Down Syndrome Organization celebrates with annual festival

The Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada celebrated with a silent and live auction during its 19th annual Festival of Trees and Lights on Saturday at Paris Las Vegas' Vendome Ballroom.

The magical evening featured beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and baskets for bid to raise funds for the services the group provides, and to increase expanding programs and services. Bidding in the silent auction began at 4 p.m. during a meet-and-greet where guests had the opportunity to meet two clients, Andrea Friedman and Blair Williamson.

Friedman is self-reliant, drives her own car, has a job, does her own housekeeping and has a social life.

At age 10, Williamson participated in the Special Olympics, which lead to a role in a television commercial for Proctor & Gamble in 1990. He has since played roles on "The Guardian," "ER" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," and his film credits include a role in the USA Network's film "My Antonia."

Flutist Francesco Canuglia entertained during the silent auction that continued until 8 p.m. as guests Susan and Stan Wasserkrug, Rita DeSimone, Cyndi and Doug Hensley, Tricia Kean, Phyllis Silvestri, Sandy and Rex Windom, Betsy Rhodes, JoAnn Feikes Pane, Jennifer and Phil Randazzo, and Theresa and Michael Minden scurried about the room placing bids on 30 trees offered that included many gifts underneath.

Board chair Joe DeSimone welcomed guests as they were seated for a four-course dinner with music provided by the Steve Golden Trio. Master of ceremonies was news anchor Casey Smith of KTNV-TV, Channel 13.

Auctioneer Christian Kolberg continued with a live auction for dinner hosted by "Hell's Kitchen" winner Rock Harper at Green Valley Ranch. Also available were a San Antonio Spurs package; a diamond necklace; a getaway to Winter Park, Colo.; and a dinner for six with the fire chief and crews at a city of Las Vegas fire and rescue station.

Three fantastic trees were up for bid in the live auction. One, designed by Karen Schulz, was titled "The Wizard of Oz." Designers Mary Villagran, Liza Jascolt and Frank Gregory did a tree titled "Harrah's Entertainment Holiday Celebration," which featured tickets for various events at all of the company's properties. The top tree bid was for the "North Pole Express," created in honor of 11-year-old Clayton Rhodes, a Down Syndrome Christmas baby who has excelled by playing on a soccer team in the Summerlin Little League with his peers and now attends Faith Lutheran Middle School.

Clayton's snowy tree was decorated in red ornaments by group director and Clayton's mother, Shelley Rhodes, and its gifts included a red wagon, a BMX bike and a large-scale Bachmann Electric Train. Seen among the 280 guests were Angie and Mike Gunter, Pat and Doug Fries, Isabell Henry, Connie and Terry McBeath, Norman Lash, Sandy and Jeff Foley, Sherrie and Troy Stratton, JoEllen Ritzo, Ray Turpin, Mercedes Tan and the Truman family. Event chairwoman was Deann Cline and presenting sponsors were the Focus Group and Greenstreet Properties.

Holiday tea: The Nevada Women's History Project had its annual holiday tea at the home of Joan LeMere on Dec. 1. President of the Southern Region Linda Miller welcomed members and their guests, including Mary Gafford, Lois Evora, Ladelle Taylor, Bette Ault, Susan Houston, Margie Conway, Joan Fragakis and Judge Cynthia Dianne Steel. Presiding at the tea table were Nancy Samsone, Sandra Frank, Bev O'Connor, Betty Miller and Gwen DenDooven.

Holiday party: A celebration was hosted by Francine and Terry Graves on Saturday at Andre's French Restaurant, where guests including former Gov. Kenny and Dema Guinn, former U.S. Sen. Richard and Bonnie Bryan, Sue and Paul Louden, Virginia Richardson and Bob Maheu, Joanne Blystone, Yvonne and Ken Gragson, Shirley Blair, Linda and Steve Casey, Peggy Casey, Vivienne and John Ross, Elizabeth Ackerman, Joan and Robert Deiro, Ruth and Jack Lillis, Irene and Allen Vogel, and Janice and Fred Allen joined Peg Crockett, Lois and Jim Zellers, Shirley and Lewis Shupe, Betty and Bob Robinson, Linda Givens, Nancy and Bob Joslin, Caty Crockett, Norma and Richard Land, Martha Carter, Susan Graves, Cheryl and Bert Purdue, Maria and Ted Quirk, Karen Johnston, and Saundra and Bob Richardson to share holiday greetings and elaborate hors d'oeuvres.

The quaint restaurant was aglow in twinkling lights, which welcomed Jeanne Greenawalt and Irene Kishner, Sandy Tiffany and Jim Marsh, Pam Brown, Karen Powell, Joan and Dennis Stein, Sue and Barry Becker, Deni and Steve Conrad, Doree and George Dickerson, Diane Dickerson, Lynn Wiesner, Lou Ann Harrison and Denny Weddle, Paul and Joe Quagliana, Julie Murray and Chuck Jackson.