Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Holiday party helps Marine Corps’ campaign

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2001 | 8:42 a.m.

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

Drawing upon the resources of the more fortunate to help the U.S. Marines' Toys For Tots campaign, James "Bucky" Buchanan and his bride, Gianna Orlandi Buchanan, recently hosted a holiday open house. Entering guests were welcomed by uniformed Marine Corps personnel, who accepted the bags and boxes of toys that filled a truck at evening's end. The toys and others brightened the hearts of local children in need this season.

Embracing the season and this charitable event with gusto were Judge Jeffrey and Susan Sobell, David Atwell, Beverly and Mike Mykisen, Lynn and Frank Cremen and Judge Betsy Kolkowski, joined by Sherry Lombardi, special activities director for Nevada Ballet Theatre. During dinner and the cocktail party, many were drawn to photographs of the couple's recent wedding in Africa, among them Kathleen Delaney, Judge Michelle Fitzpatrick, Roger Palis and Diane and Roy Woofter.

Radio celebration

After four years of quiet campaigning, public radio KNPR 89.5-FM has reached 98 percent of its goal of raising $2.2 million dollars, money dedicated to its Future Fund Endowment. More than 800 donors responded, among them individuals, corporations, foundations and government agencies. This was a remarkable feat for the small army of community volunteers and KNPR board members to have accomplished.

To celebrate its success and recognize the donors and volunteers who made it possible, KNPR hosted a Future Fund Endowment Campaign Victory party. Present were Linda Tannenbaum and her young son, Guy, Patrick Everett of the Northern Trust, Candy Schneider, Frances Saxton, John Laub and Dr. Neil Carmena whose late wife, Judith Guy Carmena, served on KNPR's charter board of directors in 1980.

Rosemary's catered the festive party with John Curtas, Ginger Bruner, Don Davis, John Witner, Christina Barr and Gregory Crosby, as well as Jim and Susan Strom, Bob Fielden and Alvida Lane of the Southern Nevada Opera Association seen in the crowd.

The open house and party was held at KNPR's broadcast center on the Community College of Southern Nevada's West Charleston campus. The state-of-the art facility, built with a $4.5 million dollar grant, was accepted with a commitment by KNPR's board to raise a minimum of $1 million in endowment funding. Major donors to the Future Fund Endowment Campaign include the Boyd Foundation and Boyd Gaming Corporation, Nevada Arts Council, Frances Saxton, the Laub family (Bill Sr., Mary and Bill Jr.), Westwood Studios, the National Endowment for the Humanities, J.A. Tiberti, John Klaii II and, most recently, the Las Vegas Founders Club Golf Foundation. KNPR board member Louis Castle made the lead gift and the Endowment Fund is named in his honor.

History gathering

Frankie Williams, vice president of Nevada Women's History Project-Southern Region, recently hosted the NWHP Christmas party with the assistance of her husband, Bill. At the congenial gathering, a delectable feast of holiday goodies with favorite cookies, desserts and candies shared the table with a hearty holiday meal.

Gathered for the occasion were Betty Middleton, Jean Spiller, state Controller Kathy Augustine, Marion Kohler and Bernie Lenz, as well as Valerie Fisher, Alice Pearson, Joan LeMere and Jan Kennedy. Admiring the art collection at the Williams' home were Kathleen and Joachim Hanselmann, Ron and Jean Biker, Sandy Dinsmore, Mary Gafford and Carlene George.

A brief program by NWHP President Jane Oliver provided a report on the progress of the Sara Winnemucca state fund-raising effort. Last year Nevada legislators voted to honor Native American Winnemucca, one of our state's most famous historical figures, with a statue in Statuary Hall in Washington.

Speaking briefly was Joan LeMere who told of the Women's Conference to be held in March celebrating Women's History Month.

Seasonal soiree

Hosting their annual holiday gathering of friends and loved ones brought a special joy to Thom and Mari Landers, as this year marked their first Christmas in their handsome new home at Regency Estates at the Lakes. Designed and built by Bruce Graves, with many insightful modifications by the house-savvy couple, the home is both spacious and welcoming and suits the needs of this busy couple and their children, LibbyAnne and Christopher.

Co-hosting the well-attended party was Mari's sister and brother-in-law, Deni and Steve Conrad. Neighbors in the throng included Bob and Alice Mallinger and Rob and Roseanne Northington, as well as the Landers' previous neighbor and dear friend Dr. Patricia Craddock. Encouraged by the children to take a tour of the home and view the family's ever-expanding collection of holiday decorations were David and Jacque Matthews, Gary and Jennifer Danning and the designer-builder Bruce Graves.

At the outdoor-patio kitchen, an enviable entertainment area, Thom, a masterful chef, gathered quite a circle of onlookers as he prepared chicken kabobs and grilled vegetables on the crisp winter evening. Nearby in the cozy casita guests, including Mari and Deni's parents, Jack and Evelyn Libby, Rick and Anne Dreschler, Jane Jensen, Bob and Ty Walsh and George and Dee Mehocic, watched a bit of football and spoke of holiday plans. Others in attendance included Bonnie Bryan, Scott Freshwater, Art and Sara Besser, Dick and Kathy Bonar and Dr. Roger and Diana Wilson.