May Mushkin, from left, Irene Vogel, Chris LoBello, Joseph LoBello, Nicholas LoBello and Michele LoBello attend the 36th annual New Year's Day football party at the home of Carolyn Sparks. Photos by Marian Umhoefer. Denny Weddle, from left, Lucy Stewart, Gilbert Yarchever, Barry Thigpen and Edythe Yarchever celebrate New Year's Day at the Summerlin home of Carolyn Sparks. Hostess Carolyn Sparks holds her 3-year-old grandson Kenneth "KJ" Sparks, while she visits with party guests Alan Buchholz and Doreen Walsh. Some of the partygoers attending the annual New Year's Day football celebration are Barb and Brock Fraser, standing from left, and Jerry Walsh, Drake DeLanoy and Jackie DeLanoy, seated. The Sparks family and relatives welcome arriving guests to the 36th annual New Year's Day football party. From left are Katherine Lang, hostess Carolyn Sparks, Chuck Lang, Leona Groff, Kenneth "KJ" Sparks, Alyssa Sparks, Robert Sparks, Tiffany Sparks, Dean Walsh and Trish Walsh.

The first day of the new year found many football fans sitting around watching the televised bowl games. For the Sparks family, it marked the 36th year of hosting a football party that runs from noon until the end of the last game of the day.

Carolyn Sparks opened her Sun City Summerlin home to more than 100 guests who stopped by throughout the day. She was joined by her children and their families -- Katherine and Chuck Lang, Robert and Tiffany Sparks and Trish and Dean Walsh -- in greeting old friends and meeting new ones.

Dropping by were former Sen. Richard Bryan and Bonnie Bryan, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, former Gov. Bob List, Marilyn and Bill Flangas, Sharon and Larry Schmitt, Charlotte Hill, Jeanne and Becky Boman, M.J. and Jack Harvey, Kim Duckworth, Tiffany and Cary Duckworth, Norma and Richard Land, Janet and Andrew Blumen, Lou and Fred Schwager, Eleanore and Edward Doumani, Arlene and Michael Mack, Liz and Victor Ruybalid, and state Sen. Bob Coffin and his wife, Mary Hausch.

Among the guests enjoying the outdoor patio warmed by heaters were Karen Gordon, Mary and Bill Scheer, Wendy Scheer, Douglas Hitt, Gayle Anderson, Denny Weddle, Barbara Jo Batterman, and Ruth and Jack Lillis. The view included the Highland Falls Golf Course and the Las Vegas skyline.

Gathered around the dining room table to sample the holiday fare were Edythe and Gilbert Yarchever, Irene and Allen Vogel, Karen Johnston, Jan and Owen Nitz, Linda and Rod Reber, May Mushkin, Marti and Richard Hafen, Joyce and Tommy Thompson, Alan Buchholz, Sandy and Kirk King, Randall "Buck" McElhone, Laurette and Brad Mormon, Elizabeth Herridge, Marilyn Robinson, Betty and Richard Hanseen, Jane and Tom Krob, and Lori and Jim Hunt with their children, Ryan and Elizabeth.

Chili party: Chili aficionados enjoyed the homemade chili and hospitality of Nancy Bentley at her annual New Year's Day football party at her Talon Point home in Summerlin.

From the first game to the last, football fans attending included Joan and Tom Pursel, Mary Gwen Dombrowski, Luanne Matteucci, Margie Fields, Carole Moystad, Sally and Larry McKinney, Nancy Heberlee, Carol Harrison, Linda and Ken Givens, Betsy Rhodes, and Saundra and Bob Richardson.

Other guests included Scott Smith, Carole and Norm Terry, Lois and Jim Zellers, Dan Bullard, Kathy and Jack Holmes, Karen Maddock, Jean Knudson, Benet Hudson, Rex Jemison, Shannon Jemison and John McKissick.

Holiday wedding: The nuptials of Nancy L. Gasho of Las Vegas and Robert E. Fromm, originally of Kansas City, took place at sunset Dec. 22 at the Sun City Anthem Center.

The bride wore a long, three-piece, iridescent-pink St. John knit. She was given in marriage by retired Brig. Gen. Richard Browning.

Bridesmaids were Emily Aguero and Susan Maddox, wearing black gowns of their choice.

Junior bridesmaids were Erin Campbell and Lauren Campbell of Kent, Wash., granddaughters of the groom.

The groom's sons, Robert E. Fromm Jr. of Sugar Land, Texas, and Ronald W. Fromm of Duvall, Wash., served as best men.

The ring bearer was Brian Campbell of Kent, Wash., grandson of the groom.

Christopher Wood of Kirkland, Wash.; Robert E. Fromm III, Richard R. Fromm and Russell Fromm of Houston; and Alex Fromm and Austin Fromm of Duvall, Wash., all grandsons of the groom, served as ushers.

The marriage was officiated by the Rev. Dr. Roger L. Snyder in front of 153 close friends and out-of-town guests.

The cocktail reception was followed by dinner and dancing. The formal tables were set with elaborate fresh floral centerpieces of tall crystal vases with red Christmas balls topped with white manzanita branches and sprays of roses in various shades of red.

The newlyweds cut a three-tier wedding cake crowned in burgundy roses.

The bride is a longtime Clark County teacher and currently serves as principal of the Omar Haikal Islamic Academy. She is a past president of the Las Vegas Junior League.

The groom is a West Point graduate and served 20 years in the Air Force. He recently retired as superintendent of schools for Pend Oreille County, Wash.

The couple honeymooned in Seattle and San Francisco for the holidays, and will reside in Sun City Anthem.