Event planners just thought they were safe scheduling events on Wednesday, September 16th. After all, North Texas Giving Day was the next day, so it appeared that Wednesday would be open to fundraising. Oops! The CNN Republican debate suddenly became the Super Bowl of Politics that night. Oh, dear! Debate-watching parties were popping up around town like pumpkins at Autumn at the Arboretum.
Would anyone show up for an event while the politicos were verbally sparring? Guess what? The philanthropic crowd knew how to schedule their time like a seamstress showing off the forbidden stitch.

While The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary sipped and shopped at the Luxury Garage Sale in Snider Plaza, The Family Place crowd shimmied their way into Mulberry for the Partners Card South Soiree in NorthPark.
Mulberry’s Matthew Minick looked right at home with the guests parading in. Family Place Development VP Melissa Sherrill was just a tad bit blown away by the turnout that included Nancy Gopez, Cass Robinson, Sara Robinson and Mulberry’s New Yawker Johanan Merino, who was just back from the Big Apple with a refreshed haircut and a review of New York’s Fashion Week.
Just as ReuNight Co-Chair Robert Weatherly arrived Family Place CEO Paige Flink reported that tickets were going lickety-split for the November 12th delicious dinner with Chef John Tesar in the kitchen.


Then she spotted Paula Davis and announced that Paula had been the top card seller. Her secret? She has lots of shop-loving neighbors in Lake Highlands.
Another event on The Family Place’s schedule is the 20th Anniversary Texas Trailblazer Awards Luncheon on Thursday, October 1, at the Hilton Anatole. In addition to Co-Chairs Michaela Dyer and Layne Pitzer arranging for awards being presented to Nancy Nasher, Bob Miller and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, they’re having actress Marisa Tomei as the keynote speaker. BTW, be prepared. Paige is hoping to make an announcement to impress. She ain’t talking about it until then.