The evening of Thursday, April 17, traffic was jamming Dallas streets and highways like a heavy-weight prize fighter. One guest at the A.W.A.R.E. Dallas dinner in the Anatole’s Coronado Room wondered, “Where did all these cars come from?”
It was indeed a busy day. Scott Murray had emceed the DCAC luncheon and now he was to chat with legendary NFL quarterback/former Green Bay Packer quarterback Bart Starr about the infamous 1967 Ice Bowl at the “Silver and Ice” fundraiser for Alzheimer’s at the Anatole.
Event Chair Lisa Shardon and A.W.A.R.E. President Cassie Crosby had considered it to be the perfect tie-in with A.W.A.R.E.’s 25th anniversary. To add to the conversation, they had even arranged for two other vets to be on stage with Bart and Scott — former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Bob Lilly and former Green Bay Packer running back Donny Anderson.
But that discussion would have to hold until after the cocktail hour in the West Wing Foyer, where guests checked out the items in the silent auction. Just a door away in the Cortez Room, the VIP reception was taking place. Dallas Cowboys sweetheart Alicia Landry was high-top-table-talking with Carole Murray and Ann Lilly. Laree Hulshoff told Barbara and Don Daseke about an unexpected associate who had popped in at her Museum Tower residence and surprised her in a state of disrepair. Think Diane Keaton in As Good As It Gets.
Eventually the 300 guests found their way to the Coronado Room, which was decked out in shimmering silver and ice centerpieces. After a dinner including first course — heirloom tomato, basil and fresh burrata drizzled with balsamic with prosciutto crostini; entrée — grilled filet of beef with Cabernet demi, sweet potato and Vidalia onion soufflé, fresh corn sauté with squash, tomatoes and okra; and dessert — molten chocolate cake, the evening commenced according to this field report:
“Lisa thanked Ashley Tatum, who had chaired the iced-out Artists Against Alzheimer’s in February, and the entire committee. Cassie thanked Lisa for all she has done and the founders for their heart and passion for the group, asking them to stand: Evelyn Ponder, Cyndy Hudgins, Billie Leigh Rippey, Anita Sampels and Nancy Nelson. Not able to be there was Ruth Altshuler, one of the founders.
“Scott recalled that in 1959 the late Vince Lombardi was the offensive coordinator for the New York Giants and the late Tom Landry was the defensive coordinator. They offered Tom the head coaching job, but Alicia, being from Dallas, convinced Tom to go back home to Dallas. In 1960, the Dallas Cowboys were formed and Tom Landry was their head coach.
“At that point Scott asked Alicia to stand, along with Bart’s wife Cherry and Bob’s wife Ann.
“That same year Vince started as head coach of the Green Bay Packers.
“Taking their place on stage, Bob, Bart and Donny recalled that infamous game at Lambeau Field on December 31, 1967.
“Both Bob and Donny showed their appreciation for A.W.A.R.E.’s bringing about awareness of Alzheimer’s and for their role in educating the public about Alzheimer’s.
“Donny Anderson said, “God bless A.W.A.R.E.”
“Bart talked about Coach Lombardi being a tough, driven coach, but he was thankful for the many lessons he learned from Coach. From his background at West Point, the players knew that this was one man who was going to show you how to play. ‘I loved him in the classroom. He taught you like a teacher would.’
“He went on to tell how Coach Lombardi and his wife would go to dinner with Coach Landry and his wife the night before a game in the same city.
“Lilly said Landry did what he could to prepare for play against the Packers. Directing his comments to the two Green Bay alumni, he said, ’Even though you hurt us, you were the cleanest team we played. It was very difficult to rush Bart. He was so well trained. Never made a mistake. I learned as much playing the game – as they were doing us right.”
“Bart said, ‘We were exceptionally strong and had much respect for the Dallas Cowboys.’
“Danny recalled the conditions on the field being 20 degrees below zero and his face was frozen. When Don Meredith came out, ‘I knew we were in trouble,’ and shared his stories about some key plays with Starr during the game.
“Bart agreed, saying, said it was so slippery, it was a huge challenge to stand. He went over to Coach Lombardi, suggested a final play and Coach said, “Run it and let’s get the hell out of here!” That was that. Bart made the play, putting the Packers ahead. A few more plays later, the game was over.
“Scott thanked everyone for their great stories and praised Starr for the Athletes in Action/Bart Starr Award which is given annually to an NFL player who best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community.
“Evelyn then thanked everyone for their support on behalf of the founding members’ and their gift of love and hard work, and the caregivers – so many of us have shared that fact. She said A.W.A.R.E. has raised over $12 million and tonight we stand at the starting line to find a cure and finally end Alzheimer’s.
“There was a ‘live auction’ call for donations by Mike Sadler from sponsor Heritage Auctions, raising more than $10,000.”