The dedication Thursday of the Annette Strauss Square in the AT&T Performing Arts Center demonstrated how the efforts of both natural-born and adopted Dallasites are paying off. As hundreds arrived for the noon dedication, the staff was ready to handle the diverse age groups. Armed with everything from attendants with wheelchairs to golf-cart limousines, organizers realized that many of the late Annette Strauss‘ friends and associates might need some assistance getting to the outdoor lawn that can seat 2,400. The event also proved how design architects Foster + Partners, London had made the facilities user-friendly with its ramps for all.
It was a good thing for people like June McGuire, (pictured with Pete McGuire) who was in cowboy boots and on crutches due to some foot damage. Lawrence Marcus, natty as always, opted for a wheelchair, while Caroline Rose Hunt looked like a Bryon Nelson Golf Tournament vet as she was driven by in her cart.
Among those arriving on the gently sloping lawn were PAC neighbors (Dallas Symphony’s Paul Stewart, Dallas Theater Center’s Kevin Moriarty and Dallas Opera’s Suzanne Calvin); city leaders, both past and present, (former City Council members Adlene Harrison, Veletta Lill, Mary Poss and Craig Holcomb pictured right with his longtime partner Hector Garcia, whom he married in Washington the past Saturday); the media (Bob Miller, Cheryl Hall, Scott Cantrell, Tim Rogers and Peggy Levinson); and those who recalled the very early days witnessing Annette organize some of Dallas’ most successful fundraisers during a time before computers, cell phones or even fax machines (Phyllis and Ron Steinhart, Katherine Bull, Linda Custard and Ruth Altshuler).
But it was also a day of celebration for the dedication of the Shannon and Ted Skokos Pavilon with its rigging for lighting and sound equipment.
Speaking of lighting and sound, it was interesting to note that the spotlights were on and the production crew was sheltered under two small tents. The lights were really unnecessary, with the perfect weather proving to be a bit too perfect. Thanks to the noon sun shining at full thrust, the event programs proved to be multi-fundation as they turned into fans and shading for many. Charles Simmons, ever the gentlemen, held his program over Margaret McDermott to protect her from the day’s rays.
But the program moved quickly with brief addresses by Howard Hallam, Mayor Tom Leppert and SMU’s Gerald Turner, but it was Annette’s widower Ted Strauss (pictured) who stole the show with a twinkle in his eye. Said Ted:
- “Sixty-three years ago, Annette and I moved into our apartment here on Hyer Street January 2. On January 3rd, something happened that would change my life forever — Annette opened a charge account at Neiman Marcus. Early on I knew what a stimulus program was.
- “I said to her one day, ‘You spend more money than I earn.’ She said, ‘Ted, that’s no problem. You just have to earn more.’
- “I remember I was concerned that she wasn’t spending enough time at home with our children then. And I noticed there were notes around left for the girls (the Strauss daughters Nancy Halbreich and Janie McGarr) whom she chided frequently. The notes had ‘MOM,’ so I thought that’s for mom. That meant ‘Meetings On Monday.’ And that’s the way she conducted our house. City Council (meetings were) scheduled for Wednesday; Nancy and Janie for Monday. And it worked out pretty good.
- “She became a dedicated supporter of TACA and so many other institutions. And she worked so hard to save our wonderful symphony when it was threatened with bankruptcy. On the night that this magnificent hall (the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center) across the way opened, there were picketers and Annette was harshly criticized for so actively supporting something so frivolous during tough times. Annette just smiled. She knew that a difficult economy was temporary. The glorious Meyerson was permanent. And I think that judgment has been vindicated.
- “Now as I look over at the beautiful Arts District, some people call it a miracle. But I know from living with Annette that something like this doesn’t happen without a lot of hard work and not just from one person. The efforts of the Dallas leaders that are here today — Caren (Prothro), Deedie (Rose), Bess (Enloe), Veletta (Lill), Howard (Hallam), the incomparable Margaret McDermott, Nancy Hamon and many, many others have made this Arts District what it is and they will continue to do what is right for this city.
- “I came home one evening to our house and noticed Nancy and Janie sitting on the curb. And I went inside and I said, ‘Annette, what are they doing sitting on the curb?’ She said, ‘Well, Janie (pictured second from left with, from the left, Cappy McGarr, Nancy and Jeremy Halbreich and Sue Strauss) didn’t handle herself very well today and I had to chide her. And she began crying, so I left the room, but I listened. And Nancy came in and said to her little sister, “Don’t cry, Janie. We won’t be here long. We’re Spanish princesses who have been kidnapped and they’ll be here to pick us up anytime.”‘ With that Janie went outside and waited for the carriage to come.
- “It’s been 12 years since (Mayor) Ron Kirk called me December 1998 and told me that the City Council was honoring Annette with Annette Strauss Square. This beautiful venue which I think is a people’s park. It would prove to be true. Annette never knew that because she was already sick. She would have been so proud of it today; I think she does know it. As I look out today and look at you individually that I care about so very much, I believe Annette Strauss is home.”
Then it was time for the official ribbon cutting, but not before a performance of “Because of You” with vocalists John Campione and Laura Smolik with dancers from the Meadows School of Arts. Just as the performance was concluding, the dancers picked up a long green ribbon and presented it for cutting (pictured). At that point the Skokoses, Strausses and speakers with bigger-than-a-microwave scissors attempted to cut the ribbon. First to succeed were Shannon (pictured) and Ted. The team of Howard, Mayor Tom and Gerald tied with Sue and Ted Strauss for second place. Being a bit challenged by the size of the scissors and the stubborn ribbon, Nancy and Janie (pictured left with, from the left, Nancy and Jeremy Halbreich) succeeded in completing the mission. Guess Spanish princesses don’t cut ribbons very often.
Then it was off to a seated luncheon in the C. Vincent Prothro Lobby of the Winspear, where the final challenge of the day was handled: Getting everyone to take their seats. It was a coming together of many who didn’t want to stop recalling their favorite Annette stories. But eventually they did, only to discover that the composition of each table couldn’t have been better if Match.com had been in charge.
At one table interior designer John Bobbitt, who had just finished work on the Eddie Chiles designer showhouse in Fort Worth, discussed the pros and cons of iPads with Ron and Gail Berlin. Ron had just finished reading The Big Rich. . . Patsy Donosky was made keeper-of-his-hat by tablemate Wick Allison momentarily. . . Mary Suhm reported that she saw a “light at the end of the tunnel” regarding the Dallas Animal Shelter. . . Strauss relatives including nephew (Rick Strauss with wife Diana) and Annette’s grandkids Kathryn and Elizabeth McGarr were on hand. Elizabeth’s friend Matt McCue (pictured left with Elizabeth) is an author and has written An Honorable Run about cross country. . . Speaking of Elizabeth McGarr, her “other grandmother” Carolyn Cobb (pictured) was proud as punch about Elizabeth’s reporting accomplishments for Sports Illustrated. . . Interior designer Laura Hunt, who just completed her office move from one spot in Highland Park Village to another and completed her show house at the Ritz, looked cool despite the sweltering heat. . . Ellen Winspear compared notes with Shannon Skokos about the Skokos-Winspears’ recent trek to Africa. Don’t be surprised if Shannon has another book with fabulous photos in her future.
As guests departed, one was heard to say, “I’m amazed at the range of people here today.” The person evidently didn’t know Annette. Her range knew no boundaries.