With the sweltering heat on Wednesday, May 30, it was a little wishful thinking to imagine the chilly temperatures of December. But that was exactly what was on the minds of more than 50 women at Salum. It was the Crystal Charity Ball’s “Midpoint Luncheon,” where the year’s chair reports on how things are going for the annual fundraiser for Dallas children’s nonprofits.
As usual, things were moving right along according to Claire Emanuelson with the September 14th fashion show on the verge of a sell-out* and underwriting contracts coming in.
Before the presentation of the awards got underway, there was the talk over lunch. Former CCB Chair Robyn Conlon and Kim Quinn were both in Carolina Herrera purple-and-white check silk dresses. Robyn explained that she had picked hers out because she was going to a funeral of a dear friend, who loved bright colors… La Fiesta de Las Seis Banderas Co-Chairs Anne Besser and Elizabeth Gambrell somehow managed to be at the luncheon despite their back-to-back activities for La Fiesta de Las Seis Banderas in just five days. This year’s theme is saluting Spain, so Anne and Elizabeth managed to have the Duchess and Doll luncheon at Meadows Museum and that’s just one of seven activities planned…. When former CCB Chair Christie Carter acknowledged that her necklace had been a gift from her late mother, Alison Malone with a double strand of pearls highlighted with double “C”s laughed, “Chanel didn’t give me mine.” … Melissa Macatee was at her own midpoint having been mother of the bride [McBride Macatee] in April and soon to be mother-of-the-bridegroom [George Macatee V] in June. She confessed that she had gained four pounds following McBride’s wedding due to all the cake eating… Speaking of weight, Salum owner Abraham Salum had lost 40 pounds in four months going from 212 to 172. The secret? A doctor’s diet that restricted him to 500 calories a day and no alcohol. He was also headed to Mexico to check on his father, who had broken his hip, had it repaired and just fallen again that day.
No sooner had lunch been finished than the awards were handed out. Keeping with Claire “Downton Abbey” internal working theme, the awards ranged from books on Meaghan and Harry and Chef Darren McGrady to champagne. Recipients of the awards were the committee members, who risen to the top for the first half of the year. And the winners were:
Off To The Races (First Contract in):
- Underwriters — Mary Martha Pickens
- Silent Auction Special Gifts — Michell Lockhart
- Children’s Book — Fredye Factor
- Foundations — Marie Dean
Tally Ho (Most New Dollars):
- Underwriters — Leslie Diers
- Silent Auction Special Gifts — Margaret Hancock
- Children’s Book — Marybeth Conlon
- Foundations — Bunny Cotten
The Full Monty (Most Contracts In/Most Grants Written):
- Underwriters — Libby Allred
- Silent Auction Special Gifts — Suzy Gekiere
- Children’s Book — Lynn McBee
- Foundations — Susan Farris
Wimbledon Cup (Most Dollars In):
- Underwriters — Meredith Bebee
- Silent Auction Special Gifts — Katherine Coker
- Children’s Book — Suzy Gekiere
- Foundations — Alicia Wood
My Fair Lady (Overachievers):
- Underwriters — Libby Allred/Marybeth Conlon
- Silent Auction Special Gifts — Janie Condon
- Children’s Book — Leigh Anne Haugh
- Foundations — Emilynn Wilson
For more photos, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.
* Update: The Ten Best Dressed Fashion Show and Luncheon is sold out.