Camelot at the Magical Forest proves to be a magical time

Don Ross and Joyce Sherman-Nelson and Jim Nelson were honored during Camelot at the Magical Forest, the sold-out, black-tie benefit for Opportunity Village that took place Nov. 12 at the organization's West Oakey Campus.

Ross, vice president of catering for Caesars Entertainment, helped oversee the dinner. Jan Jones, Penn Jillette and Rob Goldstein introduced honorees Joyce Sherman-Nelson and Jim Nelson and their company Destinations by Design, which did the decor for the gala.

The party began with a cocktail reception and silent auction. Guests included Phyllis and Jack Binion, Michael J. Brown, Diana Bennett, Frank Schreck, Melinda and Bob Brown, Jeri and Rick Crawford, Dorothy Flagler, Darlene and Cliff Miller, Patricia and Mike Morrissey with son, Sean, Lee Medick and Benson Riseman, Beverly and Mike Bolognini, and UNLV President Len Jessup and Kristi Staab.

The dinner and entertainment took place in Opportunity Village's Multipurpose Room, which had been transformed into a Winter Wonderland.

Pianist Paul Cavanaugh opened the evening's program. Master of ceremonies Chet Buchanan introduced the Camelot Committee's honorary chairs, Bill Walters, Sheryl and Rob Goldstein, and dinner chair Brian Beckner. Members of the Camelot Committee were Annemarie Jones, Elizabeth Blau, Emily Jillette, Hedy Woodrow, Lenny Perry, Robin Grant, Shannon Carducci, Shannon McBeath and Tony Bond.

The three-course dinner was overseen by honoree Ross; Beckner, director of catering at Planet Hollywood; Jean Herzman, assistant dean for the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at UNLV; Sherman Branick, banquet chef at Caesars Palace; Leticia Eagle, banquet chef at the Rio; and Thomas Shirasaka, chef at The Venetian. All labor was donated by students.

Christian Kolberg conducted the live auction for 13 extraordinary packages. Among them, a seven-day trip aboard the yacht One More Toy, sold for $55,000 twice; a walk-on part in the TV series "Ray Donovan" sold for $17,000; a New York Fashion Week trip sold for $16,000; and a three-night stay for four people at the El Dorado Golf & Beach Club in Los Cabos, Mexico, sold for $14,000.

Also seen among the guests were Amy Wiles, Patricia and Richard Wright, Ed Guthrie, Denise and Tony Ramondo, Brenda Rice, Jeff Cooper, Michele Madole, and Mari and Thom Landers.