Saturday, April 12, resulted in nobody staying at home from early morning to the midnight hours. In addition to the Abby’s Run, the Dallas March for Babies, ManeGait, Joy of Science, the Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society Home Tour, Serving Hope and the Hispanic Communicators Scholarship dinner, there were these for your consideration.
Junior Cattle Baron’s Ball
Rio and friends
The morning of Saturday, April 12, started bright and early at Movie Studio Grill on Technology, even though the parking lot was not jammed like those days when “Raiders of the Lost Ark” debuted. After all, it was before 10 a.m. But the vehicles that were in the parking lot carried VEIP’s (Very Extraordinarily Important People). The occasion was the Junior Cattle Baron’s Ball with a life-sized Rio greeting two types of youngsters — those who had and were battling cancer, and those whose moms were raising funds to support the fight against cancer.
Cate Ford and Jerry Ford
While some of the kiddos were a bit overwhelmed by Rio at first, others like Jerry Ford were captivated by Princess, an 18-year-old cockatoo.
[Editor’s note: 18 cockatoo years is the same as a human at 18. Princess was still a babe.]
The new feathered friend accommodated all ages by sitting on their heads, spreading her wings and cocking her head just so. Talk about a scene stealer!
There was a bounty of food, and photos were taken against the Moody Foundation sponsor wall. Balloon critters were produced. Photo buttons were immediately available for sporting around. And faces were painted as Disney himself had supervised. Even some of the grown-up kids got their faces “decorated.”
Lisa Ogle
Then it was time to head to the auditorium to watch the “real” Rio’s new movie.
Not once during the morning were the words “chemo,” “treatments” or even cancer mentioned. Perhaps that why the smiles were everywhere.
2014 Gala
John Gay
Honorary Co-Chair John Gay’s back was giving him fits. It was also creating a slight problem at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County. The former McKinney mayor found motion to be a royal pain in the back, so he found a comfy chair just outside the Anatole’s Chantilly Ballroom’s lobby, where a mammoth silent auction was taking place. Ah, but his wife of 54 years/former McKinney First Lady Judy knew her husband better. Not only was he happily settled in the most cushy seat around, he was avoiding the temptation of bidding. After all, that Judy is a shrewd buyer. Just check the adorable Mary Frances handbag? Where can it be had? Why, in Cynthia Elliott on the Square in McKinney, of course.
As Judy and John kidded each other, there was a T-shirted passerby of interest. “Wasn’t that Huey Lewis?” More about that later.
But the Gays were hardly missed during the cocktail reception/silent auction among the 1,030 guests. The place was packed.
Silent auction
There was a bonging that seemed to constantly be heard throughout the lobby. The sound was music to the ears of organizers. Seems every time a Neiman Marcus surprise bag was sold, a gong would be struck.
But once the doors to the ballroom opened, they discovered a Rusty Glenn vision of oranges, reds and bright pinks. Goodness, the place looked like it was on fire.
Report from the field on what happened:
“The energy in the Chantilly ballroom was truly electric for the CACCC’s annual 2014 Gala featuring the one and only Huey Lewis and the News!
Gretchen Wirth, Cathy and Steve Ramsey*
“Prior to dinner, guests were shown a short video explaining the work of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County to help abused and neglected children in Collin County. The evening’s ‘ask’ was done auction style. Guests simply raised their bidder numbers when the auctioneer (Tim Willett) reached the level at which they wished to give. Every guest was recognized for their gift which really brought up the energy level in the room…filled to bursting with more than 1,000 guests! By the end of the evening, it seemed like every guest had on a blinking star denoting their Wings of Hope gift! So exciting to see so many generous supporters recognized for their gifts! Wings of Hope…sponsored by JC Penney and led off with a $10K gift from Masergy…brought in more than $200,000 to support our children.
Cindy Sutley, Huey Lewis and Christa Carrell*
“Next up was the live auction…an incredible selection of fabulous excursions, experiences and memorabilia. Gretchen Wirth snagged an autographed Johnny (Manziel) football jersey and football…and a photo with Cathy and Steve Ramsey (Cathy is Johnny’s aunt).
Huey Lewis on stage*
“After a brief meet and greet for VIPs, Huey Lewis and the News took the stage. They performed every hit…including the one everyone was waiting for, “The Power of Love.”
Oh, gee! That fella, who wandered through the reception was Huey!
BTW, the evening garnered in more than fun and “news.” It hit over $200,000 for CACCC.
A Legendary Evening
Maggie Kipp and JB Hayes
Sometimes awkward situations turn out to be real giggle moments. That’s what happened for Celebrating Women Underwriting Chair Maggie Kipp. She was found wandering through the Chantilly Ballroom’s lobby looking for her buddies. Texting JB Hayes, she confirmed that a connection would be made. “What’s your connection with Collin County?” she was asked. She said JB would explain. Then she asked, “Have you seen Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones?”
No. Why would they be here? They’re the honorees at The Legendary Evening.
Maggie’s response: “I know.”
Then she was told that A Legendary Evening benefiting Family Compass and being chaired by Kristine Schwope and Heather Walther was being held in the Stemmons Ballroom in Atrium I. Oops!
Faster than Legendary Evening Honorary Co-Chair Marty Turco could fend off a slap shot, Maggie found her way to the Stemmons. At the check-in table, she told the name taker that her name was Maggie Kipp. This time the response was, “Maggie, it’s me — Nancy Gopez.” Maggie and Nancy have only known each other 20 years.
Crayton and Nikki Webb
Thanks to the grapevine, this story became the giggle du jour of the evening.
But not to worry. Despite the crowded Stemmons Ballroom, Maggie made a beeline to Jan and Trevor. Whew!
Jenny Ebeier, Trevor Rees-Jones III and Jan Rees-Jones
Speaking of JB, she was bubbling over helping out with a couple of Final Four events (Coaches vs. Cancer and Final Four Coaches Huddle). . . Crayton Webb knew just the right thing to say about Wings’ luncheon speaker, Sally Field: “She reminded me of Nikki (aka his wife)”. . . Martha and David Tiller were talking about their upcoming NYC trip to see “All The Way”, about LBJ. Of course, you know that Martha was Lady Bird’s press secretary. . . Too adorable Jenny Ebeier was with her steady of six years, Trevor Rees-Jones III or IV. Who keeps count? They met as freshmen at TCU.
No Tie Dinner
Blair Trammell, Deanna Cahill, Rob Cahill and Anthony Padilla
Forget busy. The Frontiers of Flight Museum was so jammed its driveway’s two lanes were locked down for entry level only. After supping at other places, more than 2,000 guests supporting AIDS Services of Dallas No Tie Dinner came together sans ties for dessert. But no wonder. With La Dolce Vita theme and Mark Ridlen handling the tunes, the evening was an example of the very good life.
Two-story lounge
A mammoth, two-story structure curtained in beaded draping was front and center for some guests to settle back to simply observe the bidding and partying by the likes of Co-Chairs David Nelson and Dennis Kershner, Honorary Chair LeeAnne Locken, Sheila Dolezal Humanitarian Awardee Patricia Deason, 2013 Honorary Chair Steve Kemble, Christopher Wright, Don Neubauer, Les Siter, Benny Black, Susan Hawk and ASD President Don Maison.
Mikael Coursey, Mike Ladadie, Chris McCullough, Dow O’Neal, Mason McCleskey and Matt Wilkerson
Associate producer Matt Wilkerson was over the top about Tomato Republic receiving kudos reviews from the Dallas International Film Festival. The film about a political race in the small town of Jacksonville won the Jury Award.
Checking out the more than 400 biddables ranging from hand-blown vases and jewelry to original art pieces and a two-day Ferrari car rental from Platinum Motorcars were guests like Todd Whitley. With a tip of the hat to Pharrell Williams, who had worn a short-pants outfit to the Academy Awards, Todd claimed his look was basically Calvin Klein. To achieve the Pharrell touch, Todd said, “I had ‘em tailored.” The Gucci shoes didn’t hurt.
To satisfy the post-dinner needs, there were grown-up beverages like “Adult Italian Soda” complimented with Reyka Vodka and yummies like Hillstone’s key lime pie, profiteroles from Cafe Gourmet on the Go, and “glittery cake balls” from Dallas Affaires.
* Photo credit: Kristina Bowman