Nevada Opera Theatre Guild celebrates holidays

Carolers serenaded guests in a private dining room twinkling with decorations as the Nevada Opera Theatre Guild celebrated the holidays on Dec. 16 at Maggiano's in Fashion Show mall.

The festive event began with a reception and silent auction. Items for bid included dinners at Capital Grille, the Four Seasons, Lawry's the Prime Rib and Maggiano's as well as for articles from Chanel, Vera Wang and Dooney & Bourke.

Guests included District Judge Jessie Walsh, Merle Berman, Nicole Hyson, Rupert Perrin, Anna Nateece, Elaine Fish, Shelia McKay, Paula Asadurian, Lisa Anderson, Lucrecia Sparks, Beverly and Mike Mykisen, Tony Sacca, Robert Clark, Alicia and Nick Georgiade, Toni Carpenter, and Carl Williams with Cole and Hayden Williams.

Guild chairwoman Karen Scherer welcomed all and introduced the afternoon's master of ceremonies, Morton I. Hyson, and Eileen Hayes, event coordinator.

The Nevada Opera Theatre Chorus, accompanied by pianist Richard Weiss, sang holiday carols throughout the afternoon.

A three-course luncheon began with stuffed mushrooms, bruschetta, Maggiano's salad and Caesar salad, and was served family style. The entree included chicken and spinach manicotti, lasagna, eggplant Parmesan and chicken piccata followed by tiramisu and Nonna's poundcake.

A live auction offered a jade tree donated by Rupert Perrin, a gold bracelet donated by Tower of Jewels, a gold and diamond ring from John Fish Jewelers, a Ritz-Carlton weekend with spa and dinner, and a cultural arts experience including tickets for the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Las Vegas Philharmonic and Nevada Opera Theatre.

The luncheon's highlight was entertainment by opera stars Joanna Bonin, Ben Litvinoff, Shelley Martinsen, Stephen Plummer, Lance Taubold, Stazi Summers and Hyson singing traditional carols.

More guests enjoying the pleasant repast were Joan Dimmitt, Beverly and Ken Hirth, Alice Fressenden, Bill Becemil, Eleanor and Charles Knapner, Evelyn and Michelle Rizza, Heidi Meyer, Trudy Platzer, Rose Nascimento, Carol Mitchell, Helene Linder, Gwen DenDooven, Wynn Schottlekorb, Linda Cassese, Jim Patti, Verlee Anderson, Wayne Scherer, Jocelyn Holzwarth, Barbara Wood, Janet Ryan, Gloria and Jonathan Amozig, Barbara and Ray Desjardin, Blanche and Lillian Auspitz, Maureen Hulin, and Heidi and Gene Seronin.

Santa's helpers: Every year, James "Bucky" Buchanan and his wife, Gianna, open their Sunrise Mountain home -- found by searchlights lighting up the night sky -- for a lively holiday party.

Party admittance is an unwrapped children's toy accepted by Marines in dress blues at the door for the Toys For Tots drive.

Seen among the hundred guests at the party Dec. 15 were District Judge Bill Jansen; Regents Thalia Dondero and Mark Alden; Alden's fiancee, Tunta Has-Ochyr; Frances and "Mac" MacDonald; Zoe Brown; ZZ Zorn; Roy Nelson Jr.; Marjorie Fields and her daughter, Tina.

Dave Kent catered the event. Ribs and chicken were barbecued on the premises and served in the home's dining room buffet-style with all the accompaniments.

A live band played for dancing around the Christmas tree in Bucky's wild game room where the high walls are adorned with trophies from his many African safaris.