Greg Haynes Johnson and Joanna Clarke didn’t know each other Friday (September 27) night when they met at an over-the-top birthday party for Simona Beal at the Ritz-Carlton. There was a seven-foot tall pink birthday cake that would have thrilled the late Mary Kay Ash. (More about that later.) Ritz Chief Chef Dean Fearing popped in to check on the happiness factor of the birthday girl and her loads of friends (John Phifer Marrs, Laura Tafel, Lynn McBee, Clint Bradley, Nancys Carlson and Gopez, Mary Gill, Debra Nelson, Christine Handy, etc.).
Somebody mentioned Sunday’s weather forecast and Joanna and Greg bonded like veneers on a starlet’s smile. DIFFA Dallas Chair Emeritus Greg’s Burgers + Burgundy and Community Partners of Dallas Development VP Joanna’s Change Is Good were both indoor/outdoor events. One was for AIDs and the other for children of neglect. At that point, despite being for totally different causes, they both joined emotionally in hoping that Mother Nature would grant peace and dry for that one day.
Whatever wish they made, prayer they said or anti-rain dance they performed worked. Sunday afternoon turned out to be one of the most spectacular days of 2013. The temperatures just flirted with the 80’s and the clouds were scant and lingering. So, how did things work out? Check it out!
Change Is Good
The ever-proper Brook Hollow, where the board of governors has established “House Rule #29 (The audible ringing or the making and/or receiving of cellular telephones calls is strictly prohibited inside all Brook Hollow Golf Club buildings and outdoor covered dining venues, except the Men’s and Ladies’ Locker Rooms)”, became a glorified Chuck E. Cheese + Six Flags Over Texas on steroids.
Fathers who would normally be taking private jets to San Diego for the Cowboys game were tethered to their munchkins or chasing after them as the kiddos chatted with their comic heroes (Superman, Batman and Spiderman) climbed trees, bungee somersaulted or just hoola-hooped.
As if the youngsters weren’t going wild about the indoor and outdoor bounce houses, the sugar factor was fueling the energy level. Tables were filled to capacity with all types of treats. Naturally, parents had to test-taste each one.
A crop of hardworking super moms (Juliette Coulter, Dawn Spalding, Wendy Krispin, Ashley Terrell) let their partners in child-rearing take charge of the munchkins while they took a brief break on the outdoor patio with grown-up beverages. Now, don’t go thinking they were ignoring their kiddos. Heck, moms have an incredible seventh sense that not only detects every move of their child but can reel in their kiddo instantaneously.
In the ballroom, Co-Chair Kate Rose and TJ Marquez scurried around looking for one of their twin sons. No problem! They found him among the crowd of 550 children and adults who were moving around faster than an accountant on April 15. Must admit that Kate Rose in her light purple T-shirt and scrubbed look appeared a wee bit more casual compared to her killer formal look at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala the night before.
As the younger moms enjoyed the kids playing and being painted up, Honorary Grandmother Jeanne Marie Clossey with grandchild in arms walked the grounds enjoying the wonderment of grands being together.
Burgers + Burgundy
Just up the road at Karen and Bill Seanor’s estate, it was another gathering of kids. Only this group was of voting age and some even flirting with AARP. Okay, so they weren’t that old, but they were that savvy. It was the DIFFA crowd that seems to carry the party feel the same way that junior highers bear backpacks. Looking at the blue skies, Karen smiled, “We were blessed by God” with the beautiful day.
The street in front of the Seanor manicured landscape property was so filled with cars, that some of the hundreds of B+B guests just parked their cars blocks away and hiked to the front entrance. But even after schlepping from their parking spot, they found another healthy walk was ahead from the front gate to the outdoor party.
Like the Sirens calling Ulysses’ sailors, Hunter Sullivan sang on stage as area chefs cooked up the fattest, juiciest burgers since mustard was slabbed on a bun.
Once again the weather couldn’t have been more perfect as the Seanor backyard was an event planner’s dream of perfection. So, Karen admitted that 24 hours before, apprehension had ruled the roost, but it had all worked out beyond perfection as she munched on one of the gourmet burgers.
Simona Beal and her gal pals were sampling the burgers and comparing notes about her Friday night funfest. Remember that 7’ tall pink birthday cake mentioned earlier? Simona had decided to keep it intact at her home for her kids to enjoy the view and the sniff of sugar. When someone suggested that the pink extravaganza might be perfect for Mary Kay’s 50th anniversary, Simona loved the idea and asked how to make that happen.
Lee Bailey ducked out early before she could check with hostess Karen. Seems Lee was feeling under the weather and didn’t want to share. Good for her!
As chefs like John Tesar and Brad Phillips and organizations like Spoons and Nick and Sam’s created funnels of smoke preparing burgers, DIFFA sweetheart/”Dallas”’ Sue Ellen Linda Gray appeared thanks to her Equinox bud Debra Nelson. Dang it. Why doesn’t Linda age?
When Hunter learned that it was Debra’s birthday, he got her up on stage and sang “Happy Birthday.”
The only issue was when guests loyally defended their choice of best burger. Of course, that just meant a second helping was required to make sure.
As guests who had valet parked waited for their cars, Myrna Schlegel walked by. Was she on her way to the party? Nope. After a trip to Italy — Capri, Tuscany and Rome — she had just attended the christening of her two new grandchildren and hosted a major lunch. Suffering from jet lag and hosting duties, she had to get out of the house for a neighborhood stroll.
After all, it was a beautiful day. Just ask Joanna and Greg.