As the fate of the 2008 Junior Symphony Guild Designer Showhouse remains in limbo, we learn that another popular fundraiser isn’t getting the sponsorship support it needs.
Members of the Central City Opera House Association Guild learned this week that aside from presenting sponsor Perry and Co., financial and in-kind help for L’Esprit de Noel, the holiday home tour that has been a guild tradition for more than 20 years, is virtually nonexistent.
Committee chiefs Kit Eschner and Suzanne Knight, both Perry and Co. brokers, reported that of three dozen companies contacted, only two have stepped forward as sponsors. This, Eschner says, is “fairly disheartening.”
L’Esprit de Noel is to take place in November at the Preserve. Companies or individuals who woul like to sign on can e-mail Eschner at keschner@perryandco.com.
15 and going strong
On a happier note, Project PAVE is preparing for its 15th anniversary Secret Chefs wine dinner and auction, hosted, as always, by Noel and Tammy Cunningham at Strings Restaurant.
Chairman Joe Hubbard says the Sept. 30 event will feature an eight-course dinner; wines hand-picked for the occasion by members of the American Wine Society; and an auction featuring one-of-a-kind items.
Colorado first lady Jeannie Ritter, a member of the Project PAVE board, will be there; Vic Bourassa of Bourassa Vineyards in California’s Napa Valley will emcee. Presenting sponsor is the Gaines Foundation.
Volunteer chefs include artist Gary Paul, who’ll prepare braised elk medallions with truffled sweet potatoes, and Greg Barnhill, who’ll be doing duck confit. Hors d’oeuvres are coming from O’s Steak and Seafood at the Westin Westminster.
Project PAVE works to end the cycle of relationship violence through prevention, detection and intervention.
A lasting reminder
There were many nice touches when the late Florence Ruston’s granddaughter, Kimi Porterfield, exchanged wedding vows with Mike Brown at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek. But the one that generated the most attention was having guests use an electronic pen to engrave congratulatory messages to the newlyweds on one of two silver trays set out near the guest book.
Kimi and Mike had been classmates at Cherry Creek High School but didn’t really get to know each other until a couple of years ago when they ran into each other at a Colorado Avalanche game. They began dating and became engaged last winter. Their Sept. 2 wedding was followed by a honeymoon in Jamaica.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com. She also contributes at
