Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Royal theme celebrated at event for local foundation

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1999 | 12:07 p.m.

The most elegant reception and dinner for the Museums, Library and Arts Foundation was recently held at the Rio hotel-casino.

The special "Treasures of Russia" dinner opened with a congenial cocktail reception held in the Rio's Lily of the Valley Room, where the panoramic views from this popular wedding reception spot nicely complemented the gourmet quality of the canapes and service provided.

Arriving guests included Nevada Assembly representatives, among them Harry Moartensen, Gene Segerblom, David Parks, Chris Giunchigliani, Vonne Chowning, Sandra Tiffany and Merle Berman. Enjoying the graceful start to the evening as well were state Sen. Mike and Candy Schneider representing the Nevada Arts Council, as well as Clark County Commissioners Lance Malone, Bruce Woodbury with his lovely wife, Rose, Myrna Williams and Erin Kenny. High-ranking officials from Clark County also included Jim Spinello, Thomas Reilly, Laura Fitzpatrick and Dale Askew.

Renny Ashleman, who serves as treasurer of the foundation, attended with his wife, Susan Haase, and masterfully took on host and announcer duties for the program during dinner in the Rio's Barrel Room, inside the hotel's vast wine cellars. Working with the theme "Dining With the Czars," chefs prepared a "Catherine the Great" menu, which opened with borscht and cucumbers with honey yogurt dressing, followed by an entree of venison with wild berry vodka compote and chicken cutlets Pojarsky, accompanied by onion chive potatoes. Dessert was strawberries Romanov and, as with each previous course, was served with the proper wines selected by master sommelier Barry Larvin.

Enjoying this most splendid dinner and the tour of "Treasures of Russia" which followed were foundation board members John and Katrina Copoulos, Renee Diamond, Dr. Doris Dwyer, Bob and Linda Ostrovsky, Marydean Martin with her husband, Charles Silvestri, and longtime supporters Drs. Joseph and Geraldine Thornton. Present to enjoy the occasion as well were Ray Harris, of Southern Energy Company, and Dave Immon, of Ericsson Private Radio Systems, joined by Shirl Naegle, director of the Nevada State Museum and Historical Society, Joan Kerschner, director of Nevada's Department of Museums, Library and Arts, and supporters including Danny Lee, Wendy Starkweather and Dan Gouker. The dinner was underwritten by the Greenspun Foundation, with additional grants from Ericsson Radio Systems and Southern Energy Inc.

Super success

Calling it one of their most successful events to date, John Carlson, director of food and beverage at Main Street Station, presided over its finest Super Bowl festivities. He credited its recent advertisements on the Internet for sparking special interest in both the Triple 7 Brewpub party and the ever-elegant "Cigar Smoker plus Super Bowl" event inside the Pullman Grille as the reason both were sold-out occasions.

With the capable assistance of chefs Ward Daughters and Chet Teel, attending guests were each made to feel truly special, given the finest cigars and served an array of speciality liquors including single malt scotches, small batch bourbons and premium tequilas, as provided by Nevada Liquor and Wine. Arriving guests signed their names to the football pool chart, among them Rick Lemoines, Jim McIntyre, Michael Slatta, Ken Moore, Bob Painter and Bernie Stanton with Barbara Wundrow.

Arranged with comfort and easy watching in mind, this party offered both traditional football game fare and the gourmet dishes that are the trademarks of the handsome eatery. Sushi, Maryland crab cakes, shrimp scampi, carved sirloin and fresh fruits and desserts were offered in a continual stream from the kitchens, along with libations from the serving crew. Relaxing with their cigars as they watched this decisive game were Mark Smith, Phil Fentress, Amy Hilton, Ron Dolly, Bill Robertson and David and Valerie Sanchilli, owners of the Stogie Shop, which supplied the specialty cigars given to guests.

Holiday help

Ever wonder how a community project really turned out? Where the donated dollars were spent and made an impact?

The members of Soroptimist International of Greater Las Vegas recently conducted their annual Holiday Baskets service project. With the kind help of donors throughout the community, SIGLV members were able to supply food baskets to more than 100 needy families during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

In addition, nearly 90 gifts and toys were purchased, wrapped and distributed to needy children, adults and seniors. Soroptimist International is a worldwide service organization for business and professional women, which provides service to local, national and international communities. SIGLV maintains a nonprofit status, and channels 100 percent of its funds to the designated service project.

New Year's nuptials

Best wishes and congratulations are extended to Carolyne Edwards and Richard "Rich" Myers, well-recognized Las Vegas residents who began the New Year with nuptials celebrated at noon on New Year's Day on the beach in Oregon. The Honorable Neil Lemery, Oregon Municipal Court judge, officiated.

The double ring ceremony was private and casual with the bride wearing white, the groom in black (sweat suits). The sparkling day on Cannon Beach, Ore., lived up to its notation in the logs of Lewis and Clark's 1806 expedition, where it was described as "a beautiful sand shore," a place where the Ecola (whale creek) flows into the Pacific.

Home now in Las Vegas, the couple spent Valentine's weekend settling into their new home in the Las Vegas Country Club. Carolyne, former principal, curriculum consultant and governmental affairs specialist for the Clark County School District, is a first-year law student at the Boyd School of Law at UNLV. Interestingly, the law school facilities are at the former Paradise Elementary School, where Carolyne recently served as principal.

Rich, a practicing attorney in Southern Nevada for more than 20 years, is a senior partner in the law firm of Crockett and Myers.

Benefit event

A beloved favorite among charitable evenings, "Starry Starry Nights," to benefit Nevada Association of the Handicapped, is slated for Feb. 27.

Swing dancing to the music of the Dick McGee Orchestra in the Mirage Ballroom at the Mirage hotel-casino will carry on the theme "Swing and Sway the Night Away." Celebrities in support of the occasion will donate chef's aprons to be auctioned. Those invited to participate include: Phyllis McGuire, Siegfried and Roy, Martha Stewart, Tommy Tune, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Bill Snyder and Lance Burton, as well as Rosie O'Donnell, The Smothers Brothers and Gov. Kenny and Dema Guinn.

Windom Kimsey and Bill Snyder will serve as this year's honorary chairpersons for the dinner event, while Roger and Sandy Peltyn, with Rino Armeni and Larry and Camille Ruvo, will coordinate the live auction and dinner dance. Attire for the evening is dressy casual. Further details and ticket information are available by contacting Angie Wallin at 870-7050.

Generous donations

Recent visitors backstage to Lance Burton's green room at the Monte Carlo hotel-casino's showroom included Peter Reveen, Pauline McFetridge and Donald Ferraro. The occasion was a special honor and award presented by Variety International in recognition of Burton's recent $5,000 contribution to Variety Club of the United States' newest fund-raiser, "The Bash."

Last year's bash, "Benny Goes To Town," started in Philadelphia and concluded in Boston as the year ended. Older model cars were decorated to reflect their sponsors' business interests, and were driven along a special route of children's special needs facilities and hospitals. At each stop, funds donated by Variety Club members and other generous donors were distributed. The 1998 "Bash" contributed $2.2 million to help America's children heal and grow healthy.