The Kappa Kappa Gammas had the elegant two-day Tablescapes in October at the Dallas Country. The Chi Omegas were hosting the three-day Chi Omega Christmas Market shopping extravaganza at the Centennial Hall at Fair Park from November 14-17. The Kappa Alpha Thetas took over Brook Hollow Golf Club on Tuesday, November 13, to play Theta And Friends Bingo.
Unlike the Kappas in cocktail attire and luncheon outfits or the Chi Os in red aprons, the Thetas were strictly casual in woolly sweaters, jazzed up sneakers and slacks. After all, there was no need for satins and pearls to play games.
Last year’s putting the toe-in-the-water bingo fundraiser resulted in such a success that it had almost grown to epic proportions. Even the Brook Hollow staffers were amazed about the turnout and the fun.
As a result, national Theta Foundation President Victoria McCluggage, Foundation Executive Director Kelley Hurst, Foundation VP Cathie Cardelucci and Foundation Director of Advancement Justine Thomas were on hand to watch and play and applaud the Dallas KAT Alumnae chapter on two counts.
In addition to heaping praise on the Dallas Theta Alumnae Chapter for the new Theta house on SMU campus, they congratulated Alumnae Chapter President Anne Besser and the chapter for being awarded the Founders Award. The national award is presented “to the chapter that has maintained or grown their membership, offers programs for Alumnae of all ages, supports the local CASA with volunteers and financial contributions, makes an impact on its community and annually makes significant donations to the KAT Foundation.”
Looking at the arriving guests, Bingo Chair Kristi Sherrill Hoyl, who pledged Theta at Texas A&M, was not just thrilled over the turnout, but also the diversity in the generations. Not only were there plenty of SMU Theta alumnae like Carmen McMillan, Jane Pierce, Peggy Zadina and Janie Condon on hand, there were plenty of non-Thetas like Pam Perella and Nancy Gopez. DeeDee Lee, who got her kite at the University of Kentucky, said she saw “Thetas young and old (like me), some with their cute husbands, some with other Thetas and some with mothers of Thetas” like Amy Hughes and Ann Adams.
The gathering also provided a coming-together for women who had pledged the first Greek-letter fraternity for women from around the country, like Oklahoma State’s Kristi Bare and Patti Flowers from Texas Tech.
Even the guys got into the swing of the night. Dale Johnson was at Jane Pierce’s front row table along with Phil John, who was solo. Seems his wife Sue John was overseeing the Dallas Knife and Fork Club’s fall get together.
One of the players was also a recipient of the night’s proceeds. It was Dallas CASA Executive Director/President Kathleen LaValle. In addition to the national KAT beneficiary being the CASA, Dallas CASA is supported with funding and volunteers by the local alumnae chapter and actives.
And if anyone thought it was going to be strictly number calling and bingo shouting, with folks sitting on metal folding chairs, they were in for a surprise. There were other surprises that jazzed up the night, like getting everyone to stand up and check the underside of their chairs’ cushions for prizes.
At one point in the evening, when a table of “young” girls got on a winning streak, one Theta alumna at another table suggested it would be great if they would donate their winnings to CASA. Without missing a beat, her tablemate said, “No, let them keep it for Botox.” Bingo!