celebration

but you are the chairwoman of two of the subcommittees as well. How

do you find time for all this, while running your consulting firm,

having a social life and the little things such as eating, sleeping,

etc.?

Well, I have to say that my energy level is directly related to

what I’m doing and who I am working with. Having some fun along the

way helps too. I love a good challenge, and I think this is a really

good project to be a part of. I have also tried to focus on

recruiting a strong executive committee of leaders and a foundation

that is reflective of the entire community to support me. We also

have more than 200 community volunteers already signed up. I am

trying to do everything that I can to make the experience a good one

for the volunteers, because they are who I depend on. This is a total

team effort. The two subcommittees that I am directly responsible for

in addition to overseeing the entire centennial celebration are the

fundraising and marketing subcommittees, and that is what I do

professionally for a living. I also have a really great marketing

coordinator to help me along the way too.

Are you still looking for volunteers? What can people do to help?

Yes, we encourage the community to get involved in the planning

along way. It’s going to be a lot of fun. The more volunteers that we

have -- the better our celebration will be for everyone. We have

monthly volunteer meetings. We are also building a centennial e-mail

distribution database to distribute various updates and

announcements. There are five subcommittees that people can volunteer

for. They are: The Special Events Committee, The Historic Committee,

Fundraising, Community Outreach and Marketing. We will also need lots

of helpers at the actual events next year too. I encourage people to

contact me for more information at (949) 675-0501 or e-mail

[email protected]

Of all the things planned for the celebration -- the gala, the

environmental walk, the time capsule, the television series, etc. --

which are you looking forward to the most and why?

That’s easy. The thing that I am looking forward to the most is

seeing the entire community come together in such a special way

because this only happens once every 100 years. There are so many

ways that people can be part of the celebration. I’m looking forward

to the whole year. It’s going to be a lot of fun. I am also very

proud of the committee for embracing the time capsule project because

it will be a wonderful thing that will enhance our community for

future generations to enjoy. I only wish I could be there for the

bicentennial to open it up -- hmmm? We might have to update it in 50

years? What do you think?

What are some of your hobbies or favorite activities --

considering you have any spare time to enjoy them?

Well, I love the time I spend with my family and friends. I could

never have too much time for that. Besides enjoying the beach where I

live, I always look forward to ski season. Every year I try to get a

few days of snowboarding in before the snow melts with my friends. I

also started this tradition of running the Chicago Marathon every

year. It’s such a great event. It was just a couple of weeks ago and

this year I was able to raise over $2,500 for the American Cancer

Society as a charity runner -- thanks to my friends and family. That

meant a lot to me. Next year I want to qualify for Boston. I do

definitely wish I had more time to travel.

OK. Anyone who has spent more than 10 minutes with you, knows you

have a great personality and the sweetest voice. What would it take

to get you mad? Is there anything that makes you yell?

A good sporting event makes me yell -- I used to be a cheerleader.

No, seriously. there are things everyday that make me mad to varying

degrees -- but, very few things that would make me yell.

Unfortunately, getting mad sometimes is just part of life. I just

challenge myself to try to keep life in perspective. I believe that

it is more about what you do and what is actually being said -- than

how loud you have to say it.