Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Polyester Ball proves to be groovy time for all

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, June 21, 2000 | 9:33 a.m.

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

KidsCharities.org, founded by Sue Shifrin Cassidy, is a nonprofit Internet-based organization that serves as an umbrella for many children's charities. Its efforts concentrate on those agencies that provide emergency and medical care, basic human needs, safety, education, the environment and the arts. Recently KidsCharities.org hosted the third annual David Cassidy Celebrity Golf Tournament. Highly successful, the tournament drew a select mix of celebrities and local supporters and followed the Emerging Artists and Talent in Music (EAT'M) conference.

Concluding the most pleasant day on the links at the Rio Secco Country Club was the "Totally Groovy '70s Polyester Ball" at the Rio hotel-casino. The spirited gathering was a benefit evening for the support of City of Hope, Special Olympics Nevada, Interfaith Hospitality Network (which provides basic needs to the homeless) and Planet Hope. The ball, a totally charming evening, was co-chaired by Sandy and Roger Peltyn with Sue and David Cassidy.

Incredibly, the attending crowd did their best to find suitable costumes for the dinner dance, with more than a few appearing in favorite remmants of their youthful wardrobes. Mingling in the flowered and bell-bottomed crowd were John Babcock, Deborah Levy with her young daughters, Kathy Herrill, Robert Holgate, Paula Gentile and the Cassidys' young son, Beau, who led the bidding on some of the spectacular silent auction treasures.

Gianna Orlandi, who has recently joined the Nevada Attorney General's legal staff in the Consumer Protection Division, attended with her sweetheart, James "Bucky" Buchanan. Present as well were Michael and Teresa Minden, Charlene Herst, Gene Viglione, Brian Maher, Tony Righelli, Steve Dezzi and Mrs. USA-Nevada Sandi Comito.

Stepping out to dance in the strobe-lit ballroom were Jack and Nancy Weinstein with daughter Polly, joined by Dr. Rob and Lynne Hunter, Mark and Yvonne Weber, Shelby Zync, Trish Mortenson and Jay Cohen. Adding a special sparkle to the gathering was David Cassidy's ever-elegant stepmom and former co-star Shirley Jones, who graciously posed for pictures with many fellow guests. Robin Leach, best known for his popular "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" series, assisted auctioneer Christian Kolberg with the sale of top auction items, among them a splendid signature collection featuring Oscar-winning actresses over the duration of the Academy Awards.

Bikes for D.A.R.E.

Bikes and kids go hand-in-hand, but for some children the chance to own their own bicycle remains merely a dream. Recently 151 local children, each graduates of Metro's D.A.R.E. -- Drugs Against Resistance Education -- program, were given their first bicycle and helmet through Variety Club of Southern Nevada's "Bikes for Kids" program. This special occasion was hosted by Circus Circus at its pink-topped Adventure Dome amusement park.

Held in conjunction with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the party for the children included brief comments by Mayor Oscar Goodman and Undersheriff Richard Winget, who congratulated them for being good students and good community citizens. Circus Circus provided the food and entertainment, including a well-received clown show. Variety Club of Southern Nevada: The Children's Charity, a force for over 50 years, is committed to improving the quality of life for children with special needs in our community. A second round of "Bikes for Kids" will be held in December, in conjunction with the Henderson Fire Department. For more information, please contact Variety Club at 383-8466.

Daseler honored

A veteran educator and pioneer in the arena of private schools in our state, Helen Daseler was feted on the occasion of her retirement. The gracious dinner and program at Spanish Trail Country Club was an occasion to reflect on the early years when Helen and her late husband, Jack Daseler, founded the Las Vegas Day School.

Opening in 1961 with just 29 students, it was the first nonsectarian, nondenominational private school in the state. Today the school on South Jones Boulevard has an enrollment of 518 students, grades kindergarten through eighth, and is directed by the Daselers' son, Neil, with administrative support from his brothers, Jack and Frank.

Helen Daseler taught kindergarten at Las Vegas Day School for 39 years and can count among her many students some of our community's finest doctors, lawyers, and business and civic leaders. Commemorative gifts included several huge scrapbooks containing pictures and letters from her many students and their families. Speakers taking part in the festive program included Ana Boswell, Tina Walters and Betsy Strickland.

Mingling with the family members, current staff and faculty were former teachers including Irma Lee Ross, Joanne Russell, Michelle Miller, Sandy Leaby and Magel Walo.

LV Town Club

The Las Vegas Town Club, a longtime social group for local women, recently installed officers for 2000-2001. The club, which annually adopts charitable projects for community betterment, was established in 1965. Installed in ceremonies held at Ruth's Chris Steak House were Nelma Gutwald (president), Terry Longo (first vice president), Anita Tucci (second vice president) and Venie Yonkouski (third vice president). Others installed at the luncheon gathering included Ronnie Harris (secretary), Jean Baker (treasurer), Irma Mastin (parliamentarian), Joan LeMere (membership chairwoman) and Sandra Dinsmore (public relations).

Teachers lauded

Winning teachers and students for the fifth annual Teacher of the Year contest were recently announced. Once again sponsored in generous fashion by Alexis Park with the help of radio station KMZQ 100.5-FM, the contest drew a virtual blizzard of essays from students across the Clark County School District. Students were asked to write about their favorite teacher and why they should be considered the best.

Entries were separated into elementary, middle school and high school and were narrowed down to 15 finalists through the efforts of judges from the resort and radio station. All finalists were treated to dinner at Alexis Park and enjoyed the reading of the winning essays during the program.

Wonderful prize packages were awarded to winning students and teachers. Students received $500 from Alexis Park as well as a class party at Wet 'n Wild amusement park. Teachers were given $500 and dinner for two at Alexis Park's Pegasus Room. In addition, winning teachers were presented with a trip for two anywhere National Airlines flies and hotel accomodations from Travelscape.com.

Each winning teacher's school was also presented with $500 from Alexis Park. Winning the highest honors were student Jessica Dewsnup and her teacher, Shelly Wise, from John F. Mendoza Elementary, joined by student Nicholl Stevie and teacher Randy Pagel from Thurman White Middle School. Recognized as top winners as well was student Jeri White and her teacher, Sue Fabbie, from Advanced Technology Institute.