Timing is everything and Saturday, February 21, was a perfect example. Before the 2015 Brutal Blizzard hit, the nonprofits took full advantage of the opportunities:
Living With Bob: A Tribute To Robert Wilson
How about an insider tip? When attending anything at The Joule, use the Commerce Street entrance. Otherwise, you’re going to have squatters’ rights arriving and departing via Main Street. However, be forewarned that the advantage of arriving on Main Street for a soiree is that you’re immediately taken to the private elevator to the second floor, where the ballrooms are, or the roof terrace on the third floor.
On this night a lengthy red carpet led to the Aging Mind Foundation fundraiser — “Living With Bob: A Tribute To Robert Wilson.” Twas a pretty darn, heady crowd including the likes of Mary McDermott Cook and Dan Patterson, Margot and Ross Perot, Joyce Goss, Marnie and Kern Wildenthal, the Neiman’s crowd (Jeff Byron, Kevin Hurst and Neva Hall), Holly Forsythe, Greg Haynes Johnson, Claire Emanuelson, Nancy Beck with Rodger Chieffalo, John Clutts with Sami Arslanar and Rachel and John Michell.
Mary Cook and Dan Patterson
Nancy Beck and Rodger Chieffalo
Jeff Byron and Kevin Hurst
Neva Hall
John and Rachel Michell
Holly Forsythe and Greg Haynes Johnson
Luckily, no one felt like a stranger with Co-Chairs Barbara Daseke and Laree Hulshoff greeting folks the moment they got off the elevator. At the other end of the red carpet, Co-Chair Barbara Buzzell was wrangling the media interviewing special guest of honor Wilson son, Owen. Just a few feet away, Wilson matriarch Laura was greeting old friends, who were inquiring about Bob’s health.
Owen Wilson and Alan Peppard
Muffin Lemak, Kern Wildenthal and Claire Emanuelson
Nancy Dedman and Brad Kelly
Past the check-in that was being manned by BvB Dallas volunteers and down the hallway, a filled-to-the-gills ballroom was underway. Co-Chair better halves Don Daseke and Ben Fischer were perfect hosts in the main reception…Muffin Lemak was talking about the upcoming fundraiser for the building campaign for the construction of SMU’s new Kappa Alpha Theta…. Nancy Dedman and Brad Kelly were back from India. The trip was a rough time. Not India, but while they were away, Nancy’s dear friend Mary Watson died, and Brady’s father and sister passed away.
Following dinner, emcee Bob Ray Sanders stepped down from the stage and walked over to Owen, who was not scheduled to speak. But sometimes the best things are unscheduled, and this was one of those occasions. Owen thanked all those present for attending the event honoring his dad. Then he added the one who really deserved the thanks and recognition was his mother, Laura. With those words, it was obvious that the evening had also served as a tribute to the woman who has been “living with Bob” for more than 50 years.
The Magnolia Ball
Gabbie McGee
Across I-35 the Junior League of Dallas was in fullest swing with a round stage that reminded some of the recent 2014 Crystal Charity Ball gala. One stage was singer Gabbie McGee in a white gown with a humongous magnolia in her hair. And rightly so, since the theme was “The Magnolia Ball.”
Lynn McBee, Julie Bagley, Beverly Cahill and Jennifer Scripps
JLD President Julie Bagley was joined on stage by Honorary Chair Lynn McBee, Event Chair Beverly Cahill and Development VP Jennifer Scripps. With Beverly lifting a flute, she asked all to join her in toasting the country’s largest JLD. It’s probably the most successful, too, but ladies never brag. But that doesn’t mean ladies don’t have fun. Why when the Emerald City crew took over the stage, Beverly and some of her JLD sisters hopped up with danced with the ever-so-talented musicians.
Summer John, Shivangi Pokharel and Jami Kalmbach
Key and Katherine Coker
Isabell Novakov
Shelly Slater and Clay Huffstutter
Vinnie Carrizales and Leigh Bailey
Scott and Jan Osborn
Leigh Anne Haugh and Meredith Camp
In the crowd of 800 including Jan and Scott Osborn, Katherine and Key Coker, Summer John, Shivangi Pokharel, Jamie Kalmbach, past JLD President Leigh Anne Haugh, Meredith Camp and Isabell Novakov, who will be chairing the 2017 JLD gala… Former JLD gala Chair D’Andra Simmons Lock was with husband Jeremy Lock, whose exhibition “21” is at One Arts Plaza. The perfect time to check it out will be Tuesday, March 17, for an artist reception. But don’t wait too long. The show closes Sunday, March 22… WFAA anchor Shelly Slater with husband Clay Huffstutter were having a date night with Shelly. According to Shelly, when she was headed out the door, her son said to her, “You are going to look like a flamenco dancer tonight!”… Speaking of kiddos, lawyers Leigh Bailey with husband Vinnie Carrizales are weighing the options of not stopping at two munchkins.
Word has it that 2016 JLD Gala Chair Ashley Allen is already working on next year’s black tie fundraiser.