Florida Today from Cocoa, Florida • Page 37

REACHING OUT TODAY'S GOOD BET Can you help? Exchange Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse of the Space Coast Inc. needs volunteers. Call 951-0511. A honey of a musical Rising Stars Youth Theatre presents 'Winnie-the-Pooh' at 2 p.m., Emma Parrish Theatre, Titusville. Call 268-1125.

Whatever happened to I SUNDAY, March 18, 1990 Dinnerparties fun for all at Wuesthoff All Of Brevard County's hospitals have found a wonderful way to raise money and have a terrific evening at the same time: dinner parties. It was Wuesthoff Hospital that led the way 20 years ago with its first "Lifesaver Dinner Parties." Since Li UJuJ Ih I Nil 0 7 years ago, model says gpodbye, hasn't been heard from since that time, Holmes, Cape Canaveral and Jess Par-rish have followed in Wuesthoffs successful footsteps. The night of April 21 has been set as the 21st annual Lifesaver Dinners. Last year's event raised more than $32,000 and, of course, organizers are hoping for more this time 'round. If you've never been to one of these hospital AMY CLASX PEOPLE like this place.

I've lived here all my life and I'd like to stay here. Ever since I was a little girl, I've always dreamed of having a house on Cocoa Beach and living happily ever after. 1 Tami-Lynn Leppert, March 1983 It was the last interview she gave before the fairy tale disintegrated, and she was good at it: poised, engaging, an easy smile that could melt glacial skepticism. Naturally she was good. She was a pro.

Four hundred-ten talent and beauty contests since age 4. Two hundred-eighty trophies. She had just turned 18, and she was at a crossroad. Her latest flirtation with Hollywood a cinematic turkey called "Spring Break" had just been released. But she harbored no illusions about it Her non-speaking role as a bikinied nymphet carried no more weight than her earlier cameos in "Little Darlings" and "Scarface." What "Spring Break" represented was the latest step in a carefully nurtured ascent to movie stardom.

If visibility management meant getting Tami's curvaceous hips splashed across a movie poster (four college dudes erecting a "Spring Break" flag atop them, reminiscent of the Allied triumph at Iwo Jima), that was good enough for now. And if Tami-Lynn Leppert felt compelled to feign embarrassment over this no-talent coup by crossing her eyes and making a goofy face, these were times for celebration. 4, Or so it seemed; At least three producers were talking major roles in upcoming projects. One critic, Steve Walz, was projecting her to be "one of the stars of the '80s," invoking her name in the same breath with Brooke Shields and insisting, "She's not just another dumb blonde." Model, dancer, beauty queen, Cover Girl at age 13. Five-feet five, hazel eyes, 105 pounds.

A can't-miss resume. A magnetic aura that turned the heads of men and boys alike, pulling strangers and their promises into her orbit But somewhere inside those invisible walls, beyond the curiosity of judges and talent scouts, a bomb was ticking. Those familiar with the sound never understood until it was much too late: The weight of expectations. A web of paranoia. Broken glass.

On July 6, 1983, Tami-Lynn Leppert went for a ride and vanished so cleanly it was as if she'd never existed. Nearly seven years later, beneath the cobwebs of distance, there isn't even a shrine to commemo parties, it's high time you gave it a try; They are absolutely delightful. People truly get into the swing of things and come up with some of the craziest, innovative costumes you've ever seen. Wuesthoffs fund-raiser kicks off at 5:30 that evening with a giant cocktail party at Barnett Bank in Cocoa Village, a prelude to the individual dinner parties, which begin at 8 p.m. Each party has a theme, and guests are supposed to come dressed according to their theme and most do because it makes it just that much more fun.

Hosts of the cocktail party are Gale and Mike Daly, Donald and Laurette Bryan, Janson and Becky Davis, Roger and Alpine Dykes, Lang and Judy Houston, Ned and Dot Kellar, Miml Marconi, Tom and Marge New-bern, Bill and Margaret Strain, and Gene and Tracey Canada. Themes and hosts of the dinner parties will be announced at a later date, but a few of the themes in 1989 were Country Hoedown, Mardi Gras Florida Style, Hello Hollywood, Viva Las Vegas, Mexican Fiesta and Circus, Circus! Chairing the 1990 dinners are Bunny Finney with Gale Daly, Suzanne el TobguL Susan Brodnan, Galr Knollinger, Martha Fulmer, Mimi Marconi, Judy Molitor, Becky Davis and Gail Stromire on the committee. Invitations to the dinners will go out soon. Anyone interested in becoming a host or attending a party, call Pennle Smith, director of development at 636-2211, Ext 5006. Proceeds go to Wuesthoffs open heart surgery unit 'Starlite' event "A Talent Night for Starlite" is set for today at Mama Mia's Kitchen in West Melbourne with continuous professional talent from 4 to 11 p.m.

The event will benefit Starlite Drug Abuse Center of Cocoa. Proceeds from this fund-raiser are earmarked to open a second center in Melbourne. The facility has been chosen, but $10,000 is needed to do the renovations. Admission is $10 per person (you may give more if you'd like), and a buffet dinner will be offered for $5.95 per person or $4.95 for seniors. Entertainment will range from The Joe Davis Show (Joe is formerly of The Drifters) and the magic and comedy of Greg Phillips to rock 'n' roll by Bluesteel and the flute talent of Michelle Denise Tyler and much, much more.

A I I 4 I '-Mil 1 rate what was. Only a question: Was Tami the architect and star of the perfect getaway or the victim of a perfect crime? TAMPS MOTHER AGENT Linda Curtis moved from Brevard County three years ago, primarily to shake the emptiness she felt every time she saw some thing that reminded her of Tami. Which was always. '-11 Producing the first of what will be regular talent nights for Starlite is Tim Kiernan of Curtis lives in Orlando, where she conducts her See MODEL, Next Page This picture was taken in 1983 after the release of 'Spring Break' and before Tami-Lynn Leppert's disappearance. Melbourne, who has a special interest in helping the organization get on its feet.

According to Vernon Glass, Starlite's executive director, "Starlite is the first community-based treatment facility licensed by the State of FloridaHRS to provide prevention, Story by Billy Cox 0 Photo by Malcolm Denemark intervention and outpatient treatment for the low and moderate income citizens of Brevard" who find themselves in trouble with drugs. Tickets will be available at the door. The public is invited. immm Kayla Branam-Lefkove 1 Lives in: Melbourne with her parents, Alra and Peter. Nickname: "K.K." Favorite foods: Lobster and calzone.

Ambition: To become a photographer or a teacher. Can't live Milestones: Keep tabs on your neighbors, 2D. Wedding bells: Here come the brides, 3D. Stay tuned: Highlights of last week's daytime soap operas, 4D. Mind game: So you think you're smart? Try the crossword puzzle, SD.

-era i A recent study shows that a high protein breakfast can increase learning. Annette Stein of State University College, Buffalo, N.Y., says that children who started the day with high protein foods gained seven months in reading achievement in a four-month period. Children who ate mainly sugary foods gained only 5.25 months of reading achievement in the same period. What were some of the figures that made the 1980s the largest decade of growth In Florida's history? For starters, how about 3.4 million new residents and 1.9 million new non-agricultural jobs. Or how about the 94,000 manufacturing jobs in the state (while the United States as a whole lost 900,000.) In the business convention and tourist areas, Florida's hotels and motels increased their occupancy rate to 33 percent, from just 20 percent at the end of the 1970s.

Art talk: FIT and Florida Endowment for the Humanities present "Artifacr and Desire" at 8:30 p.m. March 27, FIT, Evans Library, Room P-133, main campus, 150 W. University Melbourne. Call 768-8000, Ext. 6121.

Funny business In Vero: Comedianmusician Steve Allen performs at 2 and 8 p.m. Wednesday, Riverside Theatre, 400 Beach-land Vero Beach. Tickets: $30, $25 for matinee. Call 1-231-6990. A tasteful gathering: Port Malabar Lions Club spon- without: Chocolate-covered potato chips.

Wishes that she were more: Athletic. Spends free time: Playing Nintendo. Movie that makes her cry: "It's a Wonderful Life." sors annual Easter Wine Festival from 2 to 5 p.m. March 25, Holiday Inn, 1881 Palm Bay Road, Palm Bay. Donation: $5.

Call 724-2171. i.