This year’s Tutu Chic Fashion Show and Luncheon on Tuesday, November 27, was celebrating its 10^th anniversary with a slight change. Organizers brought in Louis Murad and his team to handle the check-in, the live auction and call for cash at the Winspear benefiting Texas Ballet Theater.

In the lobby an army of Nutcrackers, Pinocchios, Santas and angels filled five tables covered with red tablecloths. Some of the little characters would find their way to hanging out on Christmas trees; some would serve as dinner table decorations; and others would become treasured hand-me-downs for generations to come. But all would benefit TBT.

At 11 a.m. Stanley Korshak’s Crawford Brock arrived and admitted, “We’ve got a lot of things going on.” He was referring to the fundraiser, as well as the memorial service at 2 p.m. for Caroline Rose Hunt at Highland Park Presbyterian Church.

One of the first guests to arrive was Gina Betts, whose household had been in high drama. It seems over the past weekend older son Jack Betts had been offered an early invitation for admittance by Amherst. On the other hand, Dartmouth College was not going to make an offer until a couple of weeks later. Jack had to make his decision within hours.*

The chimes were heard and slowly the guests moved into the Margaret McDermott Hall’s Skokos stage. And just moments before Crawford and TBT Executive Director Vanessa Logan arrived centerstage, the rows were filled with TBT Artistic Director Ben Stevenson, Tutu Chic Co-Chairs Julie Hawes, Amanda Shufeldt, Sunie Solomon and Samantha Wortley, as well as Nancy Carlson, Kara and Randall Goss, Simona Beal, Marjon Henderson, Claire Emanuelson, Lee Bailey, Lisa Cooley, Bela Cooley, Tracy Lange, Marybeth Conlon, Allison Small, Andrea Earnhart, Olivia Kearney, Elaine Agather, Ellen Winspear, Venise Stuart, Jennifer Clark, Ann Sappington, Nancy Carlson, Sharron Hunt, Andrea Weber, Ann Stodghill, Lisa Ogle and Deedie Rose.

Then it was showtime for the TBT ballerinas in Marchesa fashions dancing with male dancers. While the program covered everything from classical to Beyonce, it continued to a point where some guests wondered if they were going to make their afternoon appointments.

More ballerinas appeared. Then another soloist performance followed by still more ballerinas in Marchesa. While diehard ballet lovers were smiling with thoughts of Sugar Plum Fairies and Nutcrackers, a number of guests were trying to think of the quickest way to their 1:30 appointments and the memorial service for Caroline Rose Hunt at 2 p.m.

After 38 minutes, the finale took place with Crawford returning to the stage and introducing auctioneer Louis Murad, who conducted the live auction that went on for 10 minutes with the priceless package of “Bright Lights, Big City! Priceless NYC Opportunity!” going for $7,500.

Perhaps the excitement of the packages had dimmed, due to the crowd’s sobering up from the champagne reception or the concern about appointments.

Then as tummies started grumbling, the call-for-cash got underway. Sheepishly some snuck out and others smiled as their feet tapped anxiously. The call-for-cash seemed to go on with some guests looking guilty for not waving their envelopes. One gal claimed she hadn’t waved because the year before she donated to sponsor a pair of pointe shoes  and “got hounded the rest of the year” for more support.

But after all it, was Giving Tuesday, and perhaps even the generosity of North Texas was a little weary. And that’s why the upcoming break would provide time to recover both emotionally and financially for the 2019 fundraising season.

While 2018 Crystal Charity Ball Chair Claire Emanuelson created a true “Celebration in Nouvelle-Orléans” in honor of her hometown’s 300th anniversary and her late mother’s French heritage on Saturday, December 1, at the Hilton Anatole, the 1,500 guests complimented the occasion in designer gowns, exquisite jewels and fundraising for Dallas children’s nonprofits.

Just moving the guests from the reception area featuring Commander’s Palace, the Monteleone’s Carousel Bar and a French Quarter’s courtyard with a fountain was a celebration thanks to New Orleans’ Kinfolk Brass Band parading from the second floor around the first floor into the Chantilly Ballroom all decked out like the Garden District complete with the Booker T. Washington’s singers on stage.

While the post is being polished, check out the polished ones at MySweetCharity Photo Gallery. But be forewarned – because there were just too many, this is just half of ‘me. Part 2 is scheduled for tomorrow.

Well, wouldn’t you know that all the pretty faces and fashions for the 2018 Crystal Charity Ball would crater the MySweetCharity Photo Gallery? To try to regroup, Part II of the 2018 Crystal Charity Ball MySweetCharity Photo Gallery is now up and running. If it’s not, it’s because the MSC roadrunners are taking a much-deserved break.

Sorry, if your hearts were broken by the mere 70+ photos posted yesterday, take heart. There are more than 70 here!

For 2018 Crystal Charity Ball Chair Claire Emanuelson, the mega-fundraiser for Dallas County children, was a love letter to her hometown, 300-year-old New Orleans, as well as a loving tribute to her late mother. Working with Event Producer Tom Addis and her CCB posse of 99 women plus some sidekicks like Niven Morgan and Shelby Wagner, the Hilton Anatole’s Chantilly Ballroom and reception area was “A Celebration in Nouvelle-Orleans” on Saturday, December 1.

Before the ballroom doors even opened at 9 p.m., the roughly 1,500 black-tie guests wandered from the silent auction on the left side of the upper-level lobby against a Commander’s Palace backdrop to the gaming area on the right side. Across the way, where a Lexus up for raffle was parked, it was like the French Quarter’s antique row with chairs hung on the wall. In the center of the lower level was a marvelous replica of the Hotel Monteleone’s Carousel Bar surrounded by The French Market’s tables and chairs and mammoth buffet tables offering mountains of ginormous shrimps and crab claws, mini-muffaletta lollipops and servers with trays of Hurricanes.

One eager twosome, knowing about the lavish cocktail menu, not only showed up half an hour before the official start, but peeled back the food’s protective covering and began digging in.

The usual photo centerpiece at the entrance, which traditionally has been the sweet spot for the fashionably attired guests, proved to be a bit of a challenge. Looking like a charming Jackson Square courtyard with a fountain and shrubbery, it had all the elements of perfection — except for the dark lighting and the mirror at the back of the Bar reflecting the photographers’ flashes. Another problem was the non-stop traffic of hotel guests with baby strollers trying to make their way through the formally attired throng. Luckily, there were other areas that were less jammed, including the entryway reminiscent of Oak Alley lined with trees draped with Spanish moss.

Dallas Morning News writer Robert Wilonsky, removing his glasses, admitted that “Tonight I’m arm candy” with wife Mary Wilonsky, whose Friends of the Dallas Public Library was one of the 2018 CCB beneficiaries.

And speaking of the faces and fashions in the crowd, this one was a feast for the eyes. Leading the herd of designers was Patti Flowers (worn by Ashley Allen, Marybeth Conlon, Lisa Cooley, Patti Flowers, Susan Palma, Beth Thoele and Emilynn Wilson) followed by Oscar de la Renta (Robyn Conlon, Jennifer Dix, Nancy Rogers, Mimi Sterling, Kristina Whitcomb and Piper Wyatt) and Hererra (Tucker Enthoven, Ashley Hunt, Angie Kadesky, Katy Bock, Cynthia Mitchell and Linda Secrest), Michael Faircloth (Tiffany Divis, Tracy Lange and Elsa Norwood) and Nardos (Garden Gate’s Maria Villanueva and Nardos Imam).

Also grabbing a second look or three were Janie Condon in Rachel Gilbert, Gail Fischer in Pamella Roland, Pam Perella in Galvan London, Pat McEvoy in Monique Lhuillier, Bela Cooley in Bladi Duran, Nikki Webb in Karl Lagerfeld, Muffin Lemak in Di Lorenzo Serafini, Peggy Meyer in Alberta Ferretti, Leslie Diers in Stuart Weitzman, Cheryl Joyner in Rene Ruiz and Ciara Cooley in Basix Black.

While CCB Chair Claire had threatened she was going to wear a straightjacket, she was actually in Zac Posen. … Toni Munoz Hunt showed off the hip-high slit in her Nha Khanh by doing an Angelina Jolie leg extension .… Cara French picked out a hot pink and red satin gown at Neiman’s that “brought back memories of my mom” (Prissy Gravely) and Prissy’s Crystal Charity Ball days. Cara had on a similar dress that was “red silk satin with pink lining that folded back” by Richard Brooks.

On the other hand, Cara’s husband, Jim French “had a dream that his tux was blue-and-white striped. I am so thankful this was just a dream.” Jim’s suit was traditional black, as was were the tuxes worn by Richard Dix in Baumann, Claude Wilson in Tom James, Clay Cooley in Chris Depos, Dan Meyer in Jhane Barnes, Vin Perella in Tom Ford, Bryan Diers and Charles McEvoy in Zenga and David Condon, John Corder, Tom Mitchell and Les Secrest in Armani. John Lemak decided to go with a “gorgeous navy” by Robert Talbott.

Other fashion highlights included shoes (Vince Camuto, St. Laurent, Weitzman, Manolo Blahnik, Casadei, Louboutin, Jessica Simpson, Miu Miu, Alexandre Birman and lots of Jimmy Choo), purses (Jimmy Choo, Bottega, Susan Saffron, Pelligrenio, McMalletier, Charlotte Max and loads of Judith Leiber) and jewelry from Eiseman, deBoulle, Sue Gragg, Diamonds Direct and family collections.

Just before 9 p.m., the sound of music was heard from the second floor. Like Quarterites, everyone from the formally attired to the casual passersby directed their eyes and ears to the staircase leading from the upper level. There, they saw New Orleans’ Kinsfolk Brass Band parading jauntily around the perimeter of the lobby leading to the center doors of the ballroom. Right on cue, the doors opened and the Band led the guests into the ballroom that had been turned into a reproduction of the Garden District, complete with a faux cobblestone dance floor, balustrades and a towering “mansion at sunset” covering three of the walls.

While the Kinsfolk performers were joined on the dance floor by the like of Gloria Eulich, 2018 CCB beneficiary Booker T. Washington’s singers performed on stage to the delight of Annette Simmons and Jerry Fronterhouse, Kelli and Jerry Ford, Anita and Truman Arnold, Amy Simmons and Joe Crafton, Neiman’s President/CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck and Alvise Orsini, United Air’s Scott Kirby with wife Kathleen Kirby, Moody Foundation’s Francie Moody Dahlberg with husband Kevin Dahlberg, health care types (Chris Durovich with wife Christina Durovich and Jim Hinton with wife Kristen Hinton), legal types (Eric Gambrell with wife Elizabeth Gambrell, Carol and Don Glendenning, Regina Montoya Coggins with husband Paul Coggins, Ladd Sanger with wife KJ Sanger, financial types (Phil White with wife Danice Couch, Rob Bowlby with wife Sarah Bowlby, Martha Martha Pickens with husband John Pickens), jewelers (Lawrence Bock with wife Katy Bock, Richard Eiseman with wife Betsy Eiseman and Yosi Mayer, former CCB Chairs (Tincy Miller, Louise Griffeth, Margo Goodwin, Jill Smith, Gloria Eulich, Debbie Oates, Cynthia Mitchell, Connie O’Neill, Aileen Pratt, Caren Kline, Robyn Conlon, Michal Powell, Christie Carter and Pam Perella) and Claire’s family (papa Dick Stephens, husband Dwight Emanuelson, sons James Emanuelson and Hillis Emanuelson and daughter-in-law Lindsey Emanuelson) and extended family Piper and Mike Wyatt (Claire and Dwight introduced Piper to Mike and, in turn, the Wyatts are the godparents of both Emanuelson sons).

As guests enjoyed the New Orleans-influenced dinner —Crab Louie, Pan-seared Filet of Beef with Parsnip and Potato Puree and Bacon and Balsamic Crispy Brussels Sprouts, and a Chocolate Hazelnut Profiterole — the chit-chat was fast and furious.

Don Huffines was philosophical about losing his state senate seat in the recent election: “It’s unbelievable how much less stress there is.” …  Tiffany Divis’ hubby Paul Divis had been stuck in Connecticut on business for a week, so she had not one but two escorts: John Clutts and Sami Arslanlar … On the other hand, Dee Simmons, Lee Bailey and Doris Jacobs decided to have a girls’ night out… Bob Schlegel was breathing a big sigh of relief after a recent lung-cancer scare (no cancer, a second opinion had ruled)… Kim Hext was effusive about the season: “This is my favorite time of the year,” she said. “We see our friends, get dressed up, and celebrate the holidays.”

While there may seem to be loads of photos here, check out the 140+ over at MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

The 2018 Crystal Charity Ball black-tie guests had hardly enough time to change clothes, then many of them found themselves in sweaters and slacks on the morning of Sunday, December 2. The occasion was the Breakfast With Santa Spectacular at NorthPark Center benefiting Children’s Medical Center Foundation.

From the upstairs NorthPark Cafes down to the NorthCourt and out to the CenterPark Garden, the place was jamming with wide-eyed kiddos, super heroes, a snow globe bounce house, ballerinas, princesses and a 13-year-old reindeer munching on a tub of hay. One “wonder woman” type got into a conversation with Transformer. Of course, the bearded man-of-the-hour had the youngsters and their grownups lined up for a photo opp.

While the post is being finalized, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery just for fun.

Guests hardly had time to change from their Crystal Charity Ball black-tie attire Saturday night when they turned up in holiday casual for the Children’s Women’s Auxiliary‘s 30th Annual Breakfast With Santa Spectacular bright and early at NorthPark Center on Sunday, December 2.

While the unknowing types may have expected valet parking and a very proper, white-glove brunch for perhaps 50 kiddies and parents to benefit Children’s Health, they were so off the mark. Evidently, they hadn’t realized the creative powers of Breakfast Co-Chairs Jacque Marvin, Kristin Mitchell and Andrea Nayfa and the NorthPark team led by Kristen Gibbins.

Instead, more than 650 kids and grown-up buds like Women’s Auxiliary President Lauren Swann, Marisa Huckin,  Aphrodite Paulos, Lisa Leet and Lesley Thompson took over NorthPark’s NorthPark Cafes, CenterPark Garden and NorthCourt, transforming the luxury retail center into a combination of Six Flags Over Texas and the North Pole.

While the 13-year-old reindeer posed for photos and chomped on a bale of hay just feet away from the Snow Globe bounce house in the Center Park Garden, the hallway between the CenterPark Garden and NorthCourt was jammed with folks lined up to place orders at Bread Winners and visiting with Children’s therapy pooches and towering snowmen.

Looking like proud parents, Children’s top kids Christina and Chris Durovich and Brent Christopher were so pleased with the turnout, they were chatting with NorthPark’s 1^st Lady Nancy Nasher about a repeat in 2019. While Chris raved about the “spectacularness” of the center, Nancy said, “We’re so excited to have this event at NorthPark. Big fun!”

The trio also admitted that unlike the year before, when the Children’s Parade had been whipped by ice storms, it was nice to find a protective nest at NorthPark. But Chris was quick to add that Children’s had still been a part of the Dallas Holiday Parade that had been held the morning before.

Upstairs, the NorthPark Cafes had been transformed into a sugary delight that Willie Wonka would have envied. For high rollers like Myrna Schlegel, Jessica Nowitzki and the Nasiba Adilova and Thomas Hartland-Mackie clan, including grandmothers Patimat Adilova and Georgina Hartland, there were front-row tables overlooking the NorthCourt ballerinas, the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas and performers.

Snapshots: NorthPark Ambassador of Luxury Kim Schlegel Whitman with daughter Millie Stuart Whitman … a glowing Nasiba and Thomas reporting that the family was expanding for a third munchkin… Luca Nelson striking “the pose” with Captain America and Spiderman … Andrea Weber taking photos of Nicolette Weber and JT Weber with Disney’s Belle … Bela Cooley snapping sister Sanija Grillo with her son, Linden Grillo, as they posed for a photo with Santa, who had his favorite elves (Holly Hassman and former Children’s Women’s Auxiliary presidents Joanna Clarke and Monica Egert Smith) helping out … Transformer taking a moment for a conversation with a “Wonder Woman” friend.

For more photos of adorable kids and whimsical characters, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

Wednesday’s brief break from the gray, rainy days of February was just a refreshing reminder that sunny, user-friendly times are up ahead. Knowing that 2^nd Annual Day to Play Tri-Chairs Jen Fahrenbruch, Jennifer Hull and Mandy Main and Honorary Chair Stephen Hipp have just revealed plans for the Family Gateway fundraiser.

First, let’s get the housekeeping done. The date has been set for Saturday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at AT&T Performing Arts Center’s Annette Strauss Artist Square.

And that’s the absolutely perfect spot for uber family-friendly activities — lawn games, yoga, live music, crafts, loads of entertainments and breathing fresh air — to take place. After all, it was the late Dallas Mayor Annette Strauss who founded Family Gateway to assist families affected by homelessness in 1986.

And speaking of Annette, Family Gateway has created the Annette G. Strauss Community Service Award to honor “families that have provided exemplary support for families affected by homelessness.”

According to Annette’s daughters Nancy Halbreich and Janie McGarr, “We are honored that Family Gateway has created the Annette G. Strauss Community Service Award in recognition of our mother’s long history and involvement with this organization that she founded. It will be exciting to see this honor presented to a family each year at Day to Play, recognizing the many young community leaders who are truly making an impact.”

Receiving the inaugural award will be of no surprise to anyone associated with Family Gateway. It will be Paula and Bay Miltenberger’s family.

Family Gateway President/CEO Ellen Magnis recalled how the Miltenbergers “first became involved with the nonprofit in 2009, when they prepared a shelter room at the Annette G. Strauss Family Gateway Center for a new family’s arrival. In 2011, they organized the “adoption” of 75 families during the holidays and have been deeply involved in the holiday program ever since, organizing donation drives and volunteering in the Holiday Store. In conjunction with a generous group of friends, they ensure dozens of kids get to attend summer camp at Kids Across America Kamp in Missouri. Paula co-chaired the Gateway to Opportunity Luncheon in 2016 and 2017 and now serves on the board of directors. Bay, a former member of the board of directors, now sits on Family Gateway’s Affordable Housing Board. The entire family continues to work tirelessly, from serving meals and organizing donation drives to connecting their networks to the nonprofit’s mission.

“We are thrilled to present the first Annette G. Strauss Community Service Award to the Miltenberger Family at the event. We hope their unwavering passion and dedication to Family Gateway will inspire other families to join us in our mission. Come be a part of this special day, learn how to give back, and spend time with your kids – it’s the greatest gift we can give them.”

And the price of admission is a bargain. It’s $50 for a Family Pass with no restriction on the number of attendees in each family in honor of Family Gateway’s inclusivity of families of all kinds. If you can’t make it or want to share the fun, you can always sponsor a Family Pass for a family affected by homelessness to attend.

Already on board for the day of G-rated fun are a live performance by singer, dancer, and HeARTS of Maya founder Maya Delgado, Kids’ DJ lessons & spinning by kid DJs from OontzKids, group yoga by Hanuman Homies, bounce houses, inflatable slides, an obstacle course and climbing wall, life-size Hungry Hungry Hippos game, dunking booth with local celebrity guests, bungee run, gaming truck, Giant Chess, Jenga, and Connect Four, hamster ball races, kids’ disco, Lego building, robo-surfing, dual hoop basketball, superheroes and characters, photo booth, and more. Interactive booths by nonprofit partners offering education, outreach and volunteer opportunities for children include Capes for Kindness, Dallas Zoo, Hanuman Homies, HeARTS of Maya, Kids Helping Kids, National Charity League, Promise of Peace Gardens, Wee Volunteer and more. Exhibitor booths by area businesses catering to kids include Explore Horizons, OontzKids and Raising Cane’s. Kid friendly concessions and beverages (including beer, wine, and champagne for adults) will be available for purchase through Wolfgang Puck Catering.

And for those who want to have their services and/or products displayed, exhibition spaces are going for $500. Sponsorships are also starting at $500. The following folks and organizations have already become sponsors:

• Field Day Sponsors – Mandy and Clayton Main, Marilee and Charles O’Connell, TurningPoint Foundation and Amy Warren
• Rainbow Sponsors – Janese and Rick Deitch, Jennifer and David Hull, Renovo Capital LLC and Texas Capital Bank
• Sunshine Sponsors – Anonymous, Evolution Spine, The Frymire Family, Goldberg and Croft Family, Ellen and Rick Magnis, Paula and Bay Miltenberger and Nichols Family Foundation
• Fun and Games Sponsors – Jen and Jeff Fahrenbruch, Stephen Hipp and Brian Rogers, Anne and Nathan Johnson, Minda and Gary Moor, Sandy Nachman, Gowri and Alex NK Sharma and Exa and David Whiteman
• Picnic Sponsors – Carmen and Gary Barrett, Biewenga/Cutshall Family, Ashley and Mike Blurton, Kristy and Taylor Bowen, Michelle and Chris Dupre, EyeMax Optical, Kerri and Charlie Gale, Hall Group, Juanita Harris, Harris Orthodontics, Chad J. Bieber and Robert William Ivey, Kessler Collins P.C., Mirjam and Chris Kirk, Cristy and David McAtee, Kelly and Jeff Miller, Morales Family, Susan Hensarling Nahkunst, The Naudo Family, Alexis and Andy O’Connell, Lauren Soulis and Tim Burns, The Waters Family, Leslie and Geoff Wayne, The Wentworth Family, Jamie Whatley and Sarah Katherine and John Zavala

* Photo provided by Family Gateway

Casablanca Co-Chairs Reasha Hedke, Elise Nichols and Dana Swann turned The Hall on Dragon into a party hardy night for Dallas CASA on Saturday, February 2. Thanks to Emma and Mark Hiduke‘s presenting sponsorship, almost 500 danced, dined and played casino games to raise funds. Here’s a report from the field:

CASAblanca, the casino night party hosted by Dallas CASA’s Young Professionals Saturday, February 2, brought a sold-out crowd of nearly 500 of Dallas’ most festive and charitable young professionals together to support abused and neglected children.

Presented by The Hiduke Foundation, the fourth annual CASAblanca raised funds for Dallas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), a nonprofit organization which provides volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children living in protective care. The Dallas CASA Young Professionals is an outreach, volunteer and fundraising group for Dallas CASA, open to anyone ages 21 to 40 who wants to make a difference in the lives of abused children.

Guests including including Dallas CASA President/CEO Kathleen LaValle and Dallas CASA board members Corey Anthony, Jonathan Bassham, Janice Davis, Erin Jesberger, Woody McMinn, Scott Orr, Cynthia Pladziewicz, Bob Schleckser, Linda Swartz and Young Professionals President Kenneth Wherry entered the venue on a red carpet to find the space decorated entirely in white. The ten-piece Special Edition Band kept the lively crowd dancing at The Hall on Dragon in Dallas’ Design District. Child advocate and Young Professionals member Megan Sterquell spoke to the crowd about her experience serving children in need, reminding everyone of the purpose for the evening.

In addition to blackjack, craps and poker tables and a Roulette wheel open all evening, guests enjoyed passed appetizers including fried macaroni and cheese balls with truffle sauce, fresh Vietnamese-style spring rolls, walnut and ginger crispy shrimp and beef meatballs with marinara sauce. After brownie bites and cheesecake squares, the evening ended with wrapped chicken and biscuits to take away.

Guests bid on silent auction items including fitness class, arts and sporting event tickets, artwork, a lake house weekend, airplane tickets and a golf outing. The evening ended with a raffle that included an evening at The Statler, a cosmetic party, restaurant gift cards and a massage.

* Photo credit: Tim Heitman 
** Photo credit: Rosanne Lewis

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League Presentation Ball went on a diet for 2019. Instead of the usual 40+ debs, DSOL President Lisa Loy Laughlin and Presentation Ball Chair Carla Leffert went lean with just 32 debs for the fundraiser at the Meyerson on Saturday, February 9.

What a relief! Instead of the McDermott Hall stage bulging with girls in white gown and gents in tails, this one was picture perfect.

Even the dance floor following the presentation was user-friendly. Instead of debs and dads appearing to be bumper cars, they actually had room to do under-arm turns. Those dance lessons really paid off!

Still, the evening didn’t start with great hopes. The grand get-together of debs and escorts got off to a false start, with one escort popping up only after the picture-perfect shots had been taken by the James French troop.

Before that moment took place, James French and daughter Camille French had been photographing parents, debs, escorts and extended families at the top of the lobby’s semi-circular staircase.

In between, stats, James had been on the lookout for his ladder to shoot the group photos. Meantime, parents, friends, debs and escorts chatted and made last minute adjustments, like deb Megan Molthan and her mom Heather Molthan and her sister Molly re-arranged a bobby pin in Megan’s hair.

Deb fashion notes: Stanley Korshak was well represented with debs Carly Cooper, Katherine Fraser, Kate Gioldasis, Natalie Groves, Mary Margaret Jaynes, Alix Lippincott, Elizabeth McIlyar, Mindy Osler, Elizabeth Reid, Lily Schiff, Lauren Schnitzer, Livy Scott, Samantha Sullivan, Sally Wade, Ava Wall and Whitney Wheeler in the store’s gowns… Katy Callewart wore a gown which was her cousins, her mom, Cheryl Callewart, had Dallas designer Patti Flowers create hers.

Once the group shots were taken, the debs went backstage, and the escorts and deb parents headed to the lower lobby’s bar to join guests like Honorary Co-Chairs Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller, Joan Levy, Cara and Jim French, Tonja Wells with Ken Schnitzer, Tavia and Clark Hunt, Charlotte Jones Anderson and Shy Anderson, Sherwood Wagner with Todd Clendening, Nancy Labadie, Kendall Laughlin, Hendrika and Wills Diehl, Leigh-Adella Bransom, Amy and David McCullough and their son Hayden McCullough.

While the young female guests stood proud on heels higher than an Uptown high-rise, ladies of experience felt right at home in slide-on and ballet slippers. But who was to known under the billowing gowns?

At one point a guest reported that it appeared that someone had done a heavy drip-drop of water on the stairway leading form the ground level to the lower level. The staffer took the message and disappeared. The water, on the other hand, stayed in place.

Another problem resulted from the evening’s chill. Guests arrived wearing smashing furs and evening wraps. But upon entering the reception, they scoured the packed room looking for the “coat check,” to no avail. Then, at 10 minutes to 7, a coat rack finally materialized. Upon realizing that his mother Norma Hunt had left her cloak in their car, Dan Hunt contacted the family driver to return with his mother’s coat, while daughter-in-law Toni Munoz-Hunt in a smashing red-lace Naeem Khan offered Norma her wrap in the meantime.

As the chimes peeled, summoning friends and families to the McDermott Hall, the black-tie crowd of 1,100 moved to their seats. And while liquid libations were left at the door, it was amazing to see some gals—with thong-lines showing in their almost-too-tight gowns and perfect young facing—looking like metal crunchers as they chomped down on wads of chewing gum.

Once the hall was filled, emcee Stan Gardner introduced the leadership Dallas Symphony Orchestra League President Lisa Loy Laughlin, Presentation Chair Carla Leffert, the co-chairs (Dixey Arterburn, Ginger Sager and Annell Williams) the Assembly officers (Madison Hassell, Kay Hitzelberger, Fallon Bock, Caroline Downing, Brookie Hewes, Marielle Lemasters, Perrin Griffin, Bailey Turfitt and Allie Beth Zashin) and Honor Guard officers (Alexander Pearson, Duncan MacFarlane, Spencer Hardin, Carter Ligon, John Niederer, Cameron Keith, Michael Metzger, Shy Anderson Jr., Hayden Smith and Russell Huffines).

It was then time for the presentation of the debs (Maddie Basso, Katy Callewart, Carly Cooper, Savannah Crow, Avery Davis, Katherine Fraser, Kathleen Gamso, Kate Gioldasis, Natalie Groves, Gracie Hunt, Mary Margaret Jaynes, Alix Lippincott, Georgia McGill, Elizabeth McIlyar, Megan Molthan, Elizabeth Moore, Caroline Mulligan, Coco Murchison, Hattie Newton, Mindy Osler, Cassandra Polley, Elizabeth Reid, Anna Robertson, Lily Schiff, Lauren Schnitzer, Livy Scott, Nicole Smith, Emily Stone, Samantha Sullivan, Sally Wade, Ava Wall and Whitney Wheeler).

It followed the time-honored tradition of the deb being introduced at the top of the stage, joined by her father or older family friend/member, and then escorted down the stairs to the stage. After receiving a peck on the cheek, the deb executed a full bow to the audience, extended her left arm to her evening’s escort, rose, posed for photos and exited the stage. It all went seamlessly to the cheering audience. Yes, they do cheer at a presentation ball: “I love you, Katherine!” shouted one young man. “You’re so pretty!”

As some debs headed up the aisle, they waved at friends and smiled in relief.

However, some of the debs discovered their biggest challenge lay at the back of the hall. It was managing the steps leading up to the exit. With a bouquet in one hand and an arm in the escort’s arm, the billowing white skirt often didn’t make way. In some cases, the escorts, realizing that their debs were on the verge of stepping on the gowns, relinquished the debs’ arms and helped pick up the skirt.

After a grand finale of the debs and escorts in full array on the stage, the couples paraded to the lobby. There, the debs parted company with their escorts and were greeted by their parents who were in place around the dance floor. Soon the Jordan Khan Orchestra struck up the first song of the night—”Moon River”—with debs and dads showing off their best dance moves.

For more photos of the evening, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

After the last few days of wet, thunderous weather, Mother Nature is showing her Irish genes with sunshine predicted for the 40^th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday along Greenville Avenue. Having the best seat on the route will be Grand Marshal/outgoing Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings.

Unfortunately, the temperatures are not going to be exactly conducive for wearing tank tops and shorts for the expected 125,000+ hearty partiers. The day’s high is predicted to be in the upper 50s.

If you’ve got your greenest outfit all picked out, think about transportation. Instead of getting all frustrated in trying to find a parking space and worrying about imbibing to much, hop on the DART line and take the Lovers Lane stop.

And if you find yourself following the parade down to the Lower Greenville partying, you can always Uber or Lyft your way home.

For folks not-so-parade inclined, here are a couple of tips:

• If you have errands to run around the Greenville area, get them done before late Friday afternoon. Otherwise, you’ll be competing with the installation of barriers and delivery of adult libations by beer trucks to neighborhood establishments.
• Trying to cross Greenville Avenue Saturday mid-morning and early afternoon is going to be near impossible from Blackwell to SMU Boulevard. So, consider using Park Lane, Northwest Highway or Mockingbird Lane until 2 p.m.

Parade Proceeds Benefit the GAABA Scholarship Fund. More than $115,000 in scholarship money has been awarded to Dallas ISD students.

Donning masks and their best party attire, Genesis Young Leaders brought the circus to Sixty Five Hundred on Saturday, February 23, for their annual “Masquerade.” With all types of three-ring entertainment including acrobats and a spider monkey named Jelly, the 800 guests were the big act of the night dancing to Taylor Pace Orchestra. Here’s a report from the field:

Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support hosted its sixth annual Genesis Young Leaders (GYL) Masquerade event on Saturday, February 23, at Sixty Five Hundred, netting more than $301,000 for the women and children of Genesis. Co-chaired by Rachel and Coleman Brown and Krista and Andrew Porteous, the sold-out event was put on by presenting sponsors CBRE, Koch Real Estate Investments and Stonelake Capital Partners.

As more than 800 guests “stepped right up” to the venue, they were immediately whisked away into a vintage circus-themed night Under the Big Top. A softly-lit chandelier hanging from the ceiling set the mood, surrounded by billowing red tent streams. Statues of lions, tigers and bears (oh my!) bordered the room for all to enjoy, and VIP guests had the exclusive opportunity to hold “Jelly” the spider monkey. To top off the evening, acrobatic entertainment took the stage, consisting of balancing acts, juggling and other breathtaking stunts.

The decorations and the entertainment weren’t the only things throughout the evening that whisked guests away to the circus – one smell of the food wafting through the air and attendees were instantly transported. Corn dogs with spicy mustard, sticky caramel apples, assorted popcorn, cheesy nachos, soft pretzels, funnel cakes and Parmesan truffle fries were served throughout the night, and washed down with wine, beer and spirits… now that’s the ticket!

Taylor Pace Orchestra performed live music from Earth, Wind and Fire to Bruno Mars and everything in between. Attendees in elegant gowns and tuxedos donned sparkling masquerade masks, twirled on the dance floor and moved to the casino tables to play black jack and craps. Chips were traded in for raffle tickets, allowing guests the opportunity to win elite prizes such as a pair of stock boots from Mirion Crosby, a handbag from Christian Louboutin, two seats to the Genesis Annual Luncheon (including VIP photos with keynote speaker Terry Crews), or date night for a year – a package consisting of gift cards to select Dallas restaurants.

Genesis CEO Jan Langbein and Senior Director of Fund and Community Development Amy Norton thanked GYL Board President Molly Slusher, Rachel and Coleman and Krista and Andrew and all of the Masquerade committee for planning and executing a memorable evening. More than $300,000 was raised through the event, exceeding and breaking all previous goals and allowing Genesis Women’s Shelter to continue to serve more than 3,700 women and children who rely on Genesis each year.

Throughout the evening, guests had the opportunity to bid on silent auction packages like a shopping getaway, a staycation at the Joule or wine tasting for 20 of your closest friends. For a fun surprise, guests could participate in a designer jewelry pull to win trinkets from Kendra Scott jewelry including earrings, bracelets and more.

* Photo provided by Genesis Women's Shelter and Support

What a simply great way to start the month! Thanks to the Comerica Prom Dress Drive and the generosity of hundreds of strangers, 750 young women at Dallas CASA and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas have been able to pick, chose and take home new or gently-used, formal dresses as well as accessories for their proms.

According to Dallas CASA Children’s Council President Hannah May, “Comerica Bank has sponsored the prom dress drive for the past five years, and Dallas CASA is so grateful to be one of the two recipients. The dress is one of the most important parts of the prom, and to see girls come in with workout gear on and be transformed is really remarkable. At first they’re shy and may not even know their size or what style they like. But by the end, when they look in the mirror for the first time wearing a dress they love, their faces just light up.”

Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas VP of Program Cherri Rowe added, “When you reminisce about your high school days, one of the first things that comes to mind is your prom. It is a night where everyone feels beautiful, special and important. We are honored to be a part of a milestone that these beautiful young ladies will remember for the rest of their lives.”

Another source joining the fun for the second year was a “generous donation of new dresses from Gala Formal” at Grapevine Mills Mall.

If you were one of those who made a donation in February, smile. Your dress is going to the prom.

While the seated dinner crowd was being wined and dine at the Dallas Arboretum’s A Tasteful Place for the 2019 Food and Wine Festival, Dallas After School‘s Recess guests were channeling their inner child on Friday, March 22.

It was hard to imagine that it had been less than eight years since Recess had started at the late Faye Briggs‘ estate, with the main focus on the luxury sandbox dig. Now look at all the very kid-oriented activities, like hula-hoops, Jenga and Skee Ball, that filled Rosine Hall and Ginsburg Place. The seventh annual event was not only sold out, but had as many as 275 young-at-heart guests playing painlessly to raise money. It was the fundraiser’s biggest gathering ever.

Immediately after arriving, guests were greeted by a Photo Trailer for selfies.

On the Plaza next to the tetherball was a Texas-sized billiard game (aka Soccer Pool). Instead of pool cues, guests kicked the white ball to get the colored balls in the pockets.

Inside the Hall that had been the site for lectures, lunches and fashion shows were video games, tables of silent auction items and a dance floor for a late-night game of musical chairs.

Early arrivals Anne and Terry Conner were talking about their son’s upcoming wedding in Santa Fe. Anne admitted that over the summer while handling bed-and-breakfast duties in Taos, she had gained a couple of pounds. To prepare for the wedding, she’s already lost five.

As for the Conners’ nonprofit activities, they were focusing their attention on education and healthcare programs like Dallas After School and the Baylor Health System Foundation Dallas, for which Terry is a board member.

Shortly after, Recess! Co-chairs Morgan Denton Katz and Lindsey Harrison kicked off the festivities indoors, where they were joined by more than 30 sponsors and host committee members including Janet and John Mockovciak, Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew, Giles Davidson and Dan Waldmann, Lisa and Mike Lewis and Pam and Mike Parmerlee. Partygoers enjoyed adult juice-boxes courtesy of Blk Eye Vodka, cafeteria-inspired food by Wolfgang Puck Catering and a plethora of games – all to benefit Dallas Afterschool. Other games for the evening included a sandbox filled with luxury prizes, pop-a-shot, Space Invaders, golf, and much more. The highlight of the evening was the playful yet fiercely competitive game of musical chairs, with Lisa Lewis crowned “queen of the schoolyard” for her win.

Attendees enjoyed schoolyard antics, then midway through the event, Dallas Afterschool Vice President of Development Sarah Elliott gathered the crowd including William Harvey, Gladys Calderon, Kelly Beach and Nancy Cope for a brief “school assembly.”

Elliott thanked attendees for embracing their inner child to return to the playground for an evening. She recognized Event Co-Chairs Morgan and Lindsey, Honorary Co-Chairs Susan Hoff and top sponsors The Baldridge Foundation and Velocis for ensuring the event’s success.

After that, Dallas Afterschool CEO Christina K. Hanger took a few minutes to share more about the organization’s mission to improve the quality and availability of after-school and summer programs in Dallas County. She emphasized the organization’s work with 175 after-school sites that impact more than 14,000 students annually. She went on to emphasize that, “Three hours a day truly makes a lifetime of difference.”

The 2019 Recess! sponsors were:

• Capture the Flag ($25,000) – The Baldridge Foundation
• Simon Says ($10,000) – Velocis
• Red Rover ($5,000+) – Baird, Anne and Terry Conner, Christina K. Hanger and Lyndon Cakerice, Janet and John Mockovciak and Stonelake Capital
• Duck Duck Goose ($2,500+) – Benchmark Title & Wealth Management, Kathi and Chris Child, Ernst & Young LLP, Michael and Katie Gagne, Cherri and Jack Musser, State Fair of Texas, Texas Capital Bank, Texas Instruments and Veritex
• Four Square ($1,000+) – Tre and Lauren Black, Cowboy Toyota, Maria and Douglas Cramer, John Collins, Morgan Denton Katz, Kristi and Brian Erickson, Amanda Helgamoe, Sydney Smith Hicks and Forrest Hicks, Susan and Steve Hoff, Potter Concrete, Serena Simmons Connelly, Christina and Mark Stevanovic, Underwood Interiors and Andrew D. Wilson
• Media Sponsor – Paper City.

* Photo credit: Andy Keye and Whitney Photography

It was an event that every Crystal Chair Ball chair lives for and dreads. For 2018 CCB Chair Claire Emanuelson, it was the evening of Wednesday, March 27.

In the Hall Arts Residence Showroom, the New Orleans transplant admitted that the past year had flown by. Now, the “fruits” of her and her committee’s labor were benefiting eight Dallas children’s nonprofits (After-School All-Stars Dallas – $592,140, Booker T. Washington High School for The Performing and Visual Arts – $766,190, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dallas – $600,591, Buckner Children and Family Services – $1,125,435, Friends of the Dallas Public Library – $752,455, Mosaic Family Services – $666,612, Nexus Recovery Center – $747,681 and Ronald McDonald House of Dallas – $1,250,000). It was the handing over of checks amounting to $6,501,105.

As the crowd gathered, Comerica Chair/CEO Ralph Babb, who is also on the CCB Advisory Board, checked out the Hall models. When asked where his wife, Barbara Babb, was, Ralph reported that she was home. And then he added that they were preparing to celebrate their 50^th wedding anniversary… 2018 CCB First Husband Dwight Emanuelson was on the phone finalizing arrangements for a business trip to Kapalua with Claire in tow… Mike Malone said that his dropping 25 pounds was not due to health but rather vanity. Clothes were just not fitting… Others in the crowd included Patti Flowers, Christie Carter, Pam Busbee, Shelle and Michael Sills, Beth Thoele, Angie and Kevin Kadesky, Kristina Whitcomb, Gina and Ken Betts, Hall Group President Don Braun. and Hall Arts Residence Sales Director Lea Anne Laughlin.

When the time came to hand out the checks, all nonprofits admitted that as needed as the funds were, the validation by CCB was priceless.

For photos of each of the handing over of the checks, click on MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

Last year’s inaugural Blue Jean Ball benefiting Luke’s Fastbreaks was such a great hit that it’s returning to Eddie Deen’s on Saturday, September 21.

Country western fans/Co-Chairs Gina and Ken Betts and Lisa and Clay Cooley are bringing multi-award winner Trace Adkins. Having sold 11M albums and generated more that 1B spins on Pandora, he loves being on the road. As Trace describes it, “I get a kick out of it. I still enjoy the camaraderie, the band of brothers, your crew and your band. I’m an old jock. I like team sports. I’m gonna bring a band and turn it up real loud! And we’re gonna have a good time!”

So, plan on giving the fancy evening gowns and tuxedos the night off. Just wear your favorite blue jeans and boots to scoot up the fundraising for Luke’s Fastbreaks, which provides very user-friendly T-shirts designed by former cancer buster Luke Lange for pediatric cancer patients.

* Graphic provided by Luke's Fastbreaks

Once again it was the winner’s circle for the Triple Crown-winning Troutt family, with matriarch Lisa Troutt transforming Brook Hollow Golf Club into a grand Kentucky estate for the 2019 Sweetheart Ball on Saturday, April 6. Even longtime club members were amazed how the clubhouse had been reconfigured from stem to stern.

It can safely be said that no other North Texas gala has had a Triple Crown trophy, plus crystal flown in from California, 20 violinists and an orchestra and windows overlooking pastures with horses grazing. From the entry with the Sweetheart Ball in gold emblazoned against a wall of white orchids, roses and peonies, to the photos of past Triple Crown winners lining the walls of the cocktail reception, it just hinted of the breathtaking night to come.

Even the most worldly black-tie guests took it all in with cellphones recording the sights and sounds of the annual mega-fundraiser for UT Southwestern’s heart disease program.

While the post is in the final lap, check out more than 130 looks of the evening at MySweetCharity Photo Gallery. P.S. — Please be patients as the photos load. It’s a huge file.

Alzheimer’s has become the 21st century’s most stealthy disease. It doesn’t happen suddenly with a rash or an ache. Initially it might be written off as just normal forgetfulness. But then it transcends to less and less brain awareness.

And it effects are not limited to just the patient. It touches their family and friends, both emotionally and financially.

Lee “The Six Million Dollar Man” Majors knows all too well having witnessed his mother’s progression into the deeper world of mental awareness. Lee was at the 2019 Aware Affair on Friday, April 5, at Sixty Five Hundred to raise funds for Dallas Aware‘s group of nonprofits supporting those suffering from Alzheimer’s and their families and caretakers. Here’s a report from the field:

AWARE Affair “Celebrate the Moments” – Blooms of Hope Gala Co-Chairs Ginny Bond Fein and Sarah B. Smith took the gala to a deeply personal level, one that infused life into the party and truly was an inspired celebration of love and friendship, hope and joy.

Sarah’s mother, nicknamed “Beauty” by her family, was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s years ago and Sarah has penned a book titled “Broken Beauty, Piecing Together Lives Shattered by Early-Onset Alzheimer’s,” which has been a top seller on Amazon both in Dementia and Religious categories.

Even more revealing is the personal story of Beauty and Ginny’s mom, Ginny Bond, who were besties in college as Kilgore Rangerettes, which is an American precision dance team from Kilgore College in Kilgores. Their daughters are best friends, as well.

“There was no question about who I wanted to chair this gala with me,” Sarah said. “Ginny and I grew up together and have experienced this journey with my mother together. Her support and the support of all of our friends, means the world to us both.”

Ginny agreed saying, “This fight to end Alzheimer’s is very personal to both of us as we walk alongside and fight for Sarah’s mother, Rebecca ‘Beauty’ Bearden. From our hearts, we thank everyone for helping to make a difference and being a voice for the millions of people suffering from this devastating disease.”

AWARE is a Dallas-based charity founded in 1989 that has donated over $12,750,000 toward its mission of fighting Alzheimer’s disease by providing funding and support to programs, projects, and research provided by nonprofit organizations and public entities that actively help all individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease in Dallas and the greater north Texas area.

Guests mingled and enjoyed signature cocktails Katy Trail Vodka’s Katy Garden Spritzer, Roxor Artisan Gin’s Blooming Gin and Tonic and Tequila Partida’s Raspberry Spritz. Bidding was competitive on the fabulous silent auction items accompanied by musicians from DSQ Electric. AWARE President, Sharon Ballew welcomed the crowd and introduced The Reverend Nicole Bates from Westminster Presbyterian Church for the invocation.

Co-Chairs Ginny and Sarah welcomed everyone thanking underwriters, including Stephanie and Bennie Bray and Dr. and Mrs. Samuel J. Chantilis, in loving memory of Mrs. Frances B. Chantilis; Lydia and Bill Addy, Gail and Bill Plummer, Venise and Larry Stuart and the Hoglund Foundation and more.

A delicious three-course dinner included a first course of baby kale with roasted beets, crumbled chevre; second course of airline chicken with kalamata olive tomato relish and saffron risotto paired with rosemary beef skewer with demi-glace and citrus asparagus, finished off with individual dessert plates of spring lemon cheesecake and chocolate mousse with raspberry garnish.

Crystal commemorative gifts were presented to Honorary Co-Chairs Ellen Terry with her daughter Amy Terry Kriegel and son, Todd Terry. Ginny shared the story of her mother’s friendship with Rebecca Bearden and announced honorees: Honoring in Love Rebecca “Beauty” Bearden from her family David M. Bearden, Sr., David M. Bearden Jr., Sarah Bearden Smith and Gabriel English Bearden #BeautyinAlzheimers.

The Amy Osler Spirit of Education Leadership Award was presented by Honorary Co-Chairs Emeritus Amy and Greg Osler to Stacey Jones Angel.  Amy Osler, AWARE’s Spirit of Education Leader, is the namesake of the Amy Osler Spirit of Education Leadership Award. She became involved with AWARE a few years ago shortly after she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s.  Amy has used her public speaking background and her story to help bring about awareness of this horrible disease. The award is given to an AWARE member who has demonstrated a high level of leadership in educating members and the general public about AWARE, its mission and Alzheimer’s disease.

Grateful acknowledgment was also given to the Myrna D. Schlegel/AWARE Scholarship Fund, which for over two decades has awarded scholarships to nursing students from Baylor and Texas Women’s University to further their studies in the field of gerontology, especially dementia. Recognizing Myrna’s passion for nursing and elder care, AWARE established the Myrna D. Schlegel/AWARE Scholarship fund in 1999 in her honor.

Some seen in the crowd Charlie Angel, Maurice Ballew, Janet and Jack Broyles, Mark Fein, Beth and Ron Hall, Jolie and Bart Humphrey, Faith and Lee Majors, Honorary Chair Emeritus Kim McDavid, Holly Miori, Evelyn Ponder, Penny Reid and Thomas Nolan, Billie Lee Rippey, Thad Smith, Carol Stabler, Venise and Larry Stuart, Sharon Walker and more.

After a spirited live auction which included Honorary Co-Chair Emeritus David McDavid Jr. auctioning off his second purple jacket with last year’s purple jacket winner Randall Barnes alongside him to Bart Humphrey, who purchased one jacket and another sold to Pat Crow – purple being the signature color representing Alzheimer’s awareness – guests finalized their silent auction bids and danced the night away to tunes spun by DJ Andre 7.

Special thanks was also given to Patron Party hosts Joan and Stephen Smith for opening up their wonderful home to underwriters just a few days earlier;  Kick-Off Party hosts Tavia and Clark Hunt; and Progressive Shopping Hosts and Partners Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet, Lounge 31, Madison, Sprinkles and Theory.

Beneficiaries/Grant Recipients:

• Texas Winds Musical Outreach: Support for the Concerts for Seniors program, which provides two concerts by professional musicians in each of 95 nursing homes and adult day care facilities serving individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias as well as the economically disadvantaged.
• Juliette Fowler Communities: Support for training, implementation, and certification of the “I’m Still Here” program, a national model that provides a person-centered approach to caring for persons with Alzheimer’s through social engagement, new learning experiences, community service, and volunteerism. The program ensures that unique skills and interests are incorporated into each patient’s day so that experiences are fulfilling.
• C. Young: Funds to support a board-certified music therapist who will engage with the Memory Care residents for 30 minutes to one hour a day, every day, seven days a week, while becoming familiar with each resident and selecting music on an individual basis according to their preferences.
• Dallas Museum of Art: Support for teaching honorariums, supplies, and staffing for Meaningful Moments, a program designed to provide participants with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their families or caregivers with ways to engage in art providing a continuing cultural opportunity to everyone regardless of their ability.
• The Senior Source: Support for the Senior Companions program matching trained volunteers with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their families needing assistance with meals, errands, and light housekeeping providing caregivers with respite and/or time to work outside the home.
• Center for Brain Health: Support for the second year of Studying Sleep Architecture in Early Stage Alzheimer’s Disease to better understand how sleep impacts cognitive health in aging individuals and what role it may play in cognitive impairment. Results from this three year study could motivate the formulation of better, more multifunctional interventions to slow or halt the progression of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease.  
• Dallas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association: Funds to support the hire of the Dallas Chapter’s Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator. This individual will develop a Hispanic Outreach manual and program called “Get the Facts” directly dedicated to meeting the needs of the underserved and often mono-lingual Dallas Hispanic community.  The program will use existing partnerships with Telemundo and Univision television stations to help raise awareness and drive attendance to education and support group opportunities.
• Jewish Family Service: Support for the salary of a three-quarter-time licensed Clinical Social Worker to provide in-home mental health counseling, care management, and daily living support services to 50 older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and 20 family members and caregivers allowing patients to remain independent and living in their own home.
• Center for Vital Longevity: Support for the salary of Chris Foster, Ph.D, currently working under Dr. Karen Rodrigue, enabling him to continue the second year of a three-year study of biomarker-based risk factors for healthy aging from data collected by the lab from a sample of 200 adults ranging in age from 20-94 years old who are recruited from the Dallas community.
• Baylor Healthcare System: Salary support for the Baylor AT&T Memory Center to provide a trained care and support specialist onsite at the Baylor AT&T Memory Center. By placing this valuable service at the point of care, patients and their families in early diagnosis can receive disease education, caregiver skill training and support groups, elder law and financial planning, and a 24/7 helpline allowing physicians to focus on the medical issues surrounding the disease.

Beverage sponsors are Katy Trail Vodka, Partida Tequila, Peroni ROXOR Artisan Gin, The Macallan.

Media Sponsors are PaperCity Magazine, The Park Cities News/The Waters Family, MySweetCharity, and Downtown Business News.

* Photo credit: Dana Driensky 
** Photo credit: Rob Wythe/Gittings

Thanks to Our Friend’s Place, the legacy of the late Ebby Halliday Acers lives on. At the OFP’s Gala, Auction and Casino fundraiser  at the Renaissance on Saturday, April 27, the 15th annual Ebby Award was presented to Terry Goltz Greenberg and Southwest Airlines. Ebby would have loved the fact that proceeds of the event will support the organizations mission to help young women overcoming challenges. Here’s a report from the field:

Our Friends Place (OFP) celebrated its annual Gala, Auction and Casino night on Saturday, April 27, at the beautiful Renaissance Dallas Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Burns Sr. were honorary co-chairs.  Gala, Auction and Casino Night Co-Chairs were Dorinda Cavender-Akin, Suzanne Jaco and Jill Svoboda.

The event was well attended by 500 guests eager to bid on live and silent auction packages, play casino games, and dance the night away.

The night started off by recognizing Terry Goltz Greenberg and Southwest Airlines as recipients of the 15^th Annual Ebby Award. Each was recognized for significant contributions and achievements in the advancement of girls and/or women in North Texas. The award was first given to its namesake, Ebby Halliday Acers, in 2005 in recognition of her tireless and passionate advocacy for women in the community.

“Thanks to everyone who made our 2019 Gala, Auction and Casino Night such a huge success raising financial resources for our Transitional Living Centers and SOAR to Success outreach mentoring program,” said Our Friends Place Executive Director Sue Thiers Hesseltine. “We were able to increase awareness of Our Friends Place, while having a great time raising funds to continue helping young women grow from adversity towards economic self-sufficiency.”

Additionally, funds raised enable OFP’s SOAR to Success program to bring lifelong skills to even more young women through high school, community college, and local nonprofit programs.

Gala sponsors, whose contributions made the evening an even greater success, included:

• Presenting Sponsor ($50,000): HollyFrontier Corporation
• Patron Party Sponsors ($10,000) Paladin Partners and 12 General Contracting Services
• Emerald ($6,000): BDO, Energy Transfer, EY, FlyWheel Advisory Group, Vinson and Elkins and Zonta Club of Dallas
• Table Sponsors ($3,000): Bobbie Athey, Peggy Busby, Dorinda Cavender-Akin and Hugh Akin, Caitlin Doepfner, Kathy and Phil Doepfner, Kim Drake-Loy and Jeff Loy, Bonnie Ewing and Brenda Snitzer, Frost Bank, Terry and Barry Greenberg, Angela Maverick and Sean Baxley, Leslie Simmons and Rick Johnson, Southwest Airlines, Sunshine Holdings I Corp, Jill and Brad Svoboda and Diane and Berge Tasian
• Underwriters:  Andrews and Barth PC, Bradford Commercial Real Estate, Julie Chance, CorDirect Printing, McShan Florist, Total Wine and more

* Photo provided by Our Friends Place

Change is definitely good when the occasion demands it. That’s why this year’s annual Community Partners of Dallas’ “Change Is Good” is not going to return to Brook Hollow. The reason? The club’s grounds are going through a major refreshing, and the family-oriented fundraiser needs the great outdoors for bounce houses and bungee jumping.

Luckily, Event Co-Chairs Emily and Nicholas Haddock and Amy and Patrick McEvoy III and their kids (Beatrice Haddock, Iris Anne Haddock, Stinson Haddock, Grace McEvoy, Ford McEvoy and Georgia McEvoy) have found the more-than-perfect place to play and fundraise on Sunday, October 27, from 3 to 6 p.m.. It’s CPD’s new digs in Dallas Caring Corridor at 7950 Elmbrook Drive.

And while the location may be different, there will still be loads of very G-rated games, food, entertainment and photo opps.

According to CPD President/CEO Paige McDaniel, “We are so grateful to our wonderful chair families for supporting this year’s Change is Good, now in its 13^th year. While our favorite Change is Good venue, Brook Hollow Golf Club, is under construction, for this one year only we are delighted to host the event at our brand new facility this year — providing a wonderful opportunity for attendees to see first-hand what a difference they are making in the lives of the abused and neglected kids we serve.”

In preparation for the day of partying, kids of all ages will be collecting change and competing for prizes.

Sponsorships will go on sale in late June, while tickets will be available on Tuesday, October 1.

BTW, for Cowboys fans, the ‘Boys have the week off.

When the Friends of The Wilkinson Center first held The Spirit of Taos fundraiser at an outdoor venue across the way from White Rock, it seemed like the man in the moon was the guest of honor. This year, Mr. Moon is going to have to wave as guests arrive at The Hall on Dragon in the Design District on Saturday, September 14.

Event Chair Ellen Estee, along with Honorary Co-Chairs Missy Huber and Melanie and Jim Meyers, has arranged for the evening to include “cocktails, a seated dinner, a raffle and silent and live auctions.” To set the mood, the Special Edition Band will provide the boot-scootin’ sounds to fill the dance floor.

According to Ellen, “I am so thrilled to chair this year’s The Spirit of Taos in support of Wilkinson Center. I passionately believe in Wilkinson Center’s mission to transform the lives of Dallas families by providing pathways to self-sufficiency with dignity and respect. I hope the community will join me and our amazing honorary chairs to ensure a sell-out of our sixth annual event.”

As for the guests, they’ll provide the Taos look wearing cashmere toppers, felt hats with beaded bands, leather boots, blanket coats and turquoise accessories.

Sponsorships starting at $750 and tables of eight going for $2,000+ are available now as well as individual and patron tickets here.

* Photo provided by The Wilkinson Center