Columnist Susan Foyt: UNR supporters, alumni honored at annual dinner

Susan Foyt

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

ILLUSTRATING the fond memories and enduring respect they have for the University of Nevada, Reno, a host of supporters and past students attended the annual Silver and Blue Dinner at the Riviera Hotel. The dinner was chaired by Bill "Wildcat" Morris and wife Vivienne, both UNR graduates who sent three of their children there as well. With them in the planning sessions were many Nevadans, including Dr. Wendy Scheer, Bill and Marilyn Flangas, Beverly Carlino-Banta, Biffie and Tom Kerestisi, Assemblyman Gene Segerblom and Dorothy Huffey, director of university development for Southern Nevada.

Honored with Blue and Silver Awards were special guests Valerie Wiener, in the name of her late father, Louis Wiener, and James Rogers and Sunbelt Broadcasting Co. Wiener, who worked his way through UNR during the Great Depression, not only shared his success with the school during his life, but, through his estate, provided generously for the university and specifically the University of Nevada School of Medicine. The pediatric clinic at its Southern Nevada facility will be named for him.

Rogers, his friend and law partner, calling forth a rush of memories, spoke eloquently of Wiener's credo of "giving back, of the responsibility of sharing wealth, and the necessity of providing opportunities for others." Rogers' own gift of $500,000 came with a challenge to all others present.

Present for the dinner were supporters, including fellow medical school benefactor Ida Ambrose, Dr. Andres Costas, chairman of the medical school's minority recruitment committee, the Rev. Jerry Blankinship, Ralph and Sara Denton, University Regent Shelley Berkley and sister-in-law Elise Berkley, and U.S. Sen. Richard and Bonnie Bryan.

Mingling with friends while enjoying the evening were Sue Clark, Liz Vlaming, Regent Mark Alden with Mary Schirling, Cheryl and Bert Purdue, Jan and Owen Nitz, Judge Bill Maupin and Jeanne and Bill Ireland with Judy and Richard Pfieffer.

Garden party

Ann and Kap Kaplan recently opened their home for a membership garden party with the Nevada Symphony Orchestra Guild. The mild weather and poolside setting provided the perfect ambiance for the gathering of new, old and prospective members. President Jo Bonin welcomed Joanne Stevenson, Hank Sullivan, Beverly McClure, Lou Bates, Betty Fulton, Sam Banker and Victoria Morgan. New member Dr. Robert Strimling, who recently returned to Las Vegas to open his medical practice, was among those learning guild activities from secretary Mary Gafford, past president Sally Wathen and her son Henry Woods.

Over dinner, Sylvia Taub discussed her recent summer travels, which took her across Europe and to Russia by cruise ship. Hearing the details were friends Penny Marks, Gwen Den Hooven, Persia Golden, May Muskin and Bertha Connoleous. Kay and Allen Browne, who also enjoy the pleasures of travel, are recently back from the West Coast, where they enjoyed a round of opera and symphony performances in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Taking precedence over all was discussion of "Crescendo Five," a benefit luncheon for the Nevada Symphony Orchestra, planned for Sunday at the MGM Grand. Colleen Schroeder, chairwoman, discussed details with Cathy Bittinger, Sis Fine and Beverly McClure. Tickets are still available, but reservations (798-6648) are necessary.

The winner is ...

The recent Electronic Media Awards was an evening of camaraderie and celebration for those who define Southern Nevada radio and television. Presented by the Las Vegas Women in Communications, this yearly program generously funds communication scholarships for students at UNLV and CCSN, annually providing $10,000 or more.

Welcoming remarks by WIC president Susan Fleitz paid tribute to the work of event chairman Donna Lee, who worked for most of the past year developing the competition, arranging for the judging pool and assembling the video and audio spots used in each category. Serving on her committee were many talented professionals, among them Lisa Searcy, Aimee Wise, Eva Carter, Linda Gasson, Ruth Ann Vineyard and Debbie Hall, as well as Kelly Gresh, Shari Sutton, Ann Herrington, Amy Meyer and Lori Pruitt.

Melanie Brubaker-Mazur and Dave Courvoisier made the award announcements for categories ranging from Best Video Essay (won by Todd Mossburg) to Best Television Public Service Announcement-60 Second (honors to Gary Campbell) to Melanie McKay's award for radio's finest public service program. Pilar Tester, daughter of Hank and Gloria Tester, who grew up in and around television newsrooms, was recognized with Mike Shoup for Best Television News-30 Minutes for KLAS' "Eyewitness News at Noon."

Held in the grand ballroom of the Monte Carlo hotel-casino, the event began with a cocktail mixer where guests enjoyed a lavish spread of hors d'oeuvre. An extensive silent auction was held on the upper level of the hotel's micro-brewery. Bidding on dinners, shows and movie memorabilia were Judy Robinson, Mary Hausch with hubby state Sen. Bob Coffin, Tim Quillen, Laura Herlovich, Lisa Poe, Gary Kreps and Pamela Arnold-Lerne, as well as Melissa Stefis, Jay and Nichole Casey, Ed Rivera and Bill Franklin.

Bon appetit

Fast approaching is one of the season's finest opportunities to combine charitable inclinations with a taste for the very best in dining. "Bon Appetit Las Vegas," planned for Oct. 27 in the Skyview Room at Bally's, will benefit the Ronald McDonald House. Fifteen top chefs, led by Lucio Arancibia, executive chef of the Excalibur hotel-casino, will prepare a seven-course gourmet dinner. The culinary extravaganza will begin at 5:15 p.m. with a champagne reception and silent auction. Dinner will follow at 6, with seating limited to maintain the elegant mood of the evening.

The chefs donate their services and secure donations of much of the food, helping to direct the greatest possible portion of the proceeds to the building fund.

To be completed in 1997, the Las Vegas Ronald McDonald house will be a home away from home for families while their seriously ill children are treated at nearby hospitals. Planned to provide accommodations for up to 12 families, the facility will include two kitchens, a fenced play yard, a quiet room and help for other special needs. To assist local efforts to build the Ronald McDonald House to purchase tickets for "Bon Appetit Las Vegas," call 252-4663.