Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Foundation dinner replete with dignitaries

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, April 12, 2000 | 1:01 a.m.

Elizabeth Foyt's social column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at elizabethfoyt@prodigy.net.

A true celebration of community, the UNLV Foundation Dinner 2000 was an extraordinary occasion unlike any other. Strictly an invitation-only affair, the guest list is comprised of those who have led our city and will shape its future, all while supporting the growth and development of UNLV.

Hosted by Steve and Elaine Wynn at Bellagio, the dinner paid special tribute to Michael Gaughan, Claudine Williams and the Nevada Community Foundation (represented by Doug Beckley), as they became new members of the elite Palladium Society, most generous donors who have contributed cumulative gifts of $1 million or more to UNLV.

Opening with a champagne reception, the attending guests included Linda and Bob Faiss, Jackie Leonard with Karin Borgman, Irma Lee Ross, Joyce Mack, Ray and Charlene Vega, Mary Hausch with her husband, state Sen. Bob Coffin, and Buck and Aurora Wong, as well as Charlene and Frank Scott, Dr. Tony Marlon, Ted and Maria Quirk and Wing and Lilly Fong.

Peter Jennings, the evening's distinguished speaker whose appearance was generously underwritten by Wells Fargo, mingled easily with guests: U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan, birthday celebrant J.A. Tiberti and wife Corrine, Phyllis McGuire, Allen and Kaye Browne, Ken and Carolyn Sparks, Judge Nancy Oesterle and Nevada Power's new president, Michael Niggli and wife Barbara.

Don Snyder, chair of the UNLV Foundation, led the evening's smoothly run program, giving eloquent tributes to Ernest A. Becker, Kenneth J. Sullivan, Jr., and Richard Tam, each of whom have left a lasting impact on the university and our community. Speaking as well was Dr. Carol Harter, UNLV president, who praised the efforts of Steve and Elaine Wynn, Larry and Camille Ruvo, Kitty Rodman, and corporate sponsors Wells Fargo Bank and Ethel M Chocolates for their part in creating such a lovely evening.

Introducing Mr. Jennings was Laura Schulte, president/CEO of Wells Fargo-Nevada. Glimpsed in the crowd of notables were Andy and Janet Blumen, Joyce and Steve Schneider, Jim Webster, Hope and Joe Anstett and Bernice Fischer, as well as Elaine McNamara, Dr. Harold and Judy Boyer, Ivan and Bernice Isenberg, Dee Snyder and Emilie Wanderer, who also celebrated her birthday with best wishes from the assembled foundation members.

A look back

Fashionable ladies abounded at Saturday's "Clothes of an Era" luncheon to benefit the Museums, Library and Arts Foundation. A first event for the statewide organization, the luncheon at Mandalay Bay hotel-casino drew supporters, including Rita Isom, Brenda Tanner, Iown Gifford, Natalie Rittenhouse, Frankie Williams, Corrine Sidney, Blanche Bozarth, Monica Hunt and Janice Lennartz. Mary Morgan, arriving with friends Helen Garriott, Elizabeth Creveling and Vernele Bachenheimer, found her group warmly welcomed by event volunteers Bernie Lenz, Winnie Jardines and Rose Irwin.

Celebrating the occasion as well was Renee Diamond, who filled the Station Casinos-sponsored table with guests Linda Favero, Joy Jones, Jan Johnson and Clark County Commissioner Myrna Williams.

Exhibited were many of the inaugural gowns worn by Nevada's first ladies, with special interest given the gown chosen by Dema Guinn, honorary co-chair of the luncheon, who attended with Gov. Kenny Guinn. Following a most pleasant meal, fashions for both men and women took center stage and stretched our historical perspectives with authentic prairie dresses and miners' garb; then on to elaborate Victorian mourning attire, silk tea gowns and into the more recent decades with tie-died and hippy attire.

Alice Denton, Pam Banta-Lavonez with her baby, Dylan, Judith Harriman, Cledia Burney, Lissa Danagelis and Todd Goodbinder, to name just a few, wore these treasured remnants of Nevada life. All of the clothing, transported by special vans to Southern Nevada, was on loan from the Marjorie Russell Clothing and Textile Center in Carson City.

Bruce Steivel of Nevada Ballet Theatre provided the staging and direction, popular newscaster Paula Francis the narration, and Jim Sacca the well-researched hairstyles and makeup to complement the cavalcade of fashions.

Enjoying the luncheon with friends were Joanne Vaughn and daughter Michelle Compton, Sherry Colquitt with granddaughter Claire, Sandy Windom and her newly-married daughter, Jennifer Schmidt, Edythe Katz Yarchever, attorney Nancy Allf and Lori Porter, as well as Tom and Marilyn Starks and Danny and Dorothy Lee.

Linked up

Link, Inc., the Las Vegas chapter, will host a black-tie gala at Paris Las Vegas on April 29. Planned with an eye toward elegance, "April In Paris" will open with a cocktail reception and music by the talented Joan Hollis. Dinner and dancing will be enjoyed with entertainment by Jimmy Willkins' New Life Orchestra.

The annual gala is an occasion to honor stellar individuals who have dedicated their efforts to improving the quality of life in the Las Vegas community. Honorees for 2000 are Dr. William "Bill" Sullivan (education), Rose McKinney-James (community service), Dr. Anthony Pollard (medicine), Elaine Wynn (the arts) and Robert L. Johnson (industry).

With nearly 10,000 members in 266 chapters across the United States, the Bahamas and Frankfurt, Germany, the organization in the past 54 years has sought to create not only a chain of friendship, but a chain of purposeful service for the communities it embraces. For further information on the "April In Paris" event or membership, please contact fund-raising chairman Hannah Brown at 436-4474.

Miracle of chocolate

"Unwrap a Miracle," a chocolate and champagne fantasy and dazzling first event, will assist both the Children's Miracle Network and the Clark County Law Foundation. An indulgence of confection with a superb dinner as well, the April 28 event at the Venetian is co-chaired by Nancy Allf, president of Clark County Law Foundation, and Cynthia Williams, University Medical Center Foundation trustee. All proceeds will remain in Nevada, providing services for children and their families who are served by the two agencies.

The black-tie chocolate and champagne fantasy will begin at 6 p.m. in the Venetian's Grand Ballroom, with guests invited to participate in a silent auction with gifts contributed by many of the Grand Canal Shoppes. Offered for sale as well will be entries in a chocolate centerpiece competition with UNLV students and leading executive and pastry chefs taking part. Contact Colleen Courtney, UMC foundation director, at 383-2326 for tickets and further details.