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A century of healing

Levi Hospital marks anniversary with Las Vegas-style glitz, glamour

Levi Hospital in Hot Springs is celebrating its one-century anniversary this year, and what more fitting a way to cut such a big birthday cake than at its 23rd annual Baron's Ball benefit, complete with Las Vegas theme.

The "Party of the Century," as it was billed, took place Nov. 8 in Horner Hall of the Hot Springs Convention Center and raised an estimated $60,000-plus, said hospital representative Jackie Arrison.

Attired in a magnificent teal coat, His Excellency, the Baron d'Abila (aka Davis Tillman) greeted about 500 guests whose own sartorial ensembles reprised various eras and aspects of Sin City ... showgirl headdresses, Rat Pack and James Bond get-ups and, of course, gangster glad rags. Guests were also provided with "play" money to try for prizes at several gambling stations and a prize wheel set up throughout the hall.

The evening got underway with a reception and silent auction. Dinner consisted of Autumn in Monte Carlo Salad; Chicken Wellington accompanied by an Israeli couscous mix and vegetable medley; and "The Baron's Dessert" -- a Hazelnut Casino Pyramid with white chocolate dice, ace playing card and milk chocolate gambling token.

Tillman also served as master of ceremonies, while Ken Goodman ushered in a lineup of varied entertainment, including Vegas-style performances by the Oklahoma Showgirls. Highlights also included a video, and later, a 100th-birthday skit, involving fictional character Ira Jacobson, supposedly the first baby born at the hospital in 1914.

Even the live auction wasn't your run-of-the-mill affair. Comedic silent skits, pertaining to each item hawked, were performed in the background.

High Profile on 11/16/2014

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