Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Tea at mansion celebrates state’s mining history

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2000 | 10:03 a.m.

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

Nevada's statewide museums and the Nevada Museum, Libraries and Arts Foundation benefited from a gracious afternoon tea at the Governor's Mansion. Hosted by Gov. Kenny Guinn and first lady Dema Guinn, the perfect fall afternoon drew Las Vegas guests and museum supporters.

Using the theme of celebrating Nevada's mining legacy, the Sunday gathering encompassed the Governor's Mansion and grounds. Tea was served in the new reception pavilion. Dema Guinn displayed the elaborate Mackey Family silver service, created for the historic Nevada mining family by Tiffany's of New York, as well as many of the dresses worn by Nevada's first ladies at their husbands' inaugural balls.

Southern Nevadans present included Kay and Scott Scheer, Mimi Rodden, State Controller Kathy Augustine and Beverly Carlino Banta, executive director of the Nevada Museums, Libraries and Arts Foundation. In December the Foundation will be the benefit recipient of a splendid preview showing and cocktail party on the eve of the first Las Vegas International Antique Fair, slated for Dec. 8-10. More than 200 major art and antique dealers are confirmed for the three-day event at the Sands Expo and Venetian. Tickets for the Dec. 7 benefit preview are $40 in advance, $50 at the door with reservations available by calling (323) 852-1812 or visiting 1812.com.

Research funds

As part of its international philanthropic efforts, each of the Four Seasons hotels annually hosts a cancer-research benefit in memory of the late Terry Fox, a courageous man who dedicated the final days of his life to helping find a cure. To date, these events have raised $250 million dollars for cancer research. In Las Vegas, the Terry Fox Gala Dinner, an occasion limited to 400 select guests, raised funds to benefit the UNLV Cancer Research Center.

Randy Morton and Thomas Segesta of Four Seasons were hosts of the splendid evening, which featured cuisine created by the top chefs of the Four Seasons and Mandalay Bay properties. A glittering auction of vacation packages at Four Seasons around the world were offered to guests who later enjoyed VIP seating at the Boyz II Men and Luther Vandross concert at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Guests at the elite party included UNLV's acting provost Dr. Raymond Alden and wife Becky, as well as Dr. Stephen Carper, director of the UNLV Cancer Institute, and Dr. Lydia McKinstry, also of the Institute. Glimpsed in the throng were Rick Giffen, Teri Monseur, Peter Mellon, John Berglund, Dr. Joseph and Paula Quagliana, Frank Tucker, Matt Waymire, Brenda Haynes, Dennis Kahn and Dr. Rob Raskin, as well as Eva Thomas with Dr. Ed Hoffman, Thomas Segestra, hotel manager of the Four Seasons with his wife, and Four Season's Executive Chef Wolfgang Von Wiesner and his wife, Genevieve.

Hero award

Recent festivities spotlighted the efforts of the MGM Grand to make our community an even better place to live. Receiving the Nevada Community Foundation's Hero Award, the corporation was recognized for its philanthropy through its Lions Club Scholarship Fund and the Yemenidjian Foundation for Families. The scholarship fund provides money for the college-bound children of MGM cast members, while the Yemenidjian Foundation is an emergency assistance fund available to employees of MGM Grand entities and their immediate family members. Doug Beckley, chairman, explained the foundation is proud to administer the MGM's funds and looks forward to working with it on future endeavors.

The Hero Award, presented during the Nevada Community Foundation's recent Celebration of Giving luncheon, was followed by ceremonies and a celebration of success for 14 teachers and two principals who have made stellar achievement possible by the students in their care.

Math teachers recognized were Edith Nesby (Cashman Middle School), Amy Dockter (Bridger Middle School), Rick McCann (Orr Middle School), Amy Herring and Jennifer Stites (Roy Martin Middle School), Lynn Trell (Sandy Valley Middle School) and Misti Taton (Von Tobel Middle School). Raising the science scores of their students were teachers Jule Clark (Von Tobel), Erik Mateljan (Sandy Valley), Kelly Barton and Debra Scalzo (Orr), George Zier and Bernice Marshall (Roy Martin) and Maxine Levinson (Cashman). Principals Barbara Rosenberg (Orr) and Jessie Phee (Bridger) were honored for their progress in academic gain in the areas of science and math, respectively.

The Nevada Community Foundation is a premier grant maker in Southern Nevada. It customizes financial and other gifts for individuals and family trusts that wish to leave a lasting impact on the community. In fiscal year 2000 its assets reached $12.5 million, with 15 new charitable funds added for a total of 62. Contributions for the year were $4.1 million with $2.3 million dedicated to 358 grants and scholarships.

The champions

Top players in the recent Food and Beverage Directors Association Golf Tournament were Tony Goitia (first place), Lloyd Wentzell (second place) and Jeff Peterman (third place) with Marci Wentzell making a hole-in-one on the 200-foot fourth hole closest to the pin. She repeated her success at the seventh hole. Held at Angel Park, the charitable affair was made elegant through donations of supportive businesses, including the Moet and Chandon champagnes and strawberries provided by Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada. With more than one hundred participants, the afternoon netted $8,000 for the organization's charitable outreach programs.

Fond farewell

Attorney Robert Faiss was unexpectedly on stage last Friday evening during the University of Nevada, Reno's Wolf Pack festivities at the Rio. Part of the weekend warm-up surrounding the annual UNR-UNLV football game, the Nevada Blue and Silver dinner drew supporters of UNR from around the state. Faiss, who attended UNR for three years as an undergraduate before leaving for an accelerated entrance to law school, has long been an ardent supporter of the university. In recognition of his generous efforts, UNR president Dr. Joe Crowley conferred upon Faiss his never-received undergraduate degree.

Bonnie Bryan, UNR alumni and longtime member of the Alumni Council, assisted by master of ceremonies and fellow council member Tom Burns, spoke eloquently as she presented Crowley with the prestigious Silver and Blue Award. Beautifully hand-painted, the award is a wolf plate fashioned specifically for this honor. Also presented was a luxurious leather passport case, a reference to future travels by Crowley, a gift of the UNR's Southern Nevada office. These and other gifts of remembrance were bestowed upon the university president in acknowledgment of this, his final year with the state system.

Present for the poolside dinner were Carl Shaff with Annette Pressy, Candy and Ed Wilson, Joanne Blystone, Neil Huffey, Lou Gammage, Randy and Netty Capuro, Tom Romero, Jim and Joanne Elston, Paul Pate, Bill and Marilyn Flangas and Frank and Judy Brusa.