With the grounds flourishing with brilliant pink azaleas and fountains flowing, Lisa and Clay Cooley’s estate could have been considered the Dallas Arboretum’s satellite spread. Instead it was the scene on Thursday, April 28, of the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Dallas’ (SAWA) patron party for its fashion show and luncheon at the Meyerson just days away on Tuesday, May 3.
2021 Fashion Show Chair Kim Hext admitted that she was in awe of Lisa’s stepping up to host the event just five days after Cooley daughter Ciara Cooley’s marriage to Hunt Biggers. It seems that Lisa had agreed to host the 2021 patron party. When it was canceled due to the pandemic, Lisa didn’t hesitate to host the 2022 patron party.
According to sources, the wedding at Turtle Creek Park was an amazingly incredible occasion that involved only North Texas’ top talents including Lauren Kitchen providing individual cakes for each of the guests following the newlyweds’ cutting the major cake. As for the night’s music, there was a gospel choir following the exchanging of the vows in the Allie Beth and Pierce Allman Pavillion, a harpist atop a stage in Arlington Hall’s entry Hall, an almost non-stop band with singers performing on glass table tops and, as a surprise for mother Lisa, Ciara and her father Clay Cooley arranged for an Elvis-might-be to perform. And that’s not to mention the fireworks lighting up Turtle Creek and fire dancers celebrating the occasion on the grounds.
Following the nuptials and the SAWA invite-only affair, Lisa’s only problem was her feet hadn’t been prepared for Saturday’s workout, which stretched from 1 p.m. until the wee hours of Sunday morning.
But thanks to a support staff, all was in place by Thursday, with cupcakes on the dining room table and a feast of food throughout the main rooms.
Early arrivals Lisa Barfield and Muffin Lemak explained they had to duck out early for a dinner at Café Pacific to celebrate Claire Emanuelson’s birthday with husband Dwight Emanuelson and neighbors Niven Morgan and Shelby Wagner.
Muffin and husband John Lemak, who sold their Dallas family home a little over a year ago and moved into Museum Arts Tower, described the new digs like this: “It’s like waking up every morning in a luxury hotel.”
Decked out in a gold net top, fashion-loving Muffin reported that she had picked it up at Stanley Korshak’s Shak, adding that the blouse could be worn for a dressy affair or just a dress down.
As busy as this night-of-nights was (record-breaking April 28 had more than 15 fundraising events taking place), still folks showed up including Nancy Bierman, 2021-2022 SAWA President Elizabeth Gambrell, 2022-2023 SAWA President Jennifer Dix, and Margot Perot Service Awardee Carol Seay, who was recovering from a broken toe. Speaking of foot challenges, across-the-road neighbors Dianne and Mark LaRoe opted to drive over due to Mark’s brace boot.
Minutes after the event got underway, SAWA Fashion Show Chair Nikki Webb arrived with a box full of favors. Her delay was due to afternoon traffic challenges.