While North Texas waited for the next slam of wet weather on Wednesday, May 1, Arlington Hall was blissfully dry for the 2024 Crystal Charity Ball Theme Reveal.
Despite fears that the combination of threatening weather and other about-town activities (i.e. Preservation Park Cities book launch of its “An Architectural Guide to the Historic Houses of Highland Park and University Park, Texas” and the 2024 Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award Patron Party at Kathryn and Craig Hall’s nest high atop Hall Arts Residence), more than 125 guests arrived to hear what 2024 CCB Chair Cheryl Joyner, Decorations Chair Tiffany Divis and Theme Announcement Chair Patti Flowers had in mind.
Having spent the day setting up for the reveal, Patti laughed that she felt right at home preparing for the night.
On the other hand, Cheryl had consoled herself that she would be solo on this night. She couldn’t imagine that husband Richard Joyner’s plane would arrive promptly at 5 p.m. for him to make the 7 p.m. start of the party.
So it was a bit of a surprise that Richard made it. But his arrival was not easily achieved. Yes, the plane did indeed arrive on schedule but on the way home, one of his tires blew out. Richard was looking sad and forlorn in the road near Preston and Royal when a passerby spied him on the side of the road. She thought he looked familiar and pulled over. The driver was 2024 Crystal Charity Ball Fashion Show Chair Kim Hext, who had been juggling preparations for son Preston Hext’s upcoming wedding.
Immediately, Kim took Richard to his home where he changed clothes and then ubered to Arlington Hall to support his wife.
While the transportation three-ring service was going on, “Easter eggs” were planted throughout Arlington Hall (i.e., fireplace in the sitting room with big juicy apples on the coffee table and more apples, miniature topiaries with lights and books on NYC as the centerpiece on the round table in the foyer, Café Carlyle-styled tables with small table lamps in the Great Hall, etc.).
Against the background of a pianist playing music in the Great Hall, the night’s conversation ranged from Lisa Loy Laughlin’s recalling the past Saturday’s Equest Blue Ribbon Gala; Shannon Graham in the final stages of the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Dallas’ Fashion Show; and Kim Quinn’s reporting all was right on schedule for La Fiesta De Las Seis Banderas at the Hilton Anatole on Saturday, June 8.
The crowd moved into the Great Hall to learn of the plans. Alas, missing in the crowd was the evening sponsor Corient’s Chuck Thoele. Luckily, Beth Thoele stood in for her husband.
Before the announcement of the theme took place, Cheryl announced the team who worked behind the scenes during the year at the numerous events leading up to the December ball at the Hilton Anatole, including the following: Tom Addis, Junior Villanueva of the Garden Gate, Paul Fields of Lambert’s Landscape, Curtis Butts, orchestra conductor Tim Ishii, Mike McColm, Cassie Lawson of Lawson Rentals, Jamie Furrate of Curtis Moving and Storage, Cassandra Moses of Art2Catering and the Hilton Anatole’s Roberta Robertson and Beverly Anderson.
Just then the piano in the center of the room that had been silent while the presentation got underway was now playing “New York, New York.”
Cheryl reported that over the past 72 years, Crystal Charity “has had a variety of wonderful ball themes and some theme locations are so fabulous they deserve another ‘visit.’ As many of you know, I love New York — especially the excitement and energy of being there during the holidays. The beauty of a fresh snow, peeking into the elaborately decorated windows on Fifth Avenue and strolling through Central Park with a chill in the air. It is magical. With a lot of help and imagination from Tom Addis and Tiffany Divis, we have incorporated that vision into the 2024 Ball theme.”
With that the curtains on the room’s stage were pulled back to reveal “New York Holiday” as servers arrived on the scene with trays of Manhattans.
The news especially thrilled 2013 CCB Chair Caren Kline, whose ball theme had been Magnificent Manhattan.
On Saturday, December 7, the black-tie gala will be a “New York State Of Mind” at the Hilton Anatole to celebrate the support of Dallas County children’s charities.
For more looks of the revealing night, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.