Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Book-signing event an unqualified success

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, July 2, 2003 | 8:18 a.m.

Sally Denton, third-generation Nevadan and award-winning author, drew a huge crowd to her book-signing party last week.

Hosted by Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Green Valley, the journalist-turned-author signed copies of her new release: "American Massacre: The Tragedy of Mountain Meadows." Deemed the largest single atrocity in American history prior to the Oklahoma City bombing, the Mountain Meadow incident in Southern Utah resulted in the deaths of 140 men, women and children, sparing only 17 children under the age of 8 years.

Denton, descendent of British-born Mormon pioneers, spent a decade researching the involvement of the U.S. government and the Mormon Church in this attack on a gold-laden wagon train.

Present for Denton's informal talk and question session were Dr. Tom and Nell Cinque, Gail Sawyer, Nancy Lee, Lucy Foley, Dr. John and Marie Ellerton, Judi Steele, Dr. Herman van Betten, Kadell Kremer, Vivienne Morris and University Regent Thalia Dondero.

Assisting with the evening program that resulted in all copies of the book being sold were Denton's parents, Ralph and Sara Denton, joined by her brother, Dr. Scott Denton, of the University of Nevada School of Medicine, and his daughter, Sara Kate.

Denton, former reporter for The New York Times, Chicago Tribune and Washington Post, has co-authored previous books with Jack Anderson, as well as husband Roger Morris.

Bowling them over

Increasingly recognized as America's favorite playground, Las Vegas also draws major interest for charities such as the recent Sport Dream Bowl at the Gold Coast, a benefit bowling occasion to raise money for the Urban Youth Scholarship Fund.

Under the sponsorship of sports stars Warren Moon, Jason Schorn and others, athletes and benefactors bowled for a good cause. Funds generated by the event provide scholarships to students from inner cities who would otherwise be unable to attend colleges or vocational schools. Participating in this event were Las Vegas residents including Mark Wallington, Greg Espinoza, Michael Starr, Amy Sweet, Mike Beezley, Tony Cordasco, Charles Woods, former UNLV Runnin' Rebels Greg Anthony and Evric Gray and UNLV assistant football coach Mike Bradeson.

Touch of Shakespeare

Supportive of the arts in our community? Curious to see the new OPM nightclub at Chinois? Perhaps you'd enjoy attending the Arts Council of Henderson's "Celebration of Shakespeare" from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. today.

The evening is a benefit for the Arts Council of Henderson and the Las Vegas Academy of the Performing Arts' production of the "The Taming of the Shrew." Clint Holmes will make a special guest appearance. A spectacular auction has been arranged, with complimentary wines and hors d'oeuvres to be served. Reservations and tickets are a must, so please call 221-7491 for all the details.

Hot theater

Hot nights in the Vegas Valley proved an added incentive for those enjoying theater under the stars on Saturday evening. The final performance of "Hello, Dolly!" drew an audience of 900, many of them attending their first-ever Super Summer Theatre production at Spring Mountain Ranch.

With volunteers opening the gates to the meadow theater at 6 p.m., the grassy slopes soon filled with lawn chairs and blankets for those who came to picnic prior to the 8 p.m. performance. Quite a few explored the ranch buildings and art exhibits as well.

Volunteers assisting on this evening included Karen and Zack Kalib, Mary Anne Rhodes, Toni Johnson, Danielle Hall and Jane Durham as well as Pat Conley, Connie Grubaugh, Audrey and Ed Valuckovic and members of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Keeping the evening running smoothly were SST board members including Christy Miller with past chairman Adrienne O'Donoghue, Ray Eicher, Harald Smith and Dee Thorn to name just a few.

Next up in the summer schedule will be "Oklahoma," celebrating its 60th season, which opens July 9. Following tradition, guests are encouraged to bring donations of peanut butter on opening night as a contribution to the Salvation Army. Tickets, directions and volunteer information are available by calling 594-PLAY.net