Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: ‘Garden of Eden’ a great night for the opera

Elizabeth Foyt's social column appears Wednesdays. Reach her atelizabethfoyt @ prodigy.net.

Terri and Tom Eden proved to be gracious hosts for Opera Las Vegas supporters during an evening of musical entertainment at their Canyon Gate Country Club home Saturday.

"Diamonds in the Sky in the Garden of Eden" was carried out in a patriotic theme, with fireworks and the presentation and posting of colors by the Nellis Air Force Base honor guard.

Arrivals trod a red carpet, where Tom captured each on film. Warm welcome wishes were extended by event chairwoman Judy Moore. Nearby with similar duties were committee members Sally Wathen, Margie Conway, Monica Wieseman, Eleanor Koch, Alvida Lane, Gayle Rogers, Terri Eden and Dr. James and Sandra Frank.

The Edens' spacious garden pavilion and outdoor kitchen, with views of the adjacent Canyon Gate Country Club, was the gathering point for guests Bernice Fischer, Beverly and Mike Mykisen, Paula Johnson-Robles and husband Peter Robles, Susan Houston and Chris and Anita Murray with friends Denise and Bruce Vinci, Joyce Kessler and David Kaufman.

Nearby, Opera Las Vegas President Joyce LaGrange and Robert Toto (who later sang the national anthem) were seen discussing the opera company's Oct. 15 presentation of "Carmen" with Lisa Heck, Denise Mauler, Sondra Lynch, Kay and Allen Brown and James and Persia Golden. Special guests included Brig. Gen. Greg and Sally Ihde and Major Gen. Steve and Jeanne Goldfein, all of Nellis Air Force Base.

Dinner under the stars was prepared on the grill by Executive Chef Gustav Mauler of Spiedini Ristorante and drew handsome compliments from Jeanne Greenawalt, Irwin Kishner and Opera Las Vegas' artistic director Gloria Allen, as well as Sandy Peltyn, Angie Wallin, Isabel Pfeifer and Jimmy and Sandee Comito.

Bud Crystal later provided the musical accompaniment for the Opera Las Vegas artists: Robert West, Stephen Plummer, Kimberly Dawn Fowler, Rachel von Hoffman and Danielle White. Included in their well-received program were selections from Puccini, Gershwin, Bizet, Floyd and Moore.

Enjoying the program and later the fireworks display at the Canyon Gate residence were Frankie Randall, Lia Roberts, Dr. Stephen Fleming, Mojgon Vazeen (Judith Leiber at the Forum Shops), Floss Schumacher, Gwen Den Hooven, Gayle Anderson, Barbara Nosek and Linda and Nate Tannenbaum.

Frozen assets

Las Vegas appeared to be basking in the Baskin-Robbins' distinctive pink glow last week as it hosted a series of special events to introduce its new product -- frozen custard.

Also announced was the company's ongoing support effort on behalf of the Andre Agassi unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas.

At four of their 12 area locations, company executives and franchise owners hosted children and their families from each of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas. The pink-tie events were delectable occasions for the pampered young guests as they enjoyed Baskin-Robbins' frozen custard with a tasty multitude of toppings.

Treating the eye as well were the newly designed logo and interior designs, also unveiled by the company.

Brand officer Ken Kimmel welcomed Lori Ippolito and her accompanying crowd of kids from the Jackie Gaughan unit of the Boys & Girls Club (on the UNLV campus), joined by Cathy Barnes (vice president of operations) and Christine Skorupski (community relations), both of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas, with board member Allen Montoya (Southwest Gas) and sisters Terri and Kelli Maruca, co-chairs of the Legacy Society, the charity's service organization for the under-40s.

Serving up frozen custard sundaes to the children were Kristen Agin and Jessica Lappen from Baskin-Robbins with franchise owners Debbie and Joe Soares, their young daughter, Ana Marie, and Debbie's father, Ron Alfonso.

In the crowd of enthusiastic eaters were tiny Ethan Parker with his mom, Kimberly, part of the family group attending from the Gaughan unit.

Thanking Baskin-Robbins for its donation and planned support for the Andre Agassi unit was Donna Newman-Holdip, executive director of the facility. In the year ahead, children at each of the 12 Boys & Girls Clubs will enjoy ice cream and frozen custard parties as a gift of the company.

In 2004, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas served 12,600 children aged 5-18, helping shape their lives though education and healthful decision-making.

Making a racquet

Ready to pick up your racquet for a worthy cause? "Racquets for Research" Tennis Tournament is slated for July 13-17 and will benefit the Nevada Cancer Institute.

The event will honor attorney Rob Kinas, a partner with Snell & Wilmer who was recently given a report of complete remission from mantle cell lymphoma. Kinas is an avid tennis fan and supporter of local adult non-league tennis programs. In recent years he has assisted with the Stacy Darling Foundation and the City of Las Vegas in the development of the new Stacy Darling Tennis Center in Summerlin.

"Racquets for Research" is a local effort to raise funds for further medical research on Mantle Cell Lymphoma. Prior to 2002, treatment options were limited for this type of cancer. Tournament details are available by calling Red Rock Country Club (304-5635) or Spanish Trail Country Club (367-2711).

Scrapbook fun

Scrapbooking, one of America's fastest-growing hobbies, will be offered by Sunrise Children's Foundation from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. July 23 at the Henderson Convention Center, 200 S. Water St.

A benefit for the foundation's programs to improve the health and education readiness of disadvantaged children in our community, the "Christmas in July" event includes raffle and door prizes, contests, no-cost make and takes and an array of vendors. Contact Virginia at 731-8373 for tickets and details.

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