Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Newspaper rekindles fine era

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, June 8, 2000 | 9:20 a.m.

Ruthe Deskin is assistant to the publisher. Her column appears Thursdays. Reach her at deskin@lasvegassun.com

An invitation to the 80th birthday party of an old friend brought back memories of Las Vegas as it used to be and amazement at the speed with which the years have gone by.

Add that to the discovery of a fun newspaper called the Branding Iron Record and nostalgia ruled my day.

The newspaper is dated Oct. 28, 1952, and served as a program for the Las Vegas Press Club's annual Branding Iron Dinner. Patterned after the famous Washington Grid Iron Dinner, the main purpose was to pierce arrows into the manipulations of politicians as well as uncover stories never before revealed. Even the most powerful were held up to ridicule, if they deserved it. The Branding Iron Dinners were the social events of the year in the '50s and '60s.

Just think what fun a wacky bunch of scriptwriters could have with present-day Las Vegas. The state Ethics Commission would be a sure thing, as would people like Steve Wynn, Oscar Goodman, Kirk Kerkorian, Yvonne Atkinson Gates, the Binions, Frankie Sue Del Papa and UNLV President Carol Harter. The crazy schemes to revitalize downtown, Republicans, Democrats, water, traffic and all the problems that plague our area would be ripe material for a Branding Iron revue. There would be enough material for a two-night stand.

Scanning through that old Branding Iron newspaper, I noted names of many who were a part of Las Vegas history. Most of them are gone -- Ken O'Connell, Ray Germain, Art Force, Bill Willard, George Franklin, Ken Frogley, Lou Hess, Bill Kozloff, Milton Prell, Sid Sheppard, Teumsech McCall, Max Kelch, Hal Braudis, Max Goot, Harry Wallerstein and Benny Goffstein to name a few.

Henry and Jeanne Chretien, Boots Van Horn, Don English, Vern Willis and J. Kell Houssels Jr. are among those who are still with us and listed in the credits for the old Branding Iron revue.

As an indication of what the years can do to friendships, I found names of many old acquaintances of whom I have no knowledge of their present state or if they are still on this good earth.

I do know that each and every one out of the past had something to do with the present and the unbelievable growth of Las Vegas. They should not be forgotten.

Lest one get the idea that the Branding Iron was a frivolous affair, it also served as a forum to introduce the Las Vegas Press Club scholarship winners -- in the case of the 1952 affair the student winners were Romaine Roth and Sandra Mitts.

I have nothing against strikes and picketing if the cause if just, but the old blood boils every time I see a small child walking a picket line holding a sign. Even worse, a baby in a stroller on the picket line. The chances for violence that could endanger the children are too great for parents to take this risk.

It's called child endangerment, in case you don't know.

Every time I look at Pug, my adopted black cat, I think of all the stray cats who aren't so lucky.

Henry and Louise Colucci do more than just think about the forgotten felines. While most retirees spend time in leisurely pursuits, the Coluccis devote themselves to rounding up stray cats and taking them to the Animal Foundation for free spaying and neutering.

As is often pointed out, the booming growth of our area has resulted in an explosion in the numbers of stray cats and dogs. The record number of feral and stray animals increases each day. The Coluccis believe that catching feral and stray cats and having them spayed or neutered will help solve the problem.

They welcome calls regarding their program of trapping, spaying and neutering and subsequent release of the animals. Call 363-8616 or 438-4721. The Coluccis' motto is, "Help us help them."

Have you seen any of the new dollar gold coins floating around? Remember the Susan B. Anthony dollar coins that rained on the American scene like a lead balloon? I understand millions of dollars worth are still sitting in government vaults. We would hope the new gold dollar coins have more success.

A fitting sign seen on a pickup truck: "Allergies are nothin' to sneeze at."