Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Nonprofit group finds treasure at fund-raiser

"An Evening To Treasure," presented by Neiman Marcus for the Assistance League of Las Vegas -- a women's philanthropic organization -- returned after a 10-year absence to the ranks of Las Vegas' more popular social offerings.

Sunday evening found a bejeweled and debonair crowd gathering at the vastly expanded store in the Fashion Show mall for an evening of marvelous food, fun and hunting for treasure. Guests arriving at the after-hours affair were greeted by event chairwoman Linda Richardson, vice-chairwoman Lolita Kelley, Assistance League President Suzanne Van Aiken and Terri Monsour and Bill Terry, general manager and merchandise manager for Neiman Marcus in Las Vegas.

Committee members Saundra Richardson, Connie Larsen, Margy Purdue-Johnson, Sue Sullivan, Sharon Ensign, Patti Miller, Dorothy Huffey and Susan Kring assisted with registration.

Opening envelopes for their first clues and treasure hunt instructions were Jack and Nancy Weinstein, Terry Graves with wife Francine Pulliam, Hope and Joe Anstett, Marcia and Tola Chin, Sara Beth Brown with her mother, Mary Morgan, and Karin Mullen with Stephen Marks.

Spreading out through the luxurious store were Wendy and Neil Daseler, Helen Follmer, Char and Paul Hejmanowski and Sue and Leo Borns, as well as Saundra and Bob Richardson, Alan and Carol Stipe, Stu Bell, Cam Usher, University Regent Thalia Dondero, Yolanda Muro and Pam and Joe Brown.

Enjoying the merry chase of the treasure hunt prior to dinner were Bill Richardson with daughter Melissa, Maria and Ted Quirk, Richard and Tina Morgan, Arlene and Jerry Blut, Rene and John O'Reilly, Gary and Linda Vause and Becky and Ray Alden.

Dinner, a four-course meal, prepared to perfection by Bridget Lied, chef de cuisine of Neiman Marcus' Mariposa restaurant, was much enjoyed by tables of friends including Tom and Marilyn Starks, Emily and Bill Bossak, Dottie and John Wanderer and Tola and Marcia Chin, joined briefly by Sen. John Ensign, who did a bit of table hopping between courses.

Assistance League of Las Vegas, with no paid employees and the barest of budgets, provided 30,000 volunteer hours last year. Its programs, including Operation School Bell -- which clothes school-age children -- served 16,000 students in the last year.

All funds raised at the gala will be used for Assistance League's Southern Nevada programs.

Seasoned veterans

Lawry's The Prime Rib, in a team effort with parents, public school educators and business owners, has led the effort to help C.H. Decker Elementary School by providing much-needed funds for school programs and classroom resources.

Over the past four years Lawry's has donated funds, given many volunteer hours, created Career Day and led fund-raising for the year-round school in Spring Valley. This year Ed Lepere, general manager of Lawry's, offered to underwrite all food and beverage costs for a luncheon event, working with Decker Principal Sharyn Buck to make this business/education event a true bonfire for school improvement.

Assisting were committee members Lynne Doney, Jennifer Prestridge, Christopher Sparrow, Angela Shepard, Christina Jupista, Fran Smith, Kelly Garrett, Ally Legarreta, Leslie Singleton, Jennifer Overall and Lawry's Restaurant Manager Matthew Buxton.

Supporters at the midday event were plentiful, among them Susan Brager-Wellman, Clark County School Board member, with her father, Nelson Estin, and husband Robert Wellman, joined by Dr. Allen Coles, Southwest Region Associate Superintendent, Rebecca Katz, Dr. Mike Robison, Robert Bachant, Dawn Oaks and Billy Buck.

Julia Eppes, along with her Decker schoolmates, assisted with raffle sales and also sang with the choir directed by Jennifer Prestridge. Many of the attendees bid on the array of silent auction items or joined emcee John Fredericks, KVBC Channel 3 weatherman, as he led the live auction to ever-higher bidding levels.

Supporting the event were Susan Irish, Richard Ivy, Arthur Wilson, Kathy Silva, Joy Wilson, Kenneth Cole, Andrew Lyke, Tom Eppes, Jason Prestridge, Lee Martin and Tim Laveway.

Royal treatment

As is traditional with the changing of exhibitions at Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, the "Treasures from Chatsworth: A British Noble House" exhibit opened Sept. 12 with a private reception hosted by the gallery and hotel.

This special party and private tour was open to select hotel guests and a few lucky locals, among them Rita Rudner with husband Martin Bergman, Bob McCart, Keith Neil, Kathleen Redding and Simon Seligman. Champagne and delectables were heartily consumed before guests moved on to the gallery, where 250 treasures (and their histories) are displayed.

Gathered from the private collections of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, the paintings, sculptures, furnishings and private papers trace the history of this aristocratic family from Tudor England through the centuries to modern times.

Speaking easily to attendees were Bellagio's special guests for the occasion, Lord and Lady Hartington, seen with Anita Getzler of the Guggenheim Museum, joined by Desire Schultz, Ferninand Leonards, Fiulala Riley, Kelli Maruca, Lisa Maroe and MGM MIRAGE executives Jenn Michaels and Alan Feldman. The exhibit, open to individuals and groups alike, will remain at Bellagio through Jan. 18.

Events planned

This weekend offers several fine events for families and the best of weather to boot. On Saturday night, Opportunity Village will host its 11th annual Miss Kitty's "Jeans to Jewels," a family evening complete with live country music, barbecue and skilled riding and roping exhibitions. For tickets for the fun at the Bitter Root Ranch, call 259-3700.

And up the way, at Hills Park in Summerlin, Nevada Ballet Theatre presents "Ballet Under the Stars" at 8 p.m., an eclectic two-hour program for all ages. Tickets are available at the UNLV Box Office or by calling Nevada Ballet Theatre at 243-2623.

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