Columnist Muriel Stevens: Remembering cherished memories of Francis Albert Sinatra

The day after I'd written the column that follows, news came of Frank Sinatra's death. Like everyone else who had known him, even casually, there was a feeling of great loss. My late husband knew him well, and admired him. Not just for his remarkable talent, but for his professionalism, irreverent wit and intelligence.

It was through choice that I was but a small player in the part of my husband Maury's life that brought him into contact with celebrities such as Sinatra. But, there was one night when I agreed to go along that I've never forgotten. Our mutual friend Orson Welles had invited us to join him at Caesars for the Frank Sinatra show. The show was sensational. There was always magic when Sinatra was on stage and this night, even more so.

We didn't go backstage with Orson after the show, but when I got home, still aglow from Sinatra's singing, I wrote a column about his memorable performance. Two days later I received a personally written response thanking me. It was a warm, wonderful letter, and he also had enclosed a copy of my column with another personal message scrawled across the top. It was a treasured memento until our house burned down, but I still remember what he said.

On the night Sinatra's mother was lost in a plane crash, he was committed to doing a commercial for the Japanese Scotch, Suntory. News had already reached him that the plane was missing. The video crew from my husband's production company was in place awaiting his decision. Maury had called me earlier to tell me that the shoot might be cancelled and why. Frank was in obvious distress, yet it was his decision to go on. The commercial was made in one take. Just minutes after it was done, word came that confirmed the plane had crashed. He looked at the tape, thanked the crew and walked away. It had to have been one of the most painful moments of his life, yet he took the time to thank the crew.

On May 26, the inaugural Frank Sinatra Celebrity Classic golf tournament will take place in Las Vegas. The week-long celebration was to have honored the entertainer more closely identified with Las Vegas than any other. It will still be a week of celebrity golf, theme parties and other exciting activities, but now it will be a major tribute to his memory.

Both Frank and his wife, Barbara, have been generous contributors to many charities, especially those concerned with children. Barbara Sinatra will still host the week-long celebration (May 26-31) with co-host Wayne Newton. She has pledged to honor all of her commitments, including a book signing.

The list of celebrities and other notables who will participate in the golf tournament and the other events encompasses the worlds of music, film, television, and professional sports. Included among the 50 who will participate are Paul Anka, Jack Lemmon, Dennis Franz, Angie Dickinson, Gregory Peck, Dan Marino, Joe Theisman, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, Steve Guttenburg and Robert Stack. In the last few days, many more superstars have indicated that they'll be here, too.

Proceeds from the star-studded event will benefit the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center on the grounds of the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, CA. The center was founded by the Sinatras in 1986 to treat and counsel abused children. Also benefiting from the dazzling inaugural event is Las Vegas' Opportunity Village. "Opportunity Village will use our share of the proceeds to help build a new work training center in Henderson, which we need desperately," Linda Smith, Opportunity Village's resource development director, said.

During a recent interview with Barbara Sinatra I asked her how she had become involved in building the center. A longtime friend who was a volunteer for abused children encouraged her to become one. "As a volunteer, I met the children and was lost to the cause," she said. But it was exhausting work being a volunteer, she told me. Many services were required to treat these troubled youngsters -- the treatment facilities were scattered all over the city. It was wearying for the kids and the volunteers to have to go to so many locations. It was Barbara's idea to put all the services under one roof. Energized by the needs of the children, she organized a group to help put a plan together and within one year there was a Children's Center.

The Barbara Sinatra Children's Center treats at least 1,000 children every year. They range in age from 2 to 18 years. The center also treats adults who were abused as children and still need help to recover their lives. The Children's Center is there for them, too.

Among the many activities that will take place during the tribute is the unveiling of the Frank Sinatra Memorabilia Collection on May 26, at the MGM Grand. The private collection, owned by Rick Ross, will be on display for a week.

On the 27th, Barbara Sinatra will sign copies of the "Sinatra Celebrity Cookbook" at the Mirage. Frank loved to cook Italian dishes and his recipes are included. Proceeds will benefit the Children's Center. The book signing will take place at 1:30 p.m. A pairings party for the golf tournament will take place at the Desert Inn on the 28th.

Friday is the first day of the three-day golf tournament at the Stallion Mountain Country Club. Barbara is encouraging all locals to attend the tournament -- admission to the course is free -- and to bring their cameras and autograph books. "This is more than a fund-raiser," Barbara said. "It's an opportunity for fans to see the stars up-close." It's also an opportunity to buy logo souvenirs of the first Frank Sinatra Celebrity Classic. Everyone is welcome for the three days of play.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, Barbara, Wayne Newton and representatives from the Convention Authority and First Plus Financial will present awards to the winning teams. For the Sunday finale, an entertainer will be paired to play with a sports celebrity. This is an unprecedented opportunity to snap the celebs and pros in action.

A reception and black tie gala Saturday night at the MGM Grand in the Grand Ballroom of the magnificent new Conference Center will be another outstanding highlight of the week's activities and is open to the public. A few tickets, priced at $200 and $500, are still available through the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office (891-7777).

Billed as "Thanks Frank," the red carpet tribute is being produced by the multi-talented producer, arranger and longtime Sinatra friend, Quincy Jones, and directed by renowned choreographer Debbie Allen. Each of the entertainers will perform a classic Sinatra song, using his original arrangement. Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Paul Anka, Wayne Newton, Vic Damone and Diane Schurr are just a few of the Sinatra friends who will sing. Many more, including Jack Lemmon and Alan King will make appearances. The latest word is that additional stars will make a special effort to appear at the Gala as a personal tribute to Ol' Blue Eyes.

Celebrities will begin to arrive at the party at 6:15; at 6:45 a photo opportunity with Barbara Sinatra and the celebrity guests will take place. The cocktail reception and the gala will follow. The MGM Conference Center has its own entrance off Koval Lane, as well as valet parking.

There will be many bittersweet moments among the festive ones for the Sinatra family and the close friends who attend the tribute, but the spirit and talent of the man, and the memories he engendered -- even with strangers -- assures that Frank Sinatra will never be forgotten.

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