Dallas fundraising exploded Thursday, October 9, for its final hurrah before the city submitted to a tsunami of UT burnt orange and OU red. It was a real hit-and-run evening for those making the rounds. For country western lovers, they had their choices. Either in Arlington, where former First Couple Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were at AT&T Stadium celebrating “Habit for Humanity” at Building Hope Celebration Dinner with Wynonna Judd on stage and loads of swells on the floor of the stadium. Or, there was the Leukemia Texas‘s sold-out Concert for Cure at The Rustic, where car- and people-watching started in the parking lot as the guests jammed the place to hear Jack Ingram on stage. With the weather perfect, it was optimum conditions for the inside/outside venue to showcase its ability to party hearty. Other activities taking place included:
Thrift Studio Preview Party
Over in the Design District, Dwell With Dignity’s semi-annual Thrift Studio’s preview party had another lineup of vehicles and guests waiting their turns to get in to see the staging of “available” furnishings donated by area interior decorators and vendors. Dwell With Dignity Co-Founder Lisa Robison was being congratulated once again on the success of the program that “creates inspiring homes for families struggling with homelessness and poverty.”
Event Chair Laura Chancellor arranged for sets designed by CDA Interior Design, Catherine Dolen and Stacy Coulter & Associates and Carlin & Company; Dan Nelson, Vision Desing Inc., Jan Barboglio and Peacock Alley; Denise McGaha Interiors and ID Collection; Eleven 11 Design, Brendan Bass Showroom and Robert Allen Design; Gonzalo Bueno and Mauricio Lobeira for X+III and David Sutherland Showroom; Joseph Minton; Paul Duesing Partners; and Peter Sandel Design LLC, Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams. Tara Harper and her brother Brad were upstairs checking out the furniture, while others were checking out Joe Demoruelle’s colorful jacket. Also on hand were Honorary Chair/designer Tobi Fairley and Meredith Hite, who had joined Shay Geyer’s IBB Design Group. Remember, the Thrift Studio like Brigadoon is a temporary wonderland. The pop-up shop is open until Saturday, November 8th with ever-arriving new goodies.
Flora Award Patron Party
Less crowded was the invite-only patron party for the Flora Award that will take place at a black-tie dinner on Thursday, November 6, at the Texas Discovery Gardens. But this evening it was business attire at Joan and Steve Smith’s Park Cities home. It was a natural to have the party there. After all, the Smiths’ daughter Stacey Beck and her husband Adam were co-chairing the fundraiser for the Gardens.
Co-honoree Suzy Rhodes greeted guests, like past honoree Barbara Hunt Crow, Caroline Rose Hunt, Jennifer and Coley Clark, Celeste and Michael Bosco and past Flora Award chairs Marilyn Waisanen and Bettye Slaven, while husband Tom worked the back of the house near the Smith’s Grey African Parrot, Juma, that was entertaining guests with his moves and conversation. Suzy and Tom met in eighth grade at the former Highland Park Junior High School (now McCullough) and have been married 39 years. Tom kidded friends saying, “She would not leave me alone.”
Texas Discovery Gardens Executive Director Dick Davis told the 70 guests that the gardens were in overdrive with butterflies. In addition to the Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House, which had just celebrated its fifth anniversary in September, the newly renovated gift shop had a “spectacular selection of framed tropical butterflies” that has resulted in an increase in sales.
Dick also revealed other changes taking place at TDG, including The Welcome Garden featuring deep shade tolerant plants including the hardy windmill palm, which had won “Best in Show” at the State Fair. It had been “been made possible through donations” from Suzy and Tom, the TDG Board and Board Members Janet Smith and her husband Norman.
Other TDG news included a refreshening of the Minnie Marcus Garden and the building of the Nature Learning Center by hand and “featuring reclaimed materials and serving as an outdoor classroom space, native snake exhibit, greenhouse and green gardening demonstration site.”
Soup’s On! Kick-Off Party
One of winter’s favorite fundraisers, “Soup’s On!,” got kicked off Brad Oldham’s studio and for good reason. Here is a report from the field about The Stewpot Alliances’ big fundraiser as it enters its 40th year in operation:
“Stewpot Alliance Soup’s On! Luncheon Co-Chairs Anne Besser and Jackie Moore announced that author, singer/songwriter and foster care advocate Jimmy Wayne will be the keynote speaker of the 2015 luncheon and art sale to be held Tuesday, January 20, at the Omni Dallas. Stewpot Alliance member and civic leader Susie Simon will act as honorary chair of the popular event. The announcement was made at the brand new Brad Oldham Studio at 1200 Ross Ave. The retail studio will open to the public within a few weeks.
“Kristine Schwope chaired Thursday’s Fall Kick-off party and membership drive which also collected items for the annual Women’s Christmas Tea to be held Friday, December 4.
“It was a treat to be at the new Brad Oldham Studio for the Soup’s On! announcement. Oldham has created ‘Birth of the City’ — a lost-wax bronze sculpture wall that stories from the history of Dallas from its founding until the mid-1930’s. This site-specific installation will feature ten-6’ by4’ panels along Park Avenue and Young Street. There will be a public unveiling of the Sculpture Wall @ Encore Park on Friday, October 24, at 3:30 p.m.”
* Photos provided by The Stewpot Alliance