BARBARA DIAMOND: Seniors, Inc. says thanks

Laguna Beach Seniors, Inc. hosted a reception Sunday at the North Laguna home of Frank and Lee Winocur Field for major donors to the proposed center on Third Street.

“It was just a thank you — we didn’t hit anyone up for money,” said Winocur Field, Seniors’ board member and past chair of the finance committee. “I think they were all surprised.”

Speakers included Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider, a driving force behind the center; Seniors, Inc. President Pauline Walpin; Executive Director Anne Morris; and homegrown Community/Senior Center architect Charlie Williams, a graduate of Laguna Beach High School.

Among the honored guests: the Quilter brothers, Chris, Pat and Charlie, his wife, Ann, and their daughter, Emily, who photographed the reception. The brothers, including Matthew, who did not attend the reception, donated $750,000 to the center, which will be named Susi Q, the pen name used by their mother, the late Elizabeth Howe Quilter, on her biweekly column for the Coastline News, the predecessor of the Coastline Pilot.

Chris serves on Seniors’ board of directors. Ann co-chairs the capital campaign with Darrcy Loveland Bickel.

“We are very pleased with the community’s response toward our $350,000 Hearts of Montage Challenge Grant,” Ann Quilter said. “The response has been excellent. While we are getting close to reaching our goal, we still have a ways to go.”

Hearts of Montage, the charitable group of employees at the resort and spa, was represented at the reception by Carol Reynolds — no, not either of the two former Laguna Beach Arts Commissioners with the same name, one of which was spelled with an “e.” This one is the Montage’s director of human resources and a member of Seniors’ board.

Donors who were on hand to be personally thanked included members of the Kling family: Donalyn, her daughter, Vicki Gumm and her son, Daryl, and his partner, Lewis Guthrie. The foundation adopted the computer and art rooms at the proposed center and also donated funds to refresh the dining room now used by the seniors at the Veterans Memorial Building on Legion Street.

Noel Johnson represented Laguna Beach Rotary, which is funding the center’s outreach office.

Marthann Newton, who has pledged to pay for the executive director’s office, was escorted by former City Councilman Paul Freeman.

Also: Joe and Jane Hanauer, who bought the center’s nutritional services room; seniors’ board member Laura Holty, who chose to fund the board room; Card Room underwriter Kay Whitaker and Winocur Field’s mother, Esther Miller, who handed over a check at the reception for the full amount for the center library.

Also on the guest list: Leon and Bree Burgess Rosen, Seniors’ President Lee Andersen and board members Ruth Stafford, Louise Buckley, Bhagu Bhatia and Stuart Wilson and his partner Dr. Korey Jorgensen.

CURTAIN DOWN

The eight-day run of No Square Theatre’s production of “Narnia” closed Sunday.

“There were a few tears today,” said Director Kym Sawtelle-Castuera. “It was a great experience for the kids and a success on several levels.”

In addition to tears, there were plenty of bouquets. Sasha Jay brought pink gerberas for Sawtelle-Cateura. Kirsten Landsieder and her big brother, Andrew, brought flowers for his Top of the World fifth-grade classmate, Gabriella Crivello, who played “Lucy” — the youngest sister through the wardrobe and into “Narnia” — in the final performance.

Friends and families had no problem identifying cast members.

“Angel Caban, who designed the costumes, felt — quite rightly — that no principals should wear masks or makeup so that they couldn’t be recognized,” said No Square founder Bree Burgess Rosen.

The cast of 41 included only two adults.

“All of the children who attended No Square’s Narnia Camp conducted by Vanessa Schneller and Linda Haylett this summer were in the show,” Burgess said.

Although “Annie Warbucks” was the largest show ever produced by No Square, “Narnia” was probably the showiest.

“It was the most elaborate production of theirs that I have seen,” said Exchange Club President Katy Moss.

The sets and costumes were spectacular, and they will be stored until a decision is made whether to rent them out or sell them. Burgess Rosen has reserved the costumes for the goats, the fawn, the white stag and some of the aliens for “Lagunatics.” Don’t ask.

“Lloyd Charton, who is president of our board, has underwritten the cost of a storage unit,” Burgess Rosen said.

However, the board might opt to rent out the show to other schools and theater companies. No Square belongs to the American Association of Community Theater, through which rental information can be exchanged on shows that have been taken to a significantly higher level.

“If you can afford it, renting is the least labor-intensive way,” Burgess Rosen said.

No Square rented props, costumes, set and recorded sound for “Nunsense” in 1997.

“We were going to rent [a set] for ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ for $2,500, but I got it for free from a school,” Burgess Rosen said.

No Square’s original sets and costumes for “Narnia” were pricey. But the entire show was underwritten, including part of a community assistance grant from the city and the year’s whole Festival of Arts grant.

The community theater operates on grants, contributions and time donated by volunteers, frequently drafted and organized by Sande St. John.

Connie Burlin, a new recruit, staffed the will-call desk Sunday.

Marion Rice, Walt Hansen, Diane Jergens and Rose Hancock, assisted by granddaughter, Chloe, 7, all helped serve refreshments. Bill Morris, Bill Fry, Carolyn Miller, Jessica De Stefano and Anne Wood stepped in wherever needed. Ditto Thurston 8th-grader Brad Itnyre.

“Brad showed up Friday night looking for tickets, and no one was here,” St. John said. “He said, ‘I can help,’ and he’s been here for all the rest of the performances.”

In the audience: Tom Greenwell; Ericka Waidley and her daughter, Kaitlyn; John and Stephanie Medoff-Jay; and the Pietigs: John and Peggy, and sons Jacob, 6, and Danny, 9.