Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Football provides theme for Summerlin party

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2001 | 8:57 a.m.

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

Friends, family and football never blended better than at the recent sports-themed party hosted by Ken and Carolyn Sparks at their home in the scenic upper reaches of Summerlin.

Sprinkled in the football-watching crowd were many longtime Las Vegas residents including Dr. Harold and Judy Boyer, Ernie and Kathy Becker, University Regent Tom and Lynn Wiesner, Linda and Steve Casey, Joyce and Tommy Thompson, Liz and Vic Ruybalid and state Sen. Bob Coffin and his wife, Mary Hausch.

A lavish catered buffet, with generous contributions from attending friends, drew guests to mix and mingle in the dining room, among them Frank and Jeanne Mitrani, Nevada boxing Judge Dalby Shirley, Laura Fritz and her fiance, Mike Weber, as well as Lois Levy-Zellers, Bill and Marilyn Flangas with their sons Gus and Albert and Tom, and Sharon Beatty.

Ken Sparks, a new convert to the joys of motorcycles, was seen showing his prized Harley-Davidson to interested friends. Recounting their recent ski trip to Brianhead were Janet and Harry Ferris, who reminded us of the upcoming Black and White Ball to benefit Nevada Ballet Theatre. Dr. Ralph Litton, now recovered from an unpleasant encounter with a snow sled, attended with wife Sandy. Others in the congenial crowd included Paula and Mark Mielke, former Nevada Gov. Robert and Polly List with their children; Dr. William and Mary Scheer, Sue and Leo Borns, Dr. Steve and Kelly Fleming, John and Rene O'Reilly and former Rep. Jimmy and Mikey Bilbray.

Generous donations

The list of generous donors continues as the results of recent months of contributions arrive. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts raised close to $20,000 in the first-year efforts of its Dime A Dozen campaign to assist Opportunity Village. Ten cents for every dozen sold, as well as additional contributions from supportive patrons, were given in the final weeks of 2000. Lincoln Spoor, operator of Krispy Kreme outlets throughout Southern Nevada, is delighted with the results and has already committed to the program for next December.

The Las Vegas chapter of Speedway Children's Charities recently awarded $100,000 in grants to local groups in ceremonies hosted at the Las Vegas Speedway. Eleven charities that directly impact the lives of children were recognized at the check distribution ceremonies. Grant funds were given to the Sam Schmidt Foundation, WestCare Boys & Girls Club, Child Haven, Candlelighters, Nevada Association for the Handicapped, New Directions and Shade Tree. Also funded by Speedway Children's Charities were Amerindian, UNLV's Marjorie Barrick Natural History Museum and Culture Shock youth dance troupe. Speedway Children's Charities is a nonprofit foundation based in Charlotte, N.C., which distributes funds to charities and foundations providing medical, emotional and social services to children in need. Founded in 1984 by O. Bruton Smith, chief executive officer of Sp eedway Motorsports Inc., this generous foundation has distributed more than $5 million through chapters located at each of the six Speedway Motorsports facilities nationwide.

Arts luncheon

The quarterly luncheons hosted by Nevada Arts Advocates continue to be vivid examples of the rich diversity of the arts in Nevada. These Arts Awareness gatherings bring together many of the state's most creative minds, along with supporters and, often, legislative leaders. Programs are informative and consistently entertaining, as was the recent luncheon session at the Stardust. Attending were Nevada Assembly members Merle Berman, David Parks, Vonne Chowning and Harry Mortenson, joined by community members Mark Zachman, Julie Gilday Shaffer, Betty Bunch, Kim Ungar, Bill Marion and Alice Black. Present as well were Joe Palermo, Joanne Nivison, Windom Kimsey and Dorothy Kemp.

Following an introduction by Dr. Marcia Neel, the madrigal singers of Valley High School, under the direction of Kim Barclay, provided the musical segment of the program. Speakers included Lamar Marchese, general manager of KNPR 89.5-FM, and Dr. Paul Heseelink of the Nevada School of the Arts, who discussed its programs and its participation in the fine arts throughout Southern Nevada. The gathering also chronicled the many contributions of former Assemblywoman Gene Segerblom of Boulder City. Speaking of Sergerblom's role in arts support and advocacy was president Roger Peltyn, as well as Nevada Arts Advocates executive director, Angie Wallin.

Burks honored

Recent proceedings conducted by the School Name committee of the Clark County School District led to the naming of district facilities in honor of Vernon H. and A. Darlene Burk. The Horizon/Sunset West High School campus on West Harmon Avenue, near the Orleans, will bear their names.

A native of Sturgis, S.D., Vern Burk had a distinguished career with our school district, retiring in 1993 as executive director of Comprehensive Planning and Management and deputy superintendent for Facilities and Transportation Services. Burk was known for his innovative methods to conserve energy in public buildings and the development of a diverse work force. He opened 54 schools between 1989 and 1993.

Darlene Burk is equally talented, with multiple business endeavors, including medical billing and accounting services and the creation of the Burk Gallery, a showcase for both established and emerging artists. Together the Burks have served as voluntary managers of the Boulder Dam Hotel since 1994. Both have served on charitable and community boards that work to improve education in Clark County and promote the fine arts and cultural events of our region. Ceremonies honoring the Burks are planned for later this school year.

Open house

Gathering friends for a recent open house found Ken and Dee Ladd in a quandary as the guest list continued to expand. The end result was a happy pairing of evenings, back-to-back, at their Green Valley home. Present for the very pleasant open house events were Mary and Jim Chaisson, Barb and Jacq Desrochers, Dr. and Mrs. Joel Davidson, Diana and Kevin Orrock, Allan and Carol Stipe, Christian and Lara Kolberg and many of the Herbst family members, as well as Pat and Tony Nation, Deanna and Ed Ackerman, Dave Walquist, and Lori and Doug Soren.

Many guests enjoyed a look through Ken's upstairs retreat, a room done entirely in Harley-Davidson collectibles, reflecting his leisure-time pleasure of his beloved motorcycles. Much admired as well were the charming buildings of a miniature Storytime-brand village, with 16 storybook houses forming a street of a little one's dreams, detailed with pebble roads and walkways, completed by a snowy hill peopled with characters from well-known nursery rhymes.

Attending the parties were Sarah and Lincoln Spoor, Dr. J.P. and Claire Kurlinski, Suzie and Ron Cameron, Doug and Sue Brandt, Robbie and Alex Graham, Steve and Annette Rigazio, Sheri Witkowski, Gary and Candy Krausman and Alice Jo and Harold Beck. Dee Ladd, who has amazing organizational skills, served a delicious buffet supper. Her menu included the very popular martini potatoes, served in a martini glass from a shimmering tower of glasses, along with caramelized baked Brie cheeses, shrimp and seafood dishes, cannelloni and winter dessert favorites including bread pudding with custard sauce, fresh pies and tempting cookies.

Dee Ladd, founder-director of the Sunrise Children's Hospital Foundation, gently reminded her guests of the upcoming Color Us Friends black-tie gala and art auction April 21 at the Rio. Most certainly it will be one of spring's finest events, with details and invitations available by calling 731-8373.