Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Siblings celebrate their graduations family-style

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, June 26, 2002 | 8:24 a.m.

A dual celebration marking the graduations of Leslie Denton and her sister Marianne Denton was hosted by their parents, Judge Mark and Alice Denton. Done family-style, the casual garden party drew multigenerational guests, among them Dr. John Ellerton with his wife Marie and her sons Ryan, Sean and Trevor Creel. Leslie, a new University of Nevada, Las Vegas graduate, has been accepted to medical school in California, while her sister Marianne, a 2002 graduate of Bishop Gorman High School, will attend UNLV.

Well-wishers included Buzz Adams with son Brian Adams and his wife Ruth, Mike and Annie Monahan and Gene Segerblom with son Tick Segerblom and his wife Sharon as well as Jim and Mary Germain, Fidel and Kay Alchu, Paul Stuhff, Denise Harrison, Sandy Young, Lorriane Tashiro and Dr. Scott Denton.

Enjoying a pleasant buffet supper in the cool evening air were Gene and Chris Schumacher, Mike and Julie Foley, Nancy and Suzanne Vinnik, Rick Loop, Jimmy Garrett and John and Robin Boyer with son Brian and daughter Blake.

Toasted during the party were Marianne's fellow Bishop Gorman High School graduates Stephanie Bossy, Joe McMahon, Brian Boyer and Trevor Creel, all joined by her cousin Sara Kate Denton, a 2002 honors graduate of Green Valley High School. Participating in the celebration were the girls' grandparents, Rita and Maynard Schumacher and Ralph and Sara Denton.

Food fit for the gods

The fates seemed to smile upon the Epicurean Affair, held last week in Caesars Palace's exquisite Garden of the Gods pool complex. Fine weather and strolling entertainers vied for attention with lavish displays, and the many gourmet dishes offered at the serving stations represented the city's best restaurants. More than a mere food-filled evening, the Epicurean Affair, now in its 12th year, is both a learning experience and a charitable event.

Hosted by the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association and the Nevada Restaurant Association during the run of their annual Las Vegas International Hotel and Restaurant Show, this evening under the stars brings together a gracious crowd of food enthusiasts, a widespread throng of food and hospitality providers and conference delegates from every corner of our nation.

Networking, sampling and creating, these individuals are professionals of the highest caliber and have discerning tastes and ideas to share, as evidenced by the new cuisines and beverages presented. Proceeds, earmarked for extensive scholarship efforts, will assist Nevada students pursuing both vocational school and university level training in hospitality fields.

In the huge crowd of attendees were Bill and Lynn Vick with their son Evan, Sue Strand, former Las Vegas Mayor Ron Lurie, Penny and Ed Prud- homme, Mike Smith, Michael and Denise Severino, Rob Powers, Rose Dominguez with Isabel Pfeifer, Felix Rappaport, Steve Beyer and Maria Gara.

A fine Habitat

Stepping up to the plate to host the first Dream Home reception on behalf of Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas was Remington Homes, a Las Vegas-based luxury homebuilder. Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas is a not-for-profit organization, which partners with low-income families in Clark County, giving them the opportunity of home ownership. Many recognize this endeavor because of former President Carter's longtime involvement with the national organization.

The Las Vegas event, with co-sponsors United Title of Nevada and Clayton Mortage, was held in a $3 million residence designed by Remington Homes inside the prestigious Queensridge North community. Self-guided tours of the lovely home and grounds were enjoyed as were cocktails and appetizers.

In the crowd were Lou and Jerry Emmert, Kathy Slaughter, Ed Wilson, Geoffrey Purse, Betsy Buck and Nancy Hancock. Helen Sax, surprising even herself, emerged as the top bidder of the evening at the silent auction tables, with close competition from fellow guests Mark Zachman, Dr. Dawn Green, Tony Gordon and the team of Stavros Anthony with Elizabeth Trosper. Others glimpsed in the crowd included Louis Barlow, Michelle Danks, Henry Buchanan, Kristen Ullom, Dave Delzoth and Kim Webb.

Stars support research

The world's top athletes will step into the spotlight Saturday night during the 36th annual Victor Sports Awards, a benefit for the City of Hope Cancer Center. A rare opportunity to mix and mingle with both sports and entertainment legends, the event at the Las Vegas Hilton will bring a special magic to our sports-loving city.

Nominees include Barry Bonds, Kobe Bryant, Venus Williams and Joe Sakic as well as a host of 2002 Winter Olympic gold medalists.The program, scheduled to air live on Fox Sports Net, will begin at 5 p.m. in the spacious Hilton Theatre at the Las Vegas Hilton. The proceeds for the black-tie event will support City of Hope's lifesaving research and treatment programs for those afflicted with cancer and other serious diseases including diabetes and HIV/AIDS. Tickets are $50 and are available by calling the Las Vegas Hilton's (732-5111) City of Hope production office.

Fantastic Fourth

Fast-approaching, our Fourth of July will again be enhanced by a star-spangled spectacular presented by the Las Vegas Philharmonic with sponsorship from the Howard Hughes Corporation and the city of Las Vegas.

Beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Hills Park, Summerlin, the musical program will include such patriotic favorites as Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Enriching the experience will be the newly-formed Las Vegas Philharmonic Festival Chorus singing Randall Thompson's "The Testament of Freedom" with rocket bursts above.

While many will bring picnic baskets and home-made treats, there will also be food and beverages on sale. Advance tickets are a must, so don't delay in calling 895-ARTS (2787).

Claire Foundation

The Lili Claire Foundation, founded in 1998 by "Friends" casting director Leslie Litt Resnick and husband Keith Resnick, was established to provide a happy, productive, fully integrated life for individuals living with neurogenetic birth defects such as Williams syndrome, Down syndrome and autism.

The Resnicks, who lost their infant daughter Lili Claire to Williams syndrome, have been joined in this effort by many stars from the entertainment industry. While the Lili Claire Foundation was originally introduced to Southern Nevada with a lavish and quite successful concert benefit sponsored by Danny Gans at The Mirage last year, it now seeks to raise public awareness and become more broadly known in our community. Recently the Lili Claire Foundation hosted a special evening at the Stirling Club, an occasion to bring together business leaders, volunteers and parents of the children the Foundation serves.