The Dallas Historical Society’s “Awards For Excellence in Community Service” (AFE) may not be the largest gathering inDallas, but it attracts decision-makers of Dallas, both past and present. Why just at Tuesday’s reception for the 2010 event at the Fairmont, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Dr. Gail Thomas (pictured right with Kay Bailey Hutchison) were comparing notes about the October celebration of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. Before even locking down the weekend of October 14 for the launch, Gail checked Kay’s schedule to make sure she would be available.
Besides being a past recipient of the AFE, Gail had still another connection to the day’s event — son Stewart Thomas was co-chairing the luncheon along with his wife Michelle and Honorary Chair Mary Anne Cree, the daughter of the late Rosine and Charles Sammons.
Now before you go off thinking that everyone associated with DHS had ancestors who arrived in Dallas with John Neely Bryan, rethink that one. Many of its members and leaders like former DHS Chair Diane Bumpas (pictured) and past AFE recipients Diane Brierley and Ebby Halliday weren’t even born in Dallas. All it takes is an interest in history.
Because this luncheon is known for running on schedule, lunch started promptly because there were a number of awards to give out. After recognizing various supporters, committee members and local community leaders, DHS Exec Director Jack Bunning gave a “state of the union” report of all the activities that had taken place including Phil Collins‘ interview on the Alamo, author Tom Alexander‘s conversation about his book on Stanley Marcus, and the Tom Landry exhibition during the State Fair that alone resulted in more than 100,000 people visiting the Hall of State. He also recognized Tom’s widow Alicia Landry (pictured), adding that due to the success of the Landry exhibition, it would be relaunched on Thanksgiving weekend in honor of the upcoming Super Bowl XLV.
Then it was time to hand out the awards to the following:
- Jose Antonio Bowen PhD for Arts Leadership
- Albert Black Jr. for Business
- Paula Lambert for Creative Arts
- Susie and H.B. Bell EdD for Education: Administrative
- Ed Long for Education: Teaching
- Joyce Pickering of The Shelton School for Health/Science
- Rev. Larry James and Rev. Gerald L. Britt Jr. for Humanities
- The Hillcrest Foundation (Bill Caruth and Harold Caruth) for Philanthropy
- Laura Estrada for Volunteer Community Leadership
- Howard Hallam for being the Jubilee History Maker
Highlights of the acceptance speeches included:
- Jose: “It you’re a patron of the arts, please stand. . . especially if you go to events you don’t like!”
- Albert’s (pictured) mentioning his friend Larry Lacerte’s not being present due to illness and Albert’s working with Mayor Tom Leppert to open Baylor’s Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute at the old Frazier Courts community of East Dallas, where Albert grew up.
- Paula: “I’m especially proud because I’m from Fort Worth!”
- Susie and H.B. acknowledging the people who helped them at “Tables 21, 22 and 23.”
- The number of hands that went up in the room when asked if Ed Long had taught their children.
To conclude the luncheon, the traditional A.C. Greene toast of champagne was made asking those born in Dallas to stand first, those who were born in Texas to also stand, and finally all who had made it to Dallas as soon as possible to stand.
Bravo, DHS for never getting old, and for just celebrating Dallas’ young roots.