Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Desert Inn catches eye of Martha Stewart’s magazine

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2000 | 9:47 a.m.

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

It seems evident that even style guru Martha Stewart is bedazzled by our city's rich offerings. The Desert Inn has been selected by Martha Stewart's Weddings magazine for a lengthy feature in its April issue. The luxury resort was one of only two Las Vegas properties (the other was the Four Seasons Hotel) to be chosen for a special focus on what our city offers bridal couples.

Recently an editor and photographer from the magazine were at the Desert Inn and found themselves captivated by the magnificent Faberge wedding setting, which is offered exclusively at the resort.

Arrangements include complete Faberge place settings as well as a three-tiered wedding cake adorned with fresh roses and crowned with the Faberge wedding egg, featuring a 24-carat gold-plated bridal couple as the hidden surprise.

Faberge has granted the Desert Inn exclusive rights to offer this wedding package -- which includes selections such as Imperial caviar with Russian vodka served table-side. Each bridal couple will receive the Faberge wedding egg engraved with their names and date of the nuptials as a gift from the Desert Inn.

Gifts for wedding attendants will also be selected from a variety of Faberge items such as cigar ashtrays, picture frames and Limoges boxes. Wedding ceremonies can be arranged inside, or at the picturesque lagoon-style pool and courtyard gardens, or the championship golf course.

Flatley, Titanic honored

In a city known for its vast array of entertainment, recognition is often a rare commodity. Recently in ceremonies held at Paris Las Vegas, "Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance" and "Titanic: The Exhibition" were both awarded the 1999 Tourism Development Award at the 16th annual Governor's Conference on Travel and Tourism. Accepting the award for New York-New York's production of "Lord of the Dance" was Ira David Sternberg. Andy Velky, general manager of "Titanic: The Exhibition," represented the historical collection now offered at the Rio. Best wishes to all involved.

United Way benefit

Generous on many fronts, members of the Nevada Restaurant Association (NRA) are frequently the quiet donors who make charitable events possible by direct donations of food and services. Recently this professional organization of restaurant owners, key personnel and related service corporations met at Lawry's the Prime Rib for a holiday luncheon. Attending guests and their companies brought with them a virtual tower of food, case after case of food staples and letters explaining delivery arrangement for the perishable goods, all needed to help with United Way of Southern Nevada's holiday outreach program.

In partnership with the Nevada Hotel and Motel Association, the NRA also conducted a toy drive with distribution once again by the United Way.

Sponsoring the luncheon were Kim Piscione of First of Omaha Merchant Processing and Angela Nelson of Morris Communications/Best Read Guide. During the luncheon Angela explained her work in developing a website for the organization. Attending members included Dana Gaglione, Clark Cook, Walter Cary, Bob Stockwell and Jack McClary. Complimenting Executive Chef Michael Ty on his delightful luncheon of roast game hen with currant dressing were Audrey Lightner, Chrisse White-Waddell, Michelle Langielle and Karen Dorsey. Special guest was Rep. Shelley Berkley, past chairman of the NRA board and a longtime member.

NBT ball set

One of the most celebrated events of 2000 will be Nevada Ballet Theatre's Black And White Ball 2000 honoring Toni Clark, widow of Wilbur Clark, founder-builder of the Desert Inn and a community philanthropist in her own right. With a theme of "Celebrating the Arts," this splendid gala is slated for Jan. 21 at the Four Seasons Hotel and will be generously underwritten by Cartier. Gov. Kenny Guinn will serve as honorary chairman while Jay Kornmayer, senior vice president of Wells Fargo Bank, is dinner chairman. Serving on the "celebration" committee are NBT supporters, including Marian Afshai, Wendy Plaster, Susan Tompkins, Sharon Bader, Debra Shaiken and others.

An elegant program celebrating the fine arts in several mediums has been planned with special guest artists. For further details and reservations, please contact the Nevada Ballet Theatre at 243-2623. Tables of six, eight or 10 are available.

Art at Bellagio

The Nevada Arts Advocates, a statewide organization dedicated to advancing cultural arts in our state through education and advocacy, will hold its quarterly luncheon Jan. 19 at the Bellagio hotel-casino. Charlotte Carrier, director for the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, will speak on the history of the art acquired by the Bellagio.

The luncheon commences at noon in the Renoir Room at the Bellagio. The cost is $27 per person in advance or $30 at the door. For information and reservations, call 362-8885.

TROA celebrates

TROA (The Retired Officers Association), Las Vegas chapter, recently met for its annual yuletide party. The sociable event, which also serves as a changing of the guard for TROA presidents, was held in the Ohana Banquet Room at the California hotel. Dinner and dancing were enjoyed by retired officers and their wives.

Outgoing President Lt. Col. Denny Weddle, USAF, presided over the short program before turning over his gavel to Lt. Col. Jack Taylor, USAF. Watching the brief proceedings wre Chuck and Ulli Miyashiro, Frank and Betty Sain, Bob and Sylvy Titus, Bill and Mary Ellen Cushard and Pete and Paula Winegu.

New member Troy Caraway, who recently retired and joined BAN-COR Mortages, was seen with fellow guests Dr. Chi Chao Chiu and his wife, Dr. Yung Tsing Wong, joined by Helen Wigle, chaplain for the chapter. On the dance floor enjoying the music of the Tommy Amata Band were Dick and Helen Klatt, Karen and Thomas Shubbuck, Connie and Jim Hegdahl, Bill and Ruth Shields and Jim and Joan Stephens. Others in the attending crowd included Don Anderson, Jim Frank, Don Morgan, Margie Conway with Carmen Lewis, Betty and Hall Lewis, Adele Rothman, Jack Woods, Gwendolyn Williams, Dick Case and Reginald Underwood.

Tucker birthday party

An elaborate luncheon celebrating Sue Tucker's birthday was held Dec. 30 at the Fountains home of Sandy and Roger Peltyn in Green Valley. Hosted by Tucker's daughter, Jeri Packe, the assisting hosts included Tucker's son, Bill Tucker, granddaughter Samantha Packe and longtime family friend Sandy Peltyn.

Aileen O'Shields, 1999 Mrs. Nevada USA and Sandee Comito, the newly crowned 2000 Mrs. Nevada USA, were among the guests at this delightfully feminine affair. The luncheon table was a confection that charmed the eye and drew guests most willingly to their chairs. Adorned in filmy white sequin and chiffon cloth, the centerpiece was a tiered setting of pink silk for the luscious Irish whiskey liqueur cake created by Mara Braun.

Adding further luster to the table were strands of pearls and tiny rose buds, which were entwined with pink baby's breath in the pink silk. Each place setting had iridescently-wrapped ivory candles tied in pink silk ribbons and tiny crystal bowls filled with opalescent marbles and crystal gilded lillies.

Well-wishers enjoying the party included Pamela Gunter, Corey Porter, Olga Scheel, Julie Perkins and Nancy Weinstein. Chef John Clark catered the special event and chose to serve mimosas and fresh fruit frappes prior to the gourmet luncheon of consume and breast of capon salad with mandarin oranges served in pineapple boats. Sue Tucker, a resident since 1977, lives with Jeri and often lends a hand with her daughter's interior design company.