Dallas exploded with fundraising Saturday, February 22. The United Negro College Fund Masked Ball at the Sheraton Dallas, the Resource Center’s Toast to Life at F.I.G. and Bridge Breast Network’s Mardi Gras Party at Million Air Dallas were in high gear. Sure, the temperatures were just brisk enough to require a wrap, but not so miserable as. . . well, what the first of March produced. Here’s just a smattering of what was underway on February 22.
A Night In La Cidade Maravilhosa
The Anatole was filled to near capacity with fundraisers. In addition to the Rotary Club and Greenhill School having their fundraisers, the Junior Leaguers had taken over the Chantilly Ballroom for a two-parter for “Rio Carnival. . . A Night in La Cidade Maravilhosa. . . The Marvelous City,” their 52nd annual ball. Behind the check-in area was a mask that would have fit the Jolly Green Giant perfectly. The poor life-size elephant sculptures on either side looked a little puny compared to the mask.
In the lobby was a towering two-story purple and gold glimmering tent with lights and topped off with white ostrich feathers, where the musicians had played during the reception.
One guests commented, “It’s so obvious Tom Addis has been here.”
When the doors opened for dinner, only half of the Chantilly was put into use. The walls were draped in silver lame and in each corner were stages with gold lame backdrops where costumed characters struck poses to the delight of the crowd. Even after the whimsical models had departed, the stages were still put into use by guests like Amanda Richards and David Pinsel striking poses for their friends’ cellphones.
The tables surrounding the main stage were gorgeous with silver and gold tablecloths, highlighted by narrow pedestals topped with mammoth bouquets of more ostrich and peacock feathers and masks. Pity the poor naked birds that were shivering somewhere.
At 8 JLD President Laura Johnson and Event Chair Wendy Messmann stepped up on stage and greeted the group. Whether it was the lighting, the surrounding glitz or just the glow of success, the gals dazzled one and all receiving cell-phone salutes. But leave it the ladies to graciously acknowledge the evening’s success to Honorary Co-Chairs Margaret Crow and Katherine LaLonde and the 600 guests. As Wendy put it, “In our estimation, no city soul is as large as Dallas’.”
Running right on schedule, dinner was served at 8:30 including
- Main Course — Confit duck leg pozole, grilled filet of beef chimichurri, roasted cucurbita (Brazilian winter squash), creamed chayote with chives and green beans sautéed with tomatoes
- Dessert — Cinnamon ice cream chocolate sundae with cinnamon-sugar tortilla crisp
Following Bob Schneider’s entertaining the guests, part two of the evening took place in the other half of the Chantilly Ballroom, where Professor D had guests partying past the wee hours of the evening.
But not everybody stayed way late. Just as dinner was being served, Katy Bock was seen hightailing it to a Range Rover driven by husband Lawrence. Seems she had jeans stashed in the car and was headed for a casual date night with her husband.
The only itty-bitty flaw of the evening was found not in the staging, dining, dancing or fundraising. It was on page 12 of the program, where one of the honorary co-chair’s names was misspelled. Told you it was itty-bitty.
Moonlight Ball
The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas’ Moonlight Ball always seems to be cast in moonbeams at Brook Hollow Golf Club. This year, the lighting cast a purple haze around the dining room; the shimmering blue tablecloths topped off with flowers from Junior Villanueva were a perfect setting for the fundraiser. It’s always special when a crowd buys into a black tie occasion with long gowns and dazzling jewelry.
For this evening of dining and dancing, Co-Chairs Jan Daulton and Melinda Emmons arranged to have Signed, Sealed and Delivered play and MoonPies to be snacked on.
Ah, but before that happened the crowd gathered on the patio overlooking the golf course. Melinda was in Oscar topped off by a deBoulle necklace. Jan was in a black gown, but for the life of her couldn’t recall which designer deserved the credit. However, she was wearing a “vintage, sterling-silver necklace” that was mistaken for diamonds at first glance.
Honorary Co-Chairs/longtime Ronald McDonald supporters Sally and Mike McWilliams kidded about their decades of marriage. Mike: We’re just dating. Sally: “It’s a test run.” However, there was no kidding about Sally’s killer gown. Didn’t matter who the designer was. The news was the cost was $99. With a figure like Sally’s you can make a bargain look spectacular, don’t you know?
And speaking of long-time newlyweds, Jean and her Dr. Dale Fuller proved that humor is indeed the secret to longevity in marital bliss. Dale described Jean as his “current wife.”
Eventually, all the 150 guests made their way to the ballroom for a seated dinner that included
- First Course — Brook Hollow Golf Club signature salad (Mesclun greens, caramelized pecans, stilton cheese, dried cherries, granny smith apples, grape tomatoes and balsamic dressing)
- Duet Entrée — Petite filet of beef with a red wine sauce, crispy seared sea bass served with a lemon herb meuniére sauce, wild mushroom risotto, haricots verts and whole baby Carrots with Caramelized pearl onions
- Dessert — Bailey’s molten cake with caramel ice cream served with coffee
Cowboys And Cowboys
All types of cowboys — both football (Tony Dorsett, Walt Garrison, Bob Lilly, Tony Lisco, Dan Mcihenny, Nate Newton and Charles Haley) and rodeo types (Dave Appleton, Bob Logue, Scott Mendes, Matt Austin and Pat Yancey) — were partying over at the Omni Hotel for the Cowboys and Cowboys Sky Ranch Gala. Naturally the attire was western. You were expecting kilts?
To add some legs to the event that benefited Sky Ranch, the always adorable Kilgore Rangerettes “marched in with the Color Guard” and former Sky Ranch camper Christian Barham sang the national anthem.
Joining Co-Chairs Walt Garrison and Rope Myers was Honorary Celebrity Chair/former Dallas Cowboy/Hall of Famer/ever-natty Michael Irvin, who “spoke passionately about how Sky Ranch makes such a positive impact on a young person’s life. He urged attendees to really show their support to help send deserving kids to camp. He was also a lively participant in getting folks to bid on the golf outing with him along with a golf pro and travel on a private plane to a course in Colorado. Irvin also got bids going for guests to come to NY for the NFL Experience Show.”
Unfortunately, part of the fundraising included the live auction of a lab puppy. Oops! It’s been illegal for five years to auction off an animal for fundraising purposes in the city of Dallas. While no arrests were made, you want to bet no pooches nor ponies will be up for bid again?
* Photos provided by Cowboys and Cowboys