By Candice Wiener
Being invited to an all mens brunch/luncheon with a notable group of old school Las Vegas icons was a once in a lifetime moment in my career. The food at EGGscellent Breakfast was delicious, but the real treat was the company! From musicians, comedians, artists, performers, and former showbiz people alike, these guys are a plethora of Las Vegas history and knowledge! What a treat it was to dine at their table, heck- I would have been just as happy to have been a fly one the wall. Discussions about how Vegas isn’t what it used to be so many years ago and mentions of encounters with many A-list celebrities and mobsters was commonplace. Key Las Vegas figures like Frank Sinatra, Benjamin Bugsy Siegel, and Tony Spilotro’s names came up many times with memories of specific instances to follow. These were some of the guys who rubbed elbows with the “who’s who”, entertainers, and the mob in Vegas back in the day. I was right in my element and soaked up all the incredible conversation taking place. This brought back many childhood memories of Sunday morning breakfasts that our family would have at the Omelet House on Charleston and Rancho, that my grandfather owned at the time. As a child, I used to revel in the old Vegas historical conversations that would take place about many of the important Vegas’ legends that my grandfather used to represent. There’s something to be said about a life lesson my later grandfather, Louis Wiener Jr. imparted to me. I remember clear as day him telling me “Knowledge is Power. Don’t you forget that.” And I never have. Listening to the stories and seeing a twinkle and glimmer in Peter Barbutti’s eyes was something I’ll never forget. I was fortunate to be invited to sit at the head of the table and Peter Barbutti was to my left and Bill Johnson was on my right. Some of the guys I recognized right away, a few others looked very familiar or had names that were recognizable to me. Cliff Lawrence Hegberg (who’s been credited for bringing together this eclectic all men’s’ lunches for 15+ years) asked Meyer Lansky II if he would so kindly bring me around to personally introduce me to all the gentlemen. Having already met Peter, Bill and Cliff, Meyer walked me down the table and introduced me to each and every man and gave me a snippet of information on what they used to do in town or their relevance and correlation to our incredible city of Las Vegas. I first met Don Martinez, who was worked in show business, but it was later after leaving that I discovered Don used to run the Follies show with another friend, Robert Knievel (who has since passed away), together at the Tropicana for 28+ years. Then I was introduced to Dr. Wilfred Krom, who is a retired Orthopaedic Surgeon and an active musician who plays and teaches breathing techiniques on the Chromatic harmonica. Next at the table, I met Teddy Kaye, whose face looked very familiar as if I could recall seeing it on signs or billboards as a young child. Behind Teddy was Mario D’Andrea who I recognized from across the table but couldn’t place. He stood up, gave me a hug and a warm welcome and I realized he remembered me too. Mario is a guitarist extraordinaire and I still yet to recall where we have previously met. Next to Mario was musician Mike Moloney who owns MMEC Entertainment. Not pictured, but next I met Fielding Franklin West, who is a comedy magician and keynote speaker. Sitting next to him was Bob Hughes who was one of Frank Sinatra’s composers and he was having an interesting conversation with Artie Schroeck (not sitting in order of photo) about a book Artie was currently reading called, “Dangerous Rhythms: Jazz and the Underworld”. As we continued around to the other side of the table (in the left of the photo) sitting and drawing was Neal Portnoy of Portnoy Galleries whom I have known and had the pleasure of sitting down and meeting with years ago. To his left (also not in photo) seated was Actor, Singer, Musician, Writer, Producer and Director Paul Capanella. Next to Paul was Sonny Charles, an American soul singer who was co-founder of the band Checkmates and went on tour with the Steve Miller Band. Next to him was Mark Maynard, who has the number one Frankie Valli Tribute Show. In the photo, Meyer Lansky II was seated between Mark Maynard and Artie Schroeck, but he was walking me about the table and introducing me to all the guys. I have known Meyer and his wife for some time and Meyer, and I had dinner at Bugsy’s & Meyers Steakhouse previously and shared stories about his late grandfather, Meyer Lansky and my late grandfather, Louis Wiener, Jr. They both shared a mutual associate and friend, the late Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel. To Meyer’s left was musician Artie Schroeck, who composed popular songs and jingles. Artie wrote music for Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, Frankie Valli, and Liza Minelli. Almost back to my seat and where we started, sat legendary comedian and comedy writer Cliff Lawrence Hagberg, who also organizes these all-male luncheons and personally invited me, and to Cliff, I am extremely thankful for the invite. Last, but not least, seated to my right, was Bill Johnson, who is the Bob Hope tribute artist.
To all the guys who welcomed me as the first female invitee to one of their regular lunches, THANK YOU! It was a pleasure to get to know you all and learn about some of your magnificent contributions to our incredible city! I am honored and appreciative and look forward to seeing you all again soon!
(Photo from left to right)
Neal Portnoy
Sonny Charles
Mark Maynard
Meyer Lansky II
Artie Schroeck
Cliff Lawrence Hagberg
Bill Johnson
Candice Wiener
Peter Barbutti
Don Martinez
Dr. Wilfred Krom
Teddy Kaye
Mario D’Andrea
Mike Moloney
Bob Hughes
Not pictured: Fielding Franklin West and Paul Campanella
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