The Dallas Historical Society‘s History Makers Luncheon patron party at a restored 1950s retro home would have been enough to impress the fundraiser’s supporters, but a surprise guest made the evening even more memorable.
Filling Greg Nieberding and Eddie Ortega‘s beautifully restored 1950’s home at the end of Daria, the patrons and honorees gathered at 6 p.m. to get to know each other and the luncheon’s supporters.
While Greg was showing the living quarters to Ann Whitley Wood and David Finto, DHS Executive Karl Chiao awaited the arrival of his wife/art gallery owner Elaine Chiao. He appreciated the work that had gone into Greg’s and Eddie’s project as he recalled how he and Elaine had recently moved into their home following a renovation supervised by Elaine.
On a side table a 1950’s vintage unlit cigarette on an ashtray looked right in place as Mad Men beverages were being passed.
Unbeknownst to Karl and Greg, a couple of ladies arrived and seamlessly moved to the kitchen for a cup of lemonade. As they passed through the crowd, heads turned and looks of astonishment appeared on faces.
The reason? This twosome was Co-Chair Laura Woodall and Greg’s neighbor former First Lady Laura Bush.
Looking around the 1950’s kitchen, Laura smiled and admitted that it indeed reminded her of her grandmother’s kitchen. In addition to being Laura’s first visit to the house, she recalled having seen a dress designed by the home’s previous owner decades ago.
Making his way through the crowd that included Cynthia and Kirk Woodall and Patti Broyles Garvey, Greg offered to take Laura for a tour of the house including a look at that very dress.
But before she went on the tour, Laura told Karl that husband/former President George Bush was home watching the Texas Rangers as they faced the Diamondbacks in the fifth game of the 2023 World Series finals.
Speaking of the Series, Tori and Joe Mannes were juggling all types of responsibilities on this night. In addition to being a History Maker honoree, they were hosting a table at the 40th Annual H. Neil Mallon Dinner at the Hyatt Regency.
Speaking of the Mallon dinner, it seems that the World Series had created a perfect storm. Plans had called for Bush Presidential Center President/CEO and 2023 Mallon Awardee Ken Hersh to be honored.
Only Ken, who sits on the board of the Texas Rangers, was in Phoenix for the game. No problem, he would appear via video.
Regardless, Joe had tucked away a Rangers’ towel in his pocket that he was prepared to wave upon a possible win. Tori laughed when someone suggested that the dinner might be very short due to the game.
When the possibility of the Rangers’ winning the Series was heard, a nearby guest said, “We’re not used to winning.”
Later in the evening, when the Rangers indeed won their first World Series, North Texans quickly adjusted to that winning feeling.