Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Warm feelings at Casa Alegre

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001 | 9:55 a.m.

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

Bountiful hospitality coupled with their own personal warmth is the trademark of Jeanne and Dr. Monte Greenawalt's entertainment style. Casa Alegre (which translates to "house of tomorrow"), their Spanish Trail estate was recently filled with well-wishers helping Dr. Greenawalt celebrate his birthday. Guests spread through the baronial-styled reception rooms enjoying the sumptuous buffet amid the beauty of the dining room with its medieval-influenced painted walls. In the throng were Joe and Hope Anstett, Sue and Leo Borns, Aubrey and Joanne Goldberg with Barb and Jerry Roberts, Persia and James Golden, Nick Castro, Hal Danzig, Rick Borlase, Chuck and Donna Ruthe and June and Jack Clark.

Mingling were guests reflecting the couple's deep roots in the civic and business community, among them Ken and Yvonne Gragson, Maria and Ted Quirk, Linda and Gary Martin, Rod Reber, Jose Betancourt, Beth Stewart and Alice Pearson, joined by Eve and Dr. Kirk Cammack, Peg Crockett with her daughter and son-in-law Caty and Dr. Jim Jones. Also seen at the splendid holiday gathering were Dr. Neil and Joy Prendergast, Joe and Lia Roberts, Ken and Carolyn Sparks and the Greenawalts' neighbors Bill and Dr. Kathy Mahon.

Present with their own of circle of friends and dear ones were sons and daughters-in-laws Kent Greenawalt, John and Terri Cahlan, Brad and Jodie Cahlan and Mike and Tina, all accompanied by their children who enjoyed the work-out room and play areas of the spacious home.

Junior League

Among prominent Las Vegas women one of the most beloved gatherings of the season is Junior League's holiday coffee, presented annually by the Sustaining members for guests and their fellow members. Denise and Tim Cashman graciously lent their splendid new home for the occasion, allowing guests to explore the spacious home, which so artfully uses stone and glass as well as encircling courtyards and tiered gardens to create a truly warm and distinctive home.

Standing to welcome arrivals to the coffee was Sustainer president Robin Singleton with Junior League of Las Vegas president Donna Levy, joined by hostess Denise Cashman and event co-chairs Margiee Purdue-Johnson and Diana Wilson. Laurie Kendricks and the staff of Wild Sage Cafe catered the most tasty event, filling the tea and punch tables with light but oh-so-delectable foods and temptations. Glimpsed in the crowd were Lisa and Sandy Windom, Denyce Tueller, Susan Meeker, Wende Bell, Mitzi Hiegel, sisters-in-law Natalie and Sandra Allred, Dr. Jane Boudreau, Mary Blake, Joan Tracht, Mary Scheer and Heidi Canarelli.

Briskly selling from a sunny spot on the patio was Junior League's newest cookbook, Glitter to Gourmet. Happily watching the pile of books diminish was Kellie Creekmore Guild, chair of this fund-raising project. Proceeds will help cover expenses for the organization's service projects which in the past have included Read Aloud Nevada, HELP of Southern Nevada, Shade Tree Shelter, Lied Children's Discovery Museum, KNPR and Education/Community Grants.

Those attending the coffee also provided gifts for Project Bear, the group's ongoing holiday effort which resulted this Christmas in warm clothing and gifts for 368 children in our community. Project Bear was directed by Wendy Kalb with Linda Givens and Sharon Schmitt.

Connoisseur series

Two cultural events will add luster to our lives this month. Pianist Navah Perlman will entertain at the Las Vegas Philharmonic's Connoisseur series Soiree on Jan. 17 at the Four Seasons. Sponsored by Cartier, each of the Soirees offer a distinctive and altogether intimate musicial program that also offer a private reception with the artist and recital. Perlman will perform selections from Bach, Schumann and Chopin. From an early age she attended Julliard School of Music and has performed the world over. She has performed with with her father Itzhak Perlman, both as violinist and conductor. For details on this most elegant evening, please call the Las Vegas Philharmonic at 258-5438.

Art of another sort will be offered Jan. 10-Feb. 17 when Michael Stillman Clark opens his Heart & Soul exhibition at the Las Vegas Art Museum. Clark, who grew up in Las Vegas and later graduated to a successful career in the motion picture and television industries, was first introduced to photography at a young age. His hobby was recognized as an art form when he won a prize in the national U.S. Camera Contest at age 12. His exhibition will take patrons on a visual tour of his artistic life with his own portrayal of people, animals, vintage autos and the Las Vegas Strip. The Las Vegas Art Museum is located at 9600 West Sahara Avenue with details by calling 360-8000.

CCMSA luncheon

Few cities can match Las Vegas for generosity as clearly evidenced by the recent holiday projects and individual kindnesses which made all the difference for the less fortunate. Quietly making the season brighter was the Clark County Medical Society Alliance (CCMSA), which recently dispersed their community service funds at its annual holiday luncheon. CCMSA donated nearly $8,000 to the community thanks to the generous participation of Las Vegas physicians supporting their Greeting Card Project. Funds were given to Soroptimist International of Greater Las Vegas to assist with holiday toys and clothing for the children at the Donna Street Learning Center.

This Soroptimist chapter, part of an international service organization for business and professional women, has provided gifts and food baskets during the holidays to disadvantaged families who are overlooked by other ograniations. Women's Development Center received funds to buy correctly fitting shoes and warm coats for the children residing in their transitional housing program.

WDC provides disadvantaged families with opportunities to attain long-term sufficiency and combat the cycle of poverty. Also granted funds by the Clark County Medical Society Alliance were Families for Effective Autism Treatment which will use their funds to provide deserving families with therapy hours for children served by their agency. CCMSA is a non-profit service organization comprised of spouses of the Clark County Medical Society and the American Medical Association. It serves to provide help and funds for worthy charitable organizations in Las Vegas, which provide assistance to individuals with health, educational and social hardships.