Unless one was a World Series groupie, there were scant excuses for not being out and about on Wednesday, October 29. Yes, Todd “Fun Guy” Fiscus was celebrating his 10th anniversary of mirth making at the Rachofsky House. Smarty pants Todd had refreshed the digs of the past weekend’s Two by Two domed tent for his 10th anniversary celebration. Oodles and oodles of the beautiful peeps were lifting flutes of the bubbly. Gina Ginsburg was in drop dead leggings with husband Scott…Matthews Simon was being hugged like a teddy bear as he bid a temporary farewell to Dallas buds (he and his partner Keith Schumann, who was recovering a major heart attack have relocated to Atlanta); Neva Hall was looking spectacular, as were Brooke Hortenstine, Shelle and Michael Sills, Barbara Daseke and Todd’s partner Ceron (they’re doing the Dallas-Houston shuffle).
With lady violinists perched on platforms covered in two-story white, billowing skirts, a butterfly-like dancer arrived on a centerstage surrounded by a gauzy white curtain.
But the nonprofits hadn’t taken the night off. Heck, no. They were in high gear across Dallas.
The Stroud House
In Uptown, the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture had good reason to celebrate and that they did. In addition to having simply spectacular weather, they were officially showing off their newest acquisition — The Stroud House. Why even legendary Dr. Louise Cowan was on the scene with a vigilante staffer clearing the way for her arrival on the brick walk leading to the festivities in the back.
The Stroud House is part of the Institute’s campus expansion. Right next door to the Institute’s Prairie-style headquarters, the Stroud House exudes New Orleans elegance with its red brick walls, balconies and non-stop fountain out front.
It’s called The Stroud House because Dr. Joanne Stroud provided the lead gift for the purchase that sold for $2.5M. Others who helped make the acquisition come true included Betty Regard and Margaret McDermott.
Communities Foundation of Texas Brent Christopher couldn’t stay for the official dedication due to a dinner commitment with Educate Texas Executive Director John Fitzpatrick, who was up from Austin.
On the other hand, Nancy Cain Marcus, Veletta and John Lill, Kim Hiett Jordan and Anne Reeder, who great grandfather had lived in the Dallas Institute headquarters when Dallas was just a small town.
Lynne Sheldon recalled how The Stroud House had previously been a frame store before it had been purchased by the Institute.
While other similar properties are being felled by wrecking balls, it’s truly amazing to see these stately homes restored and made vital once again.
Awards For Excellence In Community Service Patron Party
The Dallas Historical Society was buzzing with news over at the Hall of State. Here is a report from the field about the patron party and the honorees for the upcoming fundraising luncheon:
“The Dallas Historical Society hosted a patron party for 2014 Awards for Excellence in Community Service recipients, sponsors and distinguished guests. It was a true Texas affair as guests arrived at the Hall of State at Fair Park, one of the most beautiful art deco buildings in the state. Set for Thursday, November 20, at the Fairmont Hotel, the luncheon is the Dallas Historical Society’s largest and most important fundraising event to support its educational and preservation programs.
“Lynn and Allan McBee, Dallas Historical Society’s co-chairmen of the board of trustees, welcomed guests in the G.B. Dealey Library West Texas room.
“Lynn remarked, ‘Welcome to the Dallas Historical Society’s patron party. We are in a historic room that has been redesigned as a research library to access the organization’s extensive collection. DHS processes more than 2,000 research requests per year. Speaking of collections, just last week, the granddaughter of Judge Lew Sterrett donated scrapbooks and personal papers of the judge to the collection.’ She described the room. ‘Notice the Tom Lea murals with its cowboy motifs, the Spanish architecture, Dorothy Austin’s sculpture and the magnificent tile depicting Texas life from a studio that still exists in San Antonio.’
“Allan McBee introduced Margaret and Glenn Solomon, co-chairs of the DHS Awards for Excellence in Community Service event. Glenn said, ‘The Awards for Excellence in Community Service are presented on behalf of the Dallas Historical Society to the designated recipients who are deserving of recognition for their generosity of spirit, civic leadership and ability to encourage community-wide participation in a particular phase of the growth of the city. Thank you to the Honorary Chairs Lee Cullum and Laura Wilson.’
“The distinguished recipients were announced by Margaret Solomon and other DHS Trustees and came to the front to be recognized:
- Arts Leadership – Kevin Moriarty (Award sponsored by Diane and Hal Brierley)
- Business – Robert A. Estrada (Award sponsored by Al Hill Jr. family)
- Creative Arts – Judy and Patrick Kelly (Award sponsored by Bobby B. Lyle, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gillikin, RWR Investments)
- Education – Mary and Mike Terry (Award sponsored by David Miller Family Foundation and Friends of Mary and Mike Terry)
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Stuart Bumpas* Health/Science Medicine – Claude B. Prestidge, M.D. (Award sponsored by BaylorScott&White and the Friends of Claude B. Prestidge, M.D.)
- Humanities – S.M. Wright Foundation (Award sponsored by Vin and Caren Prothro Foundation and Allie Beth and Pierce Allman)
- Philanthropy – Stuart Bumpas (Award sponsored by Ruth C. and Charles S. Sharp Foundation, Inc. and Linda and Bill Custard)
- Volunteer Community Leadership – Judy Rorrie (Award sponsored by Stephanie and Hunter Hunt)
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Schatzie Lee and Caro Stalcup* Jubilee History Makers – Natalie ‘Schatzie’ Lee (Award sponsored by Friends of Natalie ‘Schatzie’ Lee)
“In addition to the prestigious honorees, the McBees and the Solomons, others in attendance included Ruth Altshuler, Bill Graue, Steve Coke, Shannon Callewart and her daughter Lucy Callewart, Patricia Meadows, Deborah Ryan, William Ryan, Laura Estrada and Paul Hermann.
“The McBees thanked everyone for coming and encouraged those to let others know about the November 20th event. Those interested in purchasing tables or tickets can go online.”
* Photo credit: Rhi Lee