Monday, Sept. 30, 2002 | 11:08 a.m.
There was a time when Las Vegas royalty paid homage to their queen, socialite Toni Clark.
There was a time when the place to be in Las Vegas was where Clark was -- often that was the most elegant of social affairs at her opulent home on the old Desert Inn golf course.
There was a time and a place for people like Toni Clark, the widow of Desert Inn founder Wilbur Clark, and the many others who nurtured Las Vegas through its formative and colorful early years.
That time was relived Sunday night, when an ailing Clark attended the seventh annual Old Time Reunion at the Stardust Hotel, where she held court as she did more than 50 years ago, and others from all walks of life -- pig farmers to politicians -- gathered to share memories of old Vegas.
"Toni insisted on being here tonight," longtime companion Larry Finuf said. "She always has loved being around friends. She hasn't been well lately, so she was glad to get out and come here.
Sunday night's gathering demonstrated what the bygone days of Las Vegas were all about -- a time when the neon-lit desert oasis was so small and close-knit everyone knew everybody.
"I miss the Las Vegas of old, where you dressed up to go out -- it was so elegant," said longtime local real estate broker Joan Brooks, accompanied by construction company owner Jimmy Donofrio.
"In real estate, we welcome growth, but we are sad to see our past fade away. That Las Vegas was our history, while today's Las Vegas is our future. And that future is a big city."
Auto dealer Jim Marsh echoed that sentiment: "When I came here I had the only Jeep dealership. Now there are four. Which era do you think I prefer?" he said. "However, a big part of Las Vegas is its growth."
Others from the estimated crowd of 900 attending the dinner, dance and show had a much less philosophical view.
"I enjoy coming here and running into people I thought were dead," said Lou Pearl, a resident of 51 years who long worked at the old Sands hotel.
Tony Tegano, founder of Tango Pools, said, "I don't regret for one minute leaving New York 43 years ago. I met my wife, had four kids and made a lot of money here."
Dr. Otto Ravenholt, retired longtime chief health officer for the Clark County Health District, said he has long felt that Las Vegas, past or present, is a strong community.
"Las Vegans come together in times of crisis, like during the MGM Grand fire that killed more than 80 people" in 1978, he said. "That was not so long ago, but it showed that even though the city had grown, we still were drawn together and responded as a tight community to a tragedy."
During the hour before the nostalgic event in the Stardust's Grand Ballroom, many Las Vegas residents of at least 30 years -- the loosely enforced prerequisite to purchasing a $35 ticket -- mingled and schmoozed, providing at times some seemingly unusual combinations.
For instance, longtime North Las Vegas pig farmer Robert Combs chatted with Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, while towering District Court Judge Donald Mosley posed for a photo with portly gambler Sam Angel.
"I like running into the people I haven't seen for years," Angel said, changing the subject in the same breath to ask a Sun reporter, "What's the score of the game? I have the Seahawks under."
Jim Seagrave, spokesman for the Stardust, which has hosted the event the past six years, said the venerable Strip resort fits this type of occasion.
"After the first year the organizers came to me and said they needed a larger venue, and for us it is an honor to have them here," said Seagrave, a local resident of more than 30 years. "Besides, everyone knows the Stardust and its history, and they are comfortable here."
The gala featured a number of performers, including magician Lance Burton, comedian Rip Taylor and emcee Peter Anthony. The event honored the contributions of longtime Sun entertainment columnist Joe Delaney, one of the event's original organizers, who died Aug. 7.
"In a way, we come here to feel young again," said reunion coordinator Herb Kaufman, a longtime local businessman. "Events like this are important because this is our heritage. These are the people who made Las Vegas what it was and what it is."
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