Many Dallas folks either have a second home in Taos or wish they did. The New Mexico town has the charm of Santa Fe without the hype. The nearby mountains also provide just enough chill to make chimineas with pinion, sweaters, boots and turquoise simply perfect any evening by moonlight.
On Friday, November 7, the Friends of Wilkinson Center transported that feel for a sold-out crowd at The Lot for The Spirit of Taos benefiting the The Wilkinson Center. The slight dip in the temperature made it ideal to bust out those cashmere and leathers. Even the moon cooperated, peeking through the trees.
However, instead of snow bunnies greeting you, Haley Dugas, Caroline Atkins and Beth Tomlin were right at the front door to check guests in.
The three Ann’s (Honorary Co-Chair Ann Dyer, Wilkinson Center Executive Director Anne Reeder and Anne Conner) seemed to have gotten the memo proclaiming black leather and turquoise were the look of the night. Co-Chair Bob Dyer was late in arriving. Traffic was murder, but Ann carried on without a hiccup.
On the other hand, Pat McEvoy, just back from France, admitted that the only thing in her closet that was near western were her boots.
The sold-out event for 210 had guests all over the place. While Liz Mayo and John Hansen took to the dance floor, Rose Farley and Tom Korosec joined Sara and Gary Ahr in a nearby booth. Outside in the beer garden, Terry Conner caught up with Holly and Stormy Greef.
Co-Chairs Missy Huber and Cathy Saxon arranged for Frank in the Middle to start off the entertainment for the evening. Eventually Taos fav/former Dallasite Michael Hearne took over, including “Spirit of Taos” in his repertoire.
Even the list of raffle items had that Sangre de Cristo flavor with trips to Taos, turquoise jewelry and fashions.
Spirit of Taos in some ways was better than being in Taos. You didn’t have to waste time getting there. You had great food, music and friends. And you helped the Friends raise funds for The Wilkinson Center.