Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Bellagio shines at St. Rose Dominican's event

Elizabeth Foyt's social column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at [email protected].

Showing the months of planning necessary to accomplish the mammoth task, the recent Fine Art of Healing Mardi Gras Ball to support St. Rose Dominican Hospital at the Bellagio was an elegant, well-planned and most successful occasion. Delightfully, the evening opened with a receiving line allowing arriving guests to congratulate Mardi Gras "Queen and King 2000," Selma and Troy Bartlett, longtime Henderson residents and pillars of the banking and business community.

With the Bartletts were Dan H. Stewart, vice chairman of the St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation and his wife, Mary, who jointly served as co-chairs of the spectacular evening. Joining in welcoming the 800-plus guests was Daniel Foley, foundation chairman, with his wife, Dianna, as well as Dr. Robert Richey, chairman of the hospital and his wife, Debbie. Graciously adding to the warmth of the welcome was Rod A. Davis, president and CEO of St. Rose Dominican and current president of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, accompanied by his wife, Cathy.

Guests were then ushered into the Bellagio's sparkling Monet Room where a lavish cocktail reception, hosted by Phyllis E. Thompson, was much enjoyed by Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson, Lee and Rodney Jean, Paul and Susan Michael, Diane and Mike Hanson, and Eldon and Jeanette Davis. Nearby was Judy Robinson with Frances and Mac MacDonald, as well as Ted and Maria Quirk, Caroline and Norman Jensen and Dr. Paul and April Stewart.

A lavish auction display reflected the esteem with which the hospital is held by the community -- individuals and businesses. Bidding with friends were Tamara and Jay Kornmeyer, Richard Rilts, Katherine Krucker, Dennis and Judy Hetherington and state Sen. Jon Porter and his wife, Lori.

The balmy evening drew many to the picturesque balcony overlooking the gardens and pools of the resort. Seen in casual conversation with colleagues and associates was former Clark County School District Trustee Jeffrey Burr and his lovely bride, Stacy, joined by Pam and Joe Brown, J.A. Tiberti, Susan and Ralph Hawkins and Sharon Carelli, who spoke of how proud she is to be a part of the St. Rose family and staff.

The program, led by emcee John O'Reilly, included toasts to the progress made in the hospital's expansion program, the new Siena campus and Sister Margaret Mehigan and the Adriuan Dominican nuns, who have given so much in the past 53 years.

Dinner in the Bellagio's very beautiful ballroom began with a dreamlike dance sequence performed by students of the Fern Adair Conservatory, followed by a delectable meal with music provided for both dinner pleasure and, later, dancing.

Delighted to be among the attendees were Amanda Cypherts, Pat and Bob Campbell, Colleen Bacchus, Clyde Caldwell, Hal and Betsy Weller and U.S. Sen. Richard and Bonnie Bryan, as well as Donna Cummings, Mary Kay Peck, Howard Mann and Stan and Barbara Jones. Sponsors of the 43rd annual Mardi Gras event were plentiful and included Don and Ruth Marker, the LandWell Co., Mitchell Ogron of Siena Office Park, Managed Care Consultants, John Kish of Skyline Casinos, Radiology Associates of Nevada and Dr. J. Paul Wiesner, to name just a few.

Alltel added a new dimension to the live auction by placing the latest in digital phones at each table for direct bidding on items displayed on huge video screens throughout the evening. Looking in to see that all ran smoothly was Brian O'Shields, Bellagio's vice president of food and beverage, who helped shape the magnificent fund-raiser.

Shower luncheon

Bride-to-be Jennifer Windom was recently feted with a bridal shower given by family friends at the home of Helen and Jim Sax. Arriving guests enjoyed mimosas, champagne and wine at pool side before the luncheon. Jennifer's grandmother, Lillian Sales, brought with her ribboned jars of her prized pear jelly for each guest. Also in attendance was Jennifer's cousin, Crystal Nordstrom. Jetting in as a surprise to her sister was Lisa Windom, a soon-to-be graduating senior at Judson College in Alabama. Lisa will be maid of honor while fellow guests Melanie Newth and Jennifer Domenichini will serve as bridesmaids for the spring nuptials.

Mother of the bride Sandy Windom attended with her employers, Tracy Bohl and Eloise Guinn of Vegas Costume Works. Jointly the trio revealed details on the wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses to guests Nancy Vinnik, Darly Ljunquist, Priscilla Goldstein, Frances Harrison, Armida Mendez, Rosy Lozoya and Tracey Austin. Describing the frothy fabrics used for the flower girl costumes to be worn by Megan and Taylor Myers was their mother, Laurie Myers, a longtime family friend and former babysitter to the bride and her sister.

Jennifer Windom, an undergraduate at UNLV pursuing a degree in social work, is employed by HELP of Southern Nevada as a CASA -- Community Alternative Sentencing Agent -- and also serves as activities and resource coordinator for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southern Nevada. She is the daughter of Rex and Sandy Windom of Las Vegas. Her groom, Brian Schmidt, formerly of Arvida, Colo., is a chemist at Thermoflow Corp.'s North Las Vegas facility.

Junior League honorees

Gov. Kenny Guinn and Nevada's first lady, Dema Guinn, presided over recent ceremonies honoring the Sustaining members of Junior League of Las Vegas. In his comments to the 50-some Sustaining members in attendance, Guinn praised their credo of providing ongoing service across the community, giving of their talents to assist the less fortunate, creating new agencies and providing for both seniors and children. Those given special recognition included Jeanne Greenawalt, Mary Cashman, Carolyn Sparks, Janice Haupt Allen, Donna Andress and Thalia Dondero, to name just a few. Equally honored and acknowledged were Nancy Gasho, Laura Fritz, Suzanne Van Aiken, Arlene Southard, Sharon Beatty, Caty Crockett Jones, Susan Brooks, Dorothy Huffey, DeDee Nave and Denise Olsen, as well as Debbie Levy, Diana Wilson, Vicki Cichon and Linda Givens.

The dinner reception, catered by Wild Sage Cafe, was a tasty affair featuring sliced medallions of beef with creamy garlic potatoes, Wild Sage's special salmon, saute petite flounder, assorted salads and hearth-baked breads. Imported champagne added a sparkling touch to the evening.

Cathy Snow, nominating chair, gave her report and announced that the new AJL officers for 2000-2001 will be: Donna Levy (president), Louise Helton (president-elect), Shenandoah Merrick (community vice president), Debbie Herman (fund development vice president), Kristina Swallow (administrative vice president), Susan Kubat (finance vice president), Guba Zurega-Smith (treasurer), Lyn Kirsch (league attorney), Janet Zimmerman (recording secretary), Deborah Levy (Sustainer advisor), and Sally Rycroft, Cindy Pridgen and Pat Downs (members-at-large).

Sharon Beatty, serving as Sustainer president for the 1999-2000 term, revealed that the new Sustainer Board of Directors will be: Adele Koot (secretary), Mary Blake (treasurer), Linda Leavitt (social chair), Saundra Richardson (vice president) and Robin Singleton (president).

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