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MOUSE WHO SOURED AWARD: Michael Ovitz, who, tired of being the eighth dwarf, left the Magic Kingdom
INCOMPATIBLE COUPLE OF THE YEAR: Yasser Arafat and Benjamin Netanyahu, with more battles in sight and no legal divorce available
LOCAL HEROES ANNE LUSK, 48; STOWE, VERMONT; founder of Single Volunteers
Turned off by personal ads, dating services and blind dates, the single mother of two wanted to find a more meaningful way for the unattached to meet. In July she started SV, whose 125 members get to know one another while doing tough charity work--including clearing trails, cooking at halfway houses and building Habitat for Humanity homes. Says Lusk: "All pretenses of appearance are gone. There is no rejection in volunteerism."
ELLIOTT PORTNOY, 31; WASHINGTON; attorney
In 1992 Portnoy founded K.E.E.N. (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now). The weekly program pairs volunteer coaches with mentally and physically handicapped athletes for activities such as tennis, soccer and basketball. It has served more than 150 children with the help of 400 volunteers. Says Portnoy: "Some parents act as round-the-clock caregivers. One mother told me she wanted to watch a session because 'it's the first time I've ever seen anyone enjoy being with my child.'"
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
KURT WALDHEIM, 78; VIENNA, AUSTRIA; Former U.N. Secretary-General
In 1987 the Justice Department concluded that Waldheim had been a Nazi intelligence officer during World War II and barred him from entering the U.S. Nevertheless, Waldheim, who served as U.N. chief from 1972 to 1982, is continuing efforts to clear his name. In The Answer, an autobiography published in June, he writes, "I did what was necessary to survive the day, the system, the war--no more, no less." He concedes that hiding his war record was a mistake but blames American Jews for his placement on the U.S. "watch list" of war criminals. He retired in 1992, following a six-year term as Austria's President--during which he was shunned by world leaders. An active grandfather of three, Waldheim now enjoys cycling, sailing and cross-country skiing, and international affairs remains an abiding interest. Recently, he openly criticized U.S. opposition to the re-election of U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali.