Colunist Elizabeth Foyt: Make-A-Wish benefit at Aladdin a success

Wednesday, March 21, 2001 | 8:44 a.m.

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

Bowled over by the success of the first-ever gala for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada, co-chairwomen Jennifer Tuttle and Helene Walker are grateful to the many who supported their sold-out evening at the Aladdin.

In the throng of fashionably attired guests were Ginette and Peter Jaramillo, ret. Gen. Billy and Linda McCoy, Ken Walker, Denise and Tim Cashman, Dr. Kirk and Eve Cammack, Brian Chilton and Joel and Josie Snow, as well as Dr. Alex and Paula Sparkhul, Judge Lee Gates and Tom and Marilyn Starks, Dr. Leonard and Betty Carpi and Edward and Eleanore Doumani. Making welcome the many were the delighted duo of Make-A-Wish President Barry Mattison and immediate past president ret. Gen. Roger Jones, joined by national board member David Morice and executive director Kathy Hopper, who introduced several "Wish" children and their families.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes of children battling life-threatening illnesses. Its efforts began in 1996 and, from small beginnings, have since granted the wishes and dreams of 160 children, helping raise their spirits and give assistance to families in crisis. Proceeds from the gala are dedicated to furthering this very special work.

For many, the evening was a time to share with friends and dear ones, as was the case with gala committee members who rallied to make this first venture so successful. Seen were Marla Letizia, Susan Weintz, Jon Tullis, Wendi Miller, Kathleen Newton, Sheila Beaton and Susan Merillat, as well as Robbie Graham, Larry Kifer, Joan Doyne, Arlene Miller, Cheryl Hill, Lauri Thompson and Vikki Farris.

Dinner co-chairwomen Linda Vause and Kathy Becker selected a distinctively exotic meal for the gala, much enjoyed during a program featuring a regal appearance by "Sultan for the Night" Jim Rogers. Among those also taking part were the artful young dancers of the Fern Adair Conservatory and singer-composer Tim Searcy.

Supporters in attendance included County Commissioner Dario Herrera, Dawn and Randy Oaks, Bill Martin, Dr. Jeffrey and Vicki Cichon and Lara and Christian Kolberg, as well as Joannie and Ron Richardson, Carol and Ed Zub and longtime Make-A-Wish supporter Lem Banker with wife Debbie, and their daughter, Blaine.

School benefit

Long a favorite event across the community, the Knight of the Gael, benefiting Bishop Gorman High School, will be held March 28 at Palace Station. Paula and Michael Gaughan will be honored for their contributions to Southern Nevada and their ongoing commitment to education, with proceeds generated from the dinner event to provide funding for student tuition assistance at the school.

Michael Gaughan, chairman of Coast Resorts, is a graduate of Bishop Gorman along with the couple's four children. In 1953 Gaughan's father, Jackie Gaughan, helped to raise the money to build Las Vegas' only Catholic high school. In 1983 Jackie and his late wife, Roberta, were honored as the first Knights of the Gael, now a 19-year tradition for Bishop Gorman.

A stellar committee of Las Vegas notables is serving on the dinner committee, among them Vicki and Frank Fertitta Jr., Frank Toti, Ray and Charlene Vega, Mikey and Jim Bilbray, Maryanna and Jerry Herbst, Sandy and Bob Miller and Mary Hausch and Sen. Bob Coffin. The evening opens with a lavish cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., with dinner to follow at 7:30 p.m. Reservations are a must, so please call Jeanne Hamrick or Patty Schmitt at the school (732-1945, ext. 378).

History luncheon

Women's History Month was most recently celebrated by the Nevada Women's History Project with a luncheon honoring the women of World War II. Keynote speaker Irene Rostine gave an intriguing look at life in Southern Nevada during the war years, with particular emphasis on the contributions of women at the Basic Magnesium (BMI) plant in Henderson.

Noted for coining the expression "Magnesium Maggie" in her writings on this subject, Rostine related the lifestyle and work duties of the women who kept the plant operating in these difficult times. Others giving their own accounts of their war-time American experiences included Verlene Anderson, Annette Goldstein, Florence McClure, Jean Baker, Edythe Katz Yarchever and Frankie Williams.

Listening attentively to the luncheon presenters were Anne Reck, Joan McSweeney, Eva Stowers, Cindy Seaman, Connie Shelton, Ruth Morton, Molie Murphy and NWHP president Rose Irwin. Others, among them Caroll Dziedziak, Bernice Fischer, Betty Middleton, Mary Gafford, Rosanne Sorody, Marion Kohler and Mary Gafford, discussed the many relics and World War II mementos on display.

Presently the group is gathering biographical sketches of Nevada women of all backgrounds who will be honored in a biographical encyclopedia to be published and distributed at a later date. Membership is open, with details available by contacting Joan LeMere at 456-9242.

Celebrity dinner

The hottest ticket for spring may well be the lecture and dinner with Ira Glass, host and co-creator of National Public Radio's program "This American Life." On April 22 he will be in Las Vegas -- the first stop on his "Lies, Sissies and Fiascoes: Notes on Making a New Kind of Radio" lecture tour.

Following the lecture, KNPR 89.5-FM will be hosting a dinner and reception with Glass at Bonjour Casual French Restaurant, with attendance limited for the radio station's first celebrity-guest dinner. Nancy Wood, KNPR's director of development, is handling all reservations and can be reached by calling 258-9895.