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!

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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,

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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