Community college presents Legacy of Achievement Awards

The first recipients of the Community College of Southern Nevada Foundation's Legacy of Achievement Awards were honored at a gala dinner April 28 at Caesars Palace.

It also was a celebration commemorating the school's 35th anniversary.

The foundation paid tribute to six honorees with the endowment of a $10,000 scholarship in each of their names.

The Legacy inductees included the late James Cashman III, a business and community leader, represented at the gala by his wife, Mary Kaye Cashman, mother, Mary Cashman, and sister, Leah Benjamin; the late Manny Cortez, who served on the County Commission and was president of the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, represented at the gala by his daughter, Catherine Cortez Masto; Lamar Marchese, former president of KNPR-FM since its inception in 1975; professor Jim Jennings of the college's slot machine repair program; former Clark County Sheriff Bill Young; and the Buck Wong family of Arcata Associates Inc. engineers.

Video screens showed how their work has benefited the community. The honorees' leadership and service have done much to improve everything from infrastructure and safety to the culture and economy of Nevada.

Guests included former Sen. Richard Bryan and Bonnie Bryan, Jeanne and John Kilduff, Susan and Monte Miller, Carolyn Sparks, Bob Walsh, Diana and Roger Wilson, Mary Jo and Rossi Ralenkotter, Tom Axel, Denny Weddle and Lou Anne Harrison.

Caesars presented a gourmet dinner featuring Southwestern fare, and table centerpieces included red rock, sand, and miniature desert plants and animals.

The dinner and live auction took place in a large ballroom that featured a stage at both ends of the room, where masters of ceremonies Jenny DesVaux Oakes, chair of the foundation board of trustees, and Pat Shalmy, president of Nevada Power, the event's presenting sponsor, introduced the Legacy inductees.

Community College President Richard G. Carpenter accepted a check from the American Gaming Equipment Manufacturers for their $300,000 pledge over three years to the slot technology program.

More guests attending were JoAnn Levy, Joan and Les Dunn, Betty and Richard Hanseen, Ruth and Jack Lillis, Quara and Rick Pyatt, Arlene Mack, Karen Johnston, and Lou and Fred Schwager.

The reception was sponsored by DeLuca Wine and Liquor, and the silent auction was sponsored by the Las Vegas Hospitality Association.

Tea time: The Mesquite Cub had its annual Garden Tea at Lakeside Center on Regatta Drive in Desert Shores on Friday. The afternoon event was a British High Tea for members and guests, chaired by Mary Shaw.

Mesquite President Jerrie Pearson greeted Betty Bunch, Mary Gafford, Alice Eubanks, Lois Evora, MaryAnn Hantout, Jolene Taylor, Sally Wathen and President-elect Vera Knox.

Flo Mlynarczyk and Doris Wartman were in charge of the guest book.

The glass-enclosed room reflected the ambience of spring with pastel colors and tall bouquets of white rosebuds on the tea sandwich table.

An array of assorted sweets attracted Peggy Smithey, Blanch Zuker, Virginia Longley, Betty Ault and Sue Anne Churchill.

The Dick Geuder Trio entertained.

Among those enjoying an afternoon of conversation were Joan Powell, Margie Conway, Elaine Fish, Peggy Casey, Joan Braun, Rosemary Clark and Connie Macauley, Nevada president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs.

This year, the Mesquite Club is celebrating 96 years of service to Las Vegas. It is the oldest women's organization in Southern Nevada.