Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Golf tournament boosts childrens’ charities

Las Vegas' business and community leaders helped the fifth annual Governor's Black-Tie Charity Invitational Golf Tournament raise more than $500,000 for children in Southern Nevada and abroad.

The three-day event, held Thursday through Saturday at Southern Highlands Golf Club, was presided over by Southern Highlands Golf Club President Garry Goett, who stood with Gov. Kenny and first lady Dema Guinn to greet guests for opening-night festivities.

Elaine Wynn received the 2005 Governor's Philanthropist Award for her efforts on behalf of Nevada's children. Her interview with Cox Communications Vice President Steve Schorr, which was aired in both Nevada and Arizona, was the first live interview broadcast on Cox cable, according to Schorr.

In Wynn's honor, the Southern Highlands Charitable Foundation contributed $40,000 to the Greater Las Vegas After-School All-Stars, one of her favorite charities.

Funds raised came primarily from the fee of $12,000 per golf team for the tournament, organized by Goett, Nick Mamula, Jimmy Pettyjohn and Charles and Donna Ruthe.

Seen in the elegant crowd were developers Larry and Heidi Canarelli, Debra and Craig Shaw, Stephen and Chantal Cloobeck, Dan and Denise Reichartz, Camille and Larry Ruvo, Baseball Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers, attorney John Moran and wife Marilyn, Richard Lee, Emily Smith and banker Bill Martin.

Other supporters included Richard Rizzo, Jim Nelson, Jerry Snyder, Romy and Guy Robert Deiro, Nevada Supreme Court Justice Bill Maupin, Mike Ashe and Brad Issacs as well as Bob Cayne, Dene Krametbauer and Stan Schuster.

Present as well were Dr. Anthony and Rene Marlon, Sheriff Bill and Sandy Young, Jane and Marc Schorr, Linda Smith, Rino Armeni, Joe Essa, Phil and Maureen Peckman, Jeff Canarelli, Craig Eddins, Ray Harris and Tom Scranton.

Counted in for the tournament and parties was the Boyd Gaming Group contingent, including Harlan Braatan, Bill and Sylvia Noonan, Dee and Don Snyder and Billy and Linda McCoy, who talked over the first day's play with Adam Spingel, Rick Schnider, David Kuo and Larry Austin.

Funds raised will be administered by the Southern Highlands Charitable Foundation for use by the Assistance League of Las Vegas, Candlelighters for Childhood Cancer, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Opportunity Village, Project Sunshine, St. Vincent's Children's Home in Sri Lanka, Shade Tree Shelter and the Southern Highlands Scholarship Fund.

A grand honor

The Palazzo Ballroom at the Venetian hummed with warm-hearted conversation as the Las Vegas Philharmonic honored Bill and Lynn Weidner as supporters and civic leaders.

The event was sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue, with designer Carolina Herrera and her fall 2005 collection a featured part of the notable affair.

Mingling with Las Vegas Philharmonic president Lou Emmert and her husband, Jerry, at the pre-dinner reception were Dr. Michael and Julie Baron, Pam and Bob Coyle, Connie and Mark Schellerup, Dave Ellwanger, Lee and Jim Medick, Emily and Mike Novick, Paige and Thomas Patchin and state Sen. Bill Raggio and his wife, Dale.

Herrera was seen discussing fashion with Heather Murren and joined by Sheldon and Dr. Miriam Adelson, Marsha Miller, Bill and Rene Marion and Lynn and Alan Sloane.

Taking careful note of favorites during the showing of Herrera's designs were Clark County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald, Christy and Alan Molasky, Dr. Al and Linda Dushman, Ted and Doris Lee and Flora and Stuart Mason.

Seated with friends for the congenial evening were Barbara Lee and Bruce Woollen, Claire and Rich MacDonald, Dee and George Mehocic, Patty and Rick Wright, Ward Simmons, Patrick Duffy, Norma and Dick Land, Allen and Kay Browne, Hugh and Phyllis Roberts and Persia and James Golden with Jeanne Greenawalt and Roc Afashai and his wife, Mariam.

Sparking interest at dinner was Nate Tannenbaum's auctioning of eight Super Bowl tickets, which were given spontaneously by Carl Peterson (president of the Kansas City Chiefs) and Dean Spanos (owner of the San Diego Chargers). They sold for a cool $30,000 to developer Jim Rhodes and his bride, Glynda.

Equally dazzling was an $11,000 cruise donated by Richard Kaufman of Special Cruises, purchased by dinner chair Wendy Plaster and husband Richard, followed by a Cartier diamond watch, sold for $15,000 to the Weidners.

Proceeds from the dinner will help to fund the 2005-'06 season for the Las Vegas Philharmonic and ongoing educational outreach programs for local schoolchildren.

Bryan honored

Former Nevada first lady Bonnie Bryan, wife of former Sen. Richard Bryan, was honored with the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Junior League of Las Vegas at a gala Saturday.

Chaired by Monterey Brookman, the dinner dance at the MGM Conference Center was themed "Centennial of Extraordinary Women."

Opening with a champagne reception and silent auction chaired by Lisa Vargas, the event drew a crowd deeply rooted in Las Vegas society including Lovee and Bob Arum, Tom and Julie Pilkington, Sandy Peltyn, Bob and Carol Maxey, Guy Robert and Romy Deiro, Kitty Rodman, Claudine Williams, former Rep. Jim and Mikey Bilbray, Cheryl Purdue, Lois and Jim Zellers, Chelette and Paul Comtesse and Anne Kellogg, as well as Arlene Mack, Leonard and Bobbie Gang, Dr. Victor and Yolanda Muro, Ann and Troy Trobough, Joe Vargas and Neil and Ronnie Schwartz.

On duty were Junior League gala committee members Lisa Sheehan, Ann Marie Perone, architect Amalia Groebe, Kristin Burrus, Ena Langford, attorney Jeanne-Marie Pochert, Louise Faure and Kelly O'Hanlan Fain, who worked with her sister Kate Zupanicic to create the exquisite floral arrangements.

Mixing compliments with intense bouts of bidding was Junior League of Las Vegas President Erica Mayer and husband Robert, joined by Dr. Richard Klatt, Alma Vining, Mary Allred with daughter Sandy DiGiacomo, Dr. Russell Jayne and past president Donna Levy. Mingling with friends nearby was artist Noreen Pico and husband Jim, Rabbi Mel and Mickie Hecht, Baird Quisenberry and Dr. Jeffrey Brookman.

Host Pat Morita provided some lighthearted banter with young P.J. Bruno prior to the program, which was led by emcee Mitch Fox of KVLX Channel 10. Honoring Bonnie Bryan with a speech of great warmth was her son, Dr. Richard Hudson Bryan, representing his sisters, Leslie and Blair, followed by Sen. Bryan's own stories of his wife. Speaking as well was Junior League President-Elect Tammy Beatty Peterson.

Bonnie Bryan's acceptance speech touched on Junior League's 59-year presence in Southern Nevada and gave facts on the $1 million given over the years to community efforts and an equal amount of volunteer hours by the membership.

Listening were Sharon and Tom Beatty, who later this spring will see their daughter Tammy become the first-ever second-generation president of the organization.

Seen in the crowd to celebrate "Bonnie's night" were longtime friends David and Karen Powell, Leo and Sue Borns, Jan and Ashlee Nitz, Sandra Litton, Jeanne Greenawalt, Carolyn Sparks, Linda Givens, Karen Johnston and Barbara Meierhenry, as well as sister-in-law Kathleen Bryan.

Proceeds from the gala will fund ongoing community projects for children, among them KLVX's Ready to Learn, teacher grants for classroom needs, dental education and legislative efforts on children's issues.

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