When Wall Street flips its lid, do Denverites freak out?
Sure, they do. But when it comes to their charitable portfolio, the word “divesting” doesn’t apply.
At least for the time being.
“Our ticket sales went up as the market went down,” reports Kevin O’Connor, who chaired Denver Public Library’s 11th Booklovers’ Ball with his wife, Janet Ellen Raasch. “They’re are bailing on the market and investing in the library.”
At Western Fantasy, which raised $1 million for the Colorado branch of Volunteers of America, attendance held steady and sponsorships were up.
“Our numbers actually were better than last year,” noted president and CEO Dianna Kunz. “Our chairmen, Gail Johnson and Dick Saunders, did an amazing job on outreach. And there was a lot more interest from the young professionals than we’ve had in the past.”
This was the 15th year for Western Fantasy, and in the months before the economy started its free- fall, organizers had put out the word that this was the year to “kick things up a notch” by having more glam and glitz.
Not wanting to bum everyone out, but mindful that lifestyles were being adjusted, the fancy-talk soon subsided. The goal anymore wasn’t so much about getting people to switch from blue jeans to ball gowns but to keep spirits high and meet fundraising goals.
Lots of people did sparkle, but plenty stayed with the tried and true.
Committee member Steve Edmonds gussied up a white dinner jacket with iron-on sparkles. When he was complimented on it, he replied: “Thanks, but Elton John needs to have it back by Monday.”
BJ Dyer and Guenther Vogt of Bouquets were asked stay with the crystal fantasy theme as they decorated the National Western Events Center. They obliged by topping Lucite cylinders with hand-tied bunches of white lilies and French tulips to create what Vogt described as “A simple elegance, which redefines the term ‘gala’ in light of our current economy.”
Denver’s charitable side also was noticed by Lee Greenwood, who helped open the benefit by singing his signature “God Bless the USA” as Sharon Magness Blake presented the colors while riding her horse, Thunder, around the arena. “You people sure do open your hearts,” he said as he looked out at the crowd of 1,140. “I am so impressed.”
Booklovers’ Ball
Meanwhile, at the Central Library, characters from such classics as “Harry Potter,” “Tom Sawyer” and “The Thin Man” were roving about as 620 people arrived for the 11th Booklovers’ Ball.
What makes this event so popular — aside from a desire to support Denver Public Library — is the strict rule of no speeches, no auctions, just fun. It raised $100,000.
Marne Davis Kellogg, there with hubby Peter Kellogg, shared the happy news that she has been asked to write a play based on her Lily Bennett novels. Sid Wilson, fresh from “beating the bushes” as the ball’s corporate chair, was enjoying the party with his wife, Claudia, and such fellow library commissioners as Lois Ann Rovira, Fofi Mendez, Jay Mead, Susana Cordova and Karen Rokala.Jeannie and Gov. Bill Ritter were there, too, along with Mayor John Hickenloooper and Helen Thorpe; U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette and Lino Lipinsky; state Sen. Chris and Laurie Romer; City Auditor Dennis Gallagher and Dutchess Scheitler; Oz Architecture’s Jim and Shelly Bershof; Denver Chamber of Commerce chief Joe Blake; Kelly and Michael Brough, Hickenlooper’s chief of staff; Elizabeth and Evan Anderman; Jack Finlaw, director of Theaters and Arenas, and Greg Movesian; KC and Kristina Veio; Jacquelyn Wonder and Jerry Conover; Landri and Gloria Taylor; Target exec Steve and Lisa Clemente; and Friends Foundation board members Hanne Lichtenfels, Michelle Onoda, Kim Bonniwell, Gail Busby, Sheila Cleworth, Jane Day, Judy Joseph, Mike King, Ander Murane, Lanny Proffer and Barbara Walton.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also,
