Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003 | 8:15 a.m.
When it comes to acquiring Christmas decorations, Dee and Ken Ladd are a couple who simply cannot say "no" -- and they have several large and organized storage units to prove the point.
Dee, in addition to spearheading the Christmas Box Gala (to benefit the Sunrise Children's Foundation) and also serving on the National Committee for Holiday Festivals, is known for her elaborate, themed home decorations that change dramatically from year to year.
Ken, while serving as president of U.S. Bank, is also the clever architect who turns his wife's dreams into reality when construction and assembly are required.
Starting on the theme at least a year in advance, the couple also travel to scout out the necessary materials and ever-elusive ornaments, such as the snow-people used throughout their home this year. Benefitting from all this activity and beauty are the lucky friends who are guests at the Ladds' annual open house, held Dec. 7.
Dropping by on this special evening for a spot of good cheer were Sue and Doug Brandt, Allan and Carol Stipe, Ann Lynch, Kathy and Bill Ochs, Diane and Tom Keating, Peggy Smith, Carolyn Sparks and Brian and Jan Maher. Dr. J. Parker "Curly" Kurlinski with wife Claire were joined by Richard and Betty Hanseen, Chris and Brenda Meehan and Vic and Terina Salerno, all part of the crowd dining well on the dinner prepared by At Your Service catering.
Ken Ladd, selected for honors by UNLV President Carol Harter, was congratulated on the 2003 President's Medal to be bestowed at UNLV's 2004 winter commencement. Those offering praise included Eric and Eileen Horn, Mark Dunford, Richard Flaherty, Jim and Sunny Sparkman and Margaret and Paul Russitano.
Ladd was also a recent honoree at In Business Las Vegas magazine's 2003 Most Influential Men program held Nov. 21 at Mariposa in Neiman Marcus.
Dolled up
Elana Hatch Graham and her husband, Ben, were the gracious hosts for the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary annual Doll Tea Dec. 1.
A favorite event among the dedicated members and their friends, the afternoon affair results in many dolls and toys for Christmas distribution by the Salvation Army in our community.
Betty Miller, June Eckenroth, Ida Ambrose, Phyllis Roberts, Michelle Compton Bell, Jan Kennedy and Marion McFadden arrived with their dolls, greeted by Winnie Des Jardins and Joanne Vaughn, co-chairs of the Doll Tea. Helping accept the donations were their grandchildren, Jake and Parry Des Jardins and Rebekah Lescenski, respectively.
Marilyn Essex and Lillian Pekrul were among the past auxiliary presidents serving at the tea table in the elegantly decorated dining room. Selecting their favorite finger foods and other dainty delights were Sara Southard, Pat Seradian, Wendy Daseler with her mother, Phyllis Henrickson, Shannon Des Jardins, Beth Stewart, Maryann Hantout and Col. Maude Sullivan and Maj. Harryette Raihl, both of the Salvation Army.
Assisting with arrangements and invitations for the successful gathering was Karen Lobach, auxiliary president, who spoke of the auxiliary's ongoing efforts to assist with the homeless, the struggling families of the community and other programs operated by the Salvation Army in Clark County.
Toys for charity
How many parties did you attend this year where grown men squabbled over the merits of "cool" toys for kids? Or discussed childhood favorites they purchased and brought for the occasion?
On Dec. 4, the Legacy Society hosted a party and fashion show in OPM, the posh nightclub atop Chinois in the Forum Shops at Caesars.
A benefit for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas, the evening drew many of our city's young movers and shakers. Guests paid a $25 admission and provided donations of toys for the children, age 8-18 years, who participate in the dozen-plus Boys & Girls Clubs programs across Las Vegas.
Wendy Albert, Jason Edrick, Michael Wilkens, Jennifer Floro and Barbara and Gary Waldman were just part of the crowd mixing in the nightclub with Legacy Society members Jae Schmutz, Gabe Hunterton, Matt Dickerson and Kelli Maruca, joined by Wolfgang Puck Dining Group executives Madeline Benito, Luis de Santos, David Robins and Tom Kaplan.
Champagne provided by Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada added to the festive mood enjoyed by Matt and Paige Dickerson, Anna Cohen, Joni McMillan, Michael Wilkens, Christina Skorupski and Chris Stacy. Scott Irestone, chef de cuisine for Chinois, prepared a feast of Pacific Rim delicacies enjoyed by many, including Clarice Bakely, John Walker, Mary Louise Ryan and a host of others.
Debbie Smith and Heidi Johnson, both of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas, later ushered guests into OPM's central room where Carrie Henderson and the ultra-sleek models from Best Agency paraded by in the designs of Valentino and john varvatos.
Drawing favorable commentary from Hilary Schmutz, Terri Maruca, Celina Haas, Stephanie Wilson and John McCoy, along with the holiday fashions, was the new makeup line presented by Bitchy Cosmetics.
Above and beyond
Mary Vail was in the spotlight when her husband, David Vail, and their children, Sean and Ashley, hosted a reception at BullShrimp (Green Valley Ranch Station Casino) in her honor Dec. 3.
Earlier this fall, Vail, a well-recognized publicist and community volunteer, was selected as Nevada's first Paul M. Lund Public Service awardee by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). She was honored during ceremonies held Oct. 25 in New Orleans as part of the annual PRSA conference, an event attended by 2,300 delegates.
John Daly, host of "Real TV" and family friend, helped coordinate the festivities at BullShrimp while chef-owner Gustav Mauler, also a family friend and Vail's client, contributed choice dishes from BullShrimp and a range of beverages.
Street Teens, a charitable group working with homeless and at-risk kids, benefited from the occasion through direct donations and a raffle offered to the attending friends and colleagues.
The Paul M. Lund Public Service award is bestowed upon those who go beyond the norm and seek ways to assist their communities. Vail's civic involvement in recent years has included The Shade Tree Shelter, Salvation Army, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Le Cordon Bleu Scholarship Fund, Homeless Education Project and Candlelighters for Childhood Cancer.
archive
