Big news seems to occur in packs of three, and a trio of happy announcements has just arrived from the Central City Opera:
— The board of trustees will have a change in leadership, effective Jan. 1, that puts four longtime supporters in command: Jeannie Fuller, whose involvement dates back some 40 years, steps in as board chair; Lanny Martin reprises his role as president and CEO, posts he has held twice before; past president and University of Denver professor Gordon von Stroh will be keeping the books as board treasurer; and attorney Phyllis Gottesfeld Knight, a trustee since 2007, is the new secretary.
— The Central City Opera House Association Guild, fresh from a record-breaking L’Esprit de Noel Holiday Home Tour, will have co-presidents in 2009: Madeline Collison and Missy Eliot. In addition, Carol McDermott and Annie McLagan will share the office of membership vice president while Christine Nicholson and Carolyn O’Donnell are co-vice presidents/projects. And,
— Eight-year member Bette Poppers has been given the guild’s Central City Belle Award for 2008. For the past three years, she has headed the greet-a-singer program, developing computer programs and spreadsheets to facilitate an average of 40 airport pickups — literally, at every hour of the day and night — for a three-week period during the opera’s summer season.
“Miracles” happen.
As any of the beneficiaries will attest, the help provided by the Raymond Wentz Foundation to Colorado cancer patients who are struggling financially is nothing short of miraculous.
So it was fitting when the foundation’s recent fundraiser, Pathway to a Cure, included a performance of “The Miracle Worker” at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Mayor John Hickenlooper was the honorary chairman for the event that also paid tribute to oncologist David Schrier, who started the foundation following the death of one of his patients. I’ve written more about the gala occasion in my Seen First blog: .
The next night, the individuals and companies who helped make the critically acclaimed production happen were feted at a pre-show reception in the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom. Guests included producing partners Marvin and Judi Wolf; Mary and Dr. Barry Berlin; representatives from HealthONE, Boeing and the Qwest Foundation. Also attending was Denver Center for the Performing Arts trustee Margot Gilbert Frank, who led a fund drive that is enabling the DCPA to offer reduced-price tickets for 7,000 school children; blindness-sensitivity training for 200 Girl Scouts; and a lobby display with information about blindness and Helen Keller’s numerous contributions.
And, there’s more.
Shop for the holidays, and help the Denver Dumb Friends League care for the animals awaiting adoption at its three shelters, by bidding in an online auction today through Feb. 2. Go to . for more information . . . Shirley Smith, one of Colorado Ballet’s best friends, will be conducting the overture to “The Nutcracker” for the 2 p.m. performance Sunday at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Tickets can be purchased online at .
Society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, .
