Wednesday, June 5, 2002 | 8:23 a.m.
Certainly some of our city's great unsung heroes are those who serve as food and beverage directors at the resorts. Each week they create the special events, unique dinners and luncheons, fairy-tale weddings and lavish receptions that often make a Las Vegas conference or charitable event so memorable.
Rarely do these hard-working professionals have the chance to gather as one, yet remarkably they are among our community's most generous residents. Since its inception 11 years ago, the Food and Beverage Directors Association of Nevada has donated $200,000 in scholarships for those seeking careers in the resort industry and have been equally generous with funds and man hours to worthy causes including Opportunity Village's Magical Forest.
Last Friday David Hensen, director of restaurants for Caesars Palace and president of the association, welcomed guests to the annual Epicurean Gala dinner in the Roman Ballroom at Caesars Palace. Opening with a lush reception, featuring elaborate tasting tables from the property's fine restaurants, the evening featured special wines and an icy martini serving station created by Jim Riley, special events manager for Ketel One vodka.
In the crowd were Aileen and Bryan O'Shields, Joan and Van Heffner, Bob Vannucci, Henry Harris, Dale Davidson, Olga Bratt, Larry Close and Theresa Kessler, as well as Jack and Nancy Weinstein, Dr. Leo and Sandy Spaccavento, Tony Goitia and Nancy Allf with Kathleen Paustian.
Honored for Culinary Achievement was Chef Ed Kane, director of Culinary Arts at Vo-Tech High School and adjunct professor for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Recognized as well with the Autrui Award for community service was Sandy Colon Peltyn. Joining in the round of applause for the honorees were Ed Guthrie, Dave Thomas, Linda Smith and past organizational president Kurt Weinrich as well as Roger Peltyn, his sons R.J. and Michael, and Michael's fiancee, Lisa Cote.
Guests enjoyed a gourmet meal and dancing to the jazz stylings of Ghalib Ghallab and David Osborne. All proceeds from the dinner and the related silent auctions benefitted the scholarship program and efforts to serve underprivileged children in Southern Nevada.
Bar unveiled
Hats off to New York-New York, which gave a terrific launch to the resort's revamped Big Apple Bar last week.
Lavishly decorated with velvet fabric draped from ceiling to floor and with burgundy-satin walls, the bar's comfortable setting made for a colorful taste of the lounge scene for invited guests.
Speciality drinks of every description flowed generously to the crowd, where those sampling included Chef Les and Tammy Kincaid, seen with Danny Campbell, MGM MIRAGE vice president of purchasing. Mixing in the crowd as well were Ellen Curtis, Kim Capozzo, Jason Edrick with Kelli Maruca, Rob Catalano, Artie Nathan, Carrie Carter-Henderson and Rino Armeni.
Answering questions and speaking of recent activity at the hotel-casino were New York-New York executives including Felix Rappaport, John Shigley, Stefanie Johnson and Tim Evans. Il Fornaio provided the plentiful appetizers and hors d'oeuvres, while Soul Desire appeared onstage in a spirited performance.
Author luncheon
Celebrating its first year, The Literary Society of Las Vegas again hosted an author's reception, luncheon and book signing at Four Seasons.
A new dimension in cultural endeavors for our citizens, the chapter was formed by Patrick Everett of the Northern Trust with founding president Dr. Joe McCullough of UNLV. Lori McDonald has coordinated the luncheon arrangements, making special efforts to include students and teachers from area high schools for round-table discussions with the authors prior to the general sessions.
Most recently Tony Earley, author of "Somehow Form a Family" and "Jim the Boy," was featured author for the Society's May luncheon. Earley, a professor of literature at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., has received great acclaim for both books in The New York Times Book Review. Speaking of Southern writing traditions, Earley was humorous and self-deprecating in his presentation.
In the audience, and later receiving books signed by the author, were Linda Leavitt, Sandee Tiberti, Phyllis Hendrickson with Arden Larsen, Mary Whittaker, Doug Christiansen, Eileen Aines, Kathy and Michael Buckley and Cam Fehrenbach.
The Literary Society, with another lineup of selected authors, will resume its meetings in October.
History brunch
The Nevada Women's History Project-Southern Region recently held its spring brunch and meeting at Desert Pines Country Club.
During registration, informal modeling took place with Marion Kohler, Joan LeMere, Bernie Lenz and Frankie Williams giving a delightful look at classic fashions, both current and vintage, all in basic black with the requisite pearls as accessories.
Vice President Anne Reck presided over a brief meeting, followed by brunch and a program entitled "The History of the Clark County Democratic Women's Club." Sara Besser and Renee Diamond jointly presented the very entertaining program, sharing delightful stories about past campaigns and candidates.
On display was an extensive collection of photographs, campaign materials, newspaper articles and memorabilia collected by longtime Democratic Women's Club member Marie Ripps. The decades-old collection, rare in scope and depth, has since been donated to the Nevada State Museum and Historical Society.
Cork Proctor with his wife, Caroline Hamilton, installed the History Project's new officers for 2002-2003: Joyce Marshall, president; Mary Gafford, first vice president; Kaye Gray, second vice president; Frankie Williams, third vice president; Mollie Murphy, corresponding secretary; Anne Reck, recording secretary; and Jean Spiller, treasurer.
Members and guests at the brunch included Alice Pearson, Pat McNutt, Mitzi Johnson, Sandy Dunsmore, Billie Bates, Kathleen Hanselmann, Kathryn Howell and Sally Wathen. Membership information for this interesting group can be obtained by calling 876-3586.
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