While North Texas youngsters were winding down after their morning at NorthPark for the Children’s Medical Center Foundation‘s Breakfast with Santa Spectacular on the morning of Sunday, December 3, grownup types were celebrating the holiday season at Turtle Creek Park as the sun was setting. With Arlington Hall decked out with ginormous snowflakes, its columns wrapped in lights and all types of sweets including an outdoor fire pit for DIY-ers to make their own s’mores, “Holiday In The Hall” was party time for top donors and board members to celebrate their support of the Turtle Creek Park Conservancy. Here’s a report from the field:
There were “s’more” than just cocktails and twinkling lights at Turtle Creek Conservancy’s Holiday in the Hall Sunday evening, December 3, at the newly redecorated Arlington Hall honoring members of the organization’s non-profit support group.
President Tiffany Divis and her staff worked closely with presenting sponsor Park Place dealerships to create an elegant cocktail buffet featuring live music by Backbeat Band, holiday carolers and the piece de resistance-an outdoor s’more bar complete with contained fire pit and accoutrements for guests to create their own gooey, yummy dessert.
The perimeter of the building was decked out with dozens of white poinsettias and subtle lighting that provided a dramatic setting for the two Park Place cars and beautiful silver and white themed décor created by Ken and Connie Miles with assistance from Junior Villanueva and the team at Garden Gate Floral Design Studio
Décor in every room of the historic Arlington Hall carried out the silvery, white and snow flake motif that was not lost on one clever guest who commented “it may look like a winter fantasy indoors, but it feels like spring break outdoors.”
Among those enjoying the al fresco, DIY s’mores were donors Louise Griffeth, who confessed to other guests that she considered herself an aficionado. Joining in the dessert-making festivities were longtime Turtle Creek Conservancy donors and board members Lynn and Peter Dauterman, Wendy and Boyd Messmann, Ellen Winspear, Michael Faircloth and David Davis, Bob and Suzy Kriscunas, Joan and Councilman Paul Ridley, Councilperson Gay Donnell Willis and her husband Michael Willis, Renda Mathew and husband Russell Hayward, Camille Fournier, Ralph Randall, Tammy and Jeff Duclow, Jane Manning, Lynn McBee, Jeff Netzer, Paul von Wupperfeld and Andy Smith. Also, Bonnie Jones who oversaw the redecorating of Arlington Hall was proudly displaying the results of her recent efforts.
Noted art expert Gail Sachson, who lives in a high-rise overlooking the park, chatted with Louise and others guests about the “how much the park is improving-almost weekly” as the gardens have been restored and rejuvenated in the past several months. “The gardens are returning to their original beauty,” said Gail. “And my little chihuahua loves it!”
Tiffany spent the evening, along with Advancement Officer Chris Denney, touring guests through the refreshed and refurbished facility and pointing out that their end-of-year Membership Drive is in full force, with subtle reference a famous credit card company’s motto that “membership has its rewards.”
As guests left the party, Conservancy staff and volunteers distributed one additional sweet farewell-individually wrapped chocolate “turtle” candies for the ride home.
* Photo credit: Nate Rehlander