Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004 | 8:33 a.m.
Elana Hatch Graham and her husband, Ben, opened their spacious home for the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary's 39th annual Doll Tea on Dec. 6.
Elana Graham, a longtime Las Vegas resident, is known for her service to organizations that support the welfare of children. Attending auxiliary members and their guests celebrated the season by bringing a new doll or making a financial contribution toward the purchase of toys.
At the door to assist were young helpers Rebekah Lescenski, Jonathan Des Jardin and Benjamin Maurer, who put the gifts beneath the Grahams' Christmas tree. Phyllis Roberts, former auxiliary president, provided festive tunes on the piano.
Salvation Army Major Harryette Raihl assisted auxiliary President Karen Lobach, Graham and Doll Tea co-chairs Joan Dimmitt and Wynn Schottelkorb in welcoming arrivals.
Those enjoying the relaxing afternoon were Robin Boyer, Carolyn Sparks, retired Col. Maude Sullivan, Jeanne Block, Diane Ireland, Camille Dotts, Donna Newsome and Sara Southard. Presiding over the groaning tea table were past presidents, including Jan Kennedy, Joanne Vaughn, Marion McFadden, Phyllis Roberts and Lillian Pekrul.
The Salvation Army Corps will distribute the dolls and other toys to the needy children in our community as part of their Christmas outreach.
Teddy bear tea
Four Seasons Las Vegas, since opening in 1999, has been tireless in its support of the UNLV Cancer Research Center, with more than $300,000 raised over the years.
Most recently George Cordon, general manager, Tamir Shanel, director of food and beverage, and Vince Parrotta, hotel manager, hosted The Teddy Bear Tea Party, an extravagant holiday affair for the young at heart.
Sweet little girls in ruffled velvet dresses and carrying favorite teddy bears attended the Dec. 15 event, among them Kate and Kristen Gross with their mother, Michelle, and close friends Laura Riffel with daughter Ohara. Former Nevada Assemblywoman Merle Berman, Karen Strawn, Sam Panice, Shelli Lowe, Cynthia Picardo, Jennifer Patino, Beverly and Mike Mykisen, Hope Anstett and Sharon Schmitt supported the charitable tea and enjoyed the fashions presented by Mandalay Place boutiques.
High bidders for the Four Seasons packages from around the nation and world included Bruce and Barbara Lee Woollen, Judith Ash, Jaki Baskow, Lori and Jim Kennedy with daughter Jessica, Stephanie Rush with Carrie Balleu, Joyce Gordon, Allison Cully and Kelly Messina.
Following the serving of a truly splendid high tea, many guests toured the presidential penthouse to see the hundreds of teddy bears on display. Others lingered in the Four Seasons main corridor on the first floor, where they chose to buy buildings in the elaborate gingerbread village created by Executive Pastry Chef Jean Luc Daul, also a fundraising effort to assist the cancer center.
Crowd warms Ice
The Ice House Lounge sizzled with the heat of nearly 600 guests attending a charitable party orchestrated by Club Renaissance Vertical Country Club Condominiums to celebrate its Web site launch and marketing effort.
Present as genial host for the Thursday event was developer Philippe Pageau-Goyette, owner-president of Diversified Real Estate Group, his wife, Ingrid, and Jimmy Foster, director of marketing. Asked to contribute coats and blankets to benefit Victory Outreach to assist the homeless, guests created a small mountain of contributions and provided hard cash for the worthy endeavor.
The new condominium development on the corner of Casino Center and Bonneville will reach a height of 705 feet (60 floors) and is planned with a 60,000-square-foot country club, several floors of retail shops and a rooftop sun deck complete with an infinity pool.
Designed for young, active professionals who want to work and play in downtown Las Vegas, the planned structure drew the attention of commercial Realtor Anne Kellogg, Kristina Brown, Thomas Jackman (Stratosphere), Rachel Ocain (Commander's Palace), City Councilwoman Janet Moncrief, John Russell (Martin-Harris), Melissa Roldan (St. Jude Medical), Kevin Kelly (Streamline Tower), Amy Small (Charles Gruwell Design), Leslee Koslov (state of Nevada) and Aimee Worth.
Holiday party
Combine the efforts of two sisters, their husbands and a shared gift for entertaining, and the net result is a wonderful holiday party. Mari Landers, general manager for Saks, her husband, Thom, her sister Deni Conrad (who recently stepped down as executive director of HELP of Southern Nevada) and Deni's husband, Steve, held their seventh joint Christmas party Dec. 12.
The gathering at the Landers' home in The Lakes is a favorite among friends old and new. Thom, a masterful cook, kept things humming in the kitchen after he helped prep the lamb chops, which were then grilled by his brother-in-law, Steve, in the home's enviable outside kitchen.
Mari greeted guests including Scott and Valerie Freshwater, Owen and Jan Nitz, Dr. Jeffrey and Vicki Cichon, interior designer Gaye Sayre, Lou Gammage and husband Fred Schwager, Ann and Bruce Evans, Art and Sara Besser and former neighbors Dr. James and Sandra Franks and Dr. Pattie Craddock.
The Landerses, with children Libbyanne and Christopher, are known for their elaborate Christmas decorations, and this year had an additional pair of helping hands in Thom's sister Patty Urdick.
Seen visiting with Deni as she poured wine and added a dollop of liveliness to the eggnog was her son and his bride, Shane and Heather Stine, joined by Lynn Wiedner, Patty and Richard Wright, Daphne and Don Campbell, Tom and Maryanne Kummer, Theresa and Michael Minden, Claire and Chuck Bowling and artist Ray McCarty and wife Linda. Neighbors Liz and Josh Zara, Roseanne Northington and Jerry and Debbie Smith were introduced to longtime family friend Sen. Richard and Bonnie Bryan, as well as Mari and Deni's parents, Jack and Evelyn Libby.
Black and White Ball
Invitations have been mailed for 2005's first "must-attend" event for the social set; Nevada Ballet Theatre's Black and White Ball will be held Jan. 22 at Caesars Palace.
The legendary Ann-Margret will be honored as NBT's 2005 Woman of the Year at this elegant gala sponsored by Wells Fargo and Cartier. Tickets for this evening to fund NBT's performances and educational programs are available by calling 243-2623.
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