2014 Crystal Charity Ball Chair Robyn Conlon only thought she’d been “put out to pasture.” But Robyn took a turn in the road and continues her commitment to the children’s fundraiser.
On Tuesday, January 30, she opened her Highland Park mansion for a brunch to celebrate the 2018 frosh class of CCB including Ashley Allen, Kara Axley, Marybeth Conlon, Lissie Donosky, Anne McPherson and Lisa Rocchio and their mother hens/CCB advisers Mary Claire Finney, Ola Fojtasek and Elizabeth Gambrell.
With two newbies at each of the three tables in dining room, entry hall and formal living room with 2018 CCB committee heads, 2018 CCB Chair Claire Emanuelson announced the internal theme would be “Downton Abbey,” with Claire staking claim to Maggie Smith‘s character, Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham.
Ironically, when 2016 CCB Chair Christie Carter‘s internal working theme was “Steel Magnolias,” then-Underwriting Chair Claire immediately channeled the character of Ouiser Boudreaux.
After brunch was served, committee chairs explained their various responsibilities — Chair-Elect Pat McEvoy, Underwriting Chair Angie Kadesky, Foundations Chair Kristina Whitcomb, Fashion Show Chair Heather Esping, Arrangements Chair Mary Parker, Kick-Off Chair Melissa Macatee and Public Relations Chair Pam McCallum and Special Gifts Co-Chairs Cara French and Piper Wyatt — and how the new members would be working with them.