Night in the shelter brings in dollars

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Apr 9, 2000 by Diane Wengler

Campaign co-chairs Penny and Craig Whitney greeted guests to the Major Donor Premiere Opening of phase one of the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region's new animal shelter on March 31.

Guests wandered through the indoor kennels for dogs and cats as well as housing for livestock to learn from the professional staff about the behind-the-scenes features of each area.

The Columbine Woodwind Quintet played as guests mingled and sampled hors d'oeuvres sponsored by Kathy Dreiling of The Picnic Basket, Stan Kouba of Federal Fruit and Produce, and Bob Spicer of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter.

Even the wait staff and bartenders, decked out in formal wear donated by Gingiss Formalwear, donated their time and tips so the entire $50-a-person ticket price became a donation toward raising the last $225,000 needed for the $6.1 million facility.

As past president Mark Watson gave the toast to the "cooperation" between government and citizens, raising their champagne glasses were event co-chairs Dr. Jim and Megan Killebrew; President Bill Willhoit and his wife, Jane; executive director Wes Metzler; development director Jane Hammoud and her husband, Salah; Tuck and Liz Aiken; John and Mary Bonicelli; Chuck and LaVena Brown; Mary Lou Risinger; James and Marti Hamilton; and Patti Hoth and Jim Clark.

SILVER BELL: Five outstanding community volunteers have been named finalists for the 2000 Silver Bell Award, which will be presented at a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. April 19 at the Main Ballroom at The Broadmoor.

The finalists are Annemarie Garza, who has accumulated 503 service hours as a docent at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo since 1988; Paulette Greenberg, who created the most successful fund-raiser for the American Heart Association, the annual Heart Ball; Deborah Hartley, who has served for nine years on the board of directors of Colorado Springs Child Nursery Centers; Russ Hott, who took on the task of enlarging print in textbooks for visually impaired students at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind; and Joan Klein, who educated the public about heart disease during 10 years with the Pikes Peak division of the American Heart Association.

Community leaders who judged the final Silver Bell selections are Jay Engeln, Palmer High School principal; the Rev. Marie Hanneman, First Lutheran Church; Mike Faricy of Faricy Boys Chrysler Plymouth Jeep; Mike Madson, chief meteorologist, KKTV; and Mayor Mary Lou Makepeace.

Reservations are $22 a person and may be made by calling Ann Birmele, 576-3435, by Wednesday.

ARTISTS' TEA: A snowstorm did not deter more than 80 guests from attending the Artists' Tea for Memories in the Making on March 31 at Penrose House.

Each artist participating in the Memories in the Making project was presented with a corsage by Rich Designs. Memories in the Making is a cooperative creative art project to enhance the lives of Alzheimer's patients.

As guests enjoyed the food provided by the Food Designers and Sunrise Assisted Living, they viewed the 34 pieces of art created by the artists

Family members of the artists included Norma Pardun, Pat Croke, Cheryl and Tom Tuder, Mary Alice Ayling, Mayola Carpenter and Joanne Behrens. Guests included Dr. Jim and Carol Simerville, Cheryl Dunaway, Susan Toth, Janice Horibe, Diane Bailey, George Holland, Ken and Margaret Schinstine, Jeanette Fox, Karen Dannewitz and Ann Freeman.

PAINT THE TOWN RED: Guests will dance to the R&B sounds of Hazel Miller at Paint the Town Red, a gala to benefit the Southern Colorado AIDS Project Saturday at the Cheyenne Mountain Conference Center and Resort.

Silent auction and cocktails will begin at 6 p.m. for the black- tie-optional event. Todd Dykes of KOAA-TV will be the master of ceremonies. Special guest will be John Powell, vice president of Quantum, which is sponsoring the event with KOAA Channels 5/30 and Colorado Springs Utilities.

Tickets are $100 a person. Reservations, due by Wednesday, can be made by calling event coordinator Timothy Pavlik, 578-9092, Ext. 115.

SAVE THE DATES: Taste of the Nation, a benefit for Care & Share, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Colorado and other hunger relief agencies, will be at 5 p.m. on May 7 at the Sheraton Colorado Springs Grand Ballroom. Tickets are $50. For information, call 528- 1247.

An evening of music, dancing and fun under the stars at High Valley Farm on July 15 will benefit Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care.

For reservations and further information, call 633-3400, Ext. 275.

One of southern Colorado's largest bowling parties, the 18th annual Bowl for Kids' Sake to benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters, will be on May 13 and 14 at Harmony Bowl, 3845 N. Academy Blvd. For registration or further information, call 329-7228.

- Diane Wengler is The Gazette's society columnist.