You would think Gene and Jerry Jones (pictured right with Gene Jones) had enough swirling around in their ho-hum lives last Wednesday. Not only do they have something called the Super Bowl coming up, they had just learned that President Obama might be dropping in for the football rumble at Cowboys Stadium.
So it was no surprise that they were just a little late in arriving home at their party for the Volunteer Center of North Texas reception honoring the Hearts of Texas Awards Luncheon recipients (Linda Custard, Interstate Batteries and the Episcopal School of Dallas). Why shoot! With their right-hand Gal Friday KJ coordinating the arrangements, they knew everything was under control.
After driving through friendly but official security at the gate, guests were greeted by co-host Elaine Agather (pictured left with Bill and Linda Custard) at the front door. She seemed to know everyone of the 85+ guests on sight without hesitation but with a hug. Charles Wyly was sans Dee and had to leave early to join Dee for a friend’s birthday celebration at Cafe Pacific.
Gene compared notes with Dr. Bobby Lyle, who had gone to Philadelphia with Jones daughter Charlotte, where she chaired her first meeting of the national Salvation Army. Gene told Bobby, “Charlotte is really counting on your help for the Salvation Army.” She got a big, old Bobby smile of assurance in return.
Over in one corner, Communities Foundation’s Brent Christopher introduced Phyllis and Richard Bernstein to a guest saying, “We’re very grateful that Richard and Phyllis are so generous.” To this comment, Richard, who is a big supporter of the Volunteer Center, chuckled, “It gets me into Jerry Jones’ house!”
And what a house it is. Not surprisingly, many guests found their way to the library. Why? That’s where they saw the three Cowboys’ Super Bowl trophies and rings on display. The rings themselves look more like mega tiaras for Barbie.
While the Super Bowl riches seemed to stand out among the many Jones treasures, they weren’t the only “WOWs!” in the room. For instance, the night’s sky was painted on the ceiling. An insider claimed that interior designer Sherry Hayslip had had it painted with the position of the stars the night the Joneses bought the Cowboys.
However, not everything in the library revolved around the Cowboys. Over in a corner on an easel was a document signed by Thomas Jefferson, who had absolutely no connection with the Cowboys. So don’t get the impression that the house is a glorified Cowboys Stadium suite. Ah, far from it.
Artwork was in abundance without being too much through every inch of the place, creating a perfect setting. Ross Perot was standing near the kitchen, waiting for a cup of decaf coffee and looking at some of the incredible artwork. . . .Caroline Rose Hunt (pictured) found a comfortable spot in the living room to visit with friends. She reported that she was going to the doctor the next day “for the last time” for her wrist. Recalling her dear friend Charles Simmons, who died earlier this month, Caroline said that when they first met he said, “I’m retired, but I’m not idle.” She then told a friend that she had received many notes and cards of support after his death, and thought at one point, “Charles, I wish you could see these.” The friend said, “I bet he could.”
With the help of KJ’s sounding the dinner chimes, Elaine took her place on the winding staircase and told the crowd about the upcoming Feb. 23 luncheon at the Hilton Anatole.
To kick things off, Elaine announced that co-chair Jan Pickens’ (pictured right with Bob Pickens) was especially memorable since it was also her birthday.
Elaine then attributed her own involvement in “Hearts of Texas” to her other co-chair Ruth “Mrs. Dallas Philanthropy” Altshuler. She recalled how Ruth called her saying, “You might want to help us with the Volunteer Center.” As usual, Ruth and husband Ken shook their head as if they had minimal involvement.
With Volunteer Center CEO Julie Thomas (pictured) looking on with pride, Elaine moved on to reminding the group of the people and organizations that would be honored at the luncheon.
Then it was back to chatting with the Super Bowl on the tongues of many. Nancy Halbreich, who swore she would be watching it on TV, was weighing the situation if the Chicago Bears were involved. Husband Jeremy is the CEO/Chairman of Chicago-based Sun-Times Media (as the Chicago Sun-Times).
Gene admitted that the “Super Bowl is taking on a life of its own. Now with the president; I don’t know if they’ve ever had a president and former president. . .” and raised her eyes to heaven.
(Editor’s note: Thanks to research by Alan “Dimples” Peppard, whose birthday is Tuesday, it was discovered that the NFL claims that no sitting president has ever attended a Super Bowl. Happy birthday, Alan!)
Just in the nick of time, Jerry (pictured) arrived after entertaining the leaders of North Texas Super Bowl XLV committee at Cowboys Stadium. But no complaints. When Jerry arrives, the air crackles with energy.
JJ said, “We’re a five-star event with Homeland Security just for the Super Bowl. What are we if the president comes? Would be off the Richter scale.”
When pressed about rumors on a pre-Super Bowl announcement regarding the naming rights for Cowboys Stadium, he said, “No, nothing to announce.” But he didn’t discount the possibility.
But all the talk of a sitting president attending the North Texas Super Bowl turned out to wishful thinking when the Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears Sunday. Oh, well, guess they’ll just have to settle on a former president to be in attendance.