Wednesday, July 18, 2001 | 8:41 a.m.
Elizabeth Foyt's social column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at elizabethfoyt@ prodigy.net
The enchantment of the Utah Shakespearean Festival is a powerful magnet for many Las Vegas residents who enjoy the escape to the cool and shady vistas of Cedar City and the plays presented through Sept. l. Certainly enjoying the full Festival experience are Colby and Chad Baker, both of Las Vegas.
The young men, sons of Douglas Baker (known to many as Merlin in the Excalibur's "Tournament of Kings" production and theater instructor at CCSN), have been hired for the full season as players for the Royal Feaste, appearing four times weekly. Colby makes a dashing appearance as King Henry V while his brother Chad plays well in the minstrel troupe.
In its 40th glorious season, the Utah Shakespearean Festival is the third-largest such event in the nation, offering a splendid mix of works by the beloved bard as well as more contemporary favorites this season including "Arsenic and Old Lace," "Ah, Wilderness" and "Pirates of Penzance" plus many educational seminars and classes, the much-loved Green-show and the generous pageantry of the entire undertaking on the Southern Utah University campus.
Sculpting an opening
Widman Galleries chose to open in Las Vegas with festivities showcasing the sculptures of Norm Johnson. Johnson, a public relations consultant, former newsman and race-car driver of note, has been a resident of Las Vegas since 1965. His interest in art, sparked during his childhood in San Diego, centers on the beauties of wild horses and sea life, in particular dolphins. He specializes in lost wax bronzes and has recently branched out to clay.
The evening reception, an occasion to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Las Vegas, was sponsored by realtor Cathy Bittinger and her Bittinger Realty Team. Guests present included Bill Acosta, Mel Carter, Steve Rossi, Nelson Sardelli, Barbara Moon and Julie Wignall, director of the Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage. Others mingling in the crowd included Chrisse White-Waddell, Connie Ross, Jackie Brett, Stephen Rice, Ed Dodrill, Nancy Gasho with Chuck King, Lee McDonald, Sherry and Charlie Frye and Michael and Brenda Medina. Attending with their daughter Danelle Naegle, office manager of the Bittinger Realty Team, were longtime Las Vegas residents Don and Jeannine Digilio.
Taking a Turnberry
The Stirling Club at Turnberry Place provided a gracious welcome to members by offering a generous slice of spa comforts, truly a taste of things to come when the facility is completed. Stirling Club, a private membership group for both Turnberry Place residents and social members, will draw from four residential towers and offer a superior array of amenities including an on-site spa, clay-court tennis and prestigious services. Coordinating the recent three-day spa welcome event was Stirling Club general manager Asaad Faraq and Sharon Bader, director of marketing and special events.
Made welcome as they enjoyed massages, facials and other beauty treatments were Herb and Melinda Rhodes, Barbara Kaplan, Susan and Herb Eng, Maureen Hebel and Ellen Raeder as well as Dr. Martin and Phyllis Schwartz. Others enjoying the pampering included Victoria McMullen, Julie Stapleton, Ann Stager, Judy Ross, Carol Gordon and Joan Ginther.
Anderson honored
Public radio done Nevada-style has been recognized with a prestigious award. KNPR 89.5-FM producer Tim Anderson is the recipient of the New York Festival 2001 International Radio Programming Gold Medal for "The Las Vegas I Remember." The winning episode centered on the 1980 MGM Hotel fire. Anderson traveled to New York City earlier this summer to accept the gold medal.
This insightful series, created four years ago, is the story of Las Vegas and Nevada as told by the people who lived it. The oral history by pioneer characters truly makes our colorful history come alive. All 32 episodes are archived and available on KNPR's website at knpr.org.
Favorite Station
Generosity is at the trademark of many Las Vegas corporations, among them Station Casinos, which recently made a donation of $21,600, shared among eight at-risk elementary schools, each members of the Smart Start School Program. Introduced in September, Smart Start is a school and community partnership with each of Station Casinos' hotel-casinos adopting a school. Support is given to each school's computer lab by the donation of computers and other equipment needed for learning programs, while employee volunteers serve the schools in many capacities.
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