Dallas was the gathering places for the Bush clan November 12. After all when Bush matriarch Barbara Bush puts out the call for her “Celebration of Reading,” the kids come flying. . . literally. Doro Bush Koch from Maryland, Neil Bush from Houston, Mandi and George P. Bush from Austin and grandkids from all over.
The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy fundraiser started in the lower level of the Meyerson where big wigs like Caroline Rose Hunt with Bob Brackbill, Lyda Hill, Sally and Forrest Hoglund, Millie and Dr. Ken Cooper and Sen. Rick Santorum drank everything from sparkling water to sparkling champagne. Before the majority arrived, posters of each of the authors Kathryn McGarr (The Whole Damn Deal), U.S. Senator Marco Antonio Rubio (An American Son), Sally Bedell Smith (Elizabeth The Queen), Nicolle Wallace (It’s Classified) and Robert Zorn (Cemetery John) their books were placed around the room. At 5:40 p.m., the side door opened and some All-American Types appeared looking taller and more athletic than the rest. Oldtimers in first Family soirées immediately spotted them as members of the security detail. It was the first inkling that a First Family member would soon appear.
But, alas, no photos were allowed to be taken, so the rest of the post with photos taken at the dinner are shown after the jump including coverage of the readings and dinner:
But before that person showed up, Mandi and George P. Bush arrived on the scene with some of the authors, who dutifully took their positions next to their posters.Marco Rubio went straight to his poster and was BMOC as RIR (Republicans in Recovery) from the previous week’s election ventured near. One man said, “If I could get close enough, I’d like to ask him what the heck (that’s not the word he used) happened last week?”
As Mandi checked on guests and George P. talked with a group of young suit types including one fellow who seemed oh-so familiar. One onlooker said, “I know that guy, but can’t remember how.” That question resulted in a high-top-table game of “Who’s that guy talking with George P.?” The answer was Barbara and George Bush’s son Neil, who had his kids (Lauren, Pierce and Ashley) along for the night.
On the sidelines was Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy staffer Roosevelt Alexander, who had flown in from Tampa. Despite the airline having lost his luggage, he had not complaints. Talking with Chris Kleinert, he explained the Foundation’s efforts for literacy among adults as well as children. In the meantime, Chris’s wife, Ashlee was telling Holly Reed and Brad Beaird about the Executives in Action that had just been named KRLD’s Hometown Hero.
Eventually the Barbara Bush with a see-thru, colorful cane entered the room without fanfare and strolled among the guests. She looked right at home despite her being of the shortest people in the crowd.
At 6:10 p.m. Crow family matriarch Margaret was wheeled in and up to Barbara. Turning around and spying the old friend, Barbara immediately bent over and gave Margaret a hug.
Just as the room was maxxing out, the authors and Bushes received a high sign, ended conversations and streamed for the side door from whence they came.
With the notables gone, the guests like Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones, Yvonne and Mayo Crum, Barbara Brice and Artie Olaisen realized it was time to head to the hall for the talk.
At 7:05 p.m., the program started with a voice over the PA announcing “George P. and Amanda Bush.” All were prepared to see the twosome enter. Instead Barbara walked out on stage to the surprise and delight of the audience that proved it with a SO.
She settled them down and commenced with the her husband’s still reputation for interesting sockwear. Admitting that she knew her limits, she had given up on changing his habits and had succumbed to the outrageous socks. With that she stepped aside from the podium and lifted her pant leg showing off a Easter-egg-colorful argyle sock. Just in case anyone is wondering, she added, “George is home arranging his socks.”
As her mother headed to her seat on the front row, Doro spoke to the group. She and brother Jeb Bush now co-chair the Foundation. The hall is filled except for a row of seven empty seats along the side.
At 7:14 p.m. Mandi tell the audience that numerous area schools benefited from last year’s event and introduced Mary Mendez, who stayed in this country after her parents decided to return to Mexico. Despite dropping out of school, marrying and have children all before she was 18, she had overcome her struggle with literacy thanks to the foundation and received the second SO of the evening.
Mandi then introduce the first author of the evening Sally Bedell Smith. One of the surprises revealed in Sally’s talk about Queen Elizabeth II was the fact that the Queen had known every U.S. president since Harry S Truman except for Lyndon Johnson.
At 7:31 p.m. Libby Andrews introduce St. Mark’s graduate Robert Zorn and quickly the audience’s interest in his theory about the kidnapping of Charles Lindberg’s child.
At 7:45 p.m. Ashley Bush introduced Nicolle Wallace, who read from her novel about White House. The conservative political analyst admonished the audience, “After last Tuesday, I’m depending on all you of you [regarding future leaders].”
At 7:55 p.m. Pierce Bush introduced local gal Kathryn McGarr, who read excerpts from her book about her great-uncle Bob Strauss. Peppered with typical Bob Strauss expletives and tales about his leadership of the Democrats and his unwanted ambassadorship in Russia, her talk reminded audience members of a time when the two political parties worked together.
At 8:18 p.m. George P introduce Marco Rubio, who told the audience his reasons for writing the his autobiography:
- Learned that someone else was writing a book about him.
- Wanted to pay tribute to his parents, grandparents and the Cuban exiles.
- The opportunity to share his thoughts with others.
At one point he said, “The best mistakes to learn from are those made by others.” A little later he admitted that one of the hardest tasks for a parent is balancing the political life with the personal life.
At 8:28 p.m. Marco finishes and Neil Bush reads letters from a forthcoming book by his father, who is a prolific letter writer. It will be a follow up to his previous book of letters. This one will cover the period from 1988 to the present. There were points during the reading of the letters than Neil seemed to tear up .
Just as Neil finishes at 8:35 p.m., some folks rose thinking the program was done and they wanted to be first for dinner. Wrong. With American scenes and the flag being shown on a mega-screen over the stage, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Meistersingers sing “America The Beautiful.” Their beautiful voices drown out the gurgling stomaches of guests. At 8:40 p.m. the choice starts “Homeward Bound.”
George P. returns to the podium and closes with the traditional Barbara Bush send off — “This was the best Celebration of Reading ever.” Guests head to a “light supper,” where the discussion of the books takes place at tables. While author Kathryn’s parents Janie and Cappy McGarr were joined by Cappy’s mom Carolyn Cobb, Bobbie and Scott Cruickshank were talking with Carmaleta Whiteley and Fort Worth’s Mechelle and John Bates. This was not only the Bates’s first Celebration of Reading but their first time in they Meyerson. According to their review of the evening, this was definitely not going to be the last on either count.
Over at the hifalutin area, Holly Reed and Brad Beaird settled down to dinner with Barbara Bush. Since the evening was about reading, Holly asked the Silver Fox what she was presently reading. The former first lady hesitated saying it was not exactly along the lines of the books discussed on stage, but neither was it along the lines of “50 Shades of Gray.”
yvonne says
love the timeline.. it was fun reading it just like it happened.. such a fun night and loved all the readings.. my favorite.. Kathryn McGarr.. i loved Bob Strauss.. so it was really fun to hear the stories… great time with friends and catching up.. !
Carmaleta WHITELEY says
A fabulous evening – one of the most enjoyable events f the season!! Thank you My Sweet Charity for great reporting.
My table mates’ sister had just returned from a stay with the Bush’s in Kennebunkport and had wonderful photos of George and Barbara on his phone. What a delight to see them both looking so healthy and having fun.