Diamond glitters for community's givers

VAIL - The annual Black Diamond Ball, held on Dec. 2, is the chance for men to find the tux in the back of the closet (for better or worse) and for the ladies to dress to the nines in a gorgeous gown.

The women, of course, love the opportunity to don the family jewels, and the men, well, cooperate.

The event, presented by A.E. Betteridge Jewelers, was held at the Vail Cascade Resort and Spa. It was an evening for the Vail Valley Foundation to honor a handful of people who have contributed greatly to the community.

The evening was in the midst of the Birds of Prey World Cup races at Beaver Creek, so, with Bode and Daron hitting the podium, everyone was in a celebratory mood.

The downhill race this year was dedicated to Barbara Treat, who previously received the Ernie Bender Award in 2002. Barbara, for those of you don't know, is one of those ladies who is able to ask anyone to donate/volunteer/contribute/give their first born child and no one will ever turn her down.

That's because Barbara donates/volunteers/contributes/gives her first born child more often than anyone else, so you just can't ever say no to her. Barbara is at home, giving her all in a World Wrestling Federation challenge with the Big C. She's a heck of a lady.

That night, too, the staff of the Vail Valley Foundation created a special photo station where friends of Barb could have a Polaroid photo taken and add a fond note. It's probably the first Black Diamond Ball that she hasn't attended since arriving in the valley.

"Volunteers are truly the backbone of the Vail Valley Foundation," said Terry Brady, the foundation's vice president of operations and sales.

Diana Donovan was honored as the 2005 Vail citizen of the year for her lifetime commitment and service to the Vail Valley, in addition to her tireless efforts building the Memorial Park, Donovan Park and Pavilion and renovated Pirate Ship Park.

Bonnie Vogt walked away with the Beaver Creek citizen of the year for her dedication and service to the Beaver Creek community, along with her wonderful work with Habitat for Humanity.

She leased the space in Gypsum that is now the Habitat Home Outlet, renovated and stocked it. She's also a member of Beaver Creek Design Review Board, the Vilar Center Arts Guild and Eagle County Citizens' open space advisory committee.

Tenie Chicoine received the Ernie Bender Award for her volunteer spirit and dedication to the Vail Valley Foundation. She first volunteered with 1997 World Cup Mountain Bike races and also was the volunteer coordinator for the 1999 World Alpine Ski Championship. She helps with the Jimmie Heuga Center, the Vail Mountain School home tour and is on the Brush Creek Playground Organizing Committee.

"We're certainly glad that retirement doesn't work well for Tenie," Brady said. "She is an indispensable part of everything we do."

The evening benefited the Vail Valley Foundation, which is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Vail Valley through athletic, cultural and educational endeavors.

The foundation has its fingers in most everything charitable in this valley, including the Birds of Prey Ski World Cup, the American Ski Classic, The Session snowboard competition, the Vilar Center for the Arts, Vail's Street Beat concerts, and college scholarships.

For more information on the Vail Valley Foundation, visit their Web site at www.vvf.org.

Vail, Colorado

Heard at high altitude

Overheard at Tavolaccio: Bobba Hauserman, on the early years of Vail: "I'm a New Yorker, and when I first came to Vail and I missed New York, I'd have to go to Santa Fe."