Main Content
The Original Purpose Of Memorial Day Stays True Today
For a long time folks debated whether Memorial Day was started by the Rebels or the Yankees. That was because it got its start following the Civil War and was then known as Decoration Day. Actually, it was due to the women on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line, who honored their fallen by decorating their graves.
Over the years more wars followed — The Spanish American War, World War I and World War II as well as “undeclared wars” like Korea and Viet Nam — and the number of graves grew and national cemeteries were created.
For years, commemorative events took place throughout the country on different days. Eventually May 30 was set as the day for remembrance. However, in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act that declared that certain federal holidays would always take place on a Monday, allowing for a three-day holiday weekend for federal employees. The Act also established Memorial Day as a federal holiday.
Even if you don’t have someone who made the greatest sacrifice, you are the beneficiary of their legacy.
BTW, some people confuse Memorial Day with Veterans Day. While they are both federal holidays, they serve different purposes. Memorial Day commemorates the lives lost while serving in the military. Veterans Day honors all U.S. military veterans.
Former “20/20” Anchor Elizabeth Vargas To Speak At The Magdalen House’s “Leave A Legacy” Fundraiser
It’s not everyone who has Diane Sawyer and David Muir show up for their going away party. Well, “20/20” anchor Elizabeth Vargas did. After working at ABC for 21 years, she was the guest of honor at a party Monday, May 21, hosted by Senior Executive Producer David Sloan.
Starting Monday the 55-year-old brunette will be “the face of the new A&E franchise, ‘A&E Investigates.’”
What does this have to do with North Texas nonprofits? Simple. She’s coming to town for “Leave A Legacy” supper at Dallas Auction Gallery on Thursday, October 11, for The Magdalen House that has helped women in recovery from alcoholism for the past 31 years.
According to Magdalen House Executive Director Lisa Kroencke, “More than 108,000 women are alcohol-dependent in the Dallas County area. We believe that our no-cost treatment program, provided in a safe and supportive environment, with accurate information about the problem and the solution, will help women recover from alcoholism.”
Elizabeth herself knows about the struggle of alcoholism and wrote a book, “Between Breaths: A Memoir Of Panic and Addition,” dealing her battle that resulted in repeated relapses, near firing by ABC News and the impact on her marriage. Finally in 2014 it was being drunk the day of her 8-year-old son’s birthday that was the final straw. Instead of baking a vanilla coconut cake, she drank the day away resulting in her brother and sister taking her to a detox center in California.
Tickets are available here.
* Photo courtesy of The Magdalen House
JUST IN: Northwood Woman’s Club “Gives It Away” To The Tune Of $297,000
Despite the temperatures settling in past the 90-degree mark, it was Christmas time at Bent Tree County Club today. After a year of fundraising, the Northwood Woman’s Club presented checks totaling $297,000 to the following very happy nonprofits:
- Attitudes and Attire — $31,500
- Callier Center for Communication Disorders — $40,500
- Cristo Rey Dallas — $47,000
- Dallas CASA — $50,000
- Interfaith Family Services — $36,000
- St. Simon’s After-School $31,500
- NWC Scholarship Fund at Communities Foundation of Texas — $25,000
It was actually hard to tell who was happier about the check presentations — the recipients or the club membership. Details of the presentation will come in the days weeks to come. But did want to share the great news.
JUST IN: 2019 Cattle Baron’s Ball Leadership Announced
The word just broke this morning that the Cattle Baronesses have selected the leadership for the 2019 Cattle Baron’s Ball.
According to 2018 CBB Co-Chairs Katy Bock and Jonika Nix, “It is with great pleasure that we announce the 2019 Cattle Baron’s Ball Chairs – Wendy Messmann and Lisa Shirley! We look forward to a fun and successful year under their very capable leadership.”
Wendy and Lisa will be working together with their committee of 98 and countless members of the CBB posse to provide funding for the research and development of treatments in battling against cancer.
Stay tuned for details about plans for the fundraiser.
* Photo credit: Holt Haynsworth
JUST IN: 37th Annual Awards For Excellence Luncheon Awardees Revealed
And the announcements just keep rolling in! Dallas Historical Society President Bill Helmbrecht just revealed plans for the 37th Awards for Excellence Luncheon and the 2018 Awards for Excellence (AFE) in Community Service honorees. As reported earlier, the annual fundraiser will be held on Thursday, November 1, at the Fairmont Dallas. This year the presenting sponsor will be Pegasus Bank.
Laurie and Phil Evans will be co-chairing the luncheon and will be joined by Honorary Co-Chairs/past awardees Marnie and Kern Wildenthal, who have “provided volunteer leadership for numerous educational and charitable organizations through their generous gifts of time and resources to the community” including an endowment for Literacy Achieves, formerly known as Vickery Meadow Learning Center.
Serving as coordinator/advisor extraordinaire will be longtime DHS supporter Louise Caldwell.
Now for the drum roll! The 2018 Awards for Excellence recipients:
- Arts Leadership (This award is given to an individual who has enriched the cultural life of Dallas as planner, organizer, fundraiser, collector or art historian.) — Zenetta S. Drew
- Business (This award is given to that individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the business climate of the community.) — Katherine Wagner
- Creative Arts (This award is given to that individual whose prominence as a practitioner of the fine arts as artisan, architect, writer, composer, producer or performer has enriched the cultural environment of Dallas.) — Liz Mikel
- Education/Administration (This award is given to that individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the field of education as a teacher, administrator or benefactor.) — Yasmin Bhatia
- Education Advocate (This award is given to an individual or organization that has made an exceptional contribution to the field of education as a teacher, administrator or benefactor.) — The Links, Incorporated (The Dallas Chapter)
- Health/Science (This award is given to the individual (s) who has made an outstanding contribution through prominence or public service in medicine, scientific research, the behavioral sciences or public health.) — Jonathan C. Cohen, Ph.D. and Helen H. Hobbs, M.D.
- History (This award is given to that individual who has researched and chronicled aspects of the history of Dallas and Texas as a historian, journalist, researcher, folklorist or author.) — Dian Malouf
- Humanities (This award is given for leadership in achieving specific community goals.) — Louise and Donald Cowan Center
- Philanthropy (This award is given to that individual whose vision and personal generosity has greatly benefited this city.) — Betty Regard
- Sports Leadership (This award is given to that individual who has brought distinction or achievement to team or individual sports as an athlete, coach, journalist, promoter or sports advocate.) — Nancy Lieberman
- Volunteer Community Leadership (This award is given to that individual whose generous gift of self has enriched the community.) — Regen Horchow Fearon
- Jubilee History Maker (Created in 1991 and given in recognition of “Jubilee Dallas!,” this award recognizes an individual whose achievements extend to more than one of the award categories.) — Tom Dunning
Information about table sales and underwriting is available here and by calling Nora Lenhart at 214.421.4500, Ext. 106. Individual tickets start at $125.
JUST IN: 2018-2019 Aware Leadership And Grant Recipients Announced
The ladies of Aware have just revealed the plans for 2018. Leading the organization “dedicate to fighting Alzheimer’s disease” will be Sharon Ballew as president with the following slate of officers: Sue John as treasurer, Misty Keown as membership, Carol Stabler as secretary, Jolie Humphrey as … Read More...
Better Hustle To Sign Up For A 2018 North Texas Giving Day Kick-Off Session
While some may be powering down for summer hibernation, nonprofits are gearing up for a repeat performance of the North Texas history-making fundraiser — North Texas Giving Day. Once again the folks over at Communities Foundation of Texas are orchestrating the wallet-opening program that will take … Read More...
Fight Night Celebrates Its 30th With 19 Former Chairs, Marvelous Marvin Hagler And Some Bejeweled Flip-flops
Linda McMahon seemed pleased. As gowned and tuxedo'ed guests jammed the Hilton Anatole's Chantilly Foyer to the max on Thursday, April 26, the president and CEO of The Real Estate Council was beaming about the success of Fight Night's 30th anniversary celebration. The party featuring boxing, great … Read More...
A Flurry Of Letters Is Hitting Snailboxes With Plans For The 19th Annual Mission Ole
Tanya McDonald’s right hand is probably in rehab after a two-day letter signing effort. She wanted to get the word out before people head out of town for the summer about the 2018 Mission Ole benefiting Trinity River Mission. Luckily, she wasn’t alone in applying the John/Joan Hancocks to the … Read More...
JUST IN: Clements Foundation Gifts Highland Park Education Fund With $10M For The Benefit Of Teachers’ Longterm Needs
After the horror that faced the Santa Fe High School students and faculty last week, it’s time for some good news in the world of education. This afternoon the late Gov. Bill Clements provided the news. With his daughter Nancy Seay and granddaughters Margaret Napier and Clements Foundation President … Read More...
Genesis Women’s Shelter VIP Party Celebrated Its Upcoming 25th Anniversary Luncheon And A Birthday
Attorney Michael Hurst put aside his role as president of the Dallas Bar momentarily on Wednesday, April 25. He and his attorney wife Jane Hurst hosted the VIP party for Genesis Women’s Shelter’s 25th Anniversary Luncheon with top-notch guests like Gail and Gerald Turner, Ashlee Kleinert, Nancy Ann … Read More...