Louise Aird
BRIGHT LIGHTS

HE ENDEAVOUR

Auction went very

wcll this year, despite
the state of the economy.

The Endeavour Society is the
umbrella for i5 non-profit
organizations, whose volunteers’
and staff work all year to acquire
high-quality auction items tor the
November gala.

Generally, the evening grosses
about $750,000, and this year’s
total wasn’t far off — even though
there was some major bargain-
hunting going on.

Endeavour’s new executive
director, West Van's unflappable
Sheilah Henderson, did a
wonderful job — with help, of
course, from dgzens of volunteers.

The work of the decorating
committee impressed everyone —
the theme was an ‘Evening of
Colour’ and the reom was bright-
ly festooned with streamers and
balloons.

i would have suggested some-
thing other than quail for the main
course. Aside from not being par-
ticula.ly appetizing, it’s full of tiny
bones. .

An aerial photo of the room dur-
ing dinner would have shown 800
of Vancouver's most prominert
with their fingers rummaging
around in their mouths,

As usual, the live auction was
too long, but Maynard's auc-
tioneering master Barry Scott
managed to breeze through the 57
items without too much trouble,
and clearly enjoyed himself during
the frenzied bidding for the two
live-auction sensations: the chance

ENDEAVOUR’S NEW executive director Sheilah Henderson (right) did a wonderful job. Also pictured: husband Stuart and Vancouver

to tly a Marchetti SF 260 fighter
plane for a day: and a golden re-
triever puppy, both of which went
for seven times their value.

(The puppy’s name is now Max-
imillian Yorkton — guess what the
buyer does for a living.)

1 had an interesting table —
North Van's Robert Hallam, gen-
eral director of the Vancouver
Opera, and his wife Sydney
Scott-Hallam; Victoria’s Bunty
Coombs, whose family founded
Maynard’s, came with her hus-
band Paul to “see how things are
going’; and Double Exposure’s
Linda Cullen and Bob Robert-
son, who aren't at all fueny away
from the radio mikes.

As [ recall, they talked mainly
about his allergies and then she
spent the rest of the evening with
Kim Campbell.

Nice dress, though (short, strap-
less. electric-blue sequins).

The clotkes are always a big deal
at Endeavour and the \Vest Van
ladies did their bit.

Shariene Ludwig stole the show
ina black velvei strapless ‘‘Mor-
ticia’’ gown, Margie Garnett
looked fabulous in pink-and-silver
silk. and Buschlen-Mowatt Gallery
manager Ingunn Kembel was
most elegant in black organza.

‘Course, Lalways have more fun
spotting the duds.

Notables were a varnished Hefty
bag with armholes, and a gald
scrap of oleated aluminum foi! on
a woman who should take every
opportunity to wear a long dress.

Then there was another gold
number, this time in sequins,
which looked like a remnant of a
bad divorce — you know, when
one spouse goes through the
other’s closet with scissors?

Other faux pas were committed
by women wearing hats (never
atter 6 p.m., ladies), one of which
was best suited to Ascot; and a guy
drinking Canadian Club by the
beer glass (the Endeavour ticket
price includes unlimited liquor).

Trying not to commit any sacial
errors was Premier Mike, who
was affecting some curious,

Museum's Acquisitions Chairman Monica Sayers.

quast-genteel poses aad hand
gestures, as if trying to pretend
that his manners are more nolish-
ed than his paie. Wrong!

ak k

There’s mare tree-vating ta be
done, this time in Dundarave.
Peppi’s Jaunched its Christmas
Festival of Lights with an afternoon
party studded with local
celebiities.

Pamela Martin brought her
kids, as did Mayor Mask Sager
fone kid) and Vancouver Canucks
Stan Smyl and Jim Sandlak.

’ Prior to the lighting of the trees
by Grace McCarthy, and after a
beautiful serenade by the Coll-
ingwood Chamber Choir, Arthur
Griffiths made a touching speech
about this year's festival
beneficiary, Canuck Place.

When the Canuck Foundation,
of which Griffiths is chairman,
raises the $1.5 million it still needs,
Canuck Place will be a hospice for
terminaily ill children — the first in
North America.

You can add to the pot by going
down to Peppi's, filling out 3 ballot
and making a donation.

There are 70 trees, all elabo-
rately decorated by local con
panies, plus your kids wall love the
Nativity scene w hich is being
carved by North Van s Frank
Carius,

And Catius is sali working on it
so maybe you'll get to see a
master carver in action,

kkk

Susanna Blunt fans will be glad
to know that she’s back home.

Bluni recently had a two-day
show at her Sentinel Hill home to
display 80 paintings and drawings
done during her 14-month sojourn
in Provence, plus some of her new
portraits, for which she is perhaps
best known.

At least 250 people visited and
we're sure that one of them is go-
ing to be very embarrassed to
discover that he or she took not

WEST VAN’S Sharlene Ludwig, with husband Harald at the
Endeavour Auction, stole the show in a black velvet strapless

“‘Morticia’’ gown.

MARGIE GARNETT, with husband Don, fooked fabulous in pink
and silver silk at last month's Endeavour Auction.

the photocopies of the French
critics’ glowing reviews of Blunt's
work, but the originals.

Blunt's work was extremely
well-received by the Riviera press
and she proudly left her portfolio
of clippings in her living room.

Photos Louise Aird

Some (presumably) absent-
minded person took them home,
not realizing either that they were
the originals and/or that review
clippings are like gold to artists.

Whoever you are, could you
please return them? Thanks.

“y
Author & artist :
y CHARLES VAN SANDWYK
B will be autographing copies
of his new book
Saturday, Dec. 12 11-1pm

F An exquisite collector's item

$19%
Prints & etchings
also available

3080 Edgemont Bivd.
986-4863